At the age of 92, the ever-engaged Warren Buffett remains as sharp as ever, tirelessly searching for opportunities to enhance his masterpiece, Berkshire Hathaway.
Buffett’s active involvement in the stock market over the past year cannot be overstated. His acquisition of a 25% stake in Occidental Petroleum stands out as a testament to his unwavering commitment. Additionally, he has significantly bolstered Berkshire’s holdings in five prominent Japanese trading companies, amassing a substantial $20 billion profit. Undoubtedly, Buffett’s most triumphant investment to date is his purchase of Apple shares. Originally valued at $165 billion, this stake has grown fivefold from Berkshire’s initial investment. Yet, despite these impressive achievements, his long-desired elephant-sized acquisition continues to elude him.
A devoted scholar of financial reports, Buffett prides himself on immersing in the intricacies of his investments. During the annual meeting in May, he revealed his examination of General Motors’ 1932 annual report, expressing admiration for its “honesty” and profound insight, even in the midst of the Great Depression. In a previous interview with Charlie Rose, Buffett emphasized that he is always devoted to Berkshire, diligently working for his modest $100,000 annual salary, a practice he has faithfully upheld for over a generation.
As a result of Buffett’s unwavering dedication spanning 58 years, Berkshire finds itself in its most robust state ever, boasting an impressive annual earning power of nearly $35 billion. While its stock may trail slightly behind the overall market performance of the past decade, it overwhelmingly outperforms the S&P 500 index since Buffett assumed control in 1965. Remarkably, Berkshire’s shares have skyrocketed to over $500,000 from a mere $20, representing an extraordinary 25,000-fold gain.
Fortunately for investors and enthusiasts alike, Buffett shows no signs of relinquishing his reign as the helm of Berkshire. They eagerly support his continued leadership for as long as he is able to guide the company to further prosperity.
