BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC
To the Shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.:
Berkshire’s gain in net worth during 2013 was $34.2 billion. That gain was after our deducting $1.8 billion
Of charges – meaningless economically, as I will explain later – that arose from our purchase of the minority
Interests in Marmon and Iscar. After those charges, the per-share book value of both our Class A and Class B stock
Increased by 18.2%. Over the last 49 years (that is, since present management took over), book value has grown
From $19 to $134,973, a rate of 19.7% compounded annually.*
On the facing page, we show our long-standing performance measurement: The yearly change in
Berkshire’s per-share book value versus the market performance of the S&P 500. What counts, of course, is pershare
Intrinsic value. But that’s a subjective figure, and book value is useful as a rough tracking indicator. (An
Extended discussion of intrinsic value is included in our Owner-Related Business Principles on pages 103 - 108
Those principles have been included in our reports for 30 years, and we urge new and prospective shareholders to
Read them.)
As I’ve long told you, Berkshire’s intrinsic value far exceeds its book value. Moreover, the difference has
Widened considerably in recent years. That’s why our 2012 decision to authorize the repurchase of shares at 120%
Of book value made sense. Purchases at that level benefit continuing shareholders because per-share intrinsic value
Exceeds that percentage of book value by a meaningful amount. We did not purchase shares during 2013, however
Because the stock price did not descend to the 120% level. If it does, we will be aggressive
Charlie Munger, Berkshire’s vice chairman and my partner, and I believe both Berkshire’s book value and
Intrinsic value will outperform the S&P in years when the market is down or moderately up. We expect to fall
Short, though, in years when the market is strong – as we did in 2013. We have underperformed in ten of our 49
Years, with all but one of our shortfalls occurring when the S&P gain exceeded 15%
Over the stock market cycle between yearends 2007 and 2013, we overperformed the S&P. Through full
Cycles in future years, we expect to do that again. If we fail to do so, we will not have earned our pay. After all, you
Could always own an index fund and be assured of S&P results
The Year at Berkshire
On the operating front, just about everything turned out well for us last year – in certain cases very well
Let me count the ways:
Š We completed two large acquisitions, spending almost $18 billion to purchase all of NV Energy and a
Major interest in H. J. Heinz. Both companies fit us well and will be prospering a century from now
With the Heinz purchase, moreover, we created a partnership template that may be used by Berkshire in
Future acquisitions of size. Here, we teamed up with investors at 3G Capital, a firm led by my friend, Jorge
Paulo Lemann. His talented associates – Bernardo Hees, Heinz’s new CEO, and Alex Behring, its
Chairman – are responsible for operations
* All per-share figures used in this report apply to Berkshire’s A shares. Figures for the B shares are
1/1500th of those shown for A
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Berkshire is the financing partner. In that role, we purchased $8 billion of Heinz preferred stock that
Carries a 9% coupon but also possesses other features that should increase the preferred’s annual return to
12% or so. Berkshire and 3G each purchased half of the Heinz common stock for $4.25 billion
Though the Heinz acquisition has some similarities to a “private equity” transaction, there is a crucial
Difference: Berkshire never intends to sell a share of the company. What we would like, rather, is to buy
More, and that could happen: Certain 3G investors may sell some or all of their shares in the future, and
We might increase our ownership at such times. Berkshire and 3G could also decide at some point that it
Would be mutually beneficial if we were to exchange some of our preferred for common shares (at an
Equity valuation appropriate to the time)
Our partnership took control of Heinz in June, and operating results so far are encouraging. Only minor
Earnings from Heinz, however, are reflected in those we report for Berkshire this year: One-time charges
Incurred in the purchase and subsequent restructuring of operations totaled $1.3 billion. Earnings in 2014
Will be substantial
With Heinz, Berkshire now owns 81⁄2 companies that, were they stand-alone businesses, would be in the
Fortune 500. Only 4911⁄2 to go
NV Energy, purchased for $5.6 billion by MidAmerican Energy, our utility subsidiary, supplies electricity
To about 88% of Nevada’s population. This acquisition fits nicely into our existing electric-utility
Operation and offers many possibilities for large investments in renewable energy. NV Energy will not be
MidAmerican’s last major acquisition
Š MidAmerican is one of our “Powerhouse Five” – a collection of large non-insurance businesses that, in
Aggregate, had a record $10.8 billion of pre-tax earnings in 2013, up $758 million from 2012. The other
Companies in this sainted group are BNSF, Iscar, Lubrizol and Marmon
Of the five, only MidAmerican, then earning $393 million pre-tax, was owned by Berkshire nine years
Ago. Subsequently, we purchased another three of the five on an all-cash basis. In acquiring the fifth
BNSF, we paid about 70% of the cost in cash, and, for the remainder, issued shares that increased the
Number outstanding by 6.1%. In other words, the $10.4 billion gain in annual earnings delivered Berkshire
By the five companies over the nine-year span has been accompanied by only minor dilution. That satisfies
Our goal of not simply growing, but rather increasing per-share results
If the U.S. economy continues to improve in 2014, we can expect earnings of our Powerhouse Five to
Improve also – perhaps by $1 billion or so pre-tax
Š Our many dozens of smaller non-insurance businesses earned $4.7 billion pre-tax last year, up from $3.9
Billion in 2012. Here, too, we expect further gains in 2014
Š Berkshire’s extensive insurance operation again operated at an underwriting profit in 2013 – that makes 11
Years in a row – and increased its float. During that 11-year stretch, our float – money that doesn’t belong
To us but that we can invest for Berkshire’s benefit – has grown from $41 billion to $77 billion
Concurrently, our underwriting profit has aggregated $22 billion pre-tax, including $3 billion realized in
2013. And all of this all began with our 1967 purchase of National Indemnity for $8.6 million
We now own a wide variety of exceptional insurance operations. Best known is GEICO, the car insurer
Berkshire acquired in full at yearend 1995 (having for many years prior owned a partial interest). GEICO
In 1996 ranked number seven among U.S. auto insurers. Now, GEICO is number two, having recently
Passed Allstate. The reasons for this amazing growth are simple: low prices and reliable service. You can
Do yourself a favor by calling 1-800-847-7536 or checking Geico.com to see if you, too, can cut your
Insurance costs. Buy some of Berkshire’s other products with the savings
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Š While Charlie and I search for elephants, our many subsidiaries are regularly making bolt-on acquisitions
Last year, we contracted for 25 of these, scheduled to cost $3.1 billion in aggregate. These transactions
Ranged from $1.9 million to $1.1 billion in size
Charlie and I encourage these deals. They deploy capital in activities that fit with our existing businesses
And that will be managed by our corps of expert managers. The result is no more work for us and more
Earnings for you. Many more of these bolt-on deals will be made in future years. In aggregate, they will be
Meaningful
Š Last year we invested $3.5 billion in the surest sort of bolt-on: the purchase of additional shares in two
Wonderful businesses that we already controlled. In one case – Marmon – our purchases brought us to the
