Jonathan Browne from Robinson Capital joins Boardroom Alpha’s David Drapkin to talk about SPAC arbitrage. Robinson Capital’s SPAX ETF launched in June of 2021 and is an actively managed exchange-trade fund (ETF) that invests in Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), also known as blank check companies. SPAX seeks to provide total return while minimizing downside risk.
Discussion Details
- Intro – Background to Robinson
- SPACs as an Alternative to Fixed Income
- SPACs and Yield, Risk-Free
- How do you picks SPACs?
- State of the SPAC IPO Market
- SPAX – the ETF
- What can reinvigorate the SPAC market?
- Sponsor alignment
- Gamma squeeze
- Closed end funds
Jonathan Browne Biography
Jon serves as a Portfolio Manager and member of the investment management team at Robinson Capital. He jointly oversees the day-to-day management of the Robinson Funds, including its investment strategies and processes, risk management, regulatory compliance, asset allocation modeling, external manager due diligence and selection, and trading. He is also responsible for overseeing the continued growth and advancement of the firm’s CEF and SPAC research efforts, which includes managing Robinson Capital’s proprietary valuation systems.
Prior to joining Robinson Capital Management, Jon worked as an Associate Portfolio Manager for Federated Investors, Inc. In that role, he helped manage several income focused, multi-asset class portfolios and SMA portfolios. In addition to his portfolio management responsibilities, Jon also served as a Research Analyst, providing fundamental equity research across various industries.
Previously, Jon worked for three years as a Senior Consultant at FactSet Research Systems Inc., where he developed proprietary models and streamlined investment processes for institutional investors, such as hedge fund managers, plan sponsors, and private wealth advisors.
Jon holds both a B.S. and MBA in Finance and Economics from Carnegie Mellon University.
Learn more about SPAX: https://www.robinsonetfs.com/
Learn more about Robinson Capital: https://www.robinsonfunds.com/