#88 Warren Buffetts Shareholder Letters All of them!

In "The American Tailwind," Warren Buffett reflects on 77 years of investing, starting with his first stock purchase at age 11. Despite various crises, including wars, recessions, and the Great Depression, Buffett emphasizes the consistent growth and prosperity of the United States, highlighting the importance of retained earnings and savings for the nation's wealth. He acknowledges that much of Berkshire Hathaway's success can be attributed to the "American Tailwind," a testament to the collective efforts and historical context that have propelled the country's economic achievements. Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger have enjoyed their work, focusing on a few core goals: maintaining a strong financial position, widening competitive moats, acquiring diverse earnings streams, and nurturing top management. They've avoided businesses with uncertain futures, excessive debt, and bureaucracy, instead seeking long-term, predictable profit and a culture of integrity. Buffett's essay serves as a reminder of the resilience and potential of American business, even in the face of adversity.

• Warren Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965 when it was a small textile company.
• Initially, Berkshire shares were priced around $18, and after 54 years, they traded at $306,000.
• Buffett's capital allocation strategy resulted in an annual compounding rate just under 20%.
• Berkshire's growth has benefited shareholders, managers, employees, and customers alike.
• The company evolved from textiles to a conglomerate with diverse holdings.

"Warren Buffett first took control of Berkshire Hathaway, a small textile company, in April of 1965. A share changed hands for around $18 at that time. 54 letters to shareholders later, and that same share trades for $306,000. Compounding investor capital at just under 20% per year."

The quote highlights the impressive growth of Berkshire Hathaway under Buffett's leadership, transforming a small textile business into a massive conglomerate with a significant increase in share value.

• Buffett is described as being "wired at birth to allocate capital," focusing on assets with the greatest potential for gain.
• He has maintained a consistent approach to investing, emphasizing financial strength and profitability over size.
• Buffett's willingness to share his methods has made him a teacher to many aspiring investors.

"Buffett has said many times that he was wired at birth to allocate capital."

This quote underscores Buffett's innate skill and lifelong passion for capital allocation, which has been central to his investment success.

• In 1965, Berkshire reported net earnings of $2.2 million, representing a small but promising start.
• Buffett recognized the cyclical nature of the textile industry and the need for diversification to create a buffer.
• Despite the industry's challenges, Buffett chose not to sell underperforming businesses, preferring long-term holding.

"In a business as highly cyclical as the textile business, the past decade for Berkshire Hathaway has been a recurring story of a period of earnings followed by a period of relatively heavy losses."

This quote from Buffett's early shareholder letter reflects the challenges of the textile industry and sets the stage for his long-term strategy of diversification and holding onto businesses despite cyclical downturns.

• Buffett emphasized maintaining a strong financial condition to enable Berkshire to survive cyclical downturns.
• He pursued acquisitions within and outside the textile field to diversify earnings.
• Buffett's strategy involved investing in marketable common stocks and acquiring other companies to participate in earnings beyond the textile industry.

"It has always been among the goals of Berkshire Hathaway to maintain a strong financial condition."

This quote illustrates Buffett's core philosophy of financial strength, which has allowed Berkshire to make strategic acquisitions and investments without being constrained by the limitations of the textile industry.

• Berkshire's expansion into the insurance industry proved to be highly successful and became a favorite sector for Buffett.
• The acquisition of insurance companies provided diversified earnings and demonstrated the benefits of expanding beyond textiles.
• Buffett's focus on underwriting for profit rather than size differentiated his approach from competitors.

"We are highly pleased with the results of our insurance subsidiaries since their acquisition in March 1967."

The quote signifies a pivotal moment in Berkshire's history, marking the successful expansion into the insurance industry and the beginning of diversified earnings that would contribute significantly to the company's growth.

• Buffett's investment approach is characterized by a focus on long-term business performance rather than short-term market fluctuations.
• He prefers concentrated investments in a few companies with favorable long-term prospects, competent management, and attractive purchase prices.
• Buffett's strategy is to invest as if purchasing the entire business, leading to a concentrated portfolio of high-quality holdings.

"Our equity investments are heavily concentrated in a few companies which are selected based on favorable economic characteristics, competent and honest management, and a purchase price attractive when measured against the yardstick of value to a private owner."

