Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of controlling drawdowns in investment funds to achieve long-term success, suggesting that lower volatility often correlates with higher returns [4][7][17]. Fund Performance Analysis - From January 1, 2020, to November 20, 2025, the median return of Chinese equity mutual funds was approximately 44.78%, with an annualized compound return of about 6.45% and a median drawdown of 45.12% [5][6]. - Funds with severe drawdowns (60-80%) accounted for 12.53% of the total, with an average return of 26.8%. In contrast, funds with smaller drawdowns (15-30%) represented 10.25% and achieved an average return of 72.25% [6][7]. - The data indicates that 81.28% of funds experienced drawdowns greater than 30%, with over 50.38% facing drawdowns exceeding 45% [6]. Drawdown and Return Relationship - There is an inverse relationship between drawdown magnitude and average return; larger drawdowns lead to lower average returns. For instance, a drawdown of over 30% requires a rebound of 43% to break even [7][8]. - Funds with drawdowns between 15% and 30% achieved the highest average returns, while those with minimal drawdowns (0-15%) had lower average returns [7]. Investor Behavior and Market Dynamics - Investors often struggle to profit from highly volatile funds due to emotional reactions, leading to premature buying and selling decisions [8][10]. - The case of "Wooden Sister" (Cathie Wood) illustrates how significant volatility can lead to substantial losses for latecomers who buy at market peaks [8][10]. Investment Philosophy - The article draws parallels between investment strategies and philosophical teachings from "Tao Te Ching," advocating for moderation and the avoidance of excessive greed [17][20]. - It highlights that enduring volatility is essential for long-term investment success, as evidenced by successful investment firms that manage to withstand significant drawdowns [15][16]. Conclusion - The key takeaway is that achieving a balance between risk and return is crucial in investment, and understanding the costs associated with pursuing higher returns is essential for long-term success [22][23].

Berkshire Hathaway Class A vs. Class B Shares: We’ll discuss Berkshire Hathaway’s history, why the company has two class shares, and its advantages and disadvantages. https://t.co/n3yp3dpR1K ...

Core Insights - Todd Combs' unexpected departure from Berkshire Hathaway has garnered significant attention, coinciding with Warren Buffett's impending transition of CEO responsibilities to Greg Abel [1][2] - Combs will join JPMorgan Chase to lead a $10 billion Strategic Investment Group as part of a $1.5 trillion initiative aimed at enhancing growth and innovation in U.S. companies [2][3] - The changes at Berkshire signal a shift towards a more conventional corporate structure as it prepares for its first leadership transition in decades [10][15] Personnel Changes - Todd Combs, who joined Berkshire in 2010, has been recognized for his contributions, particularly in improving GEICO's operations [3][4] - Nancy Pierce has been appointed as the new CEO of GEICO, moving up from her role as Chief Operating Officer [7] - The position of portfolio manager left by Combs remains unfilled, with uncertainty about how responsibilities will be distributed among existing managers [8][9] Management Structure - Greg Abel is expected to take on overall portfolio responsibility, but the extent of delegation to Ted Weschler is unclear [8] - Berkshire is moving away from its traditionally decentralized management style, with Abel exercising more oversight over non-insurance operations [10][12] - Adam Johnson has been appointed as President of Consumer Products, Service, and Retailing businesses, indicating a more structured management approach [12] Legal and Financial Changes - Berkshire has appointed its first general counsel, Michael O'Sullivan, marking a shift from reliance on external law firms [13] - Chief Financial Officer Marc Hamburg will retire next June after 40 years, with Charles Chang set to succeed him [14] Market Reaction - Berkshire's stock has shown resilience, with a slight decline of nearly 1% following the news, but remains down over 7% from its all-time highs in May [15][16]

