Finding Stocks the Warren Buffett Way (2024)

Table of Contents
Part 4: Is The Price is Right? Earnings Yield Buffett treats earnings per share as the return on hisinvestment, much like how a business owner views these types of profits. Buffett likes tocompute the earnings yield (earnings per share divided by share price) because it presentsa rate of return that can be compared quickly to other investments. Historical Earnings Growth Another approach Buffett uses is to project theannual compound rate of return based on historical earnings per share increases. Forexample, take company in which current earnings per share are $2.77 and earnings per sharehave increased at a compound annual growth rate of 18.9% over the last seven years. Ifearnings per share increase for the next 10 years at this same growth rate of 18.9%,earnings per share in year 10 will be $15.64. [$2.77 * ((1 + 0.189)^10)]. This estimatedearnings per share figure can then be multiplied by the company's historical averageprice-earnings ratio of 14.0 to provide an estimate of price [$15.64 * 14.0=$218.96]. Ifdividends are paid, an estimate of the amount of dividends paid over the 10-year periodshould also be added to the year 10 price [$218.96 + $13.32 = $232.28]. Sustainable Growth The third approach detailed in "Buffettology"is based upon the sustainable growth rate model. Buffett uses the average rate of returnon equity and average retention ratio (1 - average payout ratio) to calculate thesustainable growth rate [ ROE * ( 1 - payout ratio)]. The sustainable growth rate is usedto calculate the book value per share in year 10 [BVPS ((1 + sustainable growth rate)^10)]. Earnings per share can be estimated in year 10 by multiplying the average returnon equity by the projected book value per share [ROE * BVPS]. To estimate the futureprice, you multiply the earnings by the average price-earnings ratio [EPS * P/E]. Ifdividends are paid, they can be added to the projected price to compute the total gain. Conclusion Warren Buffett's approach identifies "excellent"businesses based on the prospects for the industry and the ability of management toexploit opportunities for the ultimate benefit of shareholders. He then waits for theshare price to reach a level that would provide him with a desired long-term rate ofreturn. The approach makes use of "folly and discipline": the discipline of theinvestor to identify excellent businesses and wait for the folly of the market to buythese businesses at attractive prices. Most investors have little trouble understandingBuffett's philosophy. The approach encompasses many widely held investment principles. Itssuccessful implementation is dependent upon the dedication of the investor to learn andfollow the principles. For individual investors who want to duplicate the process, itrequires a considerable amount of time, effort, and judgment in perusing a firm'sfinancial statements, annual reports, and other information sources to thoroughly analyzethe business and quality of management. It also requires patience, waiting for the rightprice once a prospective business has been identified, and the ability to stick to theapproach during times of market volatility. But for individual investors willing to do theconsiderable homework involved, the Buffett approach offers a proven path to investmentvalue. FAQs

Part 4: Is The Price is Right?

Theprice that you pay for a stock determines the rate of return-the higher the initial price,the lower the overall return. The lower the initial price paid, the higher the return.Buffett first picks the business, and then lets the price of the company determine when topurchase the firm. The goal is to buy an excellent business at a price that makes businesssense. Valuation equates a company's stock price to a relative benchmark. A $500 dollarper share stock may be cheap, while a $2 per share stock may be expensive.

Buffett uses a number of different methods to evaluate share price. Three techniquesare highlighted in the book with specific examples.

Buffett prefers to concentrate his investments in a few strong companies that arepriced well. He feels that diversification is performed by investors to protect themselvesfrom their stupidity.

Earnings Yield Buffett treats earnings per share as the return on hisinvestment, much like how a business owner views these types of profits. Buffett likes tocompute the earnings yield (earnings per share divided by share price) because it presentsa rate of return that can be compared quickly to other investments.

Buffett goes as far as to view stocks as bonds with variable yields, and their yieldsequate to the firm's underlying earnings. The analysis is completely dependent upon thepredictability and stability of the earnings, which explains the emphasis on earningsstrength within the preliminary screens.

Buffett likes to compare the company earnings yield to the long-term government bondyield. An earnings yield near the government bond yield is considered attractive. The bondinterest is cash in hand but it is static, while the earnings of Nike should grow overtime and push the stock price up.