100% ownership we had signed up for in 2008. In the other instance – Iscar – the Wertheimer family
Elected to exercise a put option it held, selling us the 20% of the business it retained when we bought
Control in 2006
These purchases added about $300 million pre-tax to our current earning power and also delivered us $800
Million of cash. Meanwhile, the same nonsensical accounting rule that I described in last year’s letter
Required that we enter these purchases on our books at $1.8 billion less than we paid, a process that
Reduced Berkshire’s book value. (The charge was made to “capital in excess of par value”; figure that one
Out.) This weird accounting, you should understand, instantly increased Berkshire’s excess of intrinsic
Value over book value by the same $1.8 billion
Š Our subsidiaries spent a record $11 billion on plant and equipment during 2013, roughly twice our
Depreciation charge. About 89% of that money was spent in the United States. Though we invest abroad as
Well, the mother lode of opportunity resides in America
Š In a year in which most equity managers found it impossible to outperform the S&P 500, both Todd
Combs and Ted Weschler handily did so. Each now runs a portfolio exceeding $7 billion. They’ve earned
It
I must again confess that their investments outperformed mine. (Charlie says I should add “by a lot.”) If
Such humiliating comparisons continue, I’ll have no choice but to cease talking about them
Todd and Ted have also created significant value for you in several matters unrelated to their portfolio
Activities. Their contributions are just beginning: Both men have Berkshire blood in their veins
Š Berkshire’s yearend employment – counting Heinz – totaled a record 330,745, up 42,283 from last year
The increase, I must admit, included one person at our Omaha home office. (Don’t panic: The
Headquarters gang still fits comfortably on one floor.)
Š Berkshire increased its ownership interest last year in each of its “Big Four” investments – American
Express, Coca-Cola, IBM and Wells Fargo. We purchased additional shares of Wells Fargo (increasing
Our ownership to 9.2% versus 8.7% at yearend 2012) and IBM (6.3% versus 6.0%). Meanwhile, stock
Repurchases at Coca-Cola and American Express raised our percentage ownership. Our equity in Coca-
Cola grew from 8.9% to 9.1% and our interest in American Express from 13.7% to 14.2%. And, if you
Think tenths of a percent aren’t important, ponder this math: For the four companies in aggregate, each
Increase of one-tenth of a percent in our share of their equity raises Berkshire’s share of their annual
Earnings by $50 million
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The four companies possess excellent businesses and are run by managers who are both talented and
Shareholder-oriented. At Berkshire, we much prefer owning a non-controlling but substantial portion of a
Wonderful company to owning 100% of a so-so business; it’s better to have a partial interest in the Hope
Diamond than to own all of a rhinestone
Going by our yearend holdings, our portion of the “Big Four’s” 2013 earnings amounted to $4.4 billion. In
The earnings we report to you, however, we include only the dividends we receive – about $1.4 billion last
Year. But make no mistake: The $3 billion of their earnings we don’t report is every bit as valuable to us as
The portion Berkshire records
The earnings that these four companies retain are often used for repurchases of their own stock – a move
That enhances our share of future earnings – as well as for funding business opportunities that usually turn
Out to be advantageous. All that leads us to expect that the per-share earnings of these four investees will
Grow substantially over time. If they do, dividends to Berkshire will increase and, even more important
Our unrealized capital gains will, too. (For the four, unrealized gains already totaled $39 billion at
Yearend.)
Our flexibility in capital allocation – our willingness to invest large sums passively in non-controlled
Businesses – gives us a significant advantage over companies that limit themselves to acquisitions they can
Operate. Woody Allen stated the general idea when he said: “The advantage of being bi-sexual is that it
Doubles your chances for a date on Saturday night.” Similarly, our appetite for either operating businesses
Or passive investments doubles our chances of finding sensible uses for our endless gusher of cash
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Late in 2009, amidst the gloom of the Great Recession, we agreed to buy BNSF, the largest purchase in
Berkshire’s history. At the time, I called the transaction an “all-in wager on the economic future of the United
States.”
That kind of commitment was nothing new for us: We’ve been making similar wagers ever since Buffett
Partnership Ltd. acquired control of Berkshire in 1965. For good reason, too. Charlie and I have always considered
A “bet” on ever-rising U.S. prosperity to be very close to a sure thing
Indeed, who has ever benefited during the past 237 years by betting against America? If you compare our
Country’s present condition to that existing in 1776, you have to rub your eyes in wonder. And the dynamism
Embedded in our market economy will continue to work its magic. America’s best days lie ahead
With this tailwind working for us, Charlie and I hope to build Berkshire’s per-share intrinsic value by
(1) constantly improving the basic earning power of our many subsidiaries; (2) further increasing their earnings
Through bolt-on acquisitions; (3) benefiting from the growth of our investees; (4) repurchasing Berkshire shares
When they are available at a meaningful discount from intrinsic value; and (5) making an occasional large
Acquisition. We will also try to maximize results for you by rarely, if ever, issuing Berkshire shares
Those building blocks rest on a rock-solid foundation. A century hence, BNSF and MidAmerican Energy
Will still be playing major roles in our economy. Insurance will concomitantly be essential for both businesses and
Individuals – and no company brings greater human and financial resources to that business than Berkshire
Moreover, we will always maintain supreme financial strength, operating with at least $20 billion of cash
Equivalents and never incurring material amounts of short-term obligations. As we view these and other strengths
Charlie and I like your company’s prospects. We feel fortunate to be entrusted with its management
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Intrinsic Business Value
As much as Charlie and I talk about intrinsic business value, we cannot tell you precisely what that
Number is for Berkshire shares (nor, in fact, for any other stock). In our 2010 annual report, however, we laid out
The three elements – one of them qualitative – that we believe are the keys to a sensible estimate of Berkshire’s
Intrinsic value. That discussion is reproduced in full on pages 109 - 110
Here is an update of the two quantitative factors: In 2013 our per-share investments increased 13.6% to
$129,253 and our pre-tax earnings from businesses other than insurance and investments increased 12.8% to $9,116
Per share
Since 1970, our per-share investments have increased at a rate of 19.3% compounded annually, and our
Earnings figure has grown at a 20.6% clip. It is no coincidence that the price of Berkshire stock over the 43-year
Period has increased at a rate very similar to that of our two measures of value. Charlie and I like to see gains in
Both sectors, but we will most strongly focus on building operating earnings
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Now, let’s examine the four major sectors of our operations. Each has vastly different balance sheet and
Income characteristics from the others. So we’ll present them as four separate businesses, which is how Charlie and
I view them (though there are important and enduring advantages to having them all under one roof). Our goal is to
Provide you with the information we would wish to have if our positions were reversed, with you being the
Reporting manager and we the absentee shareholders. (But don’t get any ideas!)
