MetaFilter posts tagged with warrenbuffett

Buffett's favorite leading economic indicator

stbalbach — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:37:59 -0800

Warren Buffett says his favorite economic indicator (last 30sec) is the FTSI or Freight Transportation Services Index (blue line). Since 1979, across four recessions, the index "shows a strong leading relationship to the economy", with an acceleration of freight leading the economy "by an average of approximately 4 to 5 months". Explanation of the index (recommend PDF version), most recent analysis (July 2009).

Even Buffett Makes Mistakes (apparently)

jourman2 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:01:39 -0800

Warren Buffett recently released his annual letter to investers (for 2008). After only the second down year ever for Berkshire Hathaway's share price (since Buffett took over - letter to the shareholders from the only other down year) he admits that During 2008 I did some dumb things in investments. I made at least one major mistake of commission and several lesser ones that also hurt. I will tell you more about these later. Furthermore, I made some errors of omission, sucking my thumb when new facts came in that should have caused me to re-examine my thinking and promptly take action. A few positive excerpts include Amid this bad news, however, never forget that our country has faced far worse travails in the past. In the 20th Century alone, we dealt with two great wars (one of which we initially appeared to be losing); a dozen or so panics and recessions; virulent inflation that led to a 211⁄2% prime rate in 1980; and the Great Depression of the 1930s, when unemployment ranged between 15% and 25% for many years. America has had no shortage of challenges. Without fail, however, we’ve overcome them. In the face of those obstacles – and many others – thereal standard of living for Americans improved nearly seven-fold during the 1900s, while the Dow Jones Industrials rose from 66 to 11,497. Compare the record of this period with the dozens of centuries during which humans secured only tiny gains, if any, in how they lived. Though the path has not been smooth, our economic system has worked extraordinarily well over time. It has unleashed human potential as no other system has, and it will continue to do so. America’s best days lie ahead.

Poor Little Rich Kids.

gman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:05:01 -0800

Influential billionaires like Carl, Thomas, Kirk, and Warren have been losing their shirts. And it's being felt around the world. Warning - First link plays video immediately and without warning.

The Oracle of Omaha

ChasFile — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 08:33:35 -0800

Warren Buffett's letters to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway make for some entertaining reading and are studied in B schools around the country. The 2004 letter [pdf] was recently released.

Warren Buffett's Annual Letter

BlueTrain — Mon, 08 Mar 2004 13:02:56 -0800

Warren Buffett's annual letter to his shareholders is worth a read.

The politics of philanthropy

stonerose — Tue, 22 Jul 2003 07:19:56 -0800

A plucky anti-abortion crusader has convinced Berkshire-Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett to end a philanthropic program that has donated $200 million over 2 decades. She is delighted. Does any of this (his decision, her delight) make sense? What are some other successful examples of small, grassroots movements exerting a major impact on philanthropy?

Who do Voodoo?

CrazyJub — Tue, 20 May 2003 14:07:45 -0800

Warren Buffett the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway seems to disagree with the Bush clan on tax cuts.

"As owner of 31 percent of Berkshire, Buffett would receive $310 million in extra income if the company decided to pay $1 billion in dividends next year; his tax rate would plunge to 3 percent, while the rate of Berkshire's receptionist would remain at 30 percent."

aflakete — Wed, 14 Feb 2001 02:06:50 -0800

Gates, Buffett & Soros unite to fight . . . the estate tax? I think this is a good thing. It's definitely odd.