Value investors see mispriced opportunities from sports to fertilizer

Value investors pitched a mix of stock ideas in disparate corners of the market, even as geopolitical risks and higher energy prices weigh on sentiment. At the Value Invest conference in New York on Thursday, Jennifer Wallace of Summit Street Capital Management highlighted a stock that has drawn growing attention after shipping bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz sent liquid fertilizer prices soaring. She touted CF Industries as a structurally advantaged “cash-flow machine,” citing its exposure to globally priced fertilizer and low-cost U.S. natural gas inputs . “Fertilizer is priced on a global commodity basis,” Wallace said, adding that CF’s domestic cost advantage positions it as one of the most profitable producers globally. The investor also highlighted Signet Jewelers as a “cash flow diamond,” arguing the market is overlooking the retailer’s scale and resilience. The company generates the vast majority of its sales in North America and maintains a leading share in the U.S. bridal jewelry market, alongside a meaningful presence in fashion jewelry. That combination supports steady cash generation despite investor concerns around consumer spending, Wallace said. Mario Gabelli, chairman and CEO of GAMCO Investors, highlighted sports-related stocks as scarce assets tied to premium live content. He pointed to Atlanta Braves , Madison Square Garden Sports and Manchester United as attractive plays based on their franchise value. On Madison Square Garden Sports, Gabelli said the stock, trading around $310, could be worth “50% more,” adding that a planned split of the business could help unlock value. Gabelli downplayed the impact of geopolitical risks on his investment approach. “Do I worry about the Strait of Hormuz? It’s not something that I prefer having any time to spend on that dynamic,” he said. “Political dynamics are things that we think about, but I’m not necessarily thinking about them within the framework of our holdings.” Nifty Fifty opposite Jonathan Boyar, principal at the Boyar Value Group, framed his picks as “the opposite of the Nifty Fifty ,” the Magnificent 7 of their day, arguing that investors have overlooked quality businesses as attention focused on growth stocks. Among his top ideas, Boyar pointed to Uber Technologies , saying fears around autonomous vehicle disruption are obscuring a “capital-light cash compounding machine.” He also echoed the value case for Madison Square Garden Sports, arguing the market is incorrectly applying a “Dolan discount” to that family’s ownership of the New York Knicks and Rangers, leaving the stock trading below the combined value of those two franchises. John Rogers of Ariel Investments pointed to Scotts Miracle-Gro as an underappreciated name, citing its strong brand name and potential for shareholder returns. Rogers expects the lawn-care company to lean more heavily on share buybacks, a move he believes could help drive both earnings and the stock higher.