Oh, oh. That doesnât sound good. I can only imagine one reason, and that while I hoped he wanted to continue âtap dancing to workâ until the very end.
Oh, oh. That doesnât sound good. I can only imagine one reason, and that while I hoped he wanted to continue âtap dancing to workâ until the very end.
I wouldnât worry about that being announced at the annual meeting. Watch the recent Charlie Rose interview and Warren makes it clear that he isnât going anywhere voluntarily imminently. Something like, Greg is on deck but âisnât warming up yet.â
But the main point of my (prognostication that nobody asked for: should be a word for that in English) is: Charlie steps down, and as a second-order effect of this, I wouldnât be surprised to see Greg take a half-step up.
Think you are correct on Charlie pulling back. What a run though
Why do you think so? The annual meeting format appears to be: Warren, Charlie, Ajit & Greg for the morning session followed by just Warren & Charlie during the afternoon session. That doesnât appear like Charlie is âpulling backâ to me.
Put me in the camp that the news that WEB thinks is âvery importantâ wonât be about Berkshire at all. I think heâs got bigger issues in mind.
It is possibly the threat of nuclear war arising from the Ukraine invasion. WEB thinks that the biggest threat to our world. Or, hopefully, only the economic impact of the war and the past Fed actions on the economy. And that people should continue to believe in the USA.
Iâll be surprised if it is just about Berkshire.
Does Charlie really do anything at this point anyway?
Charlie has never had a âday jobâ at Berkshire. As near as I can tell, his primary role has been performing at the annual meeting, and answering the phone if/when Warren calls him.
The Vice Chairman position was created in the early 80s - a big merger/reorg with Blue Chip, Diversified, and all the other overlapping ownership positions. Buffett wound up in sole control of the combined entity, Charlie got a title.
<Warrens recent comment about it being a âvery important meetingâ makes me wonder if there might be some special topic on Warren/Charlieâs mind.>
Among all the important topics, dividend should be one. I think Buffett would like to see it before leaving the stage.
Among all the important topics, dividend should be one. I think Buffett would like to see it before leaving the stage.
Out of curiosity, what makes you think that? Buffett could have paid a dividend by now if he wanted to. But everything I have ever seen by Buffett on the topic suggests he sees paying dividends as a last resort for deploying capital.
Among all the important topics, dividend should be one. I think Buffett would like to see it before leaving the stage.
I think dividends would be the last thing Buffett would like to see, as would the overwhelming percentage of retail shareholders. Neither Buffett not shareholders like me with a large stake in BRK would like to get a new tax bill every year from Uncle Sam.
<what makes you think that? Buffett could have paid a dividend by now if he wanted to.>
Buffett has likened his investment career to painting a picture on a canvas. The picture wouldnât be complete without dividends. He is still healthy, but he wonât wait until too late.
Buffett could have paid a dividend by now if he wanted to. But everything I have ever seen by Buffett on the topic suggests he sees paying dividends as a last resort for deploying capital.
If he had to pay a dividend, let it be like the last one: $0.10/A-share. Annually or even quarterly.