In a world where cash is king, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has amassed quite the royal treasury. The latest data reveals a cash stash of $157 billion, up 7% from the previous quarter. To put this in perspective, that amount surpasses Disney’s entire market cap, which stands at $156 billion as of last week’s end.
For the astute investor, such significant cash reserves on a company’s balance sheet can be an intriguing signal. Historically, when Berkshire’s cash and Treasury bills surge, it implies Buffett and his investment lieutenants may be finding limited value-buying opportunities in the stock market and acquisition landscapes.
A peek into Berkshire’s Q3 earnings reveals that only $1.7 billion was channeled into stock purchases during the last quarter. On the flip side, the company offloaded approximately $7 billion worth of stock, making them net sellers by a whopping $5.3 billion.
On the stock buyback front, Berkshire’s approach seemed even more conservative. They allocated a mere $1.1 billion to repurchase their own stock, a significant drop compared to the $4.4 billion outlay in Q1. One potential reason for this slower buyback rate? The company’s stock price, which soared roughly 13% in the six months leading to September. Buffett and his longtime associate, Charlie Munger, are known for their strategy of repurchasing shares only when they perceive a significant undervaluation.
It’s fascinating to observe Berkshire Hathaway’s business model. The conglomerate is frequently regarded as a mirror reflecting the broader US economy, thanks to its eclectic mix of subsidiaries spanning various sectors. On one hand, the Q3 report boasted a whopping 41% YoY surge in operating earnings, propelled by a resurgence in its insurance sector and contributions from Pilot Travel Centers. Contrastingly, there was a notable dip in performance from its BNSF Railway and Berkshire Hathaway Energy units.
Throughout 2022, Buffett’s team has exhibited a pronounced frugality compared to their previous splurges. If we rewind to 2021, Berkshire allocated a record $68 billion into stock investments and even acquired Alleghany for $12 billion. Fast-forward to this year, while the conglomerate has acquired significant stakes in companies like Pilot and Cove Point LNG, they’ve also divested around $24 billion worth of stocks.
A closing observation: Buffett’s squad seems to be leveraging the rising interest rate environment. While their cash and equivalents shrank by 21% to $26 billion from January to September, they bolstered their short-term Treasury reserves by an impressive 36%, reaching $126 billion.
For entrepreneurial investors, the strategy of one of the world’s most revered investors provides a compelling study in capital allocation, market valuation, and strategic patience. After all, with $157 billion at play, every move Berkshire makes is a masterclass in finance.