Warren reports 1979 earnings in to be $42.82 million compared to earnings of $39.24 million for 1978...Earnings from operations only are $35.99 million for 1979 and $30.05 for 1978...
Insurance companies in 1979 now must begin reporting their securities at market value on their balance sheets...In the past the reporting was the lower of either their cost or market value...This would result in a large increase in net worth and book value for Berkshire, because of the large amount of unrealized gains...Warren's great investment selection, of course, was the reason behind these large unrealized gains...
The Illinois National Bank, which Berkshire purchased in 1969 must be spun off in 1980 (because of the Bank Holding Company Act)...So in the future this bank's earnings would not be a part of Berskire's earnings...
Warren mentions the experience and ages of three employees under the Berkshire umbrella...Gregg Abegg at Illinois National is now 82...Ben Rosner of Associated Retail Stores is now 76, and Lois Vincenti of Wesco is 74...Warren would always encourage his experienced managers to continue to work and stay with the companies they worked at and managed...
The largest earnings categories are:
Net Investment Income $20.6 million
Illinois National Bank $5.0 million
See's Candies $ 3.4 million
Mutual Savings & Loan $ 3.3 million
Insurance Underwriting $ 2.2 million
Holdings of $20 million or more by market value:
GEICO, an insurance company...
The Washington Post, a large newpaper organization...
Handy & Harman, a specialized metals company...
SAFECO, an insurance company...
SAFECO, an insurance company...
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