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Berkshire paid the most corporate income tax in the US, or about “5% of what all of corporate America paid”.

Buffett complained a bit about US fiscal recklessness and the inability of fixed income securities to protect buying power.

Buffett still prefers equity – but he didn’t say public equity!

“P/C insurance growth is dependent on increased economic risk. No risk – no need for insurance. ”

Berkshire borrowed “fixed” rate in yen! How beautiful the transactions were. But if Japan’s interest rate were to rise significantly in the future (when Berkshire needs to refinance), will Berkshire find those Japanese dividend less attractive?

Wage increases due to inflation and negotiation reduced BNSF earnings, in a degree more than Buffett expected. Revenues also fell.

Buffett increased holdings in Japan’s “conglomerates” – these companies are diversified, repurchasing their shares, receiving lower wages at C-level, and reluctant to issue shares. Those purchases began in 2019.

There were some problems with BHE – no fixed return as a utility, and with rising climate change induced problems.

Stick with wonderful businesses! “Patience pays, and one wonderful business can offset the many mediocre decisions that are inevitable.”

When TTI’s founder was considering a sale, Berkshire was preferred over competitors and other financial buyers, as Berkshire won’t cut back-end jobs and won’t be a reseller.

“Teaching, like writing, has helped me develop and clarify my own thoughts.” – totally agree.

Berkshire’s structure – “Although our form is corporate, our attitude is partnership.”

There are two different type of individual investors with Berkshire – those own and trade stocks, and those “who simply trust us to represent their interests, whatever the future may bring”.

Berkshire has become the No.1 owner of US PP&E. The runner-up is AT&T.

Buffett and Munger on repurchases – “neither of us feels any urgency to buy an
estimated $1 of value for a very real 95 cents.”

One source of funding or leverage Berkshire has is deferred tax liabilities, which is a interest rate free loan. Those rose from unrealized gains and accelerated depreciation.

In the next annual letter, Buffett will not list book value per share any more; instead, the per share market value will be compared vs. S&P 500.

Redefining risk-free: “risk-free” long-term bonds in 2012 were a far riskier investment than a long-term investment in common stocks, as

investing is an activity in which consumption today is foregone in an attempt to allow greater consumption at a later date. “Risk” is the possibility that this objective won’t be attained.

Another lesson from Buffett – stick with big, “easy” decisions and eschew activity.