WARREN BUFFETT’S LETTER – 2013 – 2014

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2013

Mr.Buffett has mentioned that they have made a repurchase of Berkshire shares during the year 2012 which enhance intrinsic value per share and that provides a benefit to the shareholders who are continuing with the company.

Examples of Buyback – SIMPLE IS BETTER – ISSUE -13 – BUYBACK

Mr.Buffett on the Heinz investment –

I learn investment to fixed income instrument from my Guru. ZEE Entertainment has issued preference shares to the equity shareholder of the company with the condition to pay 6% interest payment and redemption of principle starts from FY18.

Preference share was available at Re.0.80 and face value of that is Re.1.00. If we consider total cash inflow to us in form of interest payment + principle repayment then we can able to earn ~10.75% IRR for the FY14-22. Here, the present value of all future cash inflow @ 10.75% is Re.0.80 which is also higher than our purchase price which indicates safety also.

NTPC has issued debenture to the equity shareholder of the company as a bonus with the condition to pay 8.49% interest payment and redemption of principle starts from FY23.

Debenture was given as a bonus and ex-date of debenture was 20^th March 2018. If NTPC was purchased on 18^th March 2015 then price of NTPC was ~Rs.153.74 (with brokerage + other charges) and if we sell NTPC on Ex-date then price of NTPC was ~Rs.144.70 (with brokerage + other charges) so that cost for getting bonus was Rs.9.05 and the face value of that is Rs.12.50. If we consider total cash inflow to us in form of interest payment + principle repayment then we can able to earn ~14.02% IRR for the FY15-25. Here, the present value of all future cash inflow @ 10.75% is Rs.10.90 which is also higher than our purchase price which indicates safety also.

In both the cases, the interest rate on risk-free investment was ~8-9% and we are getting higher return compared to it.

Mr. Buffett on investing –

During, the year 1973 to 1981, farm prices had a bubble situation. When the bubble burst, then leverage farmer and lender both had a troublesome time. And after that Mr. Buffett had made an investment into the farm.

Mr. Buffett also made an investment into the other commercial property.

Mr. Buffett has explained investing lessons –

In our investment to stocks, we are get affected with the stock price fluctuation and listen to the pundits for their comments. Due to such habits, we cannot sit quietly with our investment and we end up with little or no return. Mr. Charlie and Mr. Buffett always made an investment as they are buying an entire business. They check whether they can estimate future five years of earnings or not. If they can estimate earnings then check whether available at a reasonable price or not. If either of the condition does not match then they move on to the other prospects.

For non-professional investors, they can make an investment into the index fund and accumulate it over a period of time.

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2014

Mr. Buffett mentioned Investors behavior which affects the investment return –

Unexpected behavior from Stanton in the year 1964 –

Why Mr. Buffett has bought Berkshire Hathway at the year 1962 –

Example of Indian companies

One of the air-cooler manufacturing company of India was available below the book in the year 2009

One of the two-wheelers and commercial vehicle manufacturing company was available below book value in the year 2008 and below cash in the year 2008 and 2009

Charlie Straightens Me Out

The initial period of years, Mr. Buffett engage in the buying bargains (cigar-butt) strategy which he learns from Mr. Graham. The major weakness of the concept mentioned by Mr. Buffett is “Cigar-butt investing was scalable only to a point. With large sums, it would never work well.”

Here, I have also made a blunder but luck by chance got saved.

Mr.Munger has an impact on Mr. Buffett which has helped to Mr. Buffett to evolve cigar butt strategy to wonderful businesses at favorable prices. Many times, Mr. Buffett and Mr.Munger do not get agree but they never ever have made any arguments. When such scenario arises then Mr. Charlie end up a conversation with saying “Warren, think it over and you’ll agree with me because you’re smart and I’m right.” Mr. Buffett has accepted that transformation was not easy but he has done it.

Warren Buffett’s Letters

WARREN BUFFETT’S LETTER – 2008 – 2010

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2008

When there is a pessimism into the market then we get an opportunity to buy a good business at a discounted value. But during a euphoric time period, good businesses are available at a sky-high value.

Indian companies examples

One of the wealth creator IT Company during an IT bubble

One of the wealth creator IT Company during an IT bubble

One of the two-wheelers and commercial vehicle manufacturing company was available at a discounted value during pessimism of the year 2008

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2009

What is avoided by Mr. Buffett and Mr.Munger —

Mr. Buffett on derivatives –

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2010

One of the infrastructure company

One of the electric motors, generators, transformers manufacturing company

Mr. Buffett on debt-

Example – SIMPLE IS BETTER – ISSUE -4 – Mr. EMI V/S Mr. SIP

Mr. Buffett on crowd mentality-

Mr. Buffett on Repurchase of shares –

One of the Pharma Company of India which has sold one of the business segment into the FY2011 and company becomes a Cash bargain. The company has done a buyback at that time.