This quote encapsulates Buffett's investment criteria, which prioritize the fundamental qualities of a business and its management over market trends, resulting in a focused and high-quality investment portfolio.

• Buffett openly acknowledges mistakes and poor decisions made throughout his investment career.
• He emphasizes that even with mistakes, it is possible to build successful businesses.
• Buffett's transparency in sharing these experiences acts as a learning opportunity for investors.

"Almost every single letter he's talking about with the dumb ideas and dumb decisions he makes."

This reflection on Buffett's shareholder letters reveals his candidness about past errors, demonstrating that even the most successful investors are not immune to missteps, and that these experiences are integral to learning and growth.

• Buffett learned the importance of being in businesses with tailwinds rather than headwinds, as seen in the contrast between the textile and insurance industries.
• He recognized that certain businesses inherently have better long-term prospects and that management excellence cannot overcome fundamental industry challenges.

"One of the lessons your management has learned, and unfortunately, sometimes relearned, is the importance of being in businesses where tailwinds prevail rather than headwinds."

This quote reflects a key lesson in Buffett's investment journey, highlighting the significance of operating in favorable industries where external forces help propel the business forward, rather than industries that constantly face obstacles.

• By the mid-1970s, Berkshire Hathaway had significantly increased its net worth and diversified its operations.
• Buffett maintained a focus on profitability, financial strength, and a long-term perspective.
• His investment principles, including a concentrated portfolio and emphasis on business performance, laid the foundation for Berkshire's continued success.

"Your present management assume responsibility at Berkshire Hathaway in May 1965, the net worth of the company was 22 million... and now he's up to 92 million."

This quote shows the remarkable growth of Berkshire Hathaway's net worth under Buffett's management, demonstrating the effectiveness of his investment philosophy and the potential for future growth based on the same principles.

• Warren Buffett emphasizes the importance of unusual discipline in both personal and professional life.
• He notes that doing the opposite of what the average person does can often lead to success.
• Buffett applies this discipline to managing both his personal habits and his business ventures.

"Unusual discipline in all aspects of your life, whether it's like the fact that you spend more time learning, you don't put a bunch of bad stuff in your body with diet. You're some form of levels of activity, all the stuff, like, if you take the average person and what they do and then do the opposite, it's like a good way to do well in life because most people are lazy."

The quote highlights the concept that success often requires doing what most others are not willing to do, which includes continuous learning and maintaining healthy habits.

• Buffett discusses the peculiarities of the insurance industry, where the product offered is essentially a promise and differentiation is minimal.
• The success of an insurance company relies heavily on the competency of its management due to the lack of traditional competitive advantages.
• Buffett views low costs as a durable moat in the insurance industry, a principle exemplified by GEICO.

"In industries where there's little differentiation, the competency of management is more important. ...if it wasn't the insurance industry, it sounds like a terrible business to be in, right?"

This quote underscores the critical role of management in industries where products are undifferentiated and competitive advantages are scarce.

• Buffett advises against owning businesses that produce undifferentiated goods and are capital intensive.
• He uses the textile industry as an example, where excess capacity leads to low returns on capital.
• Buffett acknowledges his own bad decisions in investing in such industries and stresses that perfection is not required to build a great company.

"The textile industry illustrates in textbook style how producers of relatively undifferentiated goods and capital intensive businesses must earn inadequate returns..."

The quote explains that industries with undifferentiated goods and high capital requirements often lead to poor investment returns.

• Buffett prefers buying parts of businesses through common stock over acquiring entire companies.
• He argues that partial ownership can yield better returns than full acquisitions, especially in an overpriced market.
• Buffett values the management skills of companies like Safeco and believes in passive participation when the management is excellent.

"Buying parts of businesses through common stock yields better returns than buying the entire company through acquisition."

The quote reflects Buffett's strategy of seeking better value and returns through partial ownership rather than full acquisitions.

• Buffett emphasizes the importance of cost management and frugality in business.
• He notes that managers of high-cost operations tend to find new ways to add overhead, while those running tight operations continue to find cost-cutting measures.
• The management approach of GEICO, with low costs and continuous improvement, is highlighted as exemplary.

"Our experience has been the manager of an already high cost operation frequently is uncommonly resourceful in finding new ways to add to overhead."

