How much is $BRK.B (-0,13%) dependent on Buffet? I mean, he has a few years under his belt and if he dies, how will the stock perform? What do you think?

Have you ever wondered where the Gates Foundation invests its money? In the fourth quarter of 2024, the foundation has impressive holdings in its portfolio.

The foundation manages assets of around 42.02 billion US dollars and is one of the largest private foundations in the world. The main stocks include Berkshire Hathaway , Canadian National Railway and Microsoft .

Here is an overview of some of the largest holdings:

- Microsoft: USD 11.99 billion (28.54%) $MSFT (-1,57%)

- Berkshire Hathaway: USD 8.91 billion (21.20%) $BRK.A (+0,95%)
$BRK.B (-0,13%)

- Waste Management: USD 6.5 billion (15.48%) $WM (-0,95%)

- Canadian National Railway: USD 5.57 billion (13.24%) $CNR (+0,55%)

- Caterpillar: USD 2.67 billion (6.35%) $CAT (-2,26%)

These investments show that the Gates Foundation invests in both traditional and future-oriented companies.

What do you think of the Gates Foundation's investment decisions? Do you think they are backing the right horses? 📈

Are you curious about the latest developments at Berkshire Hathaway $BRK.B (-0,13%)? On February 22, 2025, the company will announce its figures for the past quarter. Analysts' expectations are mixed.

Average earnings per share of USD 4.62 are forecast for the past quarter. By comparison, this figure was an impressive USD 17.36 in the same quarter of the previous year. A significant decline that raises questions.

A decline in turnover is also expected. Analysts are forecasting USD 92.16 billion, which corresponds to a drop of 1.31% compared to the previous year. The outlook for the full fiscal year has also clouded over. Average earnings per share could end up at USD 19.84, compared to USD 44.27 in the previous year.

How do you see the developments at Berkshire Hathaway? Is this a sign of ongoing problems or temporary weakness? 📈

Are you already looking forward to Warren Buffett's annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders? 📈 This is expected to be published at the end of February 2025 and could be of great importance to many investors.

A key point will be Berkshire Hathaway's huge cash position $BRK.B (-0,13%) which currently stands at an impressive 325.21 billion US dollars. Many investors are wondering whether Buffett could increase this amount further. A growing cash balance could indicate that he is looking for attractive investment opportunities or possibly showing some skepticism about the current market.

Especially in times of an ongoing bull market, it will be interesting to see whether Buffett remains optimistic or whether he hints at potential risks. Keep your eyes open, because his letter could provide important impulses for your investment decisions! What do you think about Buffett's strategy? 👍

Star investor Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, is bringing a breath of fresh air to the real estate world. In January, he presented a merger proposal for Howard Hughes $HHC and has now gone one better. Investors are reacting positively - no wonder, with an offer of USD 85 per share. 📈

The goal? Howard Hughes is to become the modern version of Berkshire Hathaway $BRK.B (-0,13%) . The shares reacted promptly with a rise of 9.53% to 78.62 US dollars. Ackman already owns 37.6 percent of the shares and wants to take control of 60 percent by buying 11,764,706 more shares.

And what do you think? Will Howard Hughes really become the next investment flagship? Or are these just fine words? Let's have a discussion! 👍

Dear friends of Getquin,

I'm usually a silent reader, but if everyone just reads, eventually there's no more reading material, is there? So today I want to share my story with you.

The beginnings:

It's hard for me to say exactly when my journey began, but I do know that I developed a fascination with money as a child. My first "investment" was when I was about 7 or 8 years old, when I bought an ounce of gold with my own pocket money. At that time, no one in my family had anything to do with investments, but I had seen it in my mother's bank when I often accompanied her there. I was fascinated by the shiny coins and wanted to know how I could have a piece myself.

Then, around the turn of the millennium, I saw my father, together with a "great" bank advisor, invest the entire family savings in the middle of the dotcom bubble. The result: a massive loss within a few months. But my mother, who was at home at the time, fought hard and was miraculously able to recoup the losses. I was about 9 or 10 years old at the time and watched her sit in front of the PC every day and look at the figures. From that moment on, I was hooked! I started using an Excel spreadsheet to track which shares I would have bought at what price and watched the performance of my fictitious investments with great interest every day after school.

The first few years:

My mother stopped day trading after about a year and went back to work. However, shares were no longer an issue for me until I was 26.

Getting into real shares:

In 2018, in the summer, as a die-hard Juventus fan, I read about an article on the transfer of CR7 and how Juventus shares went through the roof. I was there again! At that time, however, I only had a small income as a working student. My father, who had failed with his investments in the past, gave me €2,000 - and I bought Juventus shares. However, he made me promise him that I would never invest in shares again. How did the story end? The "trade" with Juventus was a success, but I had to pay taxes for the first time - and I still hate that to this day.

