Tag Archives: Warren Buffett

Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffet Munger Analysis, Thoughts, High Points, Words to Live by and be Successful According to them …

On May 5-6 of 2023, the Annual Shareholder Meeting of Berkshire Hathaway (BH) occurred… if you are not familiar with BH, here is a nice review from Wikipedia.

At 92 (Warren Buffett) and 99 (Charlie Munger) a 7 hour marathon where random, unscripted questions are answered in very good form (if we could all be so lucky) makes for great theatre and some what of a cult like experience…

Until just a few years ago, thanks in part to the lockdown years, BH meetings … while not secret, were behind closed doors and demanded in-person attendance, even if one had to sit in the hall outside of the actual area of the meeting and watch a live feed of the event… today as noted, earlier in our pre-view post not only can you access the event live, but also in replay with the ability to turn up the speed !

Personal High Points of Interest from the Sped Up meeting (Live by comments at end):

Neither man would rather live in a different country or location, even while there are of course, short comings,

Warren would not mind starting over today with nothing, to see if he could do it again, Charlie, not so much.

Charlie: China and the US should just get along, do business together and jointly prosper, rather than bowing up to each other for perceived dominance. Was Russia in the day, today China. (Large Applause)

Not withstanding point one, the bifurcation and hatred in society is disheartening, unproductive and destructive according to both men.

Buffet reversed course on a $5 billion investment in a semiconductor company located in Taiwan due to tension, location and likely provoking point three above.

100 Year Plan/Dream/Desire (question from audience) Buffet explains to operate a Company that compliments society, is good for society and has good people working for it. (Simple, fresh, positive!)

Vice: NetJets – Charlie still rides in coach, even on NJ – Expensive, but worth it according to Warren, especially on overseas extended trips.

Absolutely bash (and do not care for), Venture Capitalists and Private Equity guys at every chance and state that at the onset of most deals, they are already looking for the escape hatch/sale.

BH is actually too big to make agile, more aggressive and growth like investments, which prevents it from being a growth like company. (Reiterated for years now)

Management Skill recommendation – “Phrase by name, criticize by category!”

Live on less then you earn to keep stress down.

You do not have to be lucky to make it.

Be nice to people.

Get toxic people out of your life.

From the infamous Buffett Shareholder letter, released 2-25-23

  • The world is full of foolish gamblers, and they will not do as well as the patient investor.
  • If you don’t see the world the way it is, it’s like judging something through a distorted lens.
  • All I want to know is where I’m going to die, so I’ll never go there. And a related thought:
    Early on, write your desired obituary – and then behave accordingly.
  • If you don’t care whether you are rational or not, you won’t work on it. Then you will stay
    irrational and get lousy results.
  • Patience can be learned. Having a long attention span and the ability to concentrate on one
    thing for a long time is a huge advantage.
  • There is no such thing as a 100% sure thing when investing. Thus, the use of leverage is dangerous. A string of wonderful numbers times zero will always equal zero.

Remember, these are Warren and Charlie thoughts, only with a few comments and notes from us!

Have a Happy “Oracle of Omaha’s” day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

May 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Hello and Welcome to our May 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Update!

If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast audio format as well as Video!

Newbies –

We like to articulate our thoughts and review on a Monthly basis our Financial Planning Tips, Capital Markets and current events!

Hope you enjoy!

May 2021 Video

YouTube

Financial Planning Tips

Preparing to Hit the Sky Again

In this Break In Moment Post, an executive of the company Fligence reached out with regards to our fun TSA Posts through the closure of the country.

Their neatly designed website can be a very handy item for determining your possible time needs and delays as well as neatly follow our country to reopening at full speed.

Capital Market Comments

Inflation or No Inflation

In doing writings, I try to approach each article with a clear mind and head, especially if the post is heavy ….

Many times I try to completely forget the article or post from maybe just a week before….

Good News…. the Month of May was a success in clearing my mind as I accidentally pounded everyone over the head with Inflation stuff…..

My apologies, but it coming at us from so many directions made it top of mind….

At the Berkshire Hathaway meeting post, starring Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, Inflation was all the chatter and a huge concern for them.

Then Here in our Jolts – job opening Post we looked at how there are tons of jobs to be had –

Here in our Favorite Dallas Federal Reserve Chair post, Robert Kaplan – Sooner rather than later, worries inflation may be coming if we stay too low on interest rates…

Lastly in this verbal tug of war post between Jim Bianco and Lacy Hunt, they could not more disagree very emphatically.

Time will tell who is correct in their thinking!

