The first letter of Buffett's report was dominated by his thoughts on GAAP accounting rules. In 2019, the company earned $81.4 billion, broken down into $24 billion of operating earnings, $3.7 billion of realized capital gains and a $53.7 billion gain from an increase in the amount of net unrealized capital gains that exist in the stocks we hold. Each of those components of earnings is stated on an after-tax basis.
The $53.7 billion gain comes from the GAAP accounting rule that went in place last year.
"As we stated in last year's letter, neither Charlie Munger, my partner in managing Berkshire, nor I agree with that rule," Buffett wrote.
He continued: "The adoption of the rule by the accounting profession, in fact, was a monumental shift in its own thinking. Before 2018, GAAP insisted – with an exception for companies whose business was to trade securities – that unrealized gains within a portfolio of stocks were never to be included in earnings and unrealized losses were to be included only if they were deemed "other than temporary." Now, Berkshire must enshrine in each quarter's bottom line – a key item of news for many investors, analysts and commentators – every up and down movement of the stocks it owns, however capricious those fluctuations may be."
Berkshire Hathaway's annual report, released the same day as the letter, showed that the company repurchased a record $2.2 billion of its own stock at the end of the year, up from $700 million in the previous quarter. That brings the total the company spent on stock buybacks to $5 billion over the year.
"Over time, we want Berkshire's share gown to go down," Buffett wrote. "If the price-to-value discount (as we estimate it) widens, we will likely become more aggressive in purchasing shares. We will not, however, prop up the stock at any level."
Berkshire Hathaway loosened its rule around share buybacks in 2018 making it easier for Buffett and Munger to authorize buybacks when the repurchase price is "below Berkshire's intrinsic value," according to the company. Still, in previous quarters, analysts thought that the company could've spent more on share buybacks.
Buffett also discussed the compensation and purpose of corporate boards over the last few years, a "hot topic."
"Over the years, many new rules and guidelines pertaining to board composition and duties have come into being. The bedrock challenge for directors, nevertheless, remains constant: Find and retain a talented CEO – possessing integrity, for sure – who will be devoted to the company for his/her business lifetime. Often, that task is hard. When directors get it right, though, they need to do little else. But when they mess it up,......" he wrote.
He continued: "At Berkshire, we will continue to look for business-savvy directors who are owner-oriented and arrive with a strong specific interest in our company. Thought and principles, not robot-like "process," will guide their actions. In representing your interests, they will, of course, seek managers whose goals include delighting their customers, cherishing their associates and acting as good citizens of both their communities and our country."
Buffett did not make a major acquisition in 2019, marking the third year in a row since Berkshire Hathaway has completed a company purchase. In this year's annual letter, he spelled out his three criteria for buying companies for shareholders and investors.
"First, they must earn good returns on the net tangible capital required in their operation. Second, they must be run by able and honest managers. Finally, they must be available at a sensible price," he wrote.
He continued: "When we spot such businesses, our preference would be to buy 100% of them. But the opportunities to make major acquisitions possessing our required attributes are rare. Far more often, a fickle stock market serves up opportunities for us to buy large, but non-controlling, positions in publicly-traded companies that meet our standards."
In this year's annual letter, Buffett told shareholders that Berkshire Hathaway is "100% prepared" for his death.
He also wrote that two key executives thought to be in the running to succeed him — Greg Abel and Ajit Jain— will be given more exposure at the company's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.
This year, shareholders at the meeting will be able to address questions to Abel and Jain as well as Buffett and Munger, according to the letter.
"That change makes great sense. They are outstanding individuals, both as managers and as human beings, and you should hear more from them."
Buffett has been the CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway since 1970. This week, Buffett became the longest-tenured CEO in the S&P 500 when Les Wexner at L brands stepped down.
Buffett wrote that bonds will likely outperform stocks long-term, especially if interest rates and corporate taxes remain low.
"What we can say is that if something close to current rates should prevail over the coming decades and if corporate tax rates also remain near the low level businesses now enjoy, it is almost certain that equities will over time perform far better than long-term, fixed-rate debt instruments," he wrote.
He continued: "That rosy prediction comes with a warning: Anything can happen to stock prices tomorrow. Occasionally, there will be major drops in the market, perhaps of 50% magnitude or even greater," he said.
Buffett added that equities are "the much better long-term choice for the individual who does not use borrowed money and who can control his or her emotions. Others? Beware!"
Buffett notably did not discuss politics in this year's shareholder letter, a departure from last year's letter where he spoke about how bipartisanship has spurred prosperity in the US.
Buffett campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and wrote in 2013 that he voted for Barack Obama. While he has not yet endorsed a candidate for the November 2020 election, he told CNBC in early 2019 that he would support Mike Bloomberg for president.
I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
Next Story