The first losses:

After my Juventus adventure, I began to delve deeper into the matter. I tried out recommendations from "Aktionär" and repeatedly bet on individual shares for smaller trades. It was more of a game, but I generally remained profitable - sometimes a few percent profit, sometimes a few percent loss. Thanks to the profits and additional deposits, I built up my portfolio to €18,000 until I was hit by Wirecard. In the end, I had to accept a loss of around €6,000. It was painful, but not life-threatening - and I learned a lot from this mistake. In particular, I made the mistake of constantly buying more. If I had left it at the original position of € 1,500, the loss would probably not have been so dramatic.

Don't give up:

After the Wirecard debacle, I radically rethought my strategy. I increasingly focused on conservative companies, regular dividend payers and low growth. But here, too, I realized that I was underperforming the market. So I adapted my strategy further and took a long-term approach. I have since been able to slowly recoup my losses.

The clean cut - a new start:

In the summer of 2023, I needed all my assets for a private housing project and decided to make a real "fresh start". I sold all the positions in my portfolio and only kept my ETF savings plans with TradeRepublic.

The new era:

When the housing project was completed, I wanted to build up a new portfolio with the money I had left over - and here you can see the result. My aim is to find companies that are growing strongly and have a solid moat. Dividends are nice, but not a must. My portfolio also contains defensive, boring stocks as a healthy addition. At the same time, I try to further expand my ETF positions through one-off purchases - I stopped my regular ETF savings plans at the end of January 2025. I have also invested a little in crypto and gold on the side. I have made further investments in Lego (€500), Pokémon (€1,000) and Counterstrike cases (€3,000), but these are not part of the public list - that would be too costly for me.

Fun fact:

My cash ratio has never been higher than €3,000 since I first entered the stock market (2018). This is currently an exception because I want to build up a cash reserve for the next generation.

Goal:

I don't have a specific, set goal when it comes to my investments. It's more of a hobby for me. I just enjoy seeing how my portfolio grows and how I can accompany exciting companies and be a small part of them as they develop. For me, it feels a bit like collecting: I enjoy discovering interesting companies, investing in them and watching them develop over the long term.

Thank you:

A big thank you goes to Goldesel Investing and Markus Koch, who have been with me since my first stock market steps. Without you, the share culture in German-speaking countries would certainly not be as strong! And of course a big thank you to Getquin - I've always dreamed of a platform like this! 0% bullshit, 100% investments.

I hope you like the revised version! The text is now more clearly structured, reads more smoothly and still retains your personal style.

Please let me know if you liked my story!

A little tip: My Bitpanda portfolio has a longer history, but I was too lazy to enter everything manually. I also didn't want to take over the history because, as I said, I wanted to start a new chapter in my investment history in November 2023. Overall, however, my crypto track is up €3000-4000.

$CSPX (-1,14%)
$ETH (+0,82%)
$BLK (-1,16%)
$GS (-2,21%)
$XDWD (-0,98%)
$V (-0,16%)
$MC (+0,4%)
$MS (-1,6%)
$QCOM (-4,11%)
$JNJ (+2,12%)
$ASML (-0,72%)
$RBOT (-2,12%)
$LOCK (-1,22%)
$MRK (+2,28%)
$UNP (-0,01%)
$NKE (-0,48%)
$QDV5 (-0,66%)
$MA (-0,3%)
$TGT (-2,56%)
$PEP (+3,26%)
$NU (-11,11%)
$AAPL (+0,26%)
$TSLA (-4,32%)
$DOGE (+0,58%)
$BTC (+0,55%)
$BRK.B (-0,13%)
$PEPE (-3,73%)

📊 The top shares in leading investment funds are clear favorites:

Microsoft $MSFT (-1,57%) , Amazon $AMZN (-2,39%) and Alphabet
$GOOGL (-2,28%)
$GOOG (-2,32%) can be found in more than 15 portfolios 🏆. Also Apple $AAPL (+0,26%) and Berkshire Hathaway
$BRK.B (-0,13%) are also among the most widely held shares and offer stability and steady growth. These "blue chips" dominate with proven strength.

Future-oriented investors focus on companies such as Nvidia
$NVDA (-3,63%) (AI, chips) and Palantir
$PLTR (-3,33%) (data analysis, AI) 💡.

Conclusion: A combination of big tech giants and innovative pioneers can offer security and growth potential.

Link to the list:

https://www.dataroma.com/m/managers.php

JUST IN🗣: WARREN BUFFETT HAS JUST UPDATED HIS PORTFOLIO

(Holdings until the end of the 3rd quarter)

The latest changes reflect Buffett's strategic approach to navigating current market conditions.

As always, analysts will be watching these moves closely for insights into his future investment strategies.

$BRK.B (-0,13%)

Berkshire Hathaway Q3 2024 $BRK.B (-0,13%)

Sales: The Industrial Products Group recorded sales growth of 3.3% in the third quarter and 2.7% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023. PCC achieved a sales increase of 11.9% in the third quarter due to higher demand for aerospace products.

Net income: Net income attributable to Berkshire shareholders totaled $69.3 billion in the first nine months of 2024, including after-tax investment gains of approximately $36.4 billion.

Cash flow: Net operating cash flows totaled $26.0 billion in the first nine months of 2024, reflecting significant payments for income taxes.

Significant changes

Insurance investment income: Income from interest and other investments increased by $1.8 billion in the third quarter and $3.8 billion in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023.

