Berkshire Hathaway | No More Apple Pie & Bank Bread!No More Apple Pie and Bank Bread | Buffett’s Recipe for Market Caution
Berkshire Hathaway has recently disclosed its earnings amid fluctuating around a $1 trillion valuation. A notable update is its continued reduction of stakes in overvalued assets, including a 20% decrease in holdings of Apple and Bank of America, boosting its cash reserves to $325 billion
Although Warren Buffett himself isn't favoring share buybacks at present, Berkshire Hathaway stands as a compelling investment option
Why Berkshire Hathaway's $325 Billion Cash Pile Signals Market Caution
The company's net earnings remain subject to significant fluctuations due to rules requiring valuation changes of investment holdings. However, there was a slight decline in operating earnings, mainly driven by lower insurance underwriting income. Despite this, that segment is historically volatile, and year over year aka YoY, the company has maintained strong performance.
Yea2date aka YTD, operating earnings have risen over 10%, totaling just under $33 billion compared to just below $29 billion last year. This points to an annualized earnings estimate of approximately $44 billion, implying a price2earnings aka P/E ratio of about 22, without factoring in over $320 billion in cash and significant investment holdings.
Excluding cash and investments, the adjusted P/E ratio is closer to single digits. Share buybacks have paused, reflected in a ~1% decrease in the outstanding shares YoY, signaling Berkshire's assessment of current market valuations.
Segment Highlights
The various business units within Berkshire Hathaway showcase its robust asset base and earning capacity. Insurance underwriting income saw a sharp YoY drop, but other business areas performed strongly. Income from insurance investments remained solid, and BNSF, its railroad subsidiary, also showed strong results despite a double digit YoY decline.
Berkshire Hathaway Energy continues its growth, cementing its position in the utility sector with significant renewable energy ventures. For context, NextEra Energy (NEE), with a market capitalization of $160 billion, posted quarterly earnings around 10% higher.
Berkshire's other controlled and non-controlled businesses contribute over $13 billion annually, underpinning its diversification and consistent earnings performance. This strength across segments underscores its formidable financial health.
Market Context
Currently, market valuations are elevated by historical standards.
Excluding periods of earnings dips, market enthusiasm is exceptionally high, with the S&P 500 P/E ratio nearing 30x, approaching levels last seen in 1999. Buffett and Berkshire appear to view a 3% yield from such a P/E as unattractive, especially when bonds offer higher returns.
The 2008 Playbook
Berkshire's track record of effectively utilizing its cash reserves is notable. Excluding its insurance float, the company still holds $150 billion in cash.
During the 2008 financial crisis, Berkshire leveraged its liquidity for strategic investments in companies like General Electric, Swiss Re, Dow Chemical, and Bank of America, as well as finalizing the full acquisition of BNSF in 2010. This proactive use of capital proved advantageous.
The current strategic sale of assets suggests Berkshire is preparing for potential market downturns. Given high S&P 500 valuations, reallocating part of an S&P 500 position into Berkshire Hathaway could be wise, ensuring exposure to a cash-rich portfolio capable of seizing future opportunities. Meanwhile, Berkshire’s earnings are valued lower than the broader market, potentially minimizing major downturn risks.
Investment Risks
A key risk is that timing the market is inherently challenging, with the adage "time in the market beats timing the market" serving as a caution. If Berkshire's market outlook is incorrect, its $300+ billion in cash could underperform while broader markets remain strong, which would diminish its appeal as an investment.
Final Thoughts
Berkshire Hathaway has taken the bold step of liquidating some of its most significant and priciest holdings, opting to incur capital gains taxes to increase liquidity. This move has bolstered its cash position to $325 billion, $150 billion above its float level. Meanwhile, its strong operational businesses continue generating healthy cash flow.
Drawing on its successful strategies during the 2008 crisis, Berkshire appears to be positioning itself for another downturn amid current high market valuations. We advise investors to consider shifting part of their S&P 500 exposure into Berkshire Hathaway for enhanced diversification and potential benefits in a market correction, long story short Berkshire Hathaway remains a robust investment opportunity but wont make millionaire!
What do you think moonypto fam?
Warrenbuffet
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. New (log)Hello community,
Weekly graph on logarithmic scale.
