Berkshire is pretty well known for being led by executives that have very long term strategies. I doubt them having to show quarterly numbers affects that, at least as long as Buffett is in charge.
You almost sound like you think Buffett micromanages the businesses that he owns or those that he invests in.
I believe that you are mistaken. Everything that I have ever read indicates that he buys companies that are already well-managed with good long-term prospects and then he lets those proven managers operate without interfering.
I could be wrong. As far as BNSF goes, I know that when Matt Rose was running it after BH bought BNSF that he was highly regarded at BH. I think he was rumored to be in line to replace Buffett if Buffett decided to hand off his position to someone else. I don't think that happened but I know that Rose was a good person who was available to speak with anyone on the railroad if they wanted to talk directly to him.
Like I said, I believe that Buffett looks to make his money by owning profitable companies with strong leadership in markets where they can remain competitive for a long time.
Perhaps to you that means that quarterly reports, though required by the SEC, are not important to Buffett or BH since they obviously take a long view before buying the company in the first place. I don't think it means that BH controls the day-to-day operations of any of the companies that they own or invest in.
> I don't think it means that BH controls the day-to-day operations of any of the companies that they own or invest in.
I don’t think it does either.
> Like I said, I believe that Buffett looks to make his money by owning profitable companies with strong leadership in markets where they can remain competitive for a long time.
Presumably by employing people who make long term decisions. Why would Buffett keep leadership in place that he thinks are making short term decisions to boost quarterly numbers?
Thats the reputation, but there are a lot of recent short term actions in the businesses owned by that Berkshire that make me think that the values of empire are crumbling to shorter term outlooks
