Investing in SPACs for Yield with Jonathan Browne from Robinson Capital

by | Oct 4, 2021

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/

<a href="https://www.boardroomalpha.com/author/draps/" target="_self">David Drapkin</a>

David Drapkin

Spent his formative years at Goldman Sachs and now embraces the start-up life in NYC. A long suffering Oakland (Las Vegas) Raiders fan and graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Semi-professional go-kart racer waiting for his shot.

Know Who Drives Return

Objective, data-driven assessments for every public company director and officer.

SPAC Analytics & Database

Comprehensive research and analytics on every SPAC, sponsor, and deal. Real-time alerts, yields, red flags, filings, investors, and much more. API access to institutional grade SPAC database.

Monthly SPAC Review

SPAC Market Review – May 2022

Inflation, rising interest rates, and reduced corporate earnings across the board have led to persistent market gyrations which prove its too early for bottom fishing. The stampede out of deSPACs now makes it ‘deal-or-die’ time for those without targets.

SPAC Market Review – April 2022

The market is a mess right now. A hawkish Fed and even more cautious SEC are slowing deals….but may raise the bar for more quality SPACs down the line.

SPAC Market Review – March 2022

Despite increased scrutiny and apparent investor fatigue, deals are getting done and SPACs remain an attractive path to the public markets.

SPAC Research & Analysis

SPAC Market Review – December 2022

December’s SPAC market review takes a look by the numbers of the month’s SPAC activity and how the market currently stands going into 2023.

SPACs Today: Wednesday, Dec 14

Rice Acquisition Corp. II (RONI) with an encouraging energy transaction, and the rest of the day’s SPAC news.

SPACs Today: Monday, Dec 12

Venus Acquisition Corporation (VENA) finally closed and changes ticker to MLGO, and the rest of the day’s SPAC news.

SPAC Market Review – November 2022

November’s SPAC market review paints a picture of a SPAC market rushing towards the exit with high, and accelerating liquidations, more deal terminations, and almost no new SPAC IPOs.

SPACs Today: Thursday, Dec 1

Pacifico Acquisition Corp. (PAFO) are the latest with high redemptions, and the rest of today’s SPAC market news.

Know Who Drives Return Podcast

Boardroom Alpha Daily Read

We take a look at the day’s news, ESG trends and special situations. WindAcre increases its stake and opposes NSLN takeover bid. Activist Jana Partners brings lessons learned at ConAgra (CAG) to Treehouse Foods (THS). And other notable special situations.

Boardroom Alpha Daily Read

We take a look at the day’s news, ESG trends and special situations. Management shakeup at Faraday Future (FIFE) is an all-too familiar story in the world of EV SPACs. Blackrock to be 75% net-zero aligned by 2030, and Jana closing in (again) at Treehouse Foods (THS).

FOXO Technologies CEO Jon Sabes Is About to Disrupt the Insurance Industry

Boardroom Alpha talks to Jon Sabes, CEO of FOXO Technologies, which announced a SPAC merger with sponsor Delwinds Insurance Acquisition Corp. (DWIN). Sabes explains how epigenetic biomarkers can change the game for life insurance companies and tell us more about health and wellness than ever before.

Disclaimer

The opinions and information contained herein have been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable, but Boardroom Alpha cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness, and that of the opinions based thereon. 

This report contains opinions and is provided for informational purposes only – it does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. You should not rely solely upon the research herein for purposes of transacting securities or other investments, and you are encouraged to conduct your own research and due diligence, and to seek the advice of a qualified securities professional before you make any investment.  

None of the information contained in this report constitutes, or is intended to constitute a recommendation by Boardroom Alpha of any particular security or trading strategy or a determination by BA that any security or trading strategy is suitable for any specific person. To the extent any of the information contained herein may be deemed to be investment advice, such information is impersonal and not tailored to the investment needs of any specific person.  

No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made on behalf of Boardroom Alpha as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Boardroom Alpha does not accept any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on all or any part of this research and any liability is expressly disclaimed.