Larsen – LUCKY IDIOT

WB Letter 1983

Berkshire Hathway made an acquisition of majority stake into Nebraska Furniture Mart. Mrs.Blumkin leave Russia for America when she was the age of 23. She had no formal education, no knowledge of English.

WB 1983 01

Many retailers had pressurized to the furniture and carpet manufacturers to not to sell products to Mrs.B but Mrs.B has managed to run her business and also able to cut prices. She has to face many cases but she won all and received huge publicity.

WB 1983 02

Mr.Buffett has explained the concept of intrinsic value in a very well manner.

WB 1983 03

Mr.Buffett has explained how to look at the economic Goodwill with the example of the See’s Candy. He has an emphasis more on economic Goodwill rather than accounting Goodwill. Company’s ability to produce a higher return on assets compared to market then that excess return is economic Goodwill.

WB 1983 04

Also mentioned that assets heavy businesses require additional capital for the further growth.

WB 1983 05

PunjL

GodrejP

Great business creates a fortune during an inflationary year where the company requires less tangible assets. And also companies having availability of the fund for acquisition of the new business. They do not have to depend on the bringing additional fund by either debt or issuing new share capital.

I have quoted example of 2 two companies into the automobile business and one company is in the paint business.

MarutiS

HeroM

AsianP

Example 1 – 3 which are asset heavy businesses, where we can see that borrowing is compounding, non-availability of free cash flow and wealth of shareholders does not created or get erode, whereas in example 4 – 6 which are asset light or least asset businesses, we can see that borrowing reduced or increased at a lower rate and investments into the books has compound well, availability of free cash flow which resulted into the wealth creation for the shareholders.

But the management who is not disciplined then they will do a silly things such as –

WB 1983 06