The company has a total Cash balance of Rs.1770.28 crore + Upcoming cash due to the sale of the business worth of Rs.7136.00 crore = Rs.8906.28 crore. And the company was available at MCap of ~Rs.7830 crore. Entire continuing business was not given valued by the market.

One of the two-wheelers and commercial vehicle manufacturing company has done a buyback in the year 2009

The company has a total Cash balance of Rs.1260.05 crore. And the company was available at MCap of ~Rs.608 crore. Entire continuing business was not given valued by the market.

One of the metal company in the year 2016 has come up with the buyback. In the year 2016, the price of iron ore was traded lower.

Company had a cash balance of Rs.14806 crore in FY16 and PAT of Rs.2517 crore. Company was available at MCap of ~Rs.28440 crore. Entire continuing business ex-cash was available at 5.94x of PAT (MCap Rs.28440 crore – Cash Rs.14806 crore + debt Rs.1497 crore = Rs.15130.86 crore; EV Rs.15130.86 crore / PAT Rs.2517 crore = 5.94x).

Warren Buffett’s Letters 1957 – 2012

WARREN BUFFETT’S LETTER – 2007

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2007

Businesses – The Great, the Good and the Gruesome

One of the concepts which are essential to understanding making an investment and value to the business.

Many of us focus on the story builds for a particular business and make a hope investing rather than focusing on the actual reality. I always quote- “Stories are for kids, not for investors.” We need to focus on the ability of the company for creating access return on invested capital (Access return means higher than the cost of capital) and that should be sustainable for a longer period of time.

Mr.Buffett has always put a huge emphasis on the business which has a moat and earns consistently higher return compared to the cost of capital.

See’s Candy as an example of Great business –

Indian Companies example for Great business

One of the two-wheeler and commercial vehicle manufacturing company

One of the FMCG Company

One of the Assets Management Company

Here, the company does not require to make a huge investment to earn more money. Float itself take care of the major requirement of the invested capital. Many a time float covers working capital as well as fixed assets requirement. Due to such nature, Profit earns from operation majorly gets to the investment and cash so that investment and cash to the company is compound which also provides benefits to the business.

Good Business –

Good business which does not have float available with the business or least float available with business, company has to invest money which they earn from profit, and sometimes little external funding also requires.

Indian Companies example for Good business

One of the company from tableware industry

One of the pharma company

One of the Tea manufacturing company

Gruesome Business –

A gruesome business which does not have float available with the business, company has to invest money which they earn from profit, and also external funding requires to earn little profitability, sustaining the business or further growth. Here, huge capital is required to run a business.

Mr.Buffett has quoted an example of U.S. Air, He acquired a preference share of the company in the year 1989 and sold at the year 1998 with a huge gain. After that company gone for bankruptcy for the twice. The airline business is a cyclical business, huge dependence on the prices of crude oil and during the year 1998-99, crude oil prices were at the bottom (near to the price at the year 1988). So that profitability gets improved for the year 1998-99 and after that crude has never come back to those price level, which has affected to the profitability of the company.

Indian Companies example for gruesome business    

One of the telecom company of India

One of the logistics company

One of the steel manufacturing company

We have to use a different valuation matrix for each category of the businesses and cannot provide a similar valuation to each category of businesses. We cannot give the same value to pour water and to dirty water. Yes, it is true that we can make process and pour dirty water but for that, we need to bring more capital and many a times, few qualities of water will be lost during the process of dirty water to pour water.

We have to sell out our position into the cyclical business at the proper time or else we stuck with the business.

Indian company’s example

For how to enter to the cyclical businesses, kindly visit – WARREN BUFFETT’S LETTER – 1987

Now, for taking an exit from cyclical businesses – When margin approaching towards a previous high margin, we should start to exit from a cyclical business. We need to track the price of the commodities as well as quarterly operating margins.

Sugar companies

Cement Company

Warren Buffett’s Letters 1957 – 2012

WARREN BUFFETT’S LETTER – 2004 – 2006

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2004

Mr.Buffett has explained why many of the investors do not able to create wealth by investing into the equities.