Historical Earnings Growth Another approach Buffett uses is to project theannual compound rate of return based on historical earnings per share increases. Forexample, take company in which current earnings per share are $2.77 and earnings per sharehave increased at a compound annual growth rate of 18.9% over the last seven years. Ifearnings per share increase for the next 10 years at this same growth rate of 18.9%,earnings per share in year 10 will be $15.64. [$2.77 * ((1 + 0.189)^10)]. This estimatedearnings per share figure can then be multiplied by the company's historical averageprice-earnings ratio of 14.0 to provide an estimate of price [$15.64 * 14.0=$218.96]. Ifdividends are paid, an estimate of the amount of dividends paid over the 10-year periodshould also be added to the year 10 price [$218.96 + $13.32 = $232.28].

Once this future price is estimated, projected rates of return can be determined overthe 10-year period based on the current selling price of the stock. Buffett requires areturn of at least 15%. For our example, comparing the projected total gain of $232.28 tothe current price of $48.25 leads projected rate of return of 17.0% [($232.28/$48.25) ^(1/10) - 1]. Our first table lists the stocks passing the consumer monopoly screen thathave a projected rate of return of 15% based upon historical earnings growth model.

Sustainable Growth The third approach detailed in "Buffettology"is based upon the sustainable growth rate model. Buffett uses the average rate of returnon equity and average retention ratio (1 - average payout ratio) to calculate thesustainable growth rate [ ROE * ( 1 - payout ratio)]. The sustainable growth rate is usedto calculate the book value per share in year 10 [BVPS ((1 + sustainable growth rate)^10)]. Earnings per share can be estimated in year 10 by multiplying the average returnon equity by the projected book value per share [ROE * BVPS]. To estimate the futureprice, you multiply the earnings by the average price-earnings ratio [EPS * P/E]. Ifdividends are paid, they can be added to the projected price to compute the total gain.

For example, a company would have a sustainable growth rate of 19.2% if its average ROEwas 22.8%, and average payout ratio was 15.9% [22.8% * (1 - 0.159)]. Thus, its currentbook value per share of $11.38 should grow at this rate to roughly $65.90 in 10 years[$11.38 * ((1 + 0.192)^10)]. If return on equity remains 22.8% in the tenth year, earningsper share that year would be $15.03 [ 0.228 * $65.90]. The estimated earnings per sharecan then be multiplied by the average price-earnings ratio of 14.0 to project the price of$210.42 [$15.03 * 14.0]. Since dividends are paid, use an estimate of the amount ofdividends paid over the 10-year period to project the rate of return of 16.5% [(($210.42 +$12.71)/ $48.25) ^ (1/10) - 1].

The final Buffett screen establishes a minimum projected return from the sustainablegrowth rate model of 15%. A critical aspect to analysis is determining whether thecompanies will continue their past pattern of growth and profitability.

Conclusion Warren Buffett's approach identifies "excellent"businesses based on the prospects for the industry and the ability of management toexploit opportunities for the ultimate benefit of shareholders. He then waits for theshare price to reach a level that would provide him with a desired long-term rate ofreturn. The approach makes use of "folly and discipline": the discipline of theinvestor to identify excellent businesses and wait for the folly of the market to buythese businesses at attractive prices. Most investors have little trouble understandingBuffett's philosophy. The approach encompasses many widely held investment principles. Itssuccessful implementation is dependent upon the dedication of the investor to learn andfollow the principles. For individual investors who want to duplicate the process, itrequires a considerable amount of time, effort, and judgment in perusing a firm'sfinancial statements, annual reports, and other information sources to thoroughly analyzethe business and quality of management. It also requires patience, waiting for the rightprice once a prospective business has been identified, and the ability to stick to theapproach during times of market volatility. But for individual investors willing to do theconsiderable homework involved, the Buffett approach offers a proven path to investmentvalue.

Finding Stocks the Warren Buffett Way (2024)

FAQs

Finding Stocks the Warren Buffett Way? ›

In picking stocks

picking stocks
What Is a Stock Pick? A stock pick is when an analyst or investor uses a systematic form of analysis to conclude that a particular stock will make a good investment and, therefore, should be added to their portfolio.
https://www.investopedia.com › terms › stockpick
, Warren Buffett looks for companies that have provided a good return on equity over many years, particularly when compared to rival companies in the same industry. Buffett also reviews a company's profit margins to ensure they are healthy and growing.

What are Warren Buffett's 5 rules of investing? ›

A: Five rules drawn from Warren Buffett's wisdom for potentially building wealth include investing for the long term, staying informed, maintaining a competitive advantage, focusing on quality, and managing risk.

What is the formula for picking stocks? ›

P/E Ratio – The P/E ratio is a calculation that evaluates a stocks relative performance and value. It is computed by dividing the stock's price by the company's per share earnings for the most recent four quarters.