Insurance
“Our investment in the insurance companies reflects a first major step in our efforts to achieve a more
Diversified base of earning power.”
— 1967 Annual Report
Let’s look first at insurance, Berkshire’s core operation and the engine that has consistently propelled our
Expansion since that 1967 report was published
Property-casualty (“P/C”) insurers receive premiums upfront and pay claims later. In extreme cases, such
As those arising from certain workers’ compensation accidents, payments can stretch over decades. This collectnow
Pay-later model leaves P/C companies holding large sums – money we call “float” – that will eventually go to
Others. Meanwhile, insurers get to invest this float for their benefit. Though individual policies and claims come
And go, the amount of float an insurer holds usually remains fairly stable in relation to premium volume
Consequently, as our business grows, so does our float. And how we have grown, as the following table shows:
Year Float (in $ millions)
1970 $ 39
1980 237
1990 1,632
2000 27,871
2010 65,832
2013 77,240
Further gains in float will be tough to achieve. On the plus side, GEICO’s float will almost certainly grow
In National Indemnity’s reinsurance division, however, we have a number of run-off contracts whose float drifts
Downward. If we do experience a decline in float at some future time, it will be very gradual – at the outside no
More than 3% in any year. The nature of our insurance contracts is such that we can never be subject to immediate
Demands for sums that are large compared to our cash resources. (In this respect, property-casualty insurance
Differs in an important way from certain forms of life insurance.)
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If our premiums exceed the total of our expenses and eventual losses, we register an underwriting profit
That adds to the investment income our float produces. When such a profit is earned, we enjoy the use of free
Money – and, better yet, get paid for holding it
Unfortunately, the wish of all insurers to achieve this happy result creates intense competition, so vigorous
In most years that it causes the P/C industry as a whole to operate at a significant underwriting loss. This loss, in
Effect, is what the industry pays to hold its float. For example, State Farm, by far the country’s largest insurer and a
Well-managed company besides, incurred an underwriting loss in nine of the twelve years ending in 2012 (the latest
Year for which their financials are available, as I write this). Competitive dynamics almost guarantee that the
Insurance industry – despite the float income all companies enjoy – will continue its dismal record of earning
Subnormal returns as compared to other businesses
As noted in the first section of this report, we have now operated at an underwriting profit for eleven
Consecutive years, our pre-tax gain for the period having totaled $22 billion. Looking ahead, I believe we will
Continue to underwrite profitably in most years. Doing so is the daily focus of all of our insurance managers who
Know that while float is valuable, it can be drowned by poor underwriting results
So how does our float affect intrinsic value? When Berkshire’s book value is calculated, the full amount of
Our float is deducted as a liability, just as if we had to pay it out tomorrow and could not replenish it. But to think of
Float as strictly a liability is incorrect; it should instead be viewed as a revolving fund. Daily, we pay old claims –
Some $17 billion to more than five million claimants in 2013 – and that reduces float. Just as surely, we each day
Write new business and thereby generate new claims that add to float. If our revolving float is both costless and
Long-enduring, which I believe it will be, the true value of this liability is dramatically less than the accounting
Liability
A counterpart to this overstated liability is $15.5 billion of “goodwill” that is attributable to our insurance
Companies and included in book value as an asset. In very large part, this goodwill represents the price we paid for
The float-generating capabilities of our insurance operations. The cost of the goodwill, however, has no bearing on
Its true value. For example, if an insurance business sustains large and prolonged underwriting losses, any goodwill
Asset carried on the books should be deemed valueless, whatever its original cost
Fortunately, that does not describe Berkshire. Charlie and I believe the true economic value of our
Insurance goodwill – what we would happily pay to purchase an insurance operation possessing float of similar
Quality to that we have – to be far in excess of its historic carrying value. The value of our float is one reason – a
Huge reason – why we believe Berkshire’s intrinsic business value substantially exceeds its book value
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Berkshire’s attractive insurance economics exist only because we have some terrific managers running
Disciplined operations that possess strong, hard-to-replicate business models. Let me tell you about the major units
First by float size is the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group, managed by Ajit Jain. Ajit insures risks
That no one else has the desire or the capital to take on. His operation combines capacity, speed, decisiveness and
Most important, brains in a manner unique in the insurance business. Yet he never exposes Berkshire to risks that
Are inappropriate in relation to our resources. Indeed, we are far more conservative in avoiding risk than most large
Insurers. For example, if the insurance industry should experience a $250 billion loss from some megacatastrophe
– a loss about triple anything it has ever experienced – Berkshire as a whole would likely record a
Significant profit for the year because of its many streams of earnings. And we would remain awash in cash
Looking for large opportunities if the catastrophe caused markets to go into shock. All other major insurers and
Reinsurers would meanwhile be far in the red, with some facing insolvency
From a standing start in 1985, Ajit has created an insurance business with float of $37 billion and a large
Cumulative underwriting profit, a feat no other insurance CEO has come close to matching. Ajit’s mind is an idea
Factory that is always looking for more lines of business he can add to his current assortment
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One venture materialized last June when he formed Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (“BHSI”)
This initiative took us into commercial insurance, where we were instantly accepted by both major insurance
Brokers and corporate risk managers throughout America. These professionals recognize that no other insurer can
Match the financial strength of Berkshire, which guarantees that legitimate claims arising many years in the future
Will be paid promptly and fully
BHSI is led by Peter Eastwood, an experienced underwriter who is widely respected in the insurance
World. Peter has assembled a spectacular team that is already writing a substantial amount of business with many
Fortune 500 companies and with smaller operations as well. BHSI will be a major asset for Berkshire, one that will
Generate volume in the billions within a few years. Give Peter a Berkshire greeting when you see him at the annual
