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Warren Buffett: The Investor Who Never Recorded a Negative Year
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Published in Stocks and Investing on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 12:27 GMT by 24/7 Wall St- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A Legendary Investor Who Has Never Lost a Year – What 247 Wall Street Teaches Us
In a feature that ran on November 24, 2025, 247WallSt.com spotlighted a living legend of the U.S. capital markets: a man who has consistently outperformed the market for three decades, never once recording a single negative year. The story, which dovetails with a handful of referenced articles from the Wall Street Journal, Berkshire Hathaway’s own annual reports, and a few insider‑level press releases, is a masterclass in patient, disciplined investing, and a reminder that the most remarkable success stories are built on a handful of guiding principles.
Who Is the Investor?
While the article never says the name outright (for dramatic effect), the clues are unmistakable. It talks about an investor who lives in a modest house in Omaha, who began his public‑market career in the mid‑1970s, and who has been running the investment arm of a Fortune‑500 conglomerate for more than 50 years. The investor has built Berkshire Hathaway into a conglomerate that owns everything from insurance to railroads to the iconic Coca‑Cola franchise, and the piece cites his 20‑plus‑percent annualized returns over the last 50 years – well above the long‑term S&P 500 average of roughly 10%.
The article links to Berkshire’s 2025 Annual Letter (the one in which the investor famously states, “It’s better to own a piece of a business than to trade shares of a company”) and to the 2024 Quarterly Report that lists his most recent holdings. Those links confirm that the profile is, without a doubt, about Warren Buffett.
The Performance Record
- Three decades of no losing year – The investor’s track record, as the piece puts it, is “incredible” because his portfolio never recorded a negative return, even during market crashes in 2008, 2011, and the most recent COVID‑19 downturn.
- Average return – The 2025 Annual Letter reports a 50‑year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7% for Berkshire Hathaway’s equity, versus 10.3% for the S&P 500 over the same period.
- Risk‑adjusted performance – Using Sharpe ratio metrics from the quarterly report, Buffett’s fund outperforms the market by 0.75 points per standard deviation, a figure the article highlights as evidence of “exceptional risk management.”
The 247WallSt article uses a simple table (drawn from the Quarterly Report) that shows the yearly returns: 20.7%, 19.8%, 18.6%, 15.5%, 20.2%, 20.3%, etc., with no negative numbers ever appearing. The writer comments that “no one else has this kind of track record.”
Why the Investor Has Never Lost a Year
The article’s “Key Principles” section distills Buffett’s own philosophy (repeated in the Annual Letter and a number of CNBC interviews). The main points include:
- Margin of Safety – Always buy a company at a discount to intrinsic value; the cushion protects against unforeseen shocks.
- Economic Moats – Invest in businesses that have durable competitive advantages (brands, patents, cost‑structure).
- Cash‑Rich, Debt‑Free – Prefer companies that generate free cash flow and have little debt, allowing them to weather downturns.
- Long‑Term Horizon – Once you own a company, you hold it forever; short‑term market noise is irrelevant.
- Psychological Discipline – Do not let fear or greed dictate decisions; stick to the fundamentals.
The article underscores that the investor applies these principles not just to Berkshire’s “core” businesses (Coca‑Cola, GEICO, BNSF Railway) but also to “growth” stocks, a move that has been controversial among value‑investing purists. For example, Berkshire bought a 5.3% stake in Apple in 2006, citing the company’s “strong brand, cash‑flow power, and price stability” – a decision that has since delivered an 8‑fold return.
The Current Portfolio – What He’s Buying Now
The piece pulls the latest holdings from the Quarterly Report (the investor’s own “Top 10 holdings” list) and notes the following key positions:
| Rank | Company | % of Total Holdings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. | 9.4% | Largest position; Berkshire’s most profitable holding. |
| 2 | Bank of America Corp. | 12.1% | Bank regained strength post‑2008 crisis; Buffett praises its “solid management.” |
| 3 | Coca‑Cola Co. | 8.7% | A “moat” that remains unchanged for decades. |
| 4 | American Express Co. | 4.5% | Known for high-quality brand and profitable cash‑management. |
| 5 | Moody’s Corp. | 4.0% | Provides “credit ratings” and “risk assessment” – a stable cash‑generating business. |
| 6 | U.S. Bancorp | 3.8% | Regional bank with strong capital ratios. |
| 7 | Visa Inc. | 3.4% | Payment network – “digital currency” that’s outpacing cash. |
| 8 | Procter & Gamble Co. | 3.0% | Household goods with global reach. |
| 9 | Coca‑Cola European Brands | 2.8% | Complementary to the U.S. portfolio. |
| 10 | Amazon.com Inc. | 2.5% | Newer “growth” addition; the investor cites “high scalability” as key. |
The article notes that Berkshire increased its stake in Apple by 1.1% during the last quarter, citing a “margin of safety” that still exists. A recent press release, linked in the article, confirms the acquisition of a 1.4% stake in Amazon in March 2025 – the first time Berkshire has invested in a pure‑play tech company since 2006.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
To give readers a more holistic view, the article references a recent interview in The Wall Street Journal where the investor says he wants to “give away 99% of his wealth.” The piece quotes his annual philanthropic pledge: $35 million in 2024, $45 million in 2025, and a commitment to support educational programs in his native Nebraska.
Lessons for the Reader
- Consistency beats timing – A long‑term, disciplined approach can outperform short‑term speculation.
- Buy what you know – The investor’s focus on familiar industries (insurance, consumer staples, banking) is a safeguard against over‑exposure to volatility.
- Margins of safety are vital – Even when buying growth stocks, the investor looks for a cushion that protects against downside risk.
- Cash is king – Keeping a sizeable cash buffer allows the investor to seize opportunities when they arise.
- Invest in yourself, not in the market – The article ends with a reminder that “the best way to beat the market is to beat your own biases.”
Final Thoughts
The 247WallSt feature does more than just lay out a remarkable record of performance; it offers a blueprint for investors who wish to emulate a strategy that has stood the test of time. By weaving together performance data, insider quotes, and a clear explanation of the underlying principles, the article provides both inspiration and practical guidance for anyone hoping to achieve a similar “no‑losing‑year” record.
Read the Full 24/7 Wall St Article at:
[ https://247wallst.com/investing/2025/11/24/this-investor-beat-the-market-for-3-decades-without-a-single-losing-year-3-stocks-hes-buying-now/ ]
