No. of Recommendations: 0
2016" To recap Berkshire's own repurchase policy: I am authorized to buy large amounts of Berkshire shares at
120% or less of book value because our Board has concluded that purchases at that level clearly bring an instant and
material benefit to continuing shareholders. By our estimate, a 120%-of-book price is a significant discount to
Berkshire's intrinsic value, a spread that is appropriate because calculations of intrinsic value can't be precise.
The authorization given me does not mean that we will 'prop' our stock's price at the 120% ratio. If
that level is reached, we will instead attempt to blend a desire to make meaningful purchases at a value-creating
price with a related goal of not over-influencing the market.
To date, repurchasing our shares has proved hard to do. That may well be because we have been clear in
describing our repurchase policy and thereby have signaled our view that Berkshire's intrinsic value is
significantly higher than 120% of book value. If so, that's fine. Charlie and I prefer to see Berkshire shares sell in
a fairly narrow range around intrinsic value, neither wishing them to sell at an unwarranted high price ' it's no
fun having owners who are disappointed with their purchases ' nor one too low. Furthermore, our buying out
'partners' at a discount is not a particularly gratifying way of making money. Still, market circumstances could
create a situation in which repurchases would benefit both continuing and exiting shareholders. If so, we will be
ready to act."
