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The Competitive Advantages of Buffett & Munger Businesses by Bud
Moats The Competitive Advantages Of Buffett & Munger Businesses By Bud Labitan Copyright © 2011 All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without permission. Chapters 1-5 / 70 Abridged version. A truly great business must have an enduring “moat” that protects excellent returns on invested capital. ~ Warren Buffett How do you compete against a true fanatic? You can only try to build the best possible moat and continuously attempt to widen it. ~ Charlie Munger Here is a 5 chapter preview of the new book called Moats. From: Bud Labitan and the Moats research team http://www.frips.com/book.htm Table of Contents INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: ACME BRICK COMPANY CHAPTER 2: AMERICAN EXPRESS CO. (AXP) CHAPTER 3: APPLIED UNDERWRITERS CHAPTER 4: BEN BRIDGE JEWELER CHAPTER 5: BENJAMIN MOORE & CO. CHAPTER 6: BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY GROUP CHAPTER 7: BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES CHAPTER 8: BOATU.S. CHAPTER 9: BORSHEIMS FINE JEWELRY CHAPTER 10: BUFFALO NEWS CHAPTER 11: BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORP. CHAPTER 12: BUSINESS WIRE CHAPTER 13: BYD CHAPTER 14: CENTRAL STATES INDEMNITY COMPANY CHAPTER 15: CLAYTON HOMES CHAPTER 16: COCA COLA (KO) CHAPTER 17: CONOCOPHILLIPS (COP) CHAPTER 18: CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CHAPTER 19: COSTCO WHOLESALE (COST) CHAPTER 20: CTB INC. CHAPTER 21: FECHHEIMER BROTHERS COMPANY CHAPTER 22: FLIGHTSAFETY CHAPTER 23: FOREST RIVER CHAPTER 24: FRUIT OF THE LOOM® CHAPTER 25: GARAN INCORPORATED CHAPTER 26: GATEWAY UNDERWRITERS AGENCY CHAPTER 27: GEICO AUTO INSURANCE CHAPTER 28: GENERAL RE CHAPTER 29: H.H. BROWN SHOE GROUP CHAPTER 30: HELZBERG DIAMONDS CHAPTER 31: HOMESERVICES OF AMERICA CHAPTER 32: IBM CHAPTER 33: INTERNATIONAL DAIRY QUEEN, INC. -
Berkshire Hathaway Valuation
Berkshire Hathaway Business Analysis and Valuation April 2010 Vinod Palikala [email protected] Business Analysis and Valuation by Vinod Palikala Contents 1. Company Overview ............................................................................................................................... 3 2. Valuation Approach .............................................................................................................................. 4 3. Valuation ............................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1. Insurance ....................................................................................................................................... 7 3.2. Utilities and Energy ..................................................................................................................... 12 3.3. Manufacturing, Service and Retail .............................................................................................. 13 3.4. Finance and Financial Products ................................................................................................... 14 3.5. Total Company Valuation ............................................................................................................ 15 4. Alternative Valuation Methods ........................................................................................................... 15 4.1. Book Value Growth .................................................................................................................... -
Insurance Prices May Continue to Decline
Insurance Prices May Continue to Decline by Bloomberg News PASADENA, Calif. (Bloomberg)—Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s Charles Munger, who has helped Chairman Warren Buffett reduce the firm’s reliance on insurance sales, said declines in policy prices may continue, even as the economy shows signs of recovery. “I would not bet the farm” on price increases, Mr. Munger said Wednesday in Pasadena, Calif., at a shareholders’ meeting of Berkshire’s Wesco Financial Corp. “It’s so easy to underprice and under-reserve.” Mr. Buffett, 79, scaled back coverage of natural disasters in the last two years and invested Berkshire’s cash in bank shares and the $27 billion takeover of railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. Mr. Munger, who oversees businesses insuring banks and airlines as Wesco’s chairman, pushed Mr. Buffett to buy a stake in Chinese automaker BYD Co. in 2008. U.S. commercial insurance rates have fallen since 2004 as carriers compete for business. “We’re more tough-minded” than rivals who cut prices, said Mr. Munger. “Berkshire is different.” Mr. Munger, 86, helped Buffett evaluate the takeovers that in the last three decades turned Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire into a $190 billion firm that sells energy and diamonds, hauls freight and underwrites earthquake insurance. He’s been Berkshire’s vice chairman since 1978 and shares the stage with Mr. Buffett at the company’s annual meeting in Omaha. Messrs. Munger and Buffett drew a crowd of 37,000 people to the May 1 meeting of Berkshire shareholders and they answered questions for five hours on the economy, public policy, business ethics and the company they run. -