What is the Buffett formula? ›

Buffett uses the average rate of return on equity and average retention ratio (1 - average payout ratio) to calculate the sustainable growth rate [ ROE * ( 1 - payout ratio)]. The sustainable growth rate is used to calculate the book value per share in year 10 [BVPS ((1 + sustainable growth rate )^10)].

How do you find undervalued stocks like Warren Buffett? ›

Examples of what Warren Buffett looks for when looking for undervalued growth stocks include:
  1. Clear and understandable business model.
  2. Favorable long-term prospects.
  3. Unique competitive advantage.
  4. Strong earnings.
  5. High return on equity.
  6. Stable profit margins.
  7. Honest leadership.
Apr 22, 2024

What is the 70 30 Buffett rule investing? ›

What Is a 70/30 Portfolio? A 70/30 portfolio is an investment portfolio where 70% of investment capital is allocated to stocks and 30% to fixed-income securities, primarily bonds. Any portfolio can be broken down into different percentages this way, such as 80/20 or 60/40.

What is Warren Buffett's golden rule? ›

1 – Never lose money. Let's kick it off with some timeless advice from legendary investor Warren Buffett, who said “Rule No. 1 is never lose money. Rule No. 2 is never forget Rule No.

What is the best strategy for picking stocks? ›

Key steps should be followed to screen the universe of all stocks down to just those that meet your criteria for investment.
  1. Find an Investing Theme. ...
  2. Analyze Potential Investments with Statistics. ...
  3. Construct a Stock Screen. ...
  4. Narrow the Output and Perform Deep Analysis.

What is the Buffett valuation method? ›

The Buffett Indicator is the ratio of total US stock market value divided by GDP. Named after Warren Buffett, who called the ratio "the best single measure of where valuations stand at any given moment".

What is the formula for finding stocks? ›

We can calculate the stock price by simply dividing the market cap by the number of shares outstanding. Let's now think about why we can calculate it this way. The Market Cap (aka Market Capitalization) reflects the market value of the equity of the company. It's calculated as…

How to pick stocks like Warren Buffett? ›

At its core, Warren Buffett's investing strategy is not all that complicated:
  1. Buy businesses, not stocks. ...
  2. Look for companies with competitive advantages that can be maintained, or economic moats. ...
  3. Focus on long-term intrinsic value, not short-term earnings. ...
  4. Demand a margin of safety. ...
  5. Be patient.
Mar 7, 2024

What is the Buffett stock indicator? ›

The Buffett indicator is the ratio between a country's total stock market capitalization — that is, the value of all stocks listed on all exchanges in that country — and the size of its economy, as measured by GDP.

Does Warren Buffett read 500 pages a day? ›

Buffett spends 80% of his day reading

Supposedly, in the early days of Buffett's investment career, he would read 600-1000 pages in a single day. Nowadays, he still dedicates 80% of his day to reading. “Read 500 pages… every day.

What is Warren Buffett's advice? ›

Regardless of what tribulations you go through, keeping in mind how you'd like to eventually be remembered is the best way to help you achieve it, Buffett said. “Expect some difficulties along the way, but if you're thinking that way, you're more likely to get there.”

What is the best investment according to Warren Buffett? ›

So, why does Buffett only recommend index funds? Because it's the best possible choice, "on an expectancy basis," as he put it. In other words, buying an index fund has a higher expected return than buying any single individual stock or actively managed mutual fund.

What is the 5 rule of investing? ›

The 5% rule says as an investor, you should not invest more than 5% of your total portfolio in any one option alone. This simple technique will ensure you have a balanced portfolio.

What are the 5 investment guidelines? ›

  • Invest early. Starting early is one of the best ways to build wealth. ...
  • Invest regularly. Investing often is just as important as starting early. ...
  • Invest enough. Achieving your long-term financial goals begins with saving enough today. ...
  • Have a plan. ...
  • Diversify your portfolio.

What are Warren Buffett's 10 rules? ›

Warren Buffett's ten rules for success and how we can apply them to our lives
  • Reinvest Your Profits. ...
  • Be Willing to Be Different. ...
  • Never Suck Your Thumb. ...
  • Spell Out the Deal Before You Start. ...
  • Watch Small Expenses. ...
  • Limit What You Borrow. ...
  • Be Persistent. ...
  • Know When to Quit.
Dec 28, 2023

What is Buffett's first rule of investing? ›

Warren Buffett once said, “The first rule of an investment is don't lose [money]. And the second rule of an investment is don't forget the first rule. And that's all the rules there are.”

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