2021 Annual Meeting
Second virtual meeting with Munger from LA, covering airlines mistake, Apple regrets, SPACs criticism, and $70-80B capital to deploy.
2021 Annual Meeting
Date: May 1, 2021 Location: Virtual (Buffett in Omaha, Munger in Los Angeles) Attendees: Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, Greg Abel, Ajit Jain Source: Full Transcript
Overview
The second consecutive virtual annual meeting due to COVID-19. Charlie Munger appeared from his home in Los Angeles. Major topics included Buffett's regrets about selling Apple shares, criticism of SPACs, and Berkshire's massive capital position.
Key Topics
Munger Introduction
Munger was introduced with humor:
"He's lived in the same house for 62 years. That's commitment."
Greg Abel Introduction
Buffett introduced Abel:
"Greg Abel plays hockey. He's competitive and strategic."
Ajit Jain Introduction
On Ajit's insurance expertise:
"He's learned a lot about insurance. He's irreplaceable."
Airlines Mistake
Buffett acknowledged error:
"I still wouldn't want to buy the airline business." (referring to 2020 sale)
But more importantly:
"Buffett admits 'probably a mistake' to sell some shares of 'extraordinary' Apple."
Apple Regrets
One of Buffett's notable admissions:
"Buffett admits 'probably a mistake' to sell some shares of 'extraordinary' Apple."
This was significant as Apple became Berkshire's largest holding.
Why No Pandemic Buying
On why Berkshire didn't buy during the March 2020 dip:
"Why Berkshire didn't buy stocks when the pandemic pushed prices lower. We couldn't find attractive opportunities."
Capital Deployment Challenge
On the large cash pile:
"We have $70 to $80 billion 'we'd love to put to work,' but can't with prices so high."
SPACs Criticism
Munger was highly critical:
"It's a killer to compete with SPACs buying with other people's money."
On the SPAC frenzy:
"SPACs are everywhere and it's become a casino."
Tech Stocks Valuation
On whether tech stocks are cheap:
"High-flying tech stocks are 'very, very cheap' if interest rates stay so low."
Climate and Energy
Climate Reports
Buffett's view:
"'Asinine' to make a climate report for every subsidiary. We focus on substance."
Renewable Investment
Abel on energy:
"We've spent far more than any utility on renewable energy and transmission."
Government and Taxes
Munger on Government Spending
"Government spending with no limit will eventually 'end in disaster.'"
Munger on Bernie Sanders
"Munger: Bernie Sanders has accidentally won his fight against wealth inequality."
On Wealth Taxes
"Mistake to be basically anti-capitalist." (Munger on wealth tax proposals)
Insurance: Pandemic Claims
On COVID insurance:
"Pandemic risk was 'totally underpriced' by insurance industry."
On Berkshire's reserves:
"Berkshire COVID-19 insurance payouts will be 'a lot, lot higher' than current reserve of $1.6 billion."
GEICO vs Progressive
On the competitive dynamic:
"Progressive has been better lately, but GEICO is catching up."
Investment Philosophy
On Stock Selection
"Why we sometimes buy stocks we're not wild about. Sometimes there's no choice."
BNSF Defense
"Buffett defends BNSF as competitive with Union Pacific."
Succession Humor
"We will have the slowest-aging management." (On keeping younger leadership)
Notable Quotes
"I still wouldn't want to buy the airline business."
"It's a killer to compete with SPACs buying with other people's money."
"Government spending with no limit will eventually 'end in disaster.'"
"We've spent far more than any utility on renewable energy."
Key Themes
- Apple Mistake - Regretted selling shares too early
- SPACs - Munger's strong criticism
- Capital Deployment - $70-80B sitting idle
- Pandemic Insurance - Underpriced risk
- Climate - Berkshire's renewable investments
Related
- meeting-2020 - First virtual meeting
- meeting-2022 - Return to in-person
- warren-buffett
- charlie-munger
- berkshire-hathaway
This summary captures the key topics from the full 2021 transcript.