Meeting
* * * * * * * * * * * *
We have another reinsurance powerhouse in General Re, managed by Tad Montross
At bottom, a sound insurance operation needs to adhere to four disciplines. It must (1) understand all
Exposures that might cause a policy to incur losses; (2) conservatively assess the likelihood of any exposure
Actually causing a loss and the probable cost if it does; (3) set a premium that, on average, will deliver a profit after
Both prospective loss costs and operating expenses are covered; and (4) be willing to walk away if the appropriate
Premium can’t be obtained
Many insurers pass the first three tests and flunk the fourth. They simply can’t turn their back on business
That is being eagerly written by their competitors. That old line, “The other guy is doing it, so we must as well,”
Spells trouble in any business, but in none more so than insurance
Tad has observed all four of the insurance commandments, and it shows in his results. General Re’s huge
Float has been better than cost-free under his leadership, and we expect that, on average, to continue. We are
Particularly enthusiastic about General Re’s international life reinsurance business, which has grown consistently
And profitably since we acquired the company in 1998
It can be remembered that soon after we purchased General Re, the company was beset by problems that
Caused commentators – and me as well, briefly – to believe I had made a huge mistake. That day is long gone
General Re is now a gem
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Finally, there is GEICO, the insurer on which I cut my teeth 63 years ago. GEICO is managed by Tony
Nicely, who joined the company at 18 and completed 52 years of service in 2013. Tony became CEO in 1993, and
Since then the company has been flying
When I was first introduced to GEICO in January 1951, I was blown away by the huge cost advantage the
Company enjoyed compared to the expenses borne by the giants of the industry. That operational efficiency continues
Today and is an all-important asset. No one likes to buy auto insurance. But almost everyone likes to drive. The
Insurance needed is a major expenditure for most families. Savings matter to them – and only a low-cost operation can
Deliver these
GEICO’s cost advantage is the factor that has enabled the company to gobble up market share year after
Year. Its low costs create a moat – an enduring one – that competitors are unable to cross. Meanwhile, our little
Gecko continues to tell Americans how GEICO can save them important money. With our latest reduction in
Operating costs, his story has become even more compelling
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In 1995, we purchased the half of GEICO that we didn’t already own, paying $1.4 billion more than the net
Tangible assets we acquired. That’s “goodwill,” and it will forever remain unchanged on our books. As GEICO’s
Business grows, however, so does its true economic goodwill. I believe that figure to be approaching $20 billion
* * * * * * * * * * * *
In addition to our three major insurance operations, we own a group of smaller companies, most of them
Plying their trade in odd corners of the insurance world. In aggregate, these companies are a growing operation that
Consistently delivers an underwriting profit. Moreover, as the table below shows, they also provide us with
Substantial float. Charlie and I treasure these companies and their managers
Underwriting Profit Yearend Float
(in millions)
Insurance Operations 2013 2012 2013 2012
BH Reinsurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,294 $ 304 $37,231 $34,821
General Re . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 355 20,013 20,128
GEICO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,127 680 12,566 11,578
Other Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385 286 7,430 6,598
$3,089 $1,625 $77,240 $73,125
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Simply put, insurance is the sale of promises. The “customer” pays money now; the insurer promises to
Pay money in the future if certain events occur
Sometimes, the promise will not be tested for decades. (Think of life insurance bought by those in their
20s.) Therefore, both the ability and willingness of the insurer to pay – even if economic chaos prevails when
Payment time arrives – is all-important
Berkshire’s promises have no equal, a fact affirmed in recent years by the actions of the world’s largest
And most sophisticated insurers, some of which have wanted to shed themselves of huge and exceptionally longlived
Liabilities, particularly those involving asbestos claims. That is, these insurers wished to “cede” their liabilities
To a reinsurer. Choosing the wrong reinsurer, however – one that down the road proved to be financially strapped or
A bad actor – would put the original insurer in danger of getting the liabilities right back in its lap
Almost without exception, the largest insurers seeking aid came to Berkshire. Indeed, in the largest such
Transaction ever recorded, Lloyd’s in 2007 turned over to us both many thousands of known claims arising from
Policies written before 1993 and an unknown but huge number of claims from that same period sure to materialize
In the future. (Yes, we will be receiving claims decades from now that apply to events taking place prior to 1993.)
Berkshire’s ultimate payments arising from the Lloyd’s transaction are today unknowable. What is certain
However, is that Berkshire will pay all valid claims up to the $15 billion limit of our policy. No other insurer’s
Promise would have given Lloyd’s the comfort provided by its agreement with Berkshire. The CEO of the entity
Then handling Lloyd’s claims said it best: “Names [the original insurers at Lloyd’s] wanted to sleep easy at night
And we think we’ve just bought them the world’s best mattress.”
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Berkshire’s great managers, premier financial strength and a variety of business models possessing wide
Moats form something unique in the insurance world. The combination is a huge asset for Berkshire shareholders
That will only get more valuable with time
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Regulated, Capital-Intensive Businesses
“Though there are many regulatory restraints in the utility industry, it’s possible that we will make
Additional commitments in the field. If we do, the amounts involved could be large.”
— 1999 Annual Report
We have two major operations, BNSF and MidAmerican Energy, that share important characteristics
Distinguishing them from our other businesses. Consequently, we assign them their own section in this letter and
Split out their combined financial statistics in our GAAP balance sheet and income statement
A key characteristic of both companies is their huge investment in very long-lived, regulated assets, with
These partially funded by large amounts of long-term debt that is not guaranteed by Berkshire. Our credit is in fact
Not needed because each company has earning power that even under terrible economic conditions will far exceed
Its interest requirements. Last year, for example, BNSF’s interest coverage was 9:1. (Our definition of coverage is
Pre-tax earnings/interest, not EBITDA/interest, a commonly-used measure we view as seriously flawed.)