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of June!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

Oracle of Omaha …. Warren Buffett Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting … Finally Made it Through … Thoughts

Each year for the last five (which is about when they began streaming the meetings), I am always enthusiastic about listening to the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, which prior to social distancing was more like a sporting event than a shareholder meeting.

Oh, for those that may be wondering, Berkshire Hathaway is headed by Warren Buffett age 90 (not Jimmy – being silly here) and Charlie Munger age 98. The name stems from a bankrupt textile company turned massive conglomerate filled with Insurance Companies (Geico) Railroads, and home builders (largest manufactured home builder in US) just to name a few.

Back to the meeting… Buffett honestly says (and it is true) the actual meeting is BOORING and Buffett even discourages folks to listen to the formal section, BUT there is an opening ceremony of such where Buffett has a 5-15 minute planned discussion followed by 3-3.5 hours of Q and A, most of which is known, but a few are sent in live and carefully reviewed and presented by Becky Quick of CNBC.

Finally A Way To Get Through The Meeting

So the last five years were a terrible failure as the attention span drifted before the entire meeting could be consumed…. Hey these guys are 90 and 98 and move at their own pace, but a wealth of VERY interesting opinions as well as knowledge.

This year a freak accidental trial was successful and made for a very enjoyable meeting review.

After finding a replay of the meeting on YouTube then cranking the speed up from 1x to 1.25 to 1.5 and finally landing on 1.75x normal speed, ta dah … the meeting was happily consumed with full 100% attention AND SOME NOTES!

These are in no sort of order, but basically organized as well as possible given the jumping of topics due to open questions – So here we go, hope you enjoy!

(These a not my opinions or thoughts, only a replay of Charlie and Warren’s high points)

Intro Discussion

Very Pro USA and Complimentary to Capital Creation in the USA

Brings a list of top largest 20 companies in the world, with total domination of USA

Currently have $145 Billion and only need $70 Billion – Current Asset Prices are Not Inviting to Warren and Charlie – Market is too fully priced (Sound Familiar?)

Sold Airlines to allow them to get Federal Funding

Munger Comment – His extra age seems to have loosened his muffler!

Higher State Taxes Chase some smart people away – Silly

SPACS are being created for Wall Street Not Investors and useless use of other peoples money – According to Charlie

Been and actor so long I do not know what I believe – Dogging on politicians and bad CEO’s

Buffett – More Politically PC

Low Interest Rates are causing very high asset prices

Inflationary prices are coming through the home building and other sectors, economy is red hot! Steel and scarcity of product

Furniture store red hot

More inflation going on than meets the eye- Yep

Both Admire Larry Summers convictions to Inflation concerns!

Great Closing Q & A Question:

What was greatest thing learned last year?

Munger: If you are not somewhat confused by what has happened you are not paying attention-

Buffett: Very interested in how this all works out!

Ok, so there you have it. 3.5 Hours condensed into one blog post with some high points that just by chance coincide with some of our thoughts….

Have a Great “Finally Made it Through a Berkshire Meeting” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

April 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Review – By John Kvale

Hello and Welcome to our April 2021 Financial Planning and Capital Market Update!

If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast audio format as well as Video!

Newbies –

We like to articulate our thoughts and review on a Monthly basis our Financial Planning Tips, Capital Markets and current events!

Hope you enjoy!

April 2021 Video

YouTube

Financial Planning Tips

Rounds 1-3 Stimulus Funds Explained

In this late month post we reviewed our integrated Tax Filing learnings with an updated Stimulus check flow of funds…

The confusing part is mostly from the situation where a decrease in earnings from 2019 to 2020 brought Stimulus credits onto our 2020 Tax return, in the form of that Sneaky Line 30 of our 1040.

September 1, 2021 Round 3 of $1400 Stimulus Look back

There are several important lines in the sand….

Individuals/Families who had a higher 2019 income that knocked them out of some or all of the stimulus original money but a lower 2020 income assuming this person would have qualified for the $1400 per person stimulus based on year 2020 … what the IRS is going to do concerning this matter is on September 1st 2021 they’re going to review all of the 2020 tax returns for folks who had not received the $1400 credit for them and their family and if they meet that threshold they will then receive the $1400 credit period remember this is the much faster phaseout of only $160k and $80k Joint and for an individual.

2021 Tax Return Look Back

Assuming you were not below the thresh hold for 2019 or 2020 return, If a person’s income in 2021 were to drop below the new thresholds .. think next year around this time… you will still qualify for the $1400 credit . They are using the same play book as the original March 2020 rebate look back to give an extra year of the $1400 being credited and it would then show up on sneaky line 30 form 1040 tax return for 2021!.

