Buffet’s Shareholder Letter In Feb 2020

While the market is volatile and uncertainty is ahead, I went back to read Buffet’s 2019 annual shareholder letter, issued in February 2020.

[More letter could be found here]


Some ket takeaways:

  • Berkshire’s earnings has 3 components (operating earnings, realized capital gains, unrealized capital gains) and indeed becomes more volatile under the new accounting rule
  • The 3 criteria for purchases/investments:
    1. First, they must earn good returns on the net tangible capital required in their operation.
    2. Second, they must be run by able and honest managers.
    3. Finally, they must be available at a sensible price.
  • Per the accounting rules, earnings from controlled companies fully flow into “operating earnings”; but for noncontrolled companies, only the dividend portion of their earnings is reflected in Berkshire’s operating earnings.
  • There is a large part of companies’ value that is embedded in their retained earnings
    • some may argue the changes in stock prices (thus the unrealized gains) capture it; but it’s a poor reflection I think.
    • “Overall, the retained earnings of our investees are certain to be of major importance in the growth of Berkshire’s value.”
  • “What we see in our holdings, rather, is an assembly of companies that we partly own and that, on a weighted basis, are earning more than 20% on the net tangible equity capital required to run their businesses. These companies, also, earn their profits without employing excessive levels of debt.”
  • “In all, I estimate that it will take 12 to 15 years for the entirety of the Berkshire shares I hold at my death to move into the market.”
  • “It would be an interesting exercise for a company to hire two “expert” acquisition advisors, one pro and one con, to deliver his or her views on a proposed deal to the board – with the winning advisor to receive, say, ten times a token sum paid to the loser. Don’t hold your breath awaiting this reform: The current system, whatever its shortcomings for shareholders, works magnificently for CEOs and the many advisors and other professionals who feast on deals. A venerable caution will forever be true when advice from Wall Street is contemplated: Don’t ask the barber whether you need a haircut.”
  • Board independence is unlikely to be real for many companies.
  • Berkshire is going to repurchase shares when price-to-value discount is meaningful and Berkshire is left with ample cash; but, value is somewhat subjective.

Live stream for the annual meeting on May 2nd: https://finance.yahoo.com/brklivestream