At MidAmerican, meanwhile, two factors ensure the company’s ability to service its debt under all
Circumstances. The first is common to all utilities: recession-resistant earnings, which result from these companies
Exclusively offering an essential service. The second is enjoyed by few other utilities: a great diversity of earnings
Streams, which shield us from being seriously harmed by any single regulatory body. Now, with the acquisition of
NV Energy, MidAmerican’s earnings base has further broadened. This particular strength, supplemented by
Berkshire’s ownership, has enabled MidAmerican and its utility subsidiaries to significantly lower their cost of
Debt. This advantage benefits both us and our customers
Every day, our two subsidiaries power the American economy in major ways:
Š BNSF carries about 15% (measured by ton-miles) of all inter-city freight, whether it is transported by
Truck, rail, water, air, or pipeline. Indeed, we move more ton-miles of goods than anyone else, a fact
Establishing BNSF as the most important artery in our economy’s circulatory system. Its hold on the
Number-one position strengthened in 2013
BNSF, like all railroads, also moves its cargo in an extraordinarily fuel-efficient and environmentally
Friendly way, carrying a ton of freight about 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel. Trucks taking on
The same job guzzle about four times as much fuel
Š MidAmerican’s utilities serve regulated retail customers in eleven states. No utility company stretches
Further. In addition, we are the leader in renewables: From a standing start nine years ago, MidAmerican
Now accounts for 7% of the country’s wind generation capacity, with more on the way. Our share in
Solar – most of which is still in construction – is even larger
MidAmerican can make these investments because it retains all of its earnings. Here’s a little known fact:
Last year MidAmerican retained more dollars of earnings – by far – than any other American electric
Utility. We and our regulators see this as an important advantage – one almost certain to exist five, ten and
Twenty years from now
When our current projects are completed, MidAmerican’s renewables portfolio will have cost $15 billion
We relish making such commitments as long as they promise reasonable returns. And, on that front, we put a large
Amount of trust in future regulation
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Our confidence is justified both by our past experience and by the knowledge that society will forever
Need massive investments in both transportation and energy. It is in the self-interest of governments to treat capital
Providers in a manner that will ensure the continued flow of funds to essential projects. It is meanwhile in our selfinterest
To conduct our operations in a way that earns the approval of our regulators and the people they represent
Tangible proof of our dedication to that duty was delivered last year in a poll of customer satisfaction
Covering 52 holding companies and their 101 operating electric utilities. Our MidAmerican group ranked number
One, with 95.3% of respondents giving us a “very satisfied” vote and not a single customer rating us “dissatisfied.”
The bottom score in the survey, incidentally, was a dismal 34.5%
All three of our companies were ranked far lower by this measure before they were acquired by
MidAmerican. The extraordinary customer satisfaction we have achieved is of great importance as we expand:
Regulators in states we hope to enter are glad to see us, knowing we will be responsible operators
Our railroad has been diligent as well in anticipating the needs of its customers. Whatever you may have
Heard about our country’s crumbling infrastructure in no way applies to BNSF or railroads generally. America’s rail
System has never been in better shape, a consequence of huge investments by the industry. We are not, however
Resting: BNSF spent $4 billion on the railroad in 2013, double its depreciation charge and a single-year record for
Any railroad. And, we will spend considerably more in 2014. Like Noah, who foresaw early on the need for
Dependable transportation, we know it’s our job to plan ahead
Leading our two capital-intensive companies are Greg Abel, at MidAmerican, and the team of Matt Rose
And Carl Ice at BNSF. The three are extraordinary managers who have my gratitude and deserve yours as well
Here are the key figures for their businesses:
MidAmerican (89.8% owned) Earnings (in millions)
2013 2012 2011
U.K. utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 362 $ 429 $ 469
Iowa utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 236 279
Western utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982 737 771
Pipelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385 383 388
HomeServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 82 39
Other (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 91 36
Operating earnings before corporate interest and taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,102 1,958 1,982
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 314 336
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 172 315
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,636 $ 1,472 $ 1,331
Earnings applicable to Berkshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,470 $ 1,323 $ 1,204
BNSF Earnings (in millions)
2013 2012 2011
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,014 $20,835 $19,548
Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,357 14,835 14,247
Operating earnings before interest and taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,657 6,000 5,301
Interest (net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 729 623 560
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,135 2,005 1,769
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,793 $ 3,372 $ 2,972
12
Ron Peltier continues to build HomeServices, MidAmerican’s real estate brokerage subsidiary. Last year
His operation made four acquisitions, the most significant being Fox & Roach, a Philadelphia-based company that
Is the largest single-market realtor in the country
HomeServices now has 22,114 agents (listed by geography on page 112), up 38% from 2012
HomeServices also owns 67% of the Prudential and Real Living franchise operations, which are in the process of
Rebranding their franchisees as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. If you haven’t yet, many of you will soon be
Seeing our name on “for sale” signs
Manufacturing, Service and Retailing Operations
“See that store,” Warren says, pointing at Nebraska Furniture Mart. “That’s a really good business.”
“Why don’t you buy it?” I said
“It’s privately held,” Warren said
“Oh,” I said
“I might buy it anyway,” Warren said. “Someday.”
