Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. It’s a moment that deserves more than a headline — it deserves reflection.
Whether you’re just starting out or have weathered many market cycles, Buffett’s wisdom has something for all of us. And today, I’ve compiled a toolkit — a starting point — for those who wish to learn from the Oracle of Omaha.
Shareholder Letters: Decades of Wisdom
For over five decades, Buffett poured his investing philosophy, mistakes, and triumphs into Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder letters.
If you read just these and nothing else, you’d still be ahead of 90% of investors. .
Here’s the full archive — from 1977 to 2024:
📩 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letters
They’re filled with timeless ideas on value investing, business quality, risk, and temperament. Pick a year. Start anywhere.
The Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio
If you want to see how Buffett thinks, look at what he owns.
Here’s a database of Berkshire’s portfolio over time:
📁 Dataroma – Berkshire Holdings
You’ll notice a few patterns:
- High concentration in businesses with strong brands (Apple, Coca-Cola)
- Minimal churn — Buffett rarely sells
- Preference for American businesses with strong free cash flow and capable leadership
Warren Buffett AI Tool
I came across an interesting ChatGPT-based tool: Buffett Investment Tool
It offers Buffett-style investment advice based on his philosophy. Think of it as a robo-advisor that mimics Buffett’s thought process. Not a substitute for research or a financial advisor — but a fun way to sharpen your thinking.
Buffett’s Lectures
Beyond the letters, Buffett’s rare lectures and interviews are goldmines of practical advice, sprinkled with wit. A few personal favorites:
- University of Florida, 1998 — A candid, funny talk on business ethics, compounding, and career choices.
🎥 Watch here - University of Nebraska, 2003 — Where he discusses the importance of accounting, how to learn from failure, and the psychology of money.
🎥 Watch here - University of Georgia, 2001 — Deep dive into his investing framework: circle of competence, intrinsic value, and the “cigar butt” approach.
🎥 Watch here
Books Every Buffett Follower Should Read
Not all of these are written by Buffett — but they’ve shaped him or reflect his way of thinking:
- The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
The bible of value investing. Buffett calls it “by far the best book on investing ever written.” - Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger
A collection of Munger’s speeches and wisdom. Think of it as Buffett’s philosophical backbone, covering decision-making, mental models, and rationality. - The Warren Buffett Way by Robert Hagstrom
A practical breakdown of Buffett’s strategies, stock-picking criteria, and long-term mindset. - The Most Important Thing by Howard S. Marks
Marks lays out principles like second-level thinking, risk management, and recognizing market cycles — all essential to long-term success. As he puts it, “You can’t do the same things others do and expect to outperform.” Buffett himself has praised Marks’ memos as “must-reads.
- A Few Lessons for Investors and Managers From Warren Buffett by Peter Bevelin A curated collection of Buffett’s thoughts on business, investing, and life — arranged thematically and easy to digest. Great for weekend reading or gifting to a curious mind.
Bonus Buffett Archive
If you’re the kind who enjoys going down rabbit holes (the good kind), CNBC has curated a brilliant archive of Buffett content — videos, interviews, quotes, shareholder meeting snippets, and more.
It’s called the Buffett A to Z and it’s exactly what it sounds like:
🔗 Explore Buffett A-Z
Parting Thoughts from an Old Friend
Buffett once said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Think of these letters, books, and lectures as those trees. They won’t bear fruit overnight — but if you study them, one day you’ll look back and realize: this is where your investing journey truly began.
Before We Go: India-Pakistan Tensions
We can’t end without acknowledging the recent tensions between India and Pakistan. Thankfully, the conflict has de-escalated. And my deepest gratitude goes to our armed forces and the strength of our defense capabilities for keeping the situation under control.
But it’s also a stark reminder for us investors: Geopolitical risks are real.
In times like these, keep a cool head, stay diversified, and think long-term.
Let’s stay informed. Let’s stay kind. And above all, let’s stay invested — in the markets, and in peace.
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter and if you did, feel free to share it with your friends and family.
Also, if you have any topics that you would like us to cover or any other feedback, do write to us at connect@incredmoney.com.
Till the next time,
Vijay
CEO – InCred Money