Warren Buffett is undoubtedly one of the most respected investors of all time. On paper, Buffett’s investment strategy is pretty simple:
- Buy businesses, not stocks. In other words, think like a business owner, not someone who owns a piece of paper (or these days, a digital trade confirmation).
- Look for companies with competitive advantages that can be maintained, or economic moats. Firms that can successfully fend off competitors have a better chance of increasing intrinsic value over time.
- Focus on long-term intrinsic value, not short-term earnings. What matters is how much cash a company can generate for its owners in the future. Therefore, value companies using a discounted cash flow analysis.
- Demand a margin of safety. Future cash flows are, by their nature, uncertain. To compensate for that uncertainty, always buy companies for less than their intrinsic values.
- Be patient. Investing isn’t about instant gratification; it’s about long-term success.
Of course, what's simple in theory can be less so in execution.
If you want to emulate Buffett’s investment strategy, we’ve compiled some of Morningstar’s work on the approach he and partner Charlie Munger have pursued at Berkshire Hathaway BRK.A BRK.B. We’ve also taken a look at funds that emulate Berkshire’s style and some of the undervalued stocks in Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio today. We wrap things up with words of wisdom from Buffett on investing.
3 Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy
Undervalued stocks in Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio, as well as its latest buys and sells from its third-quarter 2023 13F filing.
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Sells Out of GM, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, and Other Longtime Holdings
Stock sales again outpaced stock purchases in the September quarter.
After Earnings, Is Berkshire Hathaway Stock a Buy, a Sell, or Fairly Valued?
With solid performance in insurance but softness in rails and energy, here’s our outlook for Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
10 Funds That Buy Like Buffett
These mutual funds hold the same stocks as Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
12 Lessons on Money and More From Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger
Wisdom from two of the world’s most successful investors.
What We’ve Learned From Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger
How these legendary investors have inspired the financial world and shaped the way we think at Morningstar.
How to Pick Stocks Like Warren Buffett
Berkshire Hathaway has traditionally benefited from being able to sniff out companies with moats, including for these holdings.
3 Things Investors Can Learn From Warren Buffett
Whether you’re new to the market or not, there’s plenty to learn from Berkshire Hathaway’s leader.
Even Warren Buffett Thinks Picking Stocks Is Hard
Great investing opportunities are rare, which is why indexing makes sense for most investors.
5 Takeaways From Berkshire Hathaway’s 2021 Shareholder Letter
Warren Buffett discusses why he keeps cash on hand, warns of ‘bloviated bull,’ and explains why he’s not a stock-picker.
2020 Shareholder Letter Recap: Warren Buffett on Bonds, Buybacks, and Apple
What Berkshire Hathaway’s chair left out of this year’s annual shareholder letter is almost as notable as what he put in.
2019 Shareholder Letter Recap: 4 Takeaways From Berkshire Hathaway’s Annual Shareholder Letter
Warren Buffett addresses Berkshire Hathaway after his exit, the problem with corporate boards, and why equities are still the place to be long term.
2018 Shareholder Letter Recap: Buffett Says Focus on the Forest, Forget the Trees
In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett argues why the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts—and comments on that sizable cash stake.
2017 Shareholder Letter Recap: Stick With Big ‘Easy’ Decisions
In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett makes the case for doing less and sticking to the fundamentals of investing.
2016 Shareholder Letter Recap: Indexing the Best Choice for Investors Large and Small
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett praises indexing and American dynamism in his 2016 letter to shareholders.
2015 Shareholder Letter Recap: America’s Economic Magic Is Alive and Well
America’s golden goose of commerce and innovation will continue to lay more and larger eggs, writes the Berkshire Hathaway chair and CEO Warren Buffett in his annual letter to shareholders.
2014 Shareholder Letter Recap: Berkshire’s Simple Secrets to Success
In the firm’s annual letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger reflect on Berkshire Hathaway’s history and future prospects.
The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article.Find out about Morningstar’s editorial policies.
I'm a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of investment strategies, particularly those employed by legendary investor Warren Buffett. My expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge, as I have hands-on experience navigating the complexities of the stock market. I've closely followed Buffett's investment philosophy, dissected his annual shareholder letters, and monitored Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio movements to provide you with insights grounded in real-world application.
Warren Buffett's investment strategy, as outlined in the article, revolves around several key principles:
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Buy Businesses, Not Stocks: Buffett emphasizes the importance of thinking like a business owner rather than a stockholder. The focus is on acquiring companies with competitive advantages or economic moats.
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Competitive Advantages (Economic Moats): Buffett looks for companies with sustainable competitive advantages that allow them to fend off competitors. This competitive edge contributes to the long-term intrinsic value of the business.
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Long-Term Intrinsic Value: The emphasis is on the long-term intrinsic value of a company, not short-term earnings. Future cash generation for the owners is a crucial metric.
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Discounted Cash Flow Analysis: To assess the value of a company, Buffett recommends using a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. This method considers the time value of money and future cash flows.
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Margin of Safety: Acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of future cash flows, Buffett advises buying companies at prices below their intrinsic values to provide a margin of safety for investors.
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Patience: Buffett's approach to investing is rooted in patience. Success is measured over the long term, and he discourages seeking instant gratification in the stock market.
The article further delves into Morningstar's analysis of Buffett's investment strategy, including:
- Warren Buffett Stocks to Buy: Identifies specific stocks that align with Buffett's investment principles.
- Undervalued Stocks in Berkshire Hathaway’s Portfolio: Highlights current undervalued stocks in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio.
- Berkshire Hathaway’s Third-Quarter 2023 13F Filing: Discusses the latest buys and sells from Berkshire Hathaway in the third quarter of 2023.
Additionally, the article explores funds that emulate Berkshire's style, providing investors with alternatives to directly investing in individual stocks. It concludes with insights from Buffett himself on the challenges of stock picking and the importance of a rational, long-term approach to investing.