This quote illustrates Buffett's observation that managers often continue the patterns they are accustomed to, whether that be increasing costs or finding efficiencies.

• Buffett openly discusses his failures and the importance of learning from them.
• He emphasizes the significance of a high earnings rate on equity capital rather than just gains in earnings per share.
• Buffett's shift from value investing to buying quality businesses at fair prices is influenced by Charlie Munger.

"Our expectations are for profits of relatively modest amounts in relation to capital."

The quote acknowledges the reality of modest profits in certain industries and the importance of managing expectations.

• Buffett believes companies attract the shareholders they deserve based on their focus and communication.
• He prefers shareholders who understand and agree with Berkshire's policies and long-term expectations.
• Buffett advocates for a low turnover of owners who are in sync with the company's goals.

"In large part, companies obtain the shareholder constituency that they seek and deserve."

This quote emphasizes the idea that the type of shareholders a company attracts is a reflection of the company's focus and communication.

• Berkshire operates with centralized financial decisions and decentralized operating authority.
• This approach minimizes bureaucracy, speeds up decision-making, and attracts talented individuals.
• Buffett acknowledges the possibility of occasional mistakes but believes the benefits outweigh the risks.

"Your company is run on the principle of centralization of financial decisions at the top, meaning him and Charlie, and rather extreme delegation of operating authority to a number of key managers at the individual company or business unit level."

The quote describes the unique management structure of Berkshire Hathaway, which balances central control with operational autonomy.

• Buffett supports share buybacks when a company's market price is significantly below its intrinsic value.
• He criticizes corporate acquisitions at high premiums, favoring the repurchase of undervalued shares instead.
• Buffett outlines the characteristics of a great business, highlighting GEICO as an example of excellent management and business advantage.

"If a fine business is selling in the marketplace for far less than intrinsic value, what more certain or more profitable utilization of capital can there be than significant enlargement of the interests of all owners at that bargain price?"

This quote explains Buffett's rationale for share buybacks as a means of increasing shareholder value when the market undervalues a company's shares.

• Buffett stresses the importance of being in the right market or industry, as it significantly impacts managerial success.
• He encourages questioning conventional wisdom and being prepared to switch to a different game if necessary.
• Buffett highlights the dangers of investing in businesses with poor fundamental economics and the value of recognizing and seizing good opportunities.

"A good managerial record is far more a function of what business boat you get into than it is how effectively you row."

The quote suggests that the industry or market a business operates in is often more important than the management's efforts in determining success.

• Buffett shares the inspiring story of Mrs. B (Rose Blumpkin) and her founding of the Nebraska Furniture Mart.
• Her tenacity, smart buying, and focus on customer value are highlighted as key factors in the store's success.
• Buffett expresses admiration for Mrs. B's work ethic and business acumen, emphasizing the importance of exceptional value to customers.

"I'd rather wrestle grizzlies than compete with Mrs. B. And her progeny."

The quote conveys Buffett's high regard for Mrs. B's competitive edge and the formidable business she built.

• Buffett admits to his own mistakes in managing insurance operations and values learning from them.
• He discusses Berkshire's conservative approach to using debt and prioritizing long-term value over short-term gains.
• Buffett's "gin rummy management" metaphor illustrates his reluctance to sell good or even subpar businesses unless they are consistently unprofitable.

"We will reject interesting opportunities rather than over leverage our balance sheet."

This quote reflects Buffett's commitment to maintaining a strong financial position and avoiding excessive risk through debt.

• Warren Buffett views intellectual contests as advantageous when opponents believe thinking is futile.
• He applies this philosophy to business management, hiring, and expansion strategies.

"What could be more advantageous in an intellectual contest, whether it be bridge, chess or stock selection, than to have opponents who've been taught that thinking is a waste of energy?"

The quote emphasizes the competitive advantage gained when rivals underestimate the value of strategic thinking.

• Hiring superior talent leads to a company of "giants" and facilitates business growth.
• Efficient management allows for a larger number of direct reports and time for other activities.
• Problems arise when even one team member lacks integrity or competence.

"If each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants."

Buffett highlights the importance of recruiting talented individuals to foster a strong and growing company.