A quick look in the rearview mirror.
What can we say about the performance of the fund of the "god" of investment, except BRAVO!
A little quote that I love:
"Wall Street is the only place where people get into a Rolls Royce to get advice from those who take the subway."
Make your own opinion, before placing an order.
► Thank you for boosting, commenting, subscribing!
Berkshire Hathaway Testing Crucial Levels: Will the Bulls WIN? Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) is approaching key levels that could dictate its next big move!
Upside Potential : A break above $465.04 could push the stock toward the next target at $473.18, where bulls are likely to step in for a rally. Watch for increased momentum if price closes above these resistance levels.
Downside Risk: If the stock fails to hold the current support around $459, a drop toward the lower support zone at $448.29 could be in play. Bears should be ready for action if the price breaks below this level.
Stay sharp, traders—both scenarios present strong opportunities. Keep an eye on price action and volume!
Happy Trading
Mindbloome Trader
Understanding Warren Buffett’s Investment PhilosophyWarren Buffett is arguably one of the most successful investors of all time. Over the years, he has developed a set of principles and strategies over his career. He was inspired by the teachings of key financial thinkers like Phil Fisher, Benjamin Graham and Charlie Munger.
Key Influences
Phil Fisher
Fisher’s approach focusses on quality companies with long-term growth potential, emphasizing focused portfolios and long-term holdings. He believed in gathering information about a company beyond what’s readily available. His lessons on maintaining a focused portfolio and committing to long-term holdings are clear influences on Buffett’s patient, value-driven investment philosophy.
Benjamin Graham
Known as the father of value investing, Graham’s core principle was to buy stocks at a price lower than their intrinsic value, creating a margin of safety (MOS). This strategy helps mitigate risk and increase the likelihood of future gains. Buffett absorbed Graham’s teaching on finding stocks that are undervalued and buying them at the right price— definitely a large contributor of his investment success.
Charlie Munger
Munger is Warren Buffett’s long-time business partner. He introduced the concept of economic moats, which refers to a company’s long-term, sustainable competitive advantages. Munger advocates investing in businesses that can fend off competition and maintain profitability over time. This philosophy drives Buffett’s focus on companies with strong market positions and solid long-term potential, favoring these over shorter-term, speculative opportunities.
Buffett's Investment Approach
1 - Buy for the Long Term. Buffett’s strategy emphasizes identifying companies that can consistently perform well over long periods. He holds stocks for years, or even decades, often looking for opportunities where other investors may overlook value.
2 - Buy at the Right Price . Buffett is known for his discipline in waiting for the right moment to invest. His approach ensures he doesn’t overpay, instead seeking stocks when they are priced below their true value, maintaining a margin of safety.
3 - Buy the Right Stocks . Buffett doesn’t just buy cheap stocks, he buys quality companies with sustainable advantages. His goal is to invest in firms with strong business models that will continue to perform well regardless of market conditions.
Warren Buffett emphasizes investing in companies with simple and clear business models , ones that fall within his circle of competence. He prefers to thoroughly understand the operations, products, and long-term prospects of a company before making any investment.
This principle is combined with in-depth analysis of how the company operates and how sustainable its valuations and future growth prospects are. If a business model is too complex or outside his expertise, he avoids it.
He prioritizes companies with integrity and transparency in their management. He believes in backing leaders who are passionate, have strong vision and execution capabilities and who use shareholder funds wisely. Trusting management to run the company effectively, with efficiency and accountability, is critical for long-term success in Buffett’s eyes.
Investing in quality companies isn’t enough—Buffett also insists on buying them at attractive prices. He maintains a strict discipline of buying with a margin of safety, ensuring the price paid is lower than the company’s intrinsic value. This means waiting for opportunities to buy great businesses at fair prices rather than settling for fair businesses at attractive prices , which may not perform well over time.
Buffett has made many of his lessons and strategies available to the public through his letters to shareholders and partnership letters. These documents offer insight into his investment approach, decision-making process, and lessons from both successes and failures. There are several key books that capture Buffett’s life, philosophy, and strategies in greater detail:
Warren Buffett’s Ground Rules
The Warren Buffett Way
Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist
The Warren Buffett Portfolio
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
Each of these resources provides a comprehensive look into the mind of one of the most successful investors of all time, offering practical advice and detailed case studies of his investments.