When we trade extensively then we incurred an additional cost which reduces our return. Also, many of us follow tips of others and rely on others which also reduces investment return. Many of people start investing when market continuously moving into upward direction with the fear of losing an opportunity to earn and get exit from the market when the market starts moving downward with the fear of losing investment. Rather we should increase our investment when the market is continuously moving downward.

Mr.Buffett has been explained that one of the ways to survive into the commodity-like business is to become a low-cost producer. Commodity business generally does not have pricing power and prices of a particular commodity are decided based on the demand & supply of a particular commodity so that they have to focus on the costs.

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2005

Investment + Cash per share at Berkshire Hathaway –

Per share value of non-insurance business –

During January – 2006, the price of a share of Berkshire Hathway – A was traded at $90,000.

Mr.Buffett’s thought on Moat –

The strong moat can result in a strong flow of float. If the company having a moat then the company has the ability to raise prices, getting the float, higher return ratios, raising market shares, etc.

Indian Companies Examples

One of the two-wheelers and commercial vehicle manufacturing company of India

One of the four-wheeler manufacturing company of India

We can see that float is also getting compound over a period of time which benefits to the company to survive for the long-term and to create wealth.

Why investors are not able to make money through the company can earn well –

Warren Buffett’s Letter 2006

Warren Buffett answer for his currency derivatives position –

We need to focus on avoiding mistakes which can spoil out our wealth. If we focus on avoiding mistakes then half of the battle, we won.

Mr.Buffett on Walter Schloss –

Mr.Buffett on people who clone others’ portfolio –

Mr.Walter Schloss is one of the investors who have an influence on my investment decisions. I keep his advice always with me. (Published at Safal Niveshak –

https://1icz9g2sdfe31jz0lglwdu48-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Walter-Schloss-16-Rules-to-Make-Money-in-Stock-Market.pdf )

Warren Buffett’s Letters 1957 – 2012

Equity Investment is as similar as a Human Life

This article born at the train yesterday when I was coming back to Surat from Mumbai after attending wonderful seminar of Dr. Vijay Malik Sir. A good utilization of spare time which I got at train.

Yes, there are some of the similarities between our life and stock market or equity investment. Our life is as similar as we make an equity investment.

I basically try to encourage equity investment and sharing my learning in simple manner as much as possible.

As I always consider our life and equity investment in a similar manner. But I got inspiration to write this post from article (15 unknown flops of successful people) which I read few days back.

From that article I inspire to connect dots and try to explain that our life is as similar as an equity investment.

 

So how there is a connection between Human Life and Equity Investment????

Let me take examples of few successful persons.

1) Steve Jobs

One of the person whose life has impact on my life. We know him today as a very successful person but have we check that how was his earlier life when he was struggling.

In today’s world, we known him as a highly successful person but in his previous life, he also got many shock. And he fights against those shocks and run for his dreams.

We never try to focus on the pain which any successful person faced.

Let me take one another example of our most favorite person in the investment field.

2) Warren Buffett

We currently seeing him as a very successful person. But what about the pain he faced in his earlier life.

You all might thinking that at investment blog why I talking about philosophical talks. So let me give you an examples of few successful stories from our investment world.

1) Infosys

We everywhere found that Infosys is one of the biggest wealth creator. But my dear friends have we check pain which company faced at different phase of its life cycle.

IPO of company got withdrew from market due to not reached at minimum subscription. Anyone had an idea at that point of time about the company which rejected by everyone and that becomes biggest wealth creator.

If we look at above chart of Infosys, then we can come to know that many a times price of the stock goes down with many of reasons such as IT bubble burst, 2008 crisis, Narayan Murthy resign, etc.

2) Wipro or Eicher Motors

See the wealth creators, all stocks having some down moves in stock prices. That can be with any of the reasons such as global crisis, recession, internal problems. But the good company with good jockey can come out of from all such problems and able to create wealth.

So try to connect dots with my above example of Steve Jobs and Warren Buffett with this stocks stories.

Do you able to make sense?

Let me explain my view point. The people who got failed at some point of time in their life but becomes huge successful by fighting against their failure.

As same as many good companies facing trouble at some point of time and try to fight against those problem and try to come out of those problems.

If we have make an investment in such a good companies our life also become successful.

Just leave these big names; highly successful people and put ourselves in place of them.

We also faced many problems in our life. From our childhood to our current life. Every day we are facing many events. Some events make us much happier and some make us unhappy.

So with happier events graph of our life goes up and with unhappy events graph of our life goes down.

So as similar as daily movements in the stock price. When we are not focusing on our own daily behavioral fluctuations then why we are much seriously focus on daily price fluctuations of the company???