2006 Annual Report
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. 2006 ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Business Activities........................................................Inside Front Cover Corporate Performance vs. the S&P 500 ................................................ 2 Chairman’s Letter* ................................................................................. 3 Acquisition Criteria ................................................................................25 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm...................25 Consolidated Financial Statements.........................................................26 Selected Financial Data For The Past Five Years ..................................................................................53 Management’s Discussion ......................................................................54 Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting ...................................................................73 Owner’s Manual .....................................................................................74 Common Stock Data and Corporate Governance Matters......................79 Operating Companies .............................................................................80 Directors and Officers of the Company.........................Inside Back Cover *Copyright © 2007 By Warren E. Buffett All Rights Reserved Business Activities Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in a number of diverse business activities including property -
The Competitive Advantages of Buffett & Munger Businesses
Moats The Competitive Advantages Of Buffett & Munger Businesses By Bud Labitan 20/70 Chapters, Abridged Edition Released Free Of Charge Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without permission. ISBN 978-1105422867 1 2 A truly great business must have an enduring “moat” that protects excellent returns on invested capital. ~ Warren Buffett How do you compete against a true fanatic? You can only try to build the best possible moat and continuously attempt to widen it. ~ Charlie Munger 3 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: ACME BRICK COMPANY CHAPTER 2: AMERICAN EXPRESS CO. (AXP) CHAPTER 3: APPLIED UNDERWRITERS CHAPTER 4: BEN BRIDGE JEWELER CHAPTER 5: BENJAMIN MOORE & CO. CHAPTER 6: BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY GROUP CHAPTER 7: BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES CHAPTER 8: BOATU.S. CHAPTER 9: BORSHEIMS FINE JEWELRY CHAPTER 10: BUFFALO NEWS CHAPTER 11: BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORP. CHAPTER 12: BUSINESS WIRE CHAPTER 13: BYD CHAPTER 14: CENTRAL STATES INDEMNITY COMPANY CHAPTER 15: CLAYTON HOMES CHAPTER 16: COCA COLA (KO) CHAPTER 17: CONOCOPHILLIPS (COP) CHAPTER 18: CORT BUSINESS SERVICES 5 CHAPTER 19: COSTCO WHOLESALE (COST) CHAPTER 20: CTB INC. CHAPTER 21: FECHHEIMER BROTHERS COMPANY CHAPTER 22: FLIGHTSAFETY CHAPTER 23: FOREST RIVER CHAPTER 24: FRUIT OF THE LOOM® CHAPTER 25: GARAN INCORPORATED CHAPTER 26: GATEWAY UNDERWRITERS AGENCY CHAPTER 27: GEICO AUTO INSURANCE CHAPTER 28: GENERAL RE CHAPTER 29: H.H. BROWN SHOE GROUP CHAPTER 30: HELZBERG DIAMONDS CHAPTER 31: HOMESERVICES OF AMERICA CHAPTER 32: IBM CHAPTER 33: INTERNATIONAL DAIRY QUEEN, INC. -
Annual Report
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Business Activities........................................................Inside Front Cover Corporate Performance vs. the S&P 500 ................................................ 2 Chairman’s Letter* ................................................................................. 3 Acquisition Criteria ................................................................................23 Selected Financial Data For The Past Five Years ..................................................................................23 Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting ...................................................................24 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm...................24 Consolidated Financial Statements.........................................................25 Management’s Discussion ......................................................................51 Owner’s Manual .....................................................................................70 Common Stock Data...............................................................................75 Operating Companies .............................................................................76 Directors and Officers of the Company.........................Inside Back Cover *Copyright © 2008 By Warren E. Buffett All Rights Reserved Business Activities Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in a number of diverse business activities -
Comp/M.4251 - Berkshire / Iscar Metalworking Companies