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SPX Technical Analysis BreakdownHere is my technical breakdown of SPX on the 4 HOUR time frame...
We started the month of May with an up-trend trend line bounce on a key support level which saw SPX climb slightly passed the support zone to surpass another key zone
After this climb, we saw it accumulating in a RANGE from 14th May - 29th May, where it eventually broke to the downside. Normally this is a trade we would enter as it's a big volume range break, however, it broke downwards to touch a key support zone. In my experience this is NOT a trade worth taking as they are opposite confirmations.
Later in July we finally got the RANGE trade we were looking for, when 17th June - 5th July we saw it's ACCUMULATING RANGE break with large volume to the UPSIDE. This trend was worth entering as it was heading towards a key resistance area, a great place to exercise your exit strategy.
Once SPX hit the key resistance zone it bounced off and formed a downward trend line that would also be hit later down the line, confirming its relevance.
When SPX hit the resistance line it found plenty of BULL TRADERS on the key SUPPORT level and bounced back up to touch the key RESISTANCE level on 20th AUGUST, where once again it touched the downward trend line.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR NOW -
I'm watching to see if SPX enters the resistance zone and breaks the trend-line and exits the zone, that's two confirmations for an uptrend which makes me confident in the long trade.
On the other side, i'm waiting for the trend to retest key support zones where I will be waiting for a key zone breakout or bounce back to the resistance level.
AAPL: Warren Buffett accelerates sale of Apple sharesBerkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has dramatically reduced its holdings in Apple Inc., marking a significant shift in its investment strategy. Over the past seven quarters, Berkshire has been consistently selling off its Apple shares, with the process intensifying in the second quarter of 2024. During this period, Buffett disposed of over USD 75 billion in stocks, including a substantial portion of his Apple holdings, reducing Berkshire’s stake in Apple from 789 million shares at the end of Q1 to 400 million.
The massive sell-off contributed to Berkshire Hathaway’s cash reserves reaching a record high of USD 276.9 billion. Buffett’s strategic move reflects broader market sentiments, where investors are increasingly cautious, favouring the security of high-yield US government bonds amid expectations of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
Technical analysis of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)
Reviewing Apple’s stock performance in light of recent developments:
Timeframe : Daily (D1)
Current trend: the stock is in a downtrend, exacerbated by the negative sentiment pervading the stock market and Buffett’s significant sell-off
Resistance level : 225.60 USD
Support level : the previous support at 214.50 USD has been breached
Short-term target : if the downtrend continues, the next target could be 181.45 USD following a rebound from the broken support
Medium-term target : a continued decline might see the stock reaching 172.70 USD
Potential uptrend scenario : if market conditions improve and the stock reverses its current trend, a potential growth target could be set at 235.00 USD
Investors and market watchers should closely monitor Apple’s stock, particularly in the context of Berkshire Hathaway’s reduced exposure and broader market dynamics. A significant divestment by a major investor like Buffett could influence other stakeholders and affect Apple’s stock performance in the near to medium term.
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Berkshire Hathaway Trims Apple Stake, Cash Reserves Hit New HighBerkshire Hathaway (NYSE: LSE:BRK ), the conglomerate led by legendary investor Warren Buffett, released its Q2 2024 financial report, revealing significant portfolio adjustments and a surge in cash reserves. The company's strategic moves have sent ripples through the market, reflecting a cautious stance amid economic uncertainties.
Major Reduction in Apple Holdings
In a surprising move, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: LSE:BRK ) slashed nearly half of its Apple holdings, reducing its stake from 790 million shares to 400 million shares—a substantial 49% decrease. This follows earlier reductions, including a 1% sell-off in Q4 2023 and a 13% cut in Q1 2024. The decision to pare down Apple, which has been a cornerstone of Berkshire's portfolio, underscores Buffett's strategic shift in response to potential changes in U.S. tax policy. At the annual shareholder meeting in May, Buffett cited the expectation of a possible increase in U.S. tax rates as a key reason for taking profits on his Apple position.