Capital Market Comments

Fearful or Greedy

“Be Fearful When Others are Greedy and Greedy When Others are Fearful”

Warren Buffett

In this mid-month post we take a soft swipe at market Valuations, knowing that Valuations do not make markets drop, but does possibly set them up for faster drops if unexpected events occur

Time to Be Greedy

Capital Markets are the only store in town where when things go on sale, people flee the store!

Time to Be Cautious

For some reason we just want to hop on and go for a ride- feels good -but very dangerous!

Have a Great Day, Talk to You at the End of May!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

A Time to Buy and A Time to Be Cautious

“Be Fearful When Others are Greedy and Greedy When Others are Fearful”

Warren Buffett

But human nature is totally against this for some reason.

Maybe it is our fight or flight genetics …

Maybe it is our fondness of going with the crowd …

Fearful or Greedy?

It’s easy to reflect on this now…

Fearful or Greedy?

This is today, in real time!

For some reason our instincts on this are frequently … hop on for the ride ….

Not many being Fearful….

Repeat Warren’s Quote for Confidence!

Have a Great “Fear and Greed” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

Q2 2021 J.K. Financial, Inc. Newsletter … Video Audio Podcast Review – Reminders ! By John Kvale

Welcome to our Video and Audio Podcast Review of our Q2 2021 Newsletter. For those on the road or just unable to grab the time to read, our podcast type review gives you the behind the scenes insight to our thoughts, observations and deep views of the entire Newsletter.

Click the Download button below, for a direct link to an electronic version (an early peek-good ole fashion paper versions are on their way to you shortly) and here for our Newsletter page

Let’s get going! We hope you enjoy!

Q 2 2021 Newsletter

(YouTube)

Social Security Earnings Record Check Reminder

In our lead article of the Q 2 2021 Newsletter, we remind all of the importance of checking your Social Security Record, no matter your thoughts on the longevity of Social Security….

Additionally we walk you through step by step on how to do this and also how to set up your SSA on line account!

Secure Act – Possibly Forgotten But Important Changes

With the passing of the SECURE act, the old age of 70.5 mandatory RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) was pushed to age 72.

Many times, it is not appropriate to wait until this age, depending on the location of some assets. EX Large IRA compared to other non iRA investment, Tax Brackets, One Off income Years

For those where it is appropriate to wait until the latest possible date, you can actually wait until the year AFTER you turn 72 as long at you take the distribution before April 1 of the year AFTER turning 72.

Warning, in almost all cases we discourage this last maximum delayed technique as it ends up forcing two RMD’s in the same tax year of your 73 birthday.

Buffet Valuation Indicator

Warren Buffett, the usually closed lip investor, years ago mentioned his macro Valuation indicator which is shown below.

It has never flashed “Over Valuation” as much as it is now!

Expecting tremendous Earnings Growth to help turn this indicator around and head the other direction!

We hope you enjoy … talk to you in the Summer!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com

Warren Buffett, Back of the Napkin Market Valuation Tracker … Part 1 in Market Valuation Review Series

With on-line investment animal spirits accelerating in some of their antic spirits, we thought it a good time for a calmer, longer term view of some high level market valuation views.

Oh … have not heard of the animal spirits? …. Let me digress for just a minute. A collective group of folks are ganging up on companies that have large short interest. Short Interest? This means company’s who’s stocks have large amounts of investors betting the company will go bankrupt or at least eventually lose value. As we say often, when everyone is on one side of the trade/theory/belief, this can cause vulnerability on the opposite side. When a group gets together and buys in mass, a largely shorted company stock, it can cause a short squeeze, similar to the afore mentioned Tesla…

You may say “So What” and that is fair, but this can cause other areas of the market to become frothy (which we have been speaking of before) and it also speaks to the recklessness of a investor behaviors and their disregard for any type of safety.

Buffett VERY High Level Market Indicator Flashing Caution

Warren Buffett aka the Oracle of Omaha due to his investing prowess, rarely gives any of his broad market comments and always qualifies that he has no idea where the markets will go… as do we!

BUT,

Price is what you pay, Value is what we get!

Chart Via Jill Mislinski 1-5-21 (Advisor Perspectives)

That’s an all time high/expensive aka NOT CHEAP- just saying!

Let’s be careful out there! Anyone remember what cop show this quote was from?

Have a Great “Buffett Indicator Flashing Red” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents