Stock of the Day

September 19, 2019

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)

$756,395.04
-$1,589.96 (-0.2%)
Market Cap: $1.08T

About Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance, freight rail transportation, and utility businesses worldwide. It provides property, casualty, life, accident, and health insurance and reinsurance; and operates railroad systems in North America. The company also generates, transmits, stores, and distributes electricity from natural gas, coal, wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, and geothermal sources; operates natural gas distribution and storage facilities, interstate pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities, and compressor and meter stations; and holds interest in coal mining assets. In addition, the company manufactures boxed chocolates and other confectionery products; specialty chemicals, metal cutting tools, and components for aerospace and power generation applications; and flooring, insulation, roofing and engineered, building and engineered components, paints and coatings, and bricks and masonry products, as well as offers manufactured and site-built home construction, and related lending and financial services; and recreational vehicles, apparel products, jewelry, and custom picture framing products, and alkaline batteries. Further, it manufactures castings, forgings, fasteners/fastener systems, and aerostructures; and seamless pipes, fittings, downhole casing and tubing, and various mill forms. Additionally, the company distributes televisions and information; franchises and services quick service restaurants; distributes electronic components; and offers logistics services, grocery and foodservice distribution services, and professional aviation training and shared aircraft ownership programs. It also retails automobiles; furniture, bedding, and accessories; household appliances, electronics, and computers; jewelry, watches, crystal, china, stemware, flatware, gifts, and collectibles; kitchenware; and motorcycle apparel and equipment. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Berkshire Hathaway Bull Case

Here are some ways that investors could benefit from investing in Berkshire Hathaway:

  • The current stock price is around $720, reflecting a solid year-to-date gain of approximately 10%, which indicates a stable performance compared to broader market trends.
  • Berkshire Hathaway's recent acquisition of a profitable business demonstrates a strategic move to convert idle cash into productive assets, enhancing long-term value for shareholders.
  • The company maintains a reasonable valuation with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 17, suggesting that the stock is not overvalued relative to its earnings, making it an attractive investment option.
  • With a diversified earnings base, Berkshire Hathaway is well-positioned to manage significant legal and financial liabilities, ensuring its overall financial health remains robust.
  • The disciplined financial approach of the company, avoiding speculative investments in high-valuation sectors, provides a measure of stability against market volatility, appealing to long-term investors.

Berkshire Hathaway Bear Case

Investors should be bearish about investing in Berkshire Hathaway for these reasons:

  • Despite its solid performance, Berkshire Hathaway's stock has underperformed compared to the S&P 500, which has seen returns driven by high-momentum technology stocks, indicating potential missed opportunities.
  • The company faces significant legal and financial liabilities from its subsidiary, PacifiCorp, related to past wildfires, which could pose risks to its financial stability.
  • With no share repurchases in the first half of the year, some investors may view this as a lack of confidence in the stock's current valuation, potentially leading to concerns about future growth.
  • The focus on traditional industries may limit Berkshire Hathaway's exposure to high-growth sectors, which could affect its ability to capitalize on emerging market trends.
  • Investors may find the company's conservative investment strategy less appealing in a market that increasingly favors aggressive growth and innovation.

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