Record Cash Reserves
Berkshire Hathaway's cash reserves soared to an unprecedented $276.9 billion, up from $189 billion in Q1 2024. This massive increase was bolstered by $75.5 billion in stock sales during the quarter. The substantial liquidity positions the company advantageously for potential market downturns or opportunistic acquisitions.
Systematic Reduction in Bank of America Stake
In addition to trimming its Apple holdings, Berkshire Hathaway has been steadily reducing its position in Bank of America, its second-largest holding. Regulatory filings indicate that in the 12 trading days leading up to August 1st, Berkshire sold approximately $3.8 billion worth of Bank of America stock. This systematic reduction reflects a broader strategy of rebalancing its portfolio amid evolving market conditions.
Strategic Implications
Berkshire Hathaway's moves highlight a cautious yet opportunistic approach. The significant increase in cash reserves suggests that Buffett and his team are preparing for potential market volatility and looking to capitalize on future investment opportunities. By reducing exposure to major holdings like Apple and Bank of America, Berkshire is diversifying its risk and positioning itself to navigate an uncertain economic landscape.
Market Reaction
The response of the market to Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE: LSE:BRK ) financial report has resulted in polarized opinions. While certain investors interpret the divestment in Apple and Bank of America holdings as a prudent risk management tactic, others express apprehension regarding the potential repercussions for these stocks, given Berkshire's influential standing in the market.
At the time of writing, LSE:BRK stock has experienced a decline of 3.42% and is currently trading with a weak Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 37.83, signaling a potential trend reversal subsequent to a prolonged bearish trend. Notably, the majority of moving averages portray a bearish trend, a substantial observation considering the widespread decrease in both stock and crypto assets today.
Conclusion
Berkshire Hathaway's Q2 2024 financial report underscores the company's adaptive strategy in a dynamic market environment. With record cash reserves and a rebalanced portfolio, Berkshire Hathaway remains well-positioned to seize future opportunities while mitigating risks. Investors will be closely watching Buffett's next moves as economic conditions evolve.
For more detailed insights and analysis on Berkshire Hathaway's strategic adjustments and their market implications, stay tuned to our updates.
Million dollar stock.Berkshire Hathaway breaking out versus Gold*Note #BRK does own Barrick Gold #ABX
Very interesting chart pattern
25 years in the making
The close of September should mark a confirmed breakout, of Warren Buffet's famous holding company, against Gold on a quarterly basis.
More evidence of a Melt Up in paper assets? And the continuation of the Bull market in the "roaring 20's"
If this is a continuation structure the amplitude suggests that one Berkshire Share, could be converted into well over 530 ounces of Gold.
At current prices that would equate to over a million dollars per share!
PG - A stock to buy for the long termFor long-term investors, Procter & Gamble presents a compelling opportunity due to its strong fundamentals and growth prospects. PG’s consistent financial performance, characterized by steady revenue growth and robust profit margins, underscores its resilience and ability to generate shareholder value. The company’s strong brand portfolio and market leadership in key product categories provide a competitive moat, ensuring long-term revenue stability.
The company’s strong balance sheet and cash flow generation capabilities provide a solid financial foundation for dividend growth and share buybacks while also investing in growth opportunities. For long-term investors, this translates to both income and potential capital appreciation.
Chubb Stock Jumps After Buffett's Berkshire Reveals $6.7B StakeChubb shares ( NYSE:CB ) jumped over 8% in late trade on Wednesday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway revealed a $6.7 billion stake in the Zurich-based insurer. Buffett recently told shareholders that property-casualty insurance provides the core of Berkshire's well-being and growth. Berkshire had been building its position in Chubb since 2023, but had not previously disclosed the stake after the SEC granted it permission to keep the holding confidential.
Berkshire's stake of nearly 26 million shares in Chubb ( NYSE:CB ), one of the world's largest publicly traded property-casualty insurers, had a market value of around $6.7 billion as of March 31, making it the conglomerate's nineth largest holding. The investment is driven by Berkshire's heavy footprint in the insurance industry, which Buffett recently told shareholders that "property-casualty insurance" provides the core of Berkshire's well-being and growth.
The stock has continued to track higher since bottoming out in June last year, with the trend gathering momentum after the 50-day moving average crossed above the 200-day MA to form a bullish golden cross signal. Recently, the stock has traded within an ascending triangle, indicating a continuation of the longer-term uptrend.
Moreover, Chubb ( NYSE:CB ) has a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 71.75 which is overbought hence, a trend reversal might lurk in the corners.
Why Large Firms with Huge Cash? Small Firm Are Leading...Berkshire Hathaway, an investment company is not investing. What is the signal?
Why are they hoarding cash?
• Not much good investment opportunity ahead
• Preparing for tougher time
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Berkshire Hathaway - BreakoutHello Traders, welcome to today's analysis of Berkshire Hathaway.
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Explanation of my video analysis:
In 2013 Berkshire stock broke above a key resistance area which was acting as resistance for multple years. This breakout was followed by a +300% pump towards the upside. Last month Berkshire stock then also broke out of a long term triangle formation. If we get a retest back to the previous resistance mentioned in the analysis, I will be looking for long-continuation setups.
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I will only take a trade if all the rules of my strategy are satisfied.
Let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions.
Keep your long term vision.
🔝 Berkshire Hathaway. Grandpa Warren Breaks The TopLegendary investor Warren Buffett was on a trip to Tokyo, the capital of Japan, ten months earlier in mid-April 2023, and the titans of the country's giant energy and commodity conglomerates were there to make their presentations.
As usual, over glasses of Coca-Cola NYSE:KO - one of Buffett's most famous investments, they walked into Warren Buffett's suite at the luxury Four Seasons hotel and individually told the 92-year-old American investor the same thing: Japanese trading houses are cheap and should accelerate their move beyond commodities.
The support of the Oracle of Omaha is an important vote of confidence in the big five Japanese trading houses - Mitsubishi Corporations TSE:8058 , Mitsui TSE:8031 , Sumitomo TSE:8053 , Itochu TSE:8001 and Marubeni TSE:8002 .
It's also a broad endorsement of Japan, that is considered to have outlived its heyday 30-35 years ago, as well as considered less relevant than Asian counterparts such as China and India.
But there's one big question: Is Buffett betting on phasing out fossil fuels, the trading house products themselves, or a combination of the two? Or something else, like impact of the weak yen!?
Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway NYSE:BRK.B reported in August 2020 that it had acquired about 5% of the shares of five trading houses, that sent their stocks up and raised their total investment value above $6 billion. When the Covid-19 pandemic dampened demand for goods, it pushed down the value of company stocks, four of which traded below book value.
“They were selling, I thought, at a ridiculous price,” - 3 years later Buffett said to CNBC, in March 2023.
Three years after the Covid-19 pandemic (that is now hardly remembered) Warren Buffett's bets on Japan have nearly tripled to over $17 billion.
But even this Growth does not stop Buffett. Staying in Tokyo last spring, Buffett confirmed intentions to buy more shares, and participate in more big deals.
In addition, Berkshire recently unveiled plans to issue its own yen-denominated bonds, which can help hedge against the depreciation of the yen against the US dollar as well as depreciation of Japanese stocks in dollar terms.
In nowadays Japan Stock Index TSE:TOPIX ended 2023 on a positive note, adding more than 25 percent at the end of the year, that is, the maximum growth over the last 10 calendar years.
Early in 2024 TSE:TOPIX continues its growth path, as technology companies stocks are rallying.
In 2024 TSE:TOPIX hit the 2,500 yen mark - point that not been seen for more than 30 years - since the first half of 1990, while another one Japan stock index Nikkei225 INDEX:NKY hit its 36'000 Milestone - the level that was not seen also since early 1990s.
The main technical graph says Berkshire Hathaway Class B NYSE:BRK.B stocks are on the runway to break its key resistance - 6-month and all time highs, to further upside price action delver.
Will Berkshire Hathaway investors panic when Warren Buffet...Will Berkshire Hathaway investors panic when Warren Buffet passes away?
Few companies are as closely tied to their leaders as Berkshire is to Warren Buffett and was to Charlie Munger.
Munger's recent passing, who served as Berkshire's vice chairman since 1978, signifies the end of an era for the company. While Munger's role was significant, Buffett's influence on the company is even more substantial. Given his age of 93, Buffett's eventual passing could potentially have a large impact on Berkshire's stock price. Investors may be spooked or optimistic about Berkshires possible future. The cult of personality and reverence for billionaires among the investing class suggests that the impact would be negative. But who knows?