Core Insights - Todd Combs' unexpected departure from Berkshire Hathaway has garnered significant attention, coinciding with Warren Buffett's upcoming transition of CEO responsibilities to Greg Abel [1][2] - Combs will join JPMorgan Chase to lead a $10 billion Strategic Investment Group as part of a $1.5 trillion initiative aimed at enhancing growth and innovation in U.S. companies [2][3] - The changes at Berkshire signal a shift towards a more conventional management structure as it prepares for its first leadership transition in decades [10][15] Personnel Changes - Todd Combs, who joined Berkshire in 2010, has been recognized for his contributions, particularly in improving GEICO's operations [3][4] - Nancy Pierce has been appointed as the new CEO of GEICO, moving up from her role as Chief Operating Officer [7] - The role of portfolio manager previously held by Combs remains unfilled, with uncertainty about how responsibilities will be distributed among existing managers [8][10] Management Structure Evolution - Greg Abel is expected to take on overall portfolio responsibility, but the extent of delegation to other managers like Ted Weschler is unclear [8][10] - Berkshire is moving away from its traditionally decentralized structure, with Abel exercising more oversight over non-insurance operations [10][12] - Adam Johnson has been appointed as President of Consumer Products, Service, and Retailing businesses, indicating a more structured management approach [12] Legal and Financial Leadership - Berkshire has appointed its first general counsel, Michael O'Sullivan, marking a shift from reliance on external law firms [13] - Chief Financial Officer Marc Hamburg will retire next June after 40 years, with Charles Chang set to succeed him [14] Market Reaction - Berkshire's stock has shown resilience, with shares falling nearly 1% but remaining down over 7% from their all-time highs in May [15][16]

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has transitioned from being tech-adverse to becoming a significant institutional investor in technology stocks, particularly in AI-related companies like Apple and Alphabet [1][2] Group 1: Apple - Apple has not effectively leveraged its resources to establish AI leadership, despite being a major tech company [3] - The rollout of Apple Intelligence has been perceived as haphazard, limited to newer products and enhancing select apps, running mostly in the background [5][6] - The company has not developed a standout AI software, including its digital assistant Siri, which is expected to receive an AI upgrade [6][8] - Corporate culture may contribute to Apple's AI lag, as it prefers in-house development and selective partnerships, aiming for a smooth and stable iOS ecosystem [9][10] Group 2: Alphabet - Alphabet has fully embraced AI and aims to be a leader in the technology, with its deep-learning efforts dating back to the Google Brain project in 2011 [11] - AI is integrated into many of Alphabet's products, enhancing user experience in search functions and Google Docs [13][14] - The company has developed specialized AI hardware, such as tensor processing units (TPUs), and offers these as a service via Google Cloud [16] - Alphabet's Google Cloud unit saw a 34% year-over-year revenue increase to over $15 billion in Q3, driven by strong demand for AI tools and services [17][18]

When asked about inflation and the future of interest rates, Charlie Munger was frank during the 2022 Daily Journal Corporation’s (NASDAQ:DJCO) annual meeting. As usual, the longtime business partner of Warren Buffett and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK, BRK.B)) kept things honest, blunt, and rooted in history. Munger Warns Of Real Economic Risks When a mechanical engineer from Germany asked whether we could see a major rise in interest rates like we did between 1950 and 1980, Munger ackn ...

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway's manufacturing operations are crucial for its long-term growth strategy, significantly contributing to revenues, earnings stability, and diversification [1] Manufacturing Operations - The manufacturing segment includes industrial, building, and consumer products, providing reliable cash flows that help mitigate fluctuations in financial markets and insurance results [1] Consumer Products Group - The consumer-products group encompasses brands like Forest River, Duracell, Jazwares, Richline, Larson-Juhl, and various apparel and footwear operations [2] - This sub-segment accounts for approximately 19-20% of revenues and 14% of earnings, with earnings showing continuous improvement despite revenue fluctuations [3] Strategic Importance - Consumer products offer strategic diversification and cyclical resilience, with strong market positions allowing effective pass-through of input-cost inflation, thereby enhancing earnings quality [4] - The segment aligns with Warren Buffett's investment philosophy, focusing on durable earnings power, strong returns on equity, and skilled management [5] Competitor Analysis - Procter & Gamble leverages its portfolio of daily-use products for steady organic growth through innovation and brand investment [6] - Coca-Cola is evolving into a total beverage company, achieving margin expansion through integrated marketing and advanced analytics [7] Stock Performance - Shares of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) have increased by 9.4% year to date, outperforming the industry [8] Financial Metrics - The consumer-products group contributes up to 20% of manufacturing revenues and 14% of earnings, with strong brands helping to offset cost inflation [9] - BRK.B trades at a price-to-book value ratio of 1.53, slightly above the industry average of 1.5, and carries a Value Score of D [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BRK.B's fourth-quarter 2025 EPS remains unchanged at 4.89, with similar stability in estimates for 2026 [12] - Revenue estimates for 2025 and 2026 indicate year-over-year increases, while EPS estimates show a decline [13]

Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett's protégé, Todd Combs, has been hired by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon to lead a new $10 billion group, marking a significant transition as Buffett steps back from his role at Berkshire Hathaway [1][5]. Group 1: Todd Combs' Background and Qualifications - Todd Combs has a strong background, having run a hedge fund before joining Berkshire Hathaway in 2010 and later becoming CEO of Geico, where he significantly improved profitability [4]. - Combs' experience managing a large financial business and his mentorship under Buffett enhance his credentials, making him a valuable asset for JPMorgan [3][4]. - His involvement in the healthcare joint venture Haven, although it was short-lived, demonstrates his capability in managing complex projects [4]. Group 2: Jamie Dimon's Perspective - Jamie Dimon views Combs as a close proxy for Buffett, indicating that while he could not hire Buffett directly, he has secured one of his protégés [2]. - Dimon has expressed deep respect for both Buffett and Combs, highlighting Combs' investment acumen and leadership qualities [6][8]. - The decision to hire Combs was influenced by Dimon's observations of him as a board member at JPMorgan over the past nine years [2]. Group 3: Strategic Focus of Combs' New Role - In his new position, Combs will lead the Strategic Investment Group, focusing on investments in sectors critical to national security, such as critical minerals and frontier technologies [9]. - This role aligns with JPMorgan's Security and Resiliency Initiative, indicating a strategic shift towards sectors deemed vital for national interests [9].

Core Insights - The portfolio consists of approximately four dozen stocks, with the top 10 holdings representing about 44% of the total value [1][15] Group 1: Top Stock Holdings - SoFi has experienced a remarkable growth of about 400% from its cost basis, becoming the largest position in the portfolio due to its stellar growth and profitability [4] - MercadoLibre is recognized as the "Amazon of Latin America," with significant potential for growth in e-commerce and fintech sectors in its key markets [5] - General Motors is viewed as undervalued and overlooked, now ranking as the second-largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the U.S., with potential benefits from lower interest rates [6] - Realty Income is highlighted as a top dividend stock with a 5.7% yield and a strong track record of income growth, owning over 15,000 properties [6] - Pinterest is enhancing its e-commerce capabilities and utilizing AI for user experience improvements, showing impressive user growth despite facing international advertising challenges [8] - Berkshire Hathaway is noted for its diverse portfolio of over 60 subsidiaries and a stock portfolio exceeding $300 billion, maintaining strong cash reserves [9] - Dream Finders Homes is positioned to benefit from pent-up demand for entry-level homes, focusing on affordable markets and effective capital allocation [10] - Kinsale Capital Group specializes in specialty insurance products with a strong profitability track record, presenting a buying opportunity after a recent pullback [11] - Walt Disney is recognized for its profitable theme parks and valuable intellectual property, with significant profit potential in its streaming strategy [12] - Howard Hughes Holdings focuses on real estate development, creating value through master-planned communities and commercial property ownership [13] Group 2: Portfolio Composition and Strategy - The portfolio is heavily concentrated, with the top 10 stocks making up 44% of the total account value, reflecting high conviction in these investments [15] - The investor plans to diversify and build smaller stock and ETF positions using new deposits in 2026 [15] - The portfolio also includes substantial ETF holdings, particularly in Vanguard index funds, which would rank among the largest holdings if included [14]

Greg Abel is setting up his executive team and Todd Combs is moving to JPMorgan Chase.In this video, Motley Fool contributors Jason Hall and Jeff Santoro explain the series of major executive changes at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +0.99%)(BRK.B +1.03%), including key investor and GEICO CEO Todd Combs heading to JPMorgan Chase (JPM +2.34%) for a newly created role.*Stock prices used were from the afternoon of Dec. 8, 2025. The video was published on Dec. 11, 2025. ...