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Warren Buffett, 1995

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Warren E. Buffett, 1995, Case Questions

The purpose of this case is to introduce the themes that we will be covering in this course. In fact, if you look at Buffett’s investment philosophy (question 3 below) and compare it to the syllabus, you will find extensive overlap.

1. What is the possible meaning of the changes in the stock price for GEICO and Berkshire Hathaway on the day of the acquisition announcement? Specifically, what does the $718 million gain in Berkshire’s market value of equity imply about the intrinsic value of GEICO? (Note that Berkshire owned 33.25 million shares before the acquisition was announced.)

Geico stock price will move up on the day of the acquisition announcement. Meant, GEICO intrinsic value also increase, total value will be more than $718 million in the market.

2. How well has Berkshire Hathaway performed? In the aggregate? In its investment in Scott & Fetzer? In its investment in earlier purchases of GEICO stock?

Scott & Fetzer conservatively financed with Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett offered to buy the company for $315 million. Scott and Fetzer paid Berkshire Hathaway $125 million. Buffett noted that in terms of return on book value of equity, Scott & Fetzer would have easily beaten the Fortune 500 firms.

3. Please critically assess Buffett’s investment philosophy, and prepare to identify points where you agree and disagree with him.

Graham’s approach was to focus on the value of assets, such as cash, net working capital, and physical assets, eventually, Buffett modified that approach to focus also on valuable franchises that were not recognized by the market.

1. Economic reality, not accounting reality
2. The cost of the lost opportunity.
3. Value creation : time is money
4. Measure performance by gain in intrinsic value, not by accounting profit.
5. Risk and discount rates.
6.

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