Warren Buffett Broke One of His Most Important Investing Rules, and It's Cost Berkshire Hathaway $16 Billion (and Counting)

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway, under Warren Buffett's leadership, has reached a market cap of $1 trillion, marking a significant milestone for the company [1] - Buffett's investment philosophy has historically yielded an aggregate return of nearly 6,100,000% for Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares [2] - A recent investment misstep has cost Berkshire Hathaway approximately $16 billion, highlighting a rare deviation from Buffett's investment principles [3][10] Investment Philosophy - Buffett's long-term investment mindset emphasizes holding stakes in businesses for years or decades, recognizing that economic cycles favor high-quality companies over time [5] - Value investing is central to Buffett's approach, prioritizing good deals on excellent businesses rather than low prices on mediocre companies [7] - Competitive advantages and sustainable moats are key traits in Buffett's investment choices, focusing on industry leaders [8] - Trust in corporate management and a robust capital-return program are also critical components of Buffett's investment strategy [9] Recent Investment Activity - In Q3 2022, Berkshire Hathaway purchased 60,060,880 shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) for $4.12 billion, capitalizing on its unique position in the semiconductor industry [11] - TSMC's technology is pivotal in the AI revolution, making it a strategic investment during a bear market [12] - However, Buffett sold 86% of the TSMC stake in Q4 2022 and completely exited the position in Q1 2023, a decision that deviated from his long-term investment strategy [13] Market Impact - Buffett's exit from TSMC was influenced by concerns over its location and potential export restrictions following the CHIPS and Science Act [15] - The timing of the exit proved detrimental, as TSMC's growth accelerated due to high demand for Nvidia's GPUs, leading to significant appreciation in its stock price [16] - Had Berkshire Hathaway retained its initial stake in TSMC, it would be valued at nearly $20 billion as of January 2023, resulting in a loss of approximately $16 billion due to the premature sale [17] Future Outlook - The new CEO, Greg Abel, is expected to adhere to Buffett's investment principles, maintaining a long-term investment mindset as a cornerstone of Berkshire Hathaway's strategy moving forward [18]