🧐 ProPicks AI October update is out now! See which stocks made the listPick Stocks with AI

Warren Buffett: Why He’s Sitting on Roughly $140 Billion in Cash

Published 2021-03-05, 09:08 a/m
Warren Buffett: Why He’s Sitting on Roughly $140 Billion in Cash

This past weekend Warren Buffett released his letter to shareholders along with his fourth-quarter earnings. Whenever Warren Buffett reports earnings, and especially when he writes his letters to shareholders, investors listen.

Often investors are looking to see which stocks he bought and which he sold in the quarter. It’s also crucial to read his commentary on the current market environment.

This helps investors get a good idea of how Buffett sees the markets, which stocks he likes that he’s buying, and which he doesn’t that he’s selling.

However, it’s also a good idea to look at the size of his cash pile and what he intends to do with it.

Warren Buffett’s cash pile has been growing for years. The Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) of Omaha has let it build up in the past, except he’s usually had the opportunity to spend it by now.

This time around, he continues to build it up as he sees no real acquisition potential, mostly due to lofty valuations in markets. It’s been years since Buffett made a major acquisition, and he continues to remain patient.

However, the one thing he has signaled is more share buybacks of his own stock Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRKa).

In the past, when Buffett was hoarding cash, investors would take this as a warning sign. However, these days, while markets are certainly at lofty valuations, it’s not that surprising to see.

So we shouldn’t ignore that he doesn’t see value. It’s definitely worthwhile to keep in the back of your mind.

What does Warren Buffett’s lack of acquisitions say about markets today? Buffett going this long without making a major acquisition is notable. However, it’s not a major risk. It just means that he and his company can’t find value today.

Surprisingly, retail investors have a lot more options than Buffett because the sheer size of his firm makes investments in small and medium-sized businesses effectively pointless.

So just because Warren Buffett has a hard time finding a large enough company to buy that he sees value in doesn’t mean there aren’t a tonne of stocks offering retail investors incredible opportunities. Here’s a top Canadian stock perfect for long-term investors today.

A top Canadian stock to buy in this environment One of the best stocks for investors to buy today is Corus Entertainment Inc (TSX:CJR.B). Corus has been a top value stock worth a buy since last summer.

The stock was in turnaround mode when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Yet, throughout the last year, the stock’s operations have been robust, and it’s increased its financial position considerably.

Despite everything going on with the pandemic, Corus continues to execute and turn its business around, creating major value for shareholders. This makes it the perfect stock for retail investors, even though it’s too small of a company for Warren Buffett to own.

The stock has been rallying consistently as investors continue to see value in Corus.

As you can see, the stock has had an incredible start to the year, despite volatility from the broader market. This makes Corus the perfect stock to buy today, especially considering it’s still well undervalued.

Bottom line It’s still helpful to watch what Warren Buffett is doing and listening to his commentary on the current market environment. However, just because he isn’t making any major acquisitions doesn’t mean there isn’t a tonne of stocks offering incredible value for investors today.

The post Warren Buffett: Why He’s Sitting on Roughly $140 Billion in Cash appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa owns shares of CORUS ENTERTAINMENT INC., CL.B, NV. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and recommends the following options: short January 2023 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), short March 2021 $225 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and long January 2023 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares).

The Motley Fool’s purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canada’s free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2021

This Article Was First Published on The Motley Fool

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.