— Supermoney by Adam Smith (1972)
Our activities in this part of Berkshire cover the waterfront. Let’s look, though, at a summary balance
Sheet and earnings statement for the entire group
Balance Sheet 12/31/13 (in millions)
Assets Liabilities and Equity
Cash and equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,625 Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,615
Accounts and notes receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,749 Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,965
Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,945 Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,580
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,035
Deferred taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,184
Goodwill and other intangibles . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,617 Term debt and other liabilities . . . . . . . 4,405
Fixed assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,389 Non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . 456
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,274 Berkshire equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,690
$74,315 $74,315
Earnings Statement (in millions)
2013 2012 2011
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95,291 $83,255 $72,406
Operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88,414 76,978 67,239
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 146 130
Pre-tax earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,742 6,131 5,037
Income taxes and non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,512 2,432 1,998
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,230 $ 3,699 $ 3,039
Our income and expense data conforming to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) is on
Page 29. In contrast, the operating expense figures above are non-GAAP and exclude some purchase-accounting
Items (primarily the amortization of certain intangible assets). We present the data in this manner because Charlie
And I believe the adjusted numbers more accurately reflect the true economic expenses and profits of the businesses
Aggregated in the table than do GAAP figures
13
I won’t explain all of the adjustments – some are tiny and arcane – but serious investors should understand
The disparate nature of intangible assets: Some truly deplete over time while others in no way lose value. With
Software, for example, amortization charges are very real expenses. Charges against other intangibles such as the
Amortization of customer relationships, however, arise through purchase-accounting rules and are clearly not real
Costs. GAAP accounting draws no distinction between the two types of charges. Both, that is, are recorded as expenses
When earnings are calculated – even though from an investor’s viewpoint they could not be more different
In the GAAP-compliant figures we show on page 29, amortization charges of $648 million for the
Companies included in this section are deducted as expenses. We would call about 20% of these “real,” the rest not
This difference has become significant because of the many acquisitions we have made. It will almost certainly rise
Further as we acquire more companies
Eventually, of course, the non-real charges disappear when the assets to which they’re related become
Fully amortized. But this usually takes 15 years and – alas – it will be my successor whose reported earnings get the
Benefit of their expiration
Every dime of depreciation expense we report, however, is a real cost. And that’s true at almost all other
Companies as well. When Wall Streeters tout EBITDA as a valuation guide, button your wallet
Our public reports of earnings will, of course, continue to conform to GAAP. To embrace reality
However, remember to add back most of the amortization charges we report
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The crowd of companies in this section sells products ranging from lollipops to jet airplanes. Some of
These businesses, measured by earnings on unleveraged net tangible assets, enjoy terrific economics, producing
Profits that run from 25% after-tax to far more than 100%. Others generate good returns in the area of 12% to 20%
A few, however, have very poor returns, a result of some serious mistakes I made in my job of capital allocation. I
Was not misled: I simply was wrong in my evaluation of the economic dynamics of the company or the industry in
Which it operated
Fortunately, my blunders usually involved relatively small acquisitions. Our large buys have generally
Worked out well and, in a few cases, more than well. I have not, however, made my last mistake in purchasing
Either businesses or stocks. Not everything works out as planned
Viewed as a single entity, the companies in this group are an excellent business. They employed an
Average of $25 billion of net tangible assets during 2013 and, with large quantities of excess cash and little
Leverage, earned 16.7% after-tax on that capital
Of course, a business with terrific economics can be a bad investment if the purchase price is excessive
We have paid substantial premiums to net tangible assets for most of our businesses, a cost that is reflected in the
Large figure we show for goodwill. Overall, however, we are getting a decent return on the capital we have
Deployed in this sector. Furthermore, the intrinsic value of these businesses, in aggregate, exceeds their carrying
Value by a good margin. Even so, the difference between intrinsic value and carrying value in the insurance and
Regulated-industry segments is far greater. It is there that the truly big winners reside
* * * * * * * * * * * *
We have far too many companies in this group to comment on them individually. Moreover, both current
And potential competitors read this report. In a few of our businesses we might be disadvantaged if they knew our
Numbers. So, in some of our operations that are not of a size material to an evaluation of Berkshire, we only
Disclose what is required. You can find a good bit of detail about many of our operations, however, on pages 80-84
14
I can’t resist, however, giving you an update on Nebraska Furniture Mart’s expansion into Texas. I’m not
Covering this event because of its economic importance to Berkshire – it takes more than a new store to move the
Needle on Berkshire’s $225 billion equity base. But I’ve now worked 30 years with the marvelous Blumkin family
And I’m excited about the remarkable store – truly Texas-sized – it is building at The Colony, in the northern part of
The Dallas metropolitan area
When the store is completed next year, NFM will have – under one roof, and on a 433-acre site – 1.8 million
Square feet of retail and supporting warehouse space. View the project’s progress at www.nfm.com/texas. NFM
Already owns the two highest-volume home furnishings stores in the country (in Omaha and Kansas City, Kansas)
Each doing about $450 million annually. I predict the Texas store will blow these records away. If you live anywhere
Near Dallas, come check us out
I think back to August 30, 1983 – my birthday – when I went to see Mrs. B (Rose Blumkin), carrying a
11⁄4-page purchase proposal for NFM that I had drafted. (It’s reproduced on pages 114 - 115.) Mrs. B accepted my
Offer without changing a word, and we completed the deal without the involvement of investment bankers or
Lawyers (an experience that can only be described as heavenly). Though the company’s financial statements were
Unaudited, I had no worries. Mrs. B simply told me what was what, and her word was good enough for me
Mrs. B was 89 at the time and worked until 103 – definitely my kind of woman. Take a look at NFM’s
Financial statements from 1946 on pages 116 - 117. Everything NFM now owns comes from (a) that $72,264 of net
Worth and $50 – no zeros omitted – of cash the company then possessed, and (b) the incredible talents of Mrs. B
Her son, Louie, and his sons Ron and Irv
The punch line to this story is that Mrs. B never spent a day in school. Moreover, she emigrated from
Russia to America knowing not a word of English. But she loved her adopted country: At Mrs. B’s request, the
Family always sang God Bless America at its gatherings
Aspiring business managers should look hard at the plain, but rare, attributes that produced Mrs. B’s
Incredible success. Students from 40 universities visit me every year, and I have them start the day with a visit to
NFM. If they absorb Mrs. B’s lessons, they need none from me
Finance and Financial Products
“Clayton’s loan portfolio will likely grow to at least $5 billion in not too many years and, with sensible
Credit standards in place, should deliver significant earnings.”
— 2003 Annual Report
This sector, our smallest, includes two rental companies, XTRA (trailers) and CORT (furniture), as well as
Clayton Homes, the country’s leading producer and financer of manufactured homes. Aside from these 100%-
Owned subsidiaries, we also include in this category a collection of financial assets and our 50% interest in
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage
Clayton is placed in this section because it owns and services 326,569 mortgages, totaling $13.6 billion. In
Recent years, as manufactured home sales plummeted, a high percentage of Clayton’s earnings came from this
Mortgage business
In 2013, however, the sale of new homes began to pick up and earnings from both manufacturing and
Retailing are again becoming significant. Clayton remains America’s number one homebuilder: Its 2013 output of
29,547 homes accounted for about 4.7% of all single-family residences built in the country. Kevin Clayton
Clayton’s CEO, has done a magnificent job of guiding the company through the severe housing depression. Now
His job – definitely more fun these days – includes the prospect of another earnings gain in 2014
15
CORT and XTRA are leaders in their industries as well. And Jeff Pederson and Bill Franz will keep them
On top. We are backing their plans through purchases of equipment that enlarge their rental potential
Here’s the pre-tax earnings recap for this sector:
2013 2012 2011
(in millions)
Berkadia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 80 $ 35 $ 25
Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416 255 154
CORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 42 29
XTRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 106 126
Net financial income* . . . . . . . . . . . 324 410 440
$985 $848 $ 774
* Excludes capital gains or losses
Investments
“Our stock portfolio . . . was worth approximately $17 million less than its carrying value [cost] .
