We lost more money in Berkshire than anyone in the world
Berkshire Hathaway‘s chronic underperformance is wrecking havoc with investors’ fortunes and frustrating them to the point of no-return.
The situation went from bad to worse because Warren Buffett panicked during the depths of the CoronaVirus crash.
He not only did not buy stocks when they were at their lowest point but instead dumped his entire consignment of Airline stocks in a desperate no-holds-barred fire sale (see Warren Buffett Draws Flak For Dumping Airline Stocks, Sitting On Cash, & Missing Monster Rally).
Bill Ackman is one of Warren Buffett’s greatest admirers and regards him as the “unofficial mentor“.
Ackman is himself described as “Baby Buffett” for being inspired by the living legend and cloning his investment game plan.
However, he could not hide his frustration at the underperformance of Berkshire Hathaway.
“We have probably lost more money in Berkshire than anyone in the world,” Ackman lamented.
He explained that he expected Warren to be more opportunistic and aggressively grab stocks when they were available at bargain basement prices.
“World wars, Vietnam, you know COVID’s no different. We were expecting Buffett to be super aggressive as markets came in, and we were surprised that he was not more so“, Ackman said with a glum face.
He revealed that his Hedge Fund named Pershing Square has suffered a loss of 10% from the holding in Berkshire Hathaway and has now dumped the entire stake.
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman likely lost more money on Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway than 'anyone in the world' https://t.co/naKl9bWlvg
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) November 13, 2020
Warren Buffett's 'chronic underperformance' is frustrating investors and analysts https://t.co/oCztNlruYB
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) June 16, 2020
2021 will be ‘very, very good year’
Ackman had spread panic amongst the stock markets of the World by warning that “Hell Is Coming, Tsunami Is Coming” due to the CoronaVirus and that companies would go bankrupt.
His comments had sent the markets plunging to their lower circuits.
Ackman just halted the market.
— Nathan Michaud (@InvestorsLive) March 18, 2020
However, he later claimed that CNBC had blown his comments out of proportion and caused the great stock market crash.
“I really blame CNBC …. It took 15 seconds of my interview and then went around scaring people because it was good television. … I gave a very bullish message. I said I was buying stocks,” the Billionaire said.
Anyway, now the Billionaire has opined that 2021 will turn out to be a great year and that we have nothing to worry about.
“You’ve got low rates, you’ve got likely stimulus, you could see infrastructure spending, you’ve got still very well capitalised banks, you’ve got access to capital. So I think 2021 could be a very, very good year in markets, so go long I would say,” he said in a soothing manner.
Economy is strong, politics is stable
Ackman pointed out that the US economy is on track for a “very, very good” recovery.
He also expressed confidence that the dynamic duo of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would be able to steer the Country in the proper direction.
“You’ve got a more moderate Democrat in the White House, you have the kind of far left of the party that’s been neutered a bit by the results of the election,” he said.
He advised Donald Trump to “fold the tent” and concede gracefully and clear the path to a smooth succession.
.@realDonaldTrump There comes a time in the battle when one should fold the tent. Instead focus on your accomplishments over the last four years. Think about your legacy and what’s best for the country. Concede graciously and call for unity from all who have supported you.
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) November 7, 2020
There is massive pent-up demand
Ackman estimated that consumers are sitting on a colossal sum of up to $US3 trillion of savings.
“People aren’t eating out, they’re not going on vacation, they’re not driving“, he pointed out.
It is elementary that when the restrictions are eased, consumers will go on a rampage and spending binge.
“When you keep someone locked down, their next move when they can actually feel safe is going to be to go on a vacation, to go drinking, to go to dinner, to go to a show,” he stated.
“It’s probably the single greatest time in history to open a restaurant,” he added.
It is obvious that the forthcoming quarterly results of companies as well as the GDP growth of Countries will be very strong due to the surge in spending by consumers.
What about CoronaVirus?
Ackman expressed concern that the coronavirus is “out of control“.
He pointed out that the news about the Vaccine will make people careless about safety measures.
“The problem is unsophisticated people will take this announcement as, ‘oh, I don’t have to worry’. And you want people to be a bit scared,” he warned.
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spiking to record numbers across the U.S. and abroad, many school districts are temporarily shutting down in-person classes as holidays loom. Some experts call the upcoming season an ‘’extremely high-risk period.'' https://t.co/NKfaHM7SrZ
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 13, 2020