In a recent letter, Buffett asserted that Berkshire is "built to last" and will continue to thrive under capable leadership, likely from Greg Abel. Currently the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and vice-chairman of non-insurance operations, Abel is seen as a potential successor. As pondered by Reuters; will he be willing to divest underperforming or uninspiring businesses, unlike his predecessors who preferred long-term holdings, or whether Berkshire might consider paying its first dividend since 1967?
Learning from Warren Buffett's 7 Major Investment ErrorsWarren Buffett's name resonates with success, particularly through investments in renowned companies such as Coca-Cola, American Express, Apple, Bank of America, Moody’s, Kraft Heinz, and more. He stands as a global icon, amassing a wealth exceeding USD 100 billion. Beyond his investment prowess, Buffett generously imparts his wisdom to millions worldwide. Among his many famous quotes, one emphasizes the importance of learning from others' mistakes.
Warren Buffett's 7 Major Investment Errors
I) Dexter Shoe Company
- In 1993, Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway acquired Dexter Shoe Company, a decision he later regretted as his worst deal. Buffet made multiple significant mistakes in this acquisition.
- The first error was misjudging Dexter's potential. Berkshire bought Dexter due to its high return on capital employed but failed to consider the competitive threat posed by cheap shoes from countries like China. Buffet acknowledged this oversight in 1999, highlighting the increasing challenge for domestic producers in the face of a market flooded with 93% of 1.3 billion pairs of shoes purchased in the United States coming from abroad.
- The primary lesson here is the necessity of assessing a company's durable competitive advantage before investing. Durable competitiveness has transitioned from a good-to-have factor to a must-have for any business.
- Buffet's second mistake was financing the Dexter Shoe Company purchase with Berkshire Hathaway stock valued at 433 million dollars, rather than using cash. A single share of Berkshire's Class A stock was approximately USD 15,000 in 1993. Today, it is valued at USD 517,000.
- This decision didn't just cost Berkshire shareholders USD 433 million for a company that eventually became worthless; it resulted in a staggering loss of 15 billion dollars for Berkshire's shareholders.
- The crucial lesson derived from this experience is never to sacrifice successful investments to make risky bets.
II) Tesco
- Tesco, a British grocery chain, became a concern for Berkshire Hathaway when the company's ownership stake exceeded 5% by 2012. By 2013, signs of trouble at Tesco became evident, leading Berkshire to reduce its stake to 3.7%, amounting to an investment of nearly 1.7 billion dollars.
- In the subsequent months, Tesco's stock plummeted by nearly 50% due to declining sales, heightened competition from discount retailers, and an accounting scandal that attracted scrutiny from the UK's financial regulators.
- Buffett's mistake lay in hesitating to sell Tesco stocks despite recognizing these troubling signs. This delay resulted in a loss of approximately USD 444 million for Berkshire.
- The crucial lesson from this situation is the importance of conviction when making selling decisions. Just as one should invest with conviction, it is equally vital not to hold onto a stock if confidence in its performance wavers .
III) Energy Future Holdings
- Warren Buffett, known for seeking advice from Charlie Munger in his investment decisions, openly admitted a significant mistake in his 2013 letter. He invested USD 2.1 billion in bonds of Energy Future Holdings Corporation, banking on rising natural gas prices to boost the competitiveness of the coal-based business and yield profits.
- Unfortunately, natural gas prices plummeted from their 2007 levels, leading to substantial losses for Energy Future Holdings. The company declared bankruptcy in 2014, and Berkshire Hathaway sold the bonds at a loss of USD 873 million in 2013.
- Buffett acknowledged his error in assessing the transaction's gain-loss probabilities, emphasizing the importance of seeking a second opinion from trusted advisors or partners when making significant decisions.
- This incident highlights two essential lessons. Firstly, it underscores the risks associated with predicting market trends, whether in natural gas, oil, gold, or individual stocks. Secondly, it emphasizes the perilous nature of investing in high-yield "junk" bonds. While conglomerates like Berkshire Hathaway can absorb losses from such high-risk endeavors, retail investors face financial disaster in the event of a default. Hence, it is crucial to avoid instruments with questionable return on capital, especially in a retail investor's context.