It is our belief that, over a period of years, the overall portfolio will prove to be worth more than its
Cost.”
— 1974 Annual Report
Below we list our fifteen common stock investments that at yearend had the largest market value
12/31/13
Shares** Company
Percentage of
Company
Owned
Cost* Market
(in millions)
151,610,700 American Express Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.2 $ 1,287 $ 13,756
400,000,000 The Coca-Cola Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.1 1,299 16,524
22,238,900 DIRECTV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 1,017 1,536
41,129,643 Exxon Mobil Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9 3,737 4,162
13,062,594 The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 750 2,315
68,121,984 International Business Machines Corp. . . . . . 6.3 11,681 12,778
24,669,778 Moody’s Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.5 248 1,936
20,060,390 Munich Re . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 2,990 4,415
20,668,118 Phillips 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4 660 1,594
52,477,678 The Procter & Gamble Company . . . . . . . . . 1.9 336 4,272
22,169,930 Sanofi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.7 1,747 2,354
301,046,076 Tesco plc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7 1,699 1,666
96,117,069 U.S. Bancorp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.3 3,002 3,883
56,805,984 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 2,976 4,470
483,470,853 Wells Fargo & Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.2 11,871 21,950
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,281 19,894
Total Common Stocks Carried at Market . . . $56,581 $117,505
*This is our actual purchase price and also our tax basis; GAAP “cost” differs in a few cases because of
Write-ups or write-downs that have been required under its rules
**Excludes shares held by Berkshire subsidiary pension funds
16
Berkshire has one major equity position that is not included in the table: We can buy 700 million shares of
Bank of America at any time prior to September 2021 for $5 billion. At yearend these shares were worth $10.9
Billion. We are likely to purchase the shares just before expiration of our option. In the meantime, it is important for
You to realize that Bank of America is, in effect, our fifth largest equity investment and one we value highly
In addition to our equity holdings, we also invest substantial sums in bonds. Usually, we’ve done well in
These. But not always
Most of you have never heard of Energy Future Holdings. Consider yourselves lucky; I certainly wish I
Hadn’t. The company was formed in 2007 to effect a giant leveraged buyout of electric utility assets in Texas. The
Equity owners put up $8 billion and borrowed a massive amount in addition. About $2 billion of the debt was
Purchased by Berkshire, pursuant to a decision I made without consulting with Charlie. That was a big mistake
Unless natural gas prices soar, EFH will almost certainly file for bankruptcy in 2014. Last year, we sold
Our holdings for $259 million. While owning the bonds, we received $837 million in cash interest. Overall
Therefore, we suffered a pre-tax loss of $873 million. Next time I’ll call Charlie
A few of our subsidiaries – primarily electric and gas utilities – use derivatives in their operations
Otherwise, we have not entered into any derivative contracts for some years, and our existing positions continue to
Run off. The contracts that have expired have delivered large profits as well as several billion dollars of mediumterm
Float. Though there are no guarantees, we expect a similar result from those remaining on our books
Some Thoughts About Investing
Investment is most intelligent when it is most businesslike
— The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
It is fitting to have a Ben Graham quote open this discussion because I owe so much of what I know about
Investing to him. I will talk more about Ben a bit later, and I will even sooner talk about common stocks. But let me
First tell you about two small non-stock investments that I made long ago. Though neither changed my net worth by
Much, they are instructive
This tale begins in Nebraska. From 1973 to 1981, the Midwest experienced an explosion in farm prices
Caused by a widespread belief that runaway inflation was coming and fueled by the lending policies of small rural
Banks. Then the bubble burst, bringing price declines of 50% or more that devastated both leveraged farmers and
Their lenders. Five times as many Iowa and Nebraska banks failed in that bubble’s aftermath than in our recent
Great Recession
In 1986, I purchased a 400-acre farm, located 50 miles north of Omaha, from the FDIC. It cost me
$280,000, considerably less than what a failed bank had lent against the farm a few years earlier. I knew nothing
About operating a farm. But I have a son who loves farming and I learned from him both how many bushels of corn
And soybeans the farm would produce and what the operating expenses would be. From these estimates, I
Calculated the normalized return from the farm to then be about 10%. I also thought it was likely that productivity
Would improve over time and that crop prices would move higher as well. Both expectations proved out
I needed no unusual knowledge or intelligence to conclude that the investment had no downside and
Potentially had substantial upside. There would, of course, be the occasional bad crop and prices would sometimes
Disappoint. But so what? There would be some unusually good years as well, and I would never be under any
Pressure to sell the property. Now, 28 years later, the farm has tripled its earnings and is worth five times or more
What I paid. I still know nothing about farming and recently made just my second visit to the farm
17
In 1993, I made another small investment. Larry Silverstein, Salomon’s landlord when I was the
Company’s CEO, told me about a New York retail property adjacent to NYU that the Resolution Trust Corp. was
Selling. Again, a bubble had popped – this one involving commercial real estate – and the RTC had been created to
Dispose of the assets of failed savings institutions whose optimistic lending practices had fueled the folly
Here, too, the analysis was simple. As had been the case with the farm, the unleveraged current yield from
The property was about 10%. But the property had been undermanaged by the RTC, and its income would increase
When several vacant stores were leased. Even more important, the largest tenant – who occupied around 20% of the
Project’s space – was paying rent of about $5 per foot, whereas other tenants averaged $70. The expiration of this
Bargain lease in nine years was certain to provide a major boost to earnings. The property’s location was also
Superb: NYU wasn’t going anywhere
I joined a small group, including Larry and my friend Fred Rose, that purchased the parcel. Fred was an
Experienced, high-grade real estate investor who, with his family, would manage the property. And manage it they
Did. As old leases expired, earnings tripled. Annual distributions now exceed 35% of our original equity
Investment. Moreover, our original mortgage was refinanced in 1996 and again in 1999, moves that allowed several
Special distributions totaling more than 150% of what we had invested. I’ve yet to view the property
Income from both the farm and the NYU real estate will probably increase in the decades to come. Though
The gains won’t be dramatic, the two investments will be solid and satisfactory holdings for my lifetime and
Subsequently, for my children and grandchildren
I tell these tales to illustrate certain fundamentals of investing:
Š You don’t need to be an expert in order to achieve satisfactory investment returns. But if you aren’t, you
Must recognize your limitations and follow a course certain to work reasonably well. Keep things simple
And don’t swing for the fences. When promised quick profits, respond with a quick “no.”