Disclaimer : The Competition DG makes the information provided by the notifying parties in section 1.2 of Form CO available to the public in order to increase transparency. This information has been prepared by the notifying parties under their sole responsibility, and its content in no way prejudges the view the Commission may take of the planned operation. Nor can the Commission be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information contained therein. COMP/M.4251 - BERKSHIRE / ISCAR METALWORKING COMPANIES SECTION 1.2 Description of the concentration Pursuant to an Acquisition Agreement by and among Iscar Ltd. ("Iscar"), IMC International Metalworking Companies B.V. ("IMC"), Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire Hathaway" or "Berkshire"), Wertheimer Company Ltd. ("Wertheimer"), and certain shareholders of Wertheimer, Berkshire intends to acquire an 80 per cent. stake in, and control of, IMC (the Proposed Transaction). Berkshire Hathaway is a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, USA and its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries engage in diverse business activities, among which the most important is its property and casualty insurance business conducted on both a direct and reinsurance basis. IMC provides a comprehensive range of cutting tools for the full scope of metalworking applications. Ancillary activities involve the manufacture and supply of carbide metal powder and industrial ware parts. IMC's products are manufactured through a global network, with the largest manufacturing sites located in Tefen, Israel, and with additional manufacturing facilities in the United States; Korea; Brazil; China (manufacturing expected to commence in September 2006); Germany; India; Italy and Japan; and sold through subsidiary offices, joint ventures and agents located in 61 major industrial countries worldwide. -
Case No COMP/M.4251 - BERKSHIRE / ISCAR METALWORKING COMPANIES
EN Case No COMP/M.4251 - BERKSHIRE / ISCAR METALWORKING COMPANIES Only the English text is available and authentic. REGULATION (EC) No 139/2004 MERGER PROCEDURE Article 6(1)(b) NON-OPPOSITION Date: 30/06/2006 In electronic form on the EUR-Lex website under document number 32006M4251 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 30/06/2006 SG-Greffe(2006) D/203422 MERGER PROCEDURE ARTICLE 6(1)(b) DECISION SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE PUBLIC VERSION To the notifying party Dear Madam(s) and/or Sir(s), Subject: Case No. COMP/M.4251 - BERKSHIRE / ISCAR METALWORKING COMPANIES Notification of 01.06.2006 pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/20041 Publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities No. C 137 of 10/06/2006, page 3. 1. On 01.06.2006, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004 by which the undertaking Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire, USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the Metalworking IMC International Metalworking Companies B.V. (IMC, Netherlands), belonging to the Wertheimer Company Limited (Israel), by way of purchase of shares. 2. The business activities of the undertakings concerned are: - for Berkshire : property and casualty insurance, investment activities; - for IMC : cutting tools and metalworking applications. 1 OJ L 24, 29.1.2004 p. 1. Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles / Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel - Belgium. Telephone: (32-2) 299 11 11. -
The Competitive Advantages of Buffett & Munger
Moats The Competitive Advantages Of Buffett & Munger Businesses By Bud Labitan First Edition Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without permission. ISBN 978-1-105-41808-2 1 2 A truly great business must have an enduring “moat” that protects excellent returns on invested capital. ~ Warren Buffett How do you compete against a true fanatic? You can only try to build the best possible moat and continuously attempt to widen it. ~ Charlie Munger 3 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: ACME BRICK COMPANY CHAPTER 2: AMERICAN EXPRESS CO. (AXP) CHAPTER 3: APPLIED UNDERWRITERS CHAPTER 4: BEN BRIDGE JEWELER CHAPTER 5: BENJAMIN MOORE & CO. CHAPTER 6: BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY GROUP CHAPTER 7: BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESTATE COMPANIES CHAPTER 8: BOATU.S. CHAPTER 9: BORSHEIMS FINE JEWELRY CHAPTER 10: BUFFALO NEWS CHAPTER 11: BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORP. CHAPTER 12: BUSINESS WIRE CHAPTER 13: BYD CHAPTER 14: CENTRAL STATES INDEMNITY COMPANY CHAPTER 15: CLAYTON HOMES CHAPTER 16: COCA COLA (KO) CHAPTER 17: CONOCOPHILLIPS (COP) CHAPTER 18: CORT BUSINESS SERVICES 5 CHAPTER 19: COSTCO WHOLESALE (COST) CHAPTER 20: CTB INC. CHAPTER 21: FECHHEIMER BROTHERS COMPANY CHAPTER 22: FLIGHTSAFETY CHAPTER 23: FOREST RIVER CHAPTER 24: FRUIT OF THE LOOM® CHAPTER 25: GARAN INCORPORATED CHAPTER 26: GATEWAY UNDERWRITERS AGENCY CHAPTER 27: GEICO AUTO INSURANCE CHAPTER 28: GENERAL RE CHAPTER 29: H.H. BROWN SHOE GROUP CHAPTER 30: HELZBERG DIAMONDS CHAPTER 31: HOMESERVICES OF AMERICA CHAPTER 32: IBM CHAPTER 33: INTERNATIONAL DAIRY QUEEN, INC. CHAPTER 34: ISCAR METALWORKING COMPANIES CHAPTER 35: JOHNS MANVILLE CHAPTER 36: JOHNSON & JOHNSON (JNJ) CHAPTER 37: JORDAN'S FURNITURE CHAPTER 38: JUSTIN BRANDS CHAPTER 39: KRAFT FOODS (KFT) 6 CHAPTER 40: LARSON-JUHL CHAPTER 41: LUBRIZOL CHAPTER 42: M&T BANK CORP (M&T BANK) CHAPTER 43: MARMON HOLDINGS, INC. -