• Low operating costs create a competitive advantage or "moat" around a business.
• Geico's success is attributed to its low costs compared to competitors.
• Continually driving down costs strengthens the company's economic position.

"The most important ingredient in Geico's success is rock bottom operating costs, which sets the company apart from literally hundreds of competitors that offer auto insurance."

The quote explains how Geico's low costs differentiate it in the market and contribute to its success.

• Fear and greed are recurrent in investment communities.
• Buffett avoids predicting market movements, focusing instead on being cautious or opportunistic based on others' sentiments.
• The unpredictability of market reactions to fear and greed means avoiding speculation on their timing.

"Our goal is more modest: We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."

Buffett advises a counter-cyclical approach to investing, capitalizing on market sentiment extremes.

• Buffett and Charlie Munger appreciate exceptional management, knowing it is rare.
• They attribute much of their success to the exemplary performance of their managers.

"Our major contribution to the operations of our subsidiaries is applause."

This quote underscores the value Buffett places on recognizing and supporting the efforts of skilled managers.

• Buffett and Munger follow Ogilvy's advice on embracing eccentricities.
• They run their business conservatively, avoiding high debt and leverage.
• The focus is on ensuring the ability to meet obligations even under adverse conditions.

"Develop your eccentricities while you're young. That way, when you get old, people won't think you're going gaga."

Buffett shares Ogilvy's wisdom on the personal and business benefits of establishing distinctive characteristics early in life.

• There is no single key to business success due to its complexity.
• Reading biographies and learning from diverse experiences is valuable for understanding dynamic business situations.
• Buffett and Munger prioritize learning from others to gather useful ideas for their own business decisions.

"The business world is simply far too complex for a single set of rules to effectively describe economic reality for all enterprises."

The quote reflects Buffett's belief in the multifaceted nature of business and the importance of a broad learning approach.

• Long-term association with skilled managers is valued over academic credentials.
• Practical experience and a track record of success are prioritized in leadership roles.
• Buffett criticizes the overemphasis on academic achievements in business management.

"Superb managers are too scarce a resource to be scarred simply because the cake gets crowded with candles."

Buffett argues for the importance of experience and proven performance over formal education in business management.

• Buffett assesses management integrity when making investment decisions.
• He sold Freddie Mac stock due to concerns about management's honesty and decision-making.
• Trusting one's own judgment is crucial when assessing business operations.

"They were trying to and proclaiming that they could increase earnings per share in some low double-digit range, something of that sort, Buffett said."

This quote illustrates Buffett's decision to sell based on his skepticism about management's claims and the sustainability of their financial promises.

• Buffett and Munger prefer holding investments indefinitely in outstanding businesses with excellent management.
• They avoid frequent trading for slightly higher returns, valuing business relationships more.
• The approach is to retain enjoyable and profitable business associations rather than constantly seeking new ones.

"Our favorite holding period is forever."

Buffett expresses his preference for long-term investment in high-quality businesses over short-term profit-taking.

• Buffett acknowledges mistakes, such as buying Berkshire due to its cheap price despite its unpromising textile business.
• He learned to prioritize wonderful companies at fair prices over mediocre businesses at bargain prices.
• The focus shifted to acquiring businesses with enduring competitive advantages and capable management.

"It is far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price."

The quote summarizes Buffett's evolved investment strategy favoring quality and long-term value over short-term price advantages.

• Buffett describes the "institutional imperative" as the tendency of businesses to resist change and follow peers.
• He observed that rationality often fails in the face of institutional pressures.
• The imperative can lead to unnecessary expansion, imitation, and resistance to beneficial changes.

"Rationality frequently wilts when the institutional imperative comes into play."

Buffett highlights the challenges rational decision-making faces within the institutional context of business.

• Berkshire's conservative financial policies avoid extreme risks that could lead to ruin.
• Buffett prefers certain good results over the possibility of higher returns accompanied by a small chance of disaster.
• The strategy focuses on enjoying the process and ensuring long-term success without undue risk.

"A small chance of distress or disgrace cannot, in our view, be offset by a large chance of extra returns."

The quote reflects Buffett's risk-averse philosophy, prioritizing stability over potentially higher but riskier gains.

