Warren Buffett is a hero to many investors, myself included.  His record speaks for itself: 18.3% annualized returns in Berkshire Hathaway’s ($BRK-A) book value over the past 30 years compared to just 10.8% for the S&P 500.  And his returns in the 1950s and 1960s, when he was running a much smaller hedge fund, were...Read More

I originally penned this articled in December 2011.  Given Sears’ stock action in the year that has passed, it’s worth another read. A well-respected value investor buys an old American company in decline, promising to restore its fortunes.  Alas, the recovery never comes.  The economics of the industry have changed, and the company cannot compete...Read More

If Warren Buffett is doing it, it must be good, right? That’s actually horrendously bad advice. Warren Buffett is one of the greatest investors in history, but you should never blindly follow any investor–not even the Sage of Omaha. You don’t know what their rationale for buying was or what their sell criteria is, and...Read More

It’s filing season again, that time of year when we get to peek at what big, high-profile investors are buying.  And perhaps no portfolio is waited for in more anticipation that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:$BRK-A). Buffett is still bullish these days, even with all the talk of the fiscal cliff.  If we fell over...Read More

As I wrote back in August, it can be helpful at times to look over the shoulders of successful investors to see what their highest-conviction investments are.  And during times like these, when the economy is looking wobbly and the potential for a Eurozone meltdown is hanging over our heads like the sword of Damocles,...Read More