DealBook Briefing: Berkshire Hathaway Seeks ‘Huge Acquisitions’
That attitude is already baked into the Buffett view, Mr. Foley writes, “But notions of what’s now referred to as ESG — environmental, social
and governance factors — are otherwise fuzzy in Berkshire’s universe.”
Other highlights from the letter
• Berkshire’s windfall of $29.6 billion from the U. S. tax overhaul was only slightly offset by $1.4 billion of tax payments on repatriated earnings.
In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholders, Mr. Buffett said:
Berkshire’s goal is to substantially increase the earnings of its non-insurance group.
He may need to pay more than he wants to, but what’s a little extra to Berkshire in the long run?”
• Mr. Buffett is on the wrong side of a generational shift, writes John Foley in Breakingviews.
In last year’s annual report, Mr. Buffett criticized companies that publish adjusted earnings that leave out costs like stock awards to executives.
The plan could also exacerbate a tense relationship between Beijing
and Washington, which is preparing plans to impose tariffs on Chinese imports and to limit Chinese investments in the U. S.
• Christopher Beddor of Breakingviews: “Opaque as it is, international companies
and investment firms had grown accustomed to the rules of the Chinese political game as it has been played for two decades.