• Warren Buffett shares a story about acquiring Scott Fetzer.
• In 1985, a major investment banking house failed to sell Scott Fetzer.
• Upon learning of the failed sale, Buffett wrote to Ralph Shea, the CEO, expressing interest in buying.
• Within a week, Buffett and Shea reached a deal without the investment bank's involvement.
• Despite not contributing to finding the buyer, the bank still received a $2.5 million fee.
• Charlie Munger humorously remarked he'd pay the fee to avoid reading the bank's analysis.

"Upon reading of this strikeout, I wrote to Ralph Shea, then and now Scott Fetzer's CEO, expressing an interest in buying the business. I had never met Ralph, but within a week we had a deal." This quote explains how Buffett's direct approach to the CEO of Scott Fetzer led to a quick acquisition deal, bypassing the need for an investment bank's services.

• Identifying and staying within one's circle of competence is crucial.
• Buffett and Munger avoid industries with rapid changes they can't predict.
• They stick to what they understand and avoid substituting hope for rationality.
• Opportunities exist within Berkshire's circle of competence.

"If we have a strength, it is in recognizing when we are operating well within our circle of competence and when we are approaching the perimeter." Buffett emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in investing, knowing one's strengths, and staying within areas of expertise.

• Rational decision-making is key in investing.
• Large profits can lead to irrational behavior and speculation.
• The line between investment and speculation is blurred during market triumphs.
• Buffett uses the Cinderella metaphor to illustrate the dangers of speculative behavior.

"Nothing sedates rationality like large doses of effortless money." This quote highlights the risk of complacency and irrationality that can come with easy profits, leading to poor investment decisions.

• A few hours of learning from an expert can outweigh years of independent thinking.
• Buffett credits Ben Graham's ideas for his improved investment performance.
• He values the practical wisdom gained from experienced individuals over academic theories.

"Quite simply, a few hours spent at the feet of the master proved far more valuable to me than ten years of supposedly original thinking." Buffett attributes his successful investment approach to the insights gained from his mentor, Ben Graham, rather than his own unguided efforts.

• Buffett's management philosophy is influenced by successful individuals.
• He believes in working with winners to achieve success.
• The story of Eddie Bennett, a bat boy, exemplifies this philosophy.
• Buffett applies this approach at Berkshire by supporting top business leaders.

"To be a winner, work with winners." This quote encapsulates Buffett's belief that success comes from associating with and learning from successful people.

• Buffett admires entrepreneurs who start with little and build successful businesses.
• He emphasizes cost consciousness at Berkshire.
• A humorous anecdote about an obituary notice illustrates the importance of controlling costs.

"We cherish cost consciousness." Buffett values frugality and careful management of expenses as a key aspect of running a successful business.

• Buffett and Munger find it difficult to analyze firms heavily involved with derivatives.
• They acknowledge the lack of understanding of risks by even experienced investors.
• The complexity of derivatives can lead to significant financial crises.

"When Charlie and I finished reading the long footnotes detailing derivative activities of major banks, the only thing we understand is that we don't understand how much risk the institution is running." This quote reflects the challenges and dangers posed by complex financial instruments, which even seasoned investors like Buffett and Munger struggle to comprehend.

• Buffett warns against trusting CEOs who claim to predict the future.
• He values honesty and integrity over consistent target hitting.
• Managers who always promise results may resort to falsifying numbers.

"Managers that always promise to make the numbers will at some point be tempted to make up the numbers." Buffett cautions against the pressure to meet financial targets, which can lead to unethical behavior.

• Buffett values autobiographies for their insights into business leaders.
• He acquired Clayton Homes based on an autobiography and the impression of the CEO.
• This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding a business's leadership.

"Soon thereafter, I made an offer for the business based solely on Jim's book, my evaluation of Kevin, which is his son and the CEO, and the public financials of Clayton." Buffett's decision to buy Clayton Homes was influenced by the personal story and the character of its leaders, demonstrating his unique approach to evaluating businesses.

• Buffett advocates for a system where directors have significant personal investments in the company.
• He believes that directors' interests should align with shareholders.
• Berkshire's directors own substantial stock, ensuring their decisions impact their own wealth.

"Our approach might be called owner capitalism." This quote introduces the concept of "owner capitalism," where company directors are also significant shareholders, aligning their interests with those of the company and its investors.