In his 2022 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Letter, Warren Buffett once again demonstrates his unparalleled ability to distill complex financial concepts into simple, relatable truths. His discussion on share repurchases is a masterclass in clarity and logic, offering a timely reminder of why thoughtful capital allocation matters. As Buffett writes, “The … Read More
Berkshire’s Capital Charge Philosophy
During their recent episode, Taylor, Carlisle, and Alex Morris discussed Berkshire’s Capital Charge Philosophy. Here’s an excerpt from the episode: Tobias: It’s so different to the way that Berkshire does it, where, the $40 billion went to Apple, some of it goes to buybacks. Jake: I think more importantly than … Read More
Apple: Buffett’s Greatest Trade?
During their recent episode, Taylor, Carlisle, and Alex Morris discussed Apple: Buffett’s Greatest Trade? Here’s an excerpt from the episode: Alex: Yeah. I think the kicker on top of that too is to your point, it was only a handful of years after IBM, which was I think it was … Read More
Buffett’s PetroChina Investment
During their recent episode, Taylor, Carlisle, and Alex Morris discussed Buffett’s PetroChina Investment. Here’s an excerpt from the episode: Tobias: I remember PetroChina being– And I’d been sort of interested in Buffet and Munger for about five years by that point when PetroChina happened. And I remember it being a … Read More
Warren Buffett: Just One Company Can Deliver Unmatched Wealth
In his 2023 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Letter, Warren Buffett highlights Berkshire Hathaway’s strategy of acquiring businesses with strong, enduring economics and capable management. He emphasizes the challenge of predicting winners and the importance of rare companies that can reinvest capital at high returns. Buffett reflects on past acquisition opportunities and … Read More
Why REITs Can’t Compound Like Berkshire
During their recent episode, Taylor, Carlisle, and Bill Lenehan discussed Why REITs Can’t Compound Like Berkshire. Here’s an excerpt from the episode: Jake: Yeah. Do you have any– Is there any reticence or– I don’t want to say regret, that’s not the right word. But the fact that the REIT … Read More
Capital Allocation Strategies for REIT Success
During their recent episode, Taylor, Carlisle, and Bill Lenehan discussed Capital Allocation Strategies for REIT Success. Here’s an excerpt from the episode: Tobias: The REIT sounds like it’s really geared towards good capital allocation rather than trying to identify any sort of individual trophy property or trying to have like … Read More
Why Simplicity in REITs Wins
During their recent episode, Taylor, Carlisle, and Bill Lenehan discussed Why Simplicity in REITs Wins. Here’s an excerpt from the episode: Bill: I had been thinking about this idea for a decade when you used that example. And I have to admit, I had to look up what it was, … Read More
VALUE: After Hours (S06 E46): Activism, REITs, Capital Allocation and Four Corners Property Trust with Bill Lenehan
In their latest episode of the VALUE: After Hours Podcast, Tobias Carlisle, Jake Taylor, and Bill Lenehan discuss: Why Simplicity in REITs Wins Capital Allocation Strategies for REIT Success Applying Raymond Loewy’s MAYA Principle to Modern Markets Why REITs Can’t Compound Like Berkshire Why Doing the Work and Thinking Independently … Read More
François Rochon’s Formula for Finding Great Businesses
During this interview with MOI, François Rochon explains how he identifies great businesses through a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis. He begins by reviewing past performance metrics such as return on capital, margins, debt levels, and profit quality to find strong companies. However, he acknowledges that past performance alone … Read More
Michael Mauboussin: The Five Principles of Good Capital Allocation
We’ve just been re-reading Michael Mauboussin’s great paper on capital allocation titled – Capital Allocation Evidence, Analytical Methods, and Assessment Guidance. At the end of the document Mauboussin provides his five principles of good capital allocation and his conclusions. Here’s an excerpt from the paper: Five Principles of Capital Allocation. … Read More
How To Identify Great Capital Allocators
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7_QJyxr2W0?start=777 During his recent interview with Tobias, Jake Taylor of Farnam Street discusses how investors can spot great capital allocators, saying: – But having said all that yeah there’s so many great cap allocators out there. You know obviously Buffett and Munger are the gold standard at Berkshire. But you … Read More
(Ep.2) The Acquirers Podcast: Jake Taylor – Charlie Munger and The Rebel Allocator
In Episode 2 of the The Acquirers Podcast, Tobias chats with Jacob “Jake” Taylor of Farnam Street Investments. During the interview Jake talks about his new book – The Rebel Allocator, and discusses the secret sauce of business success and investment returns – good capital allocation. He also provides some … Read More
Michael Mauboussin – Share Buybacks Are A Better Alternative For Shareholders Than Dividends
There is much debate about whether companies should increase shareholder value by repurchasing their shares or returning excess cash to shareholders by way of dividends. One of the best papers written on the subject is Share Repurchase From All Angles, by Michael Mauboussin where he makes the case for share buy-backs … Read More
Henry Singleton – (“The Best Capital Deployment Record In American Business” – Warren Buffett)
One of my favorite investing books is The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success, by William N. Thorndike. In fact it’s also the top choice on Warren Buffett’s reading list. The book provides stories on eight of the most successful CEOs in history who were great capital allocators. … Read More