Printmgr File
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. 2011 ANNUAL REPORT Business Activities Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in a number of diverse business activities including property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, freight rail transportation, utilities and energy, finance, manufacturing, services and retailing. Included in the group of subsidiaries that underwrite property and casualty insurance and reinsurance is GEICO, the third largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States and two of the largest reinsurers in the world, General Re and the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Other subsidiaries that underwrite property and casualty insurance include National Indemnity Company and affiliated insurance entities, Medical Protective Company, Applied Underwriters, U.S. Liability Insurance Company, Central States Indemnity Company, Kansas Bankers Surety, Cypress Insurance Company, BoatU.S. and several other subsidiaries referred to as the “Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.” Burlington Northern Santa Fe (“BNSF”) operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America. In serving the Midwest, Pacific Northwest and the Western, Southwestern and Southeastern regions and ports of the U.S., BNSF transports a range of products and commodities derived from manufacturing, agricultural and natural resource industries. MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MidAmerican”) is an international energy holding company owning a wide variety of operating companies engaged in the generation, transmission -
Buffett Backs Winning Culture
TOOLING Buffett backs winning culture Iscar Metalworking Companies (IMC) president Jacob Harpaz spoke to Andrew Allcock at MACH 2006 about the majority sale of IMC to global investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway company MC (Iscar Metalworking Companies), IMC way is, suggests Mr Harpaz, to do Iwhich includes cutting tool with the Israeli culture which is not manufacturers Iscar, TaeguTec, Ingersoll American and not European, but Cutting Tool, Outiltec, Metaldur and, something different. recently, Unitac of Japan, has sold 80 per ªOur culture allows us to work easily cent of its stock to global investor with other cultures around the world. Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway For example, IMC is the first [non- investment vehicle for $4 billion. Japanese] cutting tool company to (Berkshire Hathaway has Microsoft acquire a cutting tool manufacturer in founder Bill Gates on its board.) IMC, Japan [Unitac]; the [acquired] company established in 1952, is the largest is very comfortable with that. Japanese privately owned company in Israel. companies usually sell to other Japanese ªIMC is a family owned business in its companies.º third generation [third 20-year period]. ªA financial backer will provide long-term IMC acquired deep hole drilling A financial backer will provide long-term stability for the company, as it is managed system manufacturer Unitac about a stability for the company, as it is today,º says IMC president Jacob Harpaz year ago. With headquarters in Osaka, managed today ± family orientated, with and plants both there and in Kyushu, it is a special culture, º explained company achieve that goal? Well, IMC must ªmore the third largest manufacturer of such president Jacob Harpaz. -
2011 Annual Report (PDF File)
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. 2011 ANNUAL REPORT Business Activities Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in a number of diverse business activities including property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, freight rail transportation, utilities and energy, finance, manufacturing, services and retailing. Included in the group of subsidiaries that underwrite property and casualty insurance and reinsurance is GEICO, the third largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States and two of the largest reinsurers in the world, General Re and the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Other subsidiaries that underwrite property and casualty insurance include National Indemnity Company and affiliated insurance entities, Medical Protective Company, Applied Underwriters, U.S. Liability Insurance Company, Central States Indemnity Company, Kansas Bankers Surety, Cypress Insurance Company, BoatU.S. and several other subsidiaries referred to as the “Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.” Burlington Northern Santa Fe (“BNSF”) operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America. In serving the Midwest, Pacific Northwest and the Western, Southwestern and Southeastern regions and ports of the U.S., BNSF transports a range of products and commodities derived from manufacturing, agricultural and natural resource industries. MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MidAmerican”) is an international energy holding company owning a wide variety of operating companies engaged in the generation, transmission