The discussion centers on Exor, an Italian holding company, which the hosts previously recommended as a way to invest in Ferrari at a significant discount. At the beginning of 2026, Exor offered a 50-60% discount to its Net Asset Value (NAV), effectively allowing investors to own Ferrari shares at a much cheaper price than buying them directly.
However, since then, Exor's stock has declined, and the NAV discount has widened. A key reason for market concern was Exor's decision to sell off €3 billion worth of its Ferrari stake. While this move was controversial given Ferrari is Exor's "crown jewel" and a primary reason many invested in Exor, it was done when Ferrari was trading at high P/E multiples, suggesting astute timing in hindsight. The proceeds were intended for new acquisitions. The market, however, viewed this either as a sign of weakness or a lack of trust in Exor's ability to reinvest well, leading to a widened discount. The hosts acknowledge that timing the closing of such a discount is difficult, and holding companies like Exor often trade below NAV for extended periods, unlike rare exceptions like Berkshire Hathaway.
Despite Exor's stock performance, Ferrari itself has continued to excel, posting record quarters and guiding for its best year ever. However, its stock experienced volatility, falling from a peak P/E of 57x to around 30x earnings. This re-rating was partly attributed to the perceived "maturing" of Ferrari's growth rate and the mixed reception of its new electric vehicle, the Ferrari Luce.
The Luce, Ferrari's first fully electric car, initially caused the stock to drop 7-8%. Critics, including Ferrari's former CEO, questioned its alignment with the brand's identity, citing EVs' focus on practicality over extreme performance and the design compromises due to large batteries. However, the hosts argue the Luce aims to expand Ferrari's customer base to a more "tech-forward cohort" in markets like Silicon Valley and China. Indeed, the Luce sold out in China within a month, and its order book extends to late 2027, indicating strong demand. Ferrari has since revised down its expectation for EV models by 2030 from 40% to 20%, suggesting a more cautious approach.
Other new Ferrari models introduced in 2026 include the Testarossa Spider (a hybrid with over 1000 hp) and the Amulfi Spider (a convertible positioned as a more "entry-level" model at under $300,000, compared to the average Ferrari price of $450,000). The hosts note Ferrari's strategy of maintaining scarcity through managed production ramp-ups and focusing on high-margin customization and services.
Analyzing Ferrari's key performance indicators (KPIs), the hosts found:
* **Volume Growth:** Expected 1-2% annually, though 2026 Q1 numbers suggest potential slight contraction, it's not a major concern given the brand's focus on pricing.
* **Revenue Growth:** Expected 7% (5% from pricing, 1-2% from volume). Ferrari's pricing power is evident, with average revenue per unit significantly increasing, demonstrating the "beauty of luxury."
* **R&D as % of Sales:** Tracking well at 13%.
* **Operating Margins:** Expanding, nearly reaching the 30% target.
Ferrari's business model is remarkably resilient, relying on scarcity and a dedicated customer base (85% repeat buyers). Macroeconomic risks like younger generations driving less or tariffs have minimal impact on Ferrari's ultra-wealthy clientele, who exhibit significant price insensitivity and accept high maintenance costs. Its Formula 1 team serves as a powerful marketing tool, reinforcing its legacy even without recent championships.
Beyond Ferrari, Exor's portfolio includes Stellantis (down 48% in 2026), CNH (up 11%), and Philips (up 2%). Exor has also actively divested non-core assets, generating €2 billion and streamlining its holdings, which could signal a move towards a more focused strategy.
A notable positive development for Exor is Lingotto, its asset management division. Lingotto's Assets Under Management (AUM) have tripled to over $10 billion since 2023, primarily driven by strong investment returns rather than capital inflows. Its success is partly attributed to concentrated bets on companies like Carvana and Teva Pharmaceuticals, which saw massive gains. Lingotto's growing AUM promises future recurring revenue for Exor through management and performance fees.
The hosts conclude that their original thesis for Exor remains largely intact. Ferrari's intrinsic value assumptions are holding, and the wide discount to NAV still makes Exor an attractive, asymmetric bet. While discounts can persist, the presence of valuable underlying assets and the potential for Ferrari's compounding growth to eventually lift Exor's stock makes it compelling. Kill criteria for the thesis would include Exor making consistently poor capital allocation decisions (e.g., overpaying for mediocre assets instead of buybacks) or significant instability in the leadership, such as John Elkann (Exor's CEO and chairman of Ferrari) losing control. The investment requires patience, banking on the eventual convergence of Exor's market price with its growing NAV.