Category: personal_noteS

When high-end consumer brands are too mass market…

I remember the old days when I feel a natural bond with strangers if we own the same consumer product.

A “good” brand that I like can be associated with a group of people that I am likely to feel comfortable to mingle with.

This happened to Apple products during my college time, and later translated to Apple Watch and AirPod.

This happened to Allbirds shoes during my California time, where I could chat with strangers who are wearing Allbirds in local Starbuck shops.

Over times, when that brand is too mass market, that mojo gets lost – not all people you met using iPhone meet your expectations, thus you no longer use it as an indicator of this person’s characteristics.

When using iPhone simply can’t tell you that much about this person, it becomes more of a utility. You probably need other consumer goods to show who you are.

[Reading Buffett] 1999

The “best source of new customers is the happy ones we already have” & the “best source of new business is word-of-mouth recommendations”.

At Berkshire, repurchases are not for stemming a decline in Berkshire’s price. Instead, it represents an attractive use of the company’s money.

Buffett didn’t like those repurchases that simply pump up stock prices.

No need to be Buffett

Most people think Buffett’s investment skills are GOAT.

They try to replicate but it’s extremely hard.

Actually, even if people can invest like Buffett, they can’t replicate his success. There are other contributors that are less obvious.

  1. most people don’t have low-cost capital. Your margin account is priced at above prime rate.
  2. most people don’t have more bullets each year, as Buffett’s insurance business (float) is growing each year giving him more money to invest and add to his positions. Thus, when he can buyout the company if needed, most other people can’t.
  3. most people don’t have access to mgmt. When you are Buffett, other people offer you the information in a very accessible manner. And if you are big enough, you become a board member.
  4. most people don’t have enough tax knowledge. Buffett is obsessed with lowering tax legally.

 

[Reading Buffett] 1997

Be happy about lower stock prices, as you are a net saver & investor!

Oh USAir stock can be up like crazy? From $4 to $73!

S&P Index is Buffett’s biggest competitor, and it doesn’t have double tax – Berkshire needs to pay tax on the corporate level for gains or dividends.

[Reading Buffett] 1995

Berkshire’s competitive advantages explained: 1) massive capital to absorb big losses, 2) embracing uncertainty/volatility for higher return (no mistake calculation).

Buffett talked about difficulties faced by Buffalo News, World Book, etc., which is likely due to this paradigm shift towards online.

Berkshire shall create Class B shares in 1996, with 1/30 of economic interests and 1/200 of votes of Class A.

[Reading Buffett] 1994

When doing capital allocations, managers should focus on increasing intrinsic value per share –  however, “in contemplating business mergers and acquisitions, many managers tend to focus on whether the transaction is immediately dilutive or anti-dilutive to earnings per share.”

Besides, major acquisitions can be “a bonanza for the shareholders of the acquiree; they increase the income and status of the acquirer’s management; and they are a honey pot for the investment bankers and other professionals on both sides.”

Option rewards for managers and return cash to shareholders can conflict.