Most investors track Buffett’s moves through Berkshire Hathaway’s quarterly 13F filings. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The real story is hidden in the quarterly operating reports—buried on the final pages, just before the executive certifications. There, in plain sight for those who know where to look, lies the gritty detail of his buyback program: shares of Berkshire Hathaway itself.
Behold! The AmEx card, a veritable deus ex machina in the world of finance, operates not merely as a plastic rectangle but as an exquisitely selective dining club for the well-heeled. Unlike those vulgar imitators Visa and Mastercard, who fling their cards at any Tom, Dick, or Harry with a pulse, AmEx insists on a clientele so refined they could probably spell “economically” without batting an eyelid. This exclusivity, one might argue, is a masterstroke of Jeeves-like cunning, for it ensures a clientele less prone to default and more inclined to dine at Michelin-starred establishments. And indeed, the delinquency rate? A mere 0.8%—a figure so low it makes a penguin’s waddle look efficient.
Justin Pope (Nvidia — Aug. 27): Behold Nvidia, that modern-day titan whose ascent mirrors the tragic arc of Icarus himself. Born in the shadow of obscurity, it now soars at the pinnacle of market capitalization, its wings forged from the molten gold of artificial intelligence. Yet as the poet warns: “The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail.”
As of July 24, this formidable culinary titan rests 34% below its zenith reached in June 2024. The urge to snatch this dip in valuation may tease your impulsive side, yet a precipitated decision could lead to regret. Thus, before you leap into the waters of investment, here are three elemental truths regarding Chipotle that require your attention.
A decade ago, the collective value of these digital playthings amounted to a modest five billion dollars – a sum a prosperous merchant could amass in a particularly successful season of trading carpets. Today, as of this remarkably unremarkable July 24th, we find ourselves gazing at a crypto universe worth a staggering 3.83 trillion! This exuberant rise has, naturally, benefited the likes of XRP (XRP) and Bitcoin (BTC), which have enjoyed rallies of 773% and 426% respectively over the last three years. One might almost suspect a conspiracy amongst the algorithms.
My theory? You want a company that pays a dividend *and* grows it. It’s the financial equivalent of a steady heartbeat. Unfortunately, most stocks are more like a caffeine crash — unpredictable and slightly alarming.
Ah, the eternal question: when should one buy the dip? For those unfamiliar with this peculiar phrase, it refers to the act of purchasing shares at their lowest ebb, hoping they will rebound like a well-kneaded dough. It is a gambit as old as commerce itself, beloved by speculators and reviled by cautious investors alike. But beware, dear reader, for not all dips are created equal. To quote the immortal wisdom of Ostap Bender, “A fool and his money are soon parted, but only if the fool believes he’s found a bargain.”
They say Walmart’s market cap is over $750 billion. Numbers like that just glide over me, honestly. It’s harder to grasp than the sheer quantity of plastic storage bins one encounters in the home goods section. But the size matters, doesn’t it? It’s not just the money; it’s the sheer, almost terrifying scope of the operation. More than 10,750 stores, they claim, scattered across nineteen countries. It’s the kind of expansionist ambition that used to get empires built. Now it gets you a parking lot full of minivans. They bump up against Target and Kroger and Costco, sure, but those places feel…aspirational. Like places people *want* to be seen. Walmart is where you go when you just need things.
Currently, the object of much investor fascination is SpaceX, the company run by Elon Musk. As of today (a date which, as far as we know, is still valid), it’s valued at a rather startling $350 billion, making it the most valuable privately held technology company in existence. (Which is, of course, only valuable if someone else agrees it is, a rather shaky philosophical foundation if you think about it.)
Oh, don’t get me wrong! Apple still struts about with a gleaming market cap of $3.2 trillion, firmly nestled among the “Magnificent Seven.” However, behind those shiny doors, the stock has plummeted by a meager 14% this year, leaving it trailing behind its mystical peers. Only the electric steed Tesla has managed a more lackluster performance. What a curious pickle!