Š Focus on the future productivity of the asset you are considering. If you don’t feel comfortable making a rough
Estimate of the asset’s future earnings, just forget it and move on. No one has the ability to evaluate every
Investment possibility. But omniscience isn’t necessary; you only need to understand the actions you undertake
Š If you instead focus on the prospective price change of a contemplated purchase, you are speculating
There is nothing improper about that. I know, however, that I am unable to speculate successfully, and I
Am skeptical of those who claim sustained success at doing so. Half of all coin-flippers will win their first
Toss; none of those winners has an expectation of profit if he continues to play the game. And the fact that
A given asset has appreciated in the recent past is never a reason to buy it
Š With my two small investments, I thought only of what the properties would produce and cared not at all
About their daily valuations. Games are won by players who focus on the playing field – not by those
Whose eyes are glued to the scoreboard. If you can enjoy Saturdays and Sundays without looking at stock
Prices, give it a try on weekdays
Š Forming macro opinions or listening to the macro or market predictions of others is a waste of time
Indeed, it is dangerous because it may blur your vision of the facts that are truly important. (When I hear
TV commentators glibly opine on what the market will do next, I am reminded of Mickey Mantle’s
Scathing comment: “You don’t know how easy this game is until you get into that broadcasting booth.”)
18
Š My two purchases were made in 1986 and 1993. What the economy, interest rates, or the stock market
Might do in the years immediately following – 1987 and 1994 – was of no importance to me in making
Those investments. I can’t remember what the headlines or pundits were saying at the time. Whatever the
Chatter, corn would keep growing in Nebraska and students would flock to NYU
There is one major difference between my two small investments and an investment in stocks. Stocks
Provide you minute-to-minute valuations for your holdings whereas I have yet to see a quotation for either my farm
Or the New York real estate
It should be an enormous advantage for investors in stocks to have those wildly fluctuating valuations
Placed on their holdings – and for some investors, it is. After all, if a moody fellow with a farm bordering my
Property yelled out a price every day to me at which he would either buy my farm or sell me his – and those prices
Varied widely over short periods of time depending on his mental state – how in the world could I be other than
Benefited by his erratic behavior? If his daily shout-out was ridiculously low, and I had some spare cash, I would
Buy his farm. If the number he yelled was absurdly high, I could either sell to him or just go on farming
Owners of stocks, however, too often let the capricious and often irrational behavior of their fellow owners
Cause them to behave irrationally as well. Because there is so much chatter about markets, the economy, interest
Rates, price behavior of stocks, etc., some investors believe it is important to listen to pundits – and, worse yet
Important to consider acting upon their comments
Those people who can sit quietly for decades when they own a farm or apartment house too often become
Frenetic when they are exposed to a stream of stock quotations and accompanying commentators delivering an
Implied message of “Don’t just sit there, do something.” For these investors, liquidity is transformed from the
Unqualified benefit it should be to a curse
A “flash crash” or some other extreme market fluctuation can’t hurt an investor any more than an erratic
And mouthy neighbor can hurt my farm investment. Indeed, tumbling markets can be helpful to the true investor if
He has cash available when prices get far out of line with values. A climate of fear is your friend when investing; a
Euphoric world is your enemy
During the extraordinary financial panic that occurred late in 2008, I never gave a thought to selling my
Farm or New York real estate, even though a severe recession was clearly brewing. And, if I had owned 100% of a
Solid business with good long-term prospects, it would have been foolish for me to even consider dumping it. So
Why would I have sold my stocks that were small participations in wonderful businesses? True, any one of them
Might eventually disappoint, but as a group they were certain to do well. Could anyone really believe the earth was
Going to swallow up the incredible productive assets and unlimited human ingenuity existing in America?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When Charlie and I buy stocks – which we think of as small portions of businesses – our analysis is very
Similar to that which we use in buying entire businesses. We first have to decide whether we can sensibly estimate
An earnings range for five years out, or more. If the answer is yes, we will buy the stock (or business) if it sells at a
Reasonable price in relation to the bottom boundary of our estimate. If, however, we lack the ability to estimate
Future earnings – which is usually the case – we simply move on to other prospects. In the 54 years we have worked
Together, we have never foregone an attractive purchase because of the macro or political environment, or the views
Of other people. In fact, these subjects never come up when we make decisions
It’s vital, however, that we recognize the perimeter of our “circle of competence” and stay well inside of
It. Even then, we will make some mistakes, both with stocks and businesses. But they will not be the disasters that
Occur, for example, when a long-rising market induces purchases that are based on anticipated price behavior and a
Desire to be where the action is
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Most investors, of course, have not made the study of business prospects a priority in their lives. If wise
They will conclude that they do not know enough about specific businesses to predict their future earning power
I have good news for these non-professionals: The typical investor doesn’t need this skill. In aggregate
American business has done wonderfully over time and will continue to do so (though, most assuredly, in
Unpredictable fits and starts). In the 20th Century, the Dow Jones Industrials index advanced from 66 to 11,497
Paying a rising stream of dividends to boot. The 21st Century will witness further gains, almost certain to be
Substantial. The goal of the non-professional should not be to pick winners – neither he nor his “helpers” can do
That – but should rather be to own a cross-section of businesses that in aggregate are bound to do well. A low-cost
S&P 500 index fund will achieve this goal
That’s the “what” of investing for the non-professional. The “when” is also important. The main danger is
That the timid or beginning investor will enter the market at a time of extreme exuberance and then become
Disillusioned when paper losses occur. (Remember the late Barton Biggs’ observation: “A bull market is like sex. It
Feels best just before it ends.”) The antidote to that kind of mistiming is for an investor to accumulate shares over a
Long period and never to sell when the news is bad and stocks are well off their highs. Following those rules, the
“know-nothing” investor who both diversifies and keeps his costs minimal is virtually certain to get satisfactory
Results. Indeed, the unsophisticated investor who is realistic about his shortcomings is likely to obtain better longterm
Results than the knowledgeable professional who is blind to even a single weakness
If “investors” frenetically bought and sold farmland to each other, neither the yields nor prices of their
Crops would be increased. The only consequence of such behavior would be dec