IV) Lubrizol & David Sokol
In 2011, Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway faced severe scrutiny.
- David Sokol, chairman of several Berkshire subsidiaries, recommended Lubrizol Corporation as a potential acquisition to Buffett while he himself owned stocks in the company. Sokol's failure to disclose his stock ownership violated Berkshire's insider trading rules. Despite this, Berkshire acquired Lubrizol for approximately USD 9 billion, and Sokol profited around USD 3 million from the transaction.
- Upon investigation, it became clear that Sokol had been ambiguous about how he acquired Lubrizol stock, neglecting to mention that he purchased shares after meeting with the bankers proposing the acquisition. Buffett emphasized the issue as a matter of ethics, although he initially acknowledged that no one was at fault.
- This situation highlighted the importance of not being excessively trusting in the business world. The lesson here is to maintain a checklist, follow a rigorous process, and be unafraid to ask numerous questions, especially when your reputation is at stake. Taking extra precautions becomes essential in preserving one's integrity and credibility.
V) Amazon
- Up until now, the mistakes we've discussed were all instances of active decisions leading to losses. However, there's a different kind of mistake made by Buffett that falls more under the category of missed opportunities.
- In 2017, Buffett openly admitted that he had been observing Amazon.com for an extended period but never invested in it. In his own words, he confessed, “I was too dumb to realize. I did not think Jeff Bezos could succeed on the scale he has.”
- Buffett had underestimated Amazon's brilliance in two key areas: its dominance in e-commerce and its success in cloud services through Amazon Web Services.
- Buffett's traditional approach didn't align with investing in stocks with high price-earning ratios like Amazon's in 2019. Moreover, he tended to overlook technology companies, considering them beyond his expertise.
- In this context, the significant cost of this missed opportunity becomes apparent. It underscores the necessity of having a well-defined area of expertise. However, it's even more crucial to continuously expand and evolve that expertise over time to seize valuable opportunities.
VI) Google
- The Berkshire Hathaway portfolio notably lacks any shares from Alphabet or Google, a fact that Warren Buffett deeply laments.
- Google initially piqued Buffett's interest due to a Berkshire-owned subsidiary, GEICO, operating in the auto insurance sector. GEICO heavily depends on Google's advertising platform to attract customers.
- Buffett acknowledges that he should have delved deeper into Google's business and long-term prospects. His limited technical understanding might have played a role in missing this opportunity, despite it being right within his immediate purview.
VII) Berkshire Hathaway
- It might surprise you, but Warren Buffett's most significant investment blunder occurred when he bought Berkshire Hathaway in 1962. Back then, Berkshire Hathaway was a struggling textile business, meeting the criteria of Benjamin Graham's cigar-butt investing model.
- Buffett became intrigued by the favorable financial assessment and started purchasing the stock in installments. In 1964, the company's owner, Seabury Stanton, proposed buying Buffett's shares at $11.50 per share. However, the actual offer received was $11.32, which angered Buffett. In retaliation, he acquired a controlling stake in Berkshire Hathaway and ousted Stanton from the company.
- Despite taking revenge, Buffett found himself stuck with a significant investment in a failing business. To this day, he considers it his most regrettable investment. He endured the burden of this failing textile business for an additional 20 years. Buffett admits that had he redirected the cashflows into other ventures like insurance companies, Berkshire would have been worth twice as much as it is now.
- By his estimations, Buffett's decision to invest in Berkshire Hathaway amounted to a $200 billion mistake. The lesson here is clear: emotional decisions have no place in successful investing.
Thank you
@Money_Dictators
Berkshire (BRK.B) -> Trend ContinuationMy name is Philip, I am a German swing-trader with 4+ years of trading experience and I only trade stocks , crypto , options and indices 🖥️
I only focus on the higher timeframes because this allows me to massively capitalize on the major market swings and cycles without getting caught up in the short term noise.
This is how you build real long term wealth!
In today's anaylsis I want to take a look at the bigger picture on Berkshire Hathaway.
At the moment you can see that Berkshire stock is retesing its previous all time high which is roughly at the $350 area and we might see another short term bearish rejection.
However considering that the overall trend is still very bullish I am waiting for a simple break and retest of the current resistance level and then I am looking for a trend continuation.