Exceptional items

Investment gains: After-tax investment gains of approximately $36.4 billion contributed significantly to net gains.

Analysis of the balance sheet

Assets, liabilities and equity

Assets: As at September 30, 2024, goodwill amounted to USD 84.6 billion, while intangible assets with indefinite useful lives amounted to USD 18.9 billion.

Liabilities: Estimated liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under insurance and reinsurance contracts amounted to $148.9 billion.

Shareholders' equity: Shareholders' equity was $629.1 billion, an increase of $67.8 billion since December 31, 2023.

Liquidity and debt

Liquidity: Cash, cash equivalents and US government bonds held by insurance and other companies totaled 305.5 billion dollars.

Debt: Consolidated debt totaled $124.5 billion, with significant debt issued by the parent company and its subsidiaries.

Analysis of the income statement

Revenue sources and cost factors

Primary sources of revenue: The insurance, manufacturing, services and retail segments are the main sources of revenue.

Cost factors: Lower raw material costs and improved manufacturing efficiencies had a positive impact on earnings.

Margins

Operating margin: Earnings before tax as a percentage of sales in the manufacturing segment were 16.6% for industrial products.

Gross and net margins: Specific information on gross margins is missing, but net profits amounted to 3,144 million dollars in the third quarter of 2024.

Overview of the cash flow

Operating activities: 26.0 billion dollars in net operating cash flows were generated.

Investing activities: 5.8 billion dollars were paid for the purchase of shares, while 133.2 billion dollars were received from sales.

Financing activities: 2.9 billion dollars were spent on share buybacks.

Investments: In the first nine months of 2024, capital expenditures totaled $13.6 billion, primarily from BNSF and BHE.

Key figures and profitability ratios

Debt ratio: Consolidated debt of $124.5 billion compared to significant equity.

Interest coverage: Strong interest coverage due to substantial operating cash flows and investment income.

Segment information

Most profitable segment: Industrial Products, in particular PCC, with significant sales growth.

Weakening segment: Marmon's earnings before taxes fell by 13.0% in the third quarter.

Competitive position

Market position: Strong in the aviation and insurance sectors, with growing demand for aviation products.

Industry trends: Sustained demand for air travel and aviation products.

Forecasts and management commentary

Strategic plans: Focus on increasing production capacities in aviation and improving supply chains.

Risks and opportunities

SWOT analysis

Strengths: Strong sales growth in key segments, significant investment income.

Weaknesses: Potential liabilities from forest fires and the need for efficient management of goodwill.

Opportunities: Growth in the aviation industry and strategic acquisitions.

Threats: Geopolitical conflicts and market volatility.

Macroeconomic factors

Interest rates: Effects on investment income and borrowing costs.

Currency risks: Unfavorable currency conversions can affect sales.

Summary of results

The company shows a strong financial performance with significant sales growth in the industrial and consumer products segments. The insurance segment remains a key revenue driver, supported by substantial investment income. However, challenges such as potential liabilities from forest fires and geopolitical risks require careful management. The company's strategic focus on aviation and efficient use of capital positions it well for future growth, although macroeconomic factors and market volatility continue to pose risks. Overall, the company has a robust financial position and offers opportunities for continued expansion.

Five positive aspects

Sales growth in Industrial Products: The Industrial Products Group recorded sales growth of 3.3% in the third quarter and 2.7% growth in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023. This growth was driven by higher demand for aerospace products, particularly at PCC, which achieved sales growth of 11.9% in the third quarter.

Strong performance in the Insurance segment: The Insurance segment reported total revenues of $26,664 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $24,308 million in 2023, demonstrating robust growth and a significant contribution to the company's overall performance.

Increase in shareholders' equity: Shareholders' equity increased by $67.8 billion since December 31, 2023, reaching $629.1 billion as of September 30, 2024. This reflects a strong capital base and financial stability.

Substantial investment income: Income from interest and other investments increased significantly and contributed to overall profitability. This was the result of strategic investment decisions and favorable market conditions.

Effective cash flow management: The company generated net cash flows from operating activities of $26.0 billion in the first nine months of 2024, demonstrating effective cash flow management and the ability to support capital expenditures and share repurchases.

Five negatives

Potential liabilities from wildfires: PacifiCorp faces potential liabilities from wildfires in Oregon and California, with outstanding complaints and claims of approximately $3 billion jeopardizing the company's financial stability.

Decline in Marmon's pre-tax income: Marmon's pre-tax income declined 13.0% in the third quarter, indicating challenges in maintaining profitability in this segment.

Increase in underwriting costs: Property and casualty reinsurance underwriting costs increased 50.8% in the third quarter and 19.3% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 2023. This increase was partially due to a pre-tax charge related to a settlement.

Losses from currency translation: The company incurred losses from currency translation, which had a negative impact on financial results. This illustrates the risk of currency fluctuations in international activities.

Challenges in dealing with goodwill and intangible assets: The company must efficiently manage its goodwill and intangible assets, which together amounted to 84.6 billion dollars and 18.9 billion dollars respectively. A write-down could have a significant impact on the financial reports.