As with the unhappy moods, we don’t stop living our life then why with some down price moves, we ready to take an exit from our stock investment???

As we are comparing our life’s progress at some intervals as similar to that we should compare performance of the company at some intervals rather focusing on daily price moves.

If I try to put our minutes to minutes’ behavior in graphical format, then it also looks as similar as price moves of the stocks.

Then why we are not ready with similar kind of behavior with stock investment.

We are not feeling risk by making many decisions related to our life but feel risk when it’s comes at an equity investment. What a funny behavior!!!!

According to me, actually our behavior having much more fluctuations compare to fluctuations in stock price.

The main problem is that we are not focusing on fluctuations in our life.

We take monetary fluctuations at a more serious manner then fluctuations in our own life.

So my purpose of writing this post is that equity investment is also as similar as our life which we are living. Thus, handle it as similar as we are handling our life. Also provide time to your investment as time we are living our life.

If we are ready with providing other chance to our life, then should also be ready with same kind of behavior with our equity investment.

But in actual manner, we are not doing it. We focus on very smaller fluctuations and make our decision based on those smaller fluctuations.

If we think on a longer horizon, then might found our such behavior as a very foolish.

So now at last conclusion time I just want to mention that as we provide motivation to our life when adverse events happened with us as similar with the equity investment, we should try to add additional fund when good company facing adverse time in form of motivation.

This additional motivation creates real difference and that decides rather we become successful or meet failure. Rather we become another Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Henry Ford, Richard Branson or die as an unknown personality. As our investment becomes successful or we just become spectacular to watch wealth creation by other people.

So treat our equity investment as similar as our life and keep motivate our investment with additional funds when we get an opportunity to build good wealth.

Bonus

Friends keep motivate our good investment not our bad investment otherwise at the end we keep facing problems.

Stay away with such a bad horse with bad jockey or else we have to suffer a lot.

And at last we regret on our own decisions.

Disclaimer: The stocks discuss in above article is only for an example purpose. This is not a recommendation to Buy-Sell-Hold. And I am not a SEBI registered analyst.

Pat Dorsey Moats

On 17th January 2016, I got an opportunity to address one group of investors. I am so thankful to all my friends who provided me such an opportunity.

Investor Philosophy – Pat Dorsey

This presentation (Click here Pat Dorsey) based on what I learned from Pat Dorsey and about his philosophy.

Company A earns High profit / High Return on Capital that attracts many players to the same industry; which resulted in a higher level of competitions. Higher competitions affect to the margins of the company A and continuously increasing competition affects to the earnings of the company A. and if company A doesn’t have any Competitive Advantage then the business of company A can be in problem.

So the question is what is the competitive advantage?

Now, let me explain with a simple example that how USP helps.

Above all are benefits of having a strong USP of Rajinikanth. Now, compare these benefits to the business class.

So before understanding, what is the competitive advantage? I explain what can not be a competitive advantage?

If a company cannot able to raise the price of the products/services then we should understand that there is an absence of competitive advantage. (Eg.: – ITC Ltd. – Budget imposes the duty on cigarette but company easily able to pass those costs to the customers and that’s the reason for the survival of the company in adverse situations.)

We can easily able to recall brands. Meggie is becoming synonyms for noodles, Fevicol becomes synonyms for adhesive, and Colgate is becoming synonyms for toothpaste.

Also, the company which has the ability to change consumer behavior that Amazon has done (From traditional bookstore to online bookstore).

Patents & Licenses can be useful for protecting the interest of business (not considering strong moats because after the expiry of patents other companies also can able to register it and licenses can fall in the compliance risk).

Any psychological barrier or any cost associated with a switch from using current product/service to other product/service.

As the addition of new users make the network more and more strong and replicating such model becomes very difficult.

Low-cost producer compares to other players in the same industry.

Wide and strong moat resulted in the long-term Return on Capital generation and if absent of moat not able to provide long-term Return on Capital to the business.

Bad managers destroy business for own enjoyment and ambitions.

Now, what to select and what to avoid is up to us. If we able to select good business with the good manager then wealth creation become more effective. That is like the good horse with the good jockey that can able to win a race.

For more details, Kindly check — Part 1 , Part 2

Inspired by — Pat Dorsey Moats

Disclaimer: This is not a recommendation to Buy-Sell-Hold. And I am not a SEBI registered analyst.

I am really grateful to – Mr. Neeraj Marathe Sir, Prof. Sanjay Bakshi Sir, and Mr. Vishal Khandelwal Sir.