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I know that this is a quite simple trading approach but over the past 4 years I've realized that simplicity and consistency are much more important than any trading strategy.
Keep the long term vision🫡
Warren Buffett's Margin of SafetyIn the world of investing, few names carry as much weight as Warren Buffett. Often hailed as the Oracle of Omaha, Buffett's wisdom has guided countless investors to financial success. At the core of his investment philosophy lies a concept he considers paramount: the Margin of Safety.
Buffett once famously said that the three most important words in investing are "Margin of Safety." To delve deeper into this principle, he pointed to Chapter 20 of "The Intelligent Investor," a seminal work by Benjamin Graham, which he deemed the best chapter ever written on the subject.
Chapter 20: The Concept of a Margin of Safety
At its essence, the Margin of Safety revolves around the idea that every stock has a fair (intrinsic) value based on the underlying company. However, this fair value often deviates significantly from the stock's current market price.
No Margin of Safety: When the stock price exceeds its fair value, there is no margin of safety.
Margin of Safety: When the stock price falls below its fair value, a margin of safety exists.
Benefits of the Margin of Safety
Investing in any asset for less than its intrinsic value is a sound financial decision. However, in the world of investing, where determining precise fair values can be elusive, this principle holds even greater significance.
One can never pinpoint an exact fair value; they can only estimate a range. The Margin of Safety serves as a shield against potential errors in estimating fair value.
The Mathematical Advantage
A Margin of Safety provides two critical mathematical advantages:
Downside Protection: Avoiding losses is paramount in investing. It takes a 100% gain to recover from a 50% loss. Therefore, preventing losses should be a top priority.
Exponential Returns: Imagine a stock with a fair value of $10 but currently trading at $8, offering a 25% upside. Now, if that same stock were available for $5, the upside potential would skyrocket to 100%. A Margin of Safety can turn a good investment into an exceptional one.
Why Do Margins of Safety Exist?
The concept of Mr. Market, introduced by Benjamin Graham, plays a pivotal role in understanding the existence of Margins of Safety. Mr. Market is depicted as an impulsive individual, prone to bouts of depression (selling stocks at a discount) and exuberance (selling at a premium).
Stock markets exhibit such fluctuations due to the psychological biases and errors of market participants. Understanding this human element is crucial in grasping the significance of Margins of Safety.
In the words of Warren Buffett himself, "If you understand chapters 8 and 20 of 'The Intelligent Investor' and chapter 12 of 'The General Theory,' you don't need to read anything else." These chapters provide a foundation for investors to navigate the complexities of the market with the wisdom of a Margin of Safety.
In conclusion, the Margin of Safety isn't just a concept; it's a guiding principle that can safeguard your investments and unlock their full potential. Buffett's reverence for this idea underscores its importance in achieving success in the world of finance.
Berkshire Hathaway: Bearish Gartley Hinting at a 40-60% DeclineBerkshire Hathaway is currently trading at the HOP level of a Bearish Gartley and at this HOP level, upon close, will likely confirm a Bearish PPO Confirmation Arrow as the PPO Oscillator itself gets closer and closer to breaking below a well established trend line.
Along with that, we have some Bearish Divergence on the MACD and the price action we got at the HOP resulted in a green Shooting Star Candlestick Reversal Pattern that we are working on confirming via a Weekly Bearish Engulfing.
If all goes as expected, I would think that the shares of Berkshire Hathaway will first pull back 27% which would put at the 2022 lows but after that I think it will likely pullback around 40%-60% to fill an unresolved gap at $314,850.00
Will $KO bounce again?NYSE:KO again visited the trend line. Will it bounce again? Volume shows the sell momentum is slowing. Don't forget this is one of Buffet's favorite stocks.
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Warren Buffet buying homebuilders after huge runsNot sure what NYSE:BRK.A NYSE:BRK.B is thinking, Warren Buffet.
Is he expecting a huge demand for NEW HOMES?
There was increase in demand after large drop.
Maybe thinking that the Fed reduces #interestrates after things begin to crack, more?
TVC:TNX has been pumping (10 Yr), no signs of weakness.
They've all had huge runs NYSE:DHI NYSE:NVR NYSE:LEN.B
🤷♂️
#RealEstate