Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 356

Buffett's meeting takeaway: extreme caution

Morningstar's US strategist, Gregg Warren, specialises in researching Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK). In this two-part article, he provides a brief review of his major highlights from the annual meeting of BRK, followed by a short video summarising Buffett's presentation last weekend.

While wide-moat-rated Berkshire Hathaway's (BRK.A/BRK.B) annual meeting has always been entertaining, it hasn't generally been a big source of meaningful insights into the firm's operations. This year's event, which was a significantly smaller affair with no shareholders in attendance in Omaha and just CEO Warren Buffett and Greg Abel (vice chairman of Berkshire's noninsurance business operations) taking questions from a remotely located Becky Quick (of CNBC), who was collating all of the questions for the three journalists on the journalist panel, was relatively subdued. The meeting not only started later in the day, but Buffett spent much of the first two hours of the five-hour event speaking about his thoughts about the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential economic impacts, touching on everything from monetary and fiscal policy to consumer and commercial behaviour.

The main thing we took away from Buffett's preamble, as well as the question-and-answer segment, was that Berkshire (much as we heard from Charlie Munger in a Wall Street Journal interview in mid-April) is being extremely cautious right now, given all of the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdown/recession. Unlike Buffett's famous maxim to "be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful", Berkshire actually dumped some stocks, did not pursue any deals, and let its cash balances expand during the first quarter.

While it was no surprise to see Berkshire dump the airlines, we were shocked to see that Buffett stopped buying back Berkshire's shares on March 10 and didn't repurchase any of the company's common stock between then and the end of April. Our general feeling has been that with cash reserves being guarded, distressed opportunities few and far between, and many of Berkshire's stock holdings either struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic or subsequent shutdown/recession, the best option for the company's excess cash may be Berkshire's own common stock.

Greggory Warren, CFA, is a financial services sector strategist for Morningstar. This article is general information and does not consider the circumstances of any investor.

Surprises from Berkshire's Annual Meeting

Click on the image of Gregg Warren to hear his reactions to Buffett's presentation.

 

8 Comments
Thurston Howell, IV.
May 06, 2020

Pretty sure it wasn't Buffett's idea to ever own airlines, rather his upcoming guys Todd and Ted. These worked well, until they didn't. When things went as they did, and future prospects and costs unknown, it was time to bail out, in full, as they don't like minority holdings. As usual, he bares full responsibilty, so you won't hear him blaming his juniors if my theory is right.

david
May 06, 2020

Very surprised with the airline purchase due to the majority of airlines around the world not making profits in the good times. No moat businesses as well.

Chris
May 06, 2020

Buffett doesn't need to do anything at this stage of his life, he literally will be the person that captures essence of the phrases "he who dies with the most toys, wins" and "When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer.". There's nothing else to do now, even he has said that when he dies it's all going in an S&P500 index fund.

Not buying anything is probably due to two reasons: (1) at his age, he's probably gone all risk-averse and not wanting to make a mistake right at the end that people will remember him for more than what he did before it and (2) there is nothing to buy at the current prices that is attractive enough.

Sure, there might be something out there but people always want something for even cheaper than is being offered to them, even if it is a good price.

Alfa123
May 09, 2020

Buffett thinks like a businessman first and investor later.

Chris
May 13, 2020

Why are the two concepts separate ?

Alan Moffett
May 20, 2020

A business man cares about health of business on a long term basis ahead of financial rewards. A modern day investor in reality is a speculator who is more interpreted in the price action of security. He is not interested in overall business health, wants to make make quick buck and move on to next security.

This is the main difference between Warren Buffett and an average investor.

Jim Simpson
May 13, 2020

Interesting that Berkshire have dumped airline shares.
My memory is that one of Warren Buffet's rules of investing was " never invest in airlines". He backed this up by saying that occasionally, in the middle of the night, he woke up with an idea that he should invest in airlines but he had a 1800 number that he rang and was talked out of it by a counsellor.

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Three key takeaways from Buffett's annual letter

10 quick lessons from Buffett’s 2019 Meeting

Warren Buffett changes his mind at age 93

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Are LICs licked?

LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.

Retirement income expectations hit new highs

Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?

5 charts every retiree must see…

Retirement can be daunting for Australians facing financial uncertainty. Understand your goals, longevity challenges, inflation impacts, market risks, and components of retirement income with these crucial charts.

Why super returns may be heading lower

Five mega trends point to risks of a more inflation prone and lower growth environment. This, along with rich market valuations, should constrain medium term superannuation returns to around 5% per annum.

The hidden property empire of Australia’s politicians

With rising home prices and falling affordability, political leaders preach reform. But asset disclosures show many are heavily invested in property - raising doubts about whose interests housing policy really protects.

Preparing for aged care

Whether for yourself or a family member, it’s never too early to start thinking about aged care. This looks at the best ways to plan ahead, as well as the changes coming to aged care from November 1 this year.

Latest Updates

Shares

Four best-ever charts for every adviser and investor

In any year since 1875, if you'd invested in the ASX, turned away and come back eight years later, your average return would be 120% with no negative periods. It's just one of the must-have stats that all investors should know.

Our experts on Jim Chalmers' super tax backdown

Labor has caved to pressure on key parts of the Division 296 tax, though also added some important nuances. Here are six experts’ views on the changes and what they mean for you.        

Superannuation

When you can withdraw your super

You can’t freely withdraw your super before 65. You need to meet certain legal conditions tied to your age, whether you’ve retired, or if you're using a transition to retirement option. 

Retirement

A national guide to concession entitlements

Navigating retirement concessions is unnecessarily complex. This outlines a new project to help older Australians find what they’re entitled to - quickly, clearly, and with less stress. 

Property

The psychology of REIT investing

Market shocks and rallies test every investor’s resolve. This explores practical strategies to stay grounded - resisting panic in downturns and FOMO in booms - while focusing on long-term returns. 

Fixed interest

Bonds are copping a bad rap

Bonds have had a tough few years and many investors are turning to other assets to diversify their portfolios. However, bonds can still play a valuable role as a source of income and risk mitigation.

Strategy

Is it time to fire the consultants?

The NSW government is cutting the use of consultants. Universities have also been criticized for relying on consultants as cover for restructuring plans. But are consultants really the problem they're made out to be?

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.