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花十年工夫培養接班團隊 長興化工設小內閣與少主齊成長

2010-7-19 今周刊
 
 
 

長興化工老董事長高英士花了整整 十年時間,培養自己放洋的長子意願、也有足夠的能力接手經營,輔以專業理論,我們看到一個成功傳承的案例。

撰文‧梁瑋鈞

在企業傳承研究中,長興化工是一個很好的個案。身為企業家第二代的高國倫,二○○○年接任總經理職位後,可說是正式從父親高英士身上接手長興這塊老字號化 學工廠的招牌。

長興化工歷經了十年的接班歷程,在不斷開發、創新中帶領著企業屢創佳績,與其說這是一次家族企業的成功接班,更是一場處處可見智慧與訣竅的傳承之旅!

不論企業規模或所屬產業的不同,在接班過程中所遭遇到的困難與矛盾,似乎都會圍繞在幾個基本問題上,其中是否能順利地完成接班,又以「交班人」與「接班 人」這兩位關鍵人物的心理認知與互動有著密切的關係。

有能力 未必就能安全交棒首先從接班人談起。過去企業在挑選接班人的條件中,是否具備各項「能力」是很重要的:包括專業能力的養成、領導能力的培育,甚至連社交能 力都不能缺少。

然而,也不難看見,現今許多家族企業的第二代,從小就被迫成為該企業的儲備幹部;例如到國外名校取得MBA學歷,回國後參與自家企業的各項培訓,以增加完 整的經歷,跟著父親、長輩到處建立人脈網絡更是不會少的。

能力的養成,在接班過程中固然相當重要,但在培育接班人完成各項能力後,是否就能順利產生一位成功的接班人?答案如果是肯定的,為何還有這麼多失敗的例 子?

根據多年的觀察,其中很可能還存在著接班人的接班「意願」問題!過去,尤其在華人的家族企業中,很少將﹁意願﹂問題浮出台面,一位在食品醬料產業中具有市 場領導地位的接班人,回憶起她接班的過程,「我從來沒想過什麼接班不接班的問題,因為是家中老大,從小就得在父親身邊幫忙賣麵養家;後來事業做大了,就幫 忙顧著公司裡大大小小的事,現在父親走了,我就得扛起這個家。」這也是許多台灣早期家族企業的寫照。

接班人接手意願往往影響成敗但隨著時代與產業結構快速變遷,許多第二代接班人並非一開始就有意願待在原有的家業中,長興的高國倫就是如此。

一九八五年,高國倫頂著南加大管理碩士的光環回國,當時他認為自己回到長興工作只是一時的,一心只想學學東西就到外頭創業。所以一開始,他並沒有全力投入 在這份工作上,更別說是當什麼接班人了。

但隨著一次又一次的工作機會與挑戰,才讓他有了繼續奮鬥的念頭,最後更是因為成功主導進軍中國市場一役,才決心留下來。他是這麼說的:「後來是看到長興的 成長,我才真的捨不得走了!」這也許恰巧與他愛冒險、喜歡飛行的個性有關,也正因不斷接受新的嘗試與機會,滿足了他喜歡挑戰與衝撞的本能。

所以,當接班人的條件不再只是能力的養成可以解釋時,更深層的心理意願,則是不容忽視的關鍵因素。

然而,在華人家族中,除了可將傳承與接班潛移默化成一種家族精神,進而產生接班意願外;給予接班人適時、適當的舞台發揮,甚至是背水一戰的經歷,都是可以 提升或是激勵接班人接棒意願的好方式。

另外,家族企業傳承過程中,少不了的另一位關鍵人物則是「交班人」!

對交班人而言,將企業帥印順利移交到最適接班人手中,可說是掌舵歷程中最後的一項任務,尤其對家族企業的創業家而言,如何在最後一刻「放手」,更是相當困 難的一課。因為,在此之前,他得確定花了半輩子打下的江山,是否能安全地交到另一人的手中之外,更放心不下的是,其中的夢想與精神是否得以延續。

許多交班人有著共同的問題,就是在「放權」的同時,卻忘了要「放心」!常常可以看到一個景象是,許多家族企業的老董事長雖說是退休了,但還是天天要進辦公 室;早上來看看報紙、下午到總經理兒子的辦公室嘮叨個兩句,下班前再順道去花圃澆個水,非要如此心裡才覺得踏實點。

事實上,交班人如此缺乏安全感的心態,反而會造成接班人在一開始接班過程中有許多的障礙與困難;但難道要就此將老董事長拒於公司大門之外?

其實不然,一個成功的交班過程,交班人從頭到尾有很多事可以做。

所謂從頭,指的是為接班人從頭開闢一條通往成功接班的路;以長興的例子來看,老董事長高英士的作法非常有智慧,在兒子高國倫回國進入企業後,即設立了一個 名叫企管室的幕僚單位,並網羅了數位管理碩士一同參與其中。

交班人可以做些什麼?

高國倫事後回顧,「當時一群年輕人沒有經驗,決策大多效率不彰,但至少明白所學理論跟實務之間是有很大的落差。」交班人這樣一個小小的動作,但實際發揮的 作用則是讓初生之犢的接班人,在一個安全的防線內得到了第一次的模擬戰役,並從中學到寶貴的一課。更重要的是,這群被高國倫稱為「同梯」的戰友,如今都已 成了長興最重要的高階經理人。

交班人最後還能做什麼呢?事實上除了權力移轉、傳遞企業精神外,擔任接班人與老臣間的橋樑亦是很重要的一項任務。

由於接班人往往沒有經歷過創業的階段,較不能體會老臣們一路打拚奮鬥的艱辛,加上新的外在環境與管理理念的不同,往往會被老一輩的員工貼上較霸權或不貼心 的標籤。此時交班人若能有效成為雙方的緩衝劑,或是給予更多的經驗傳承,將能產生不錯的效果。

最後是交班人與接班人雙方都會面臨的一個考驗,即是角色的轉換與衝突。因為這兩位關係緊密的關鍵人物,往往在家族內有一個對偶的角色關係,例如父與子,但 在企業中則需要轉換成老闆與部屬的角色。

這樣的雙元角色常常有著高度的正相關,也就是說,光看這兩個人在家族場域的父子關係是如何互動,就很容易預測出他們在企業場域的主管部屬關係是如何。所 以,很難看到一對在家族中關係緊繃的父子,到了辦公室可以彼此暢所欲言。

然而,這樣的雙元角色可以是助力,也可以是阻力,關鍵點則在於彼此在這兩個角色間是否能順利地轉換,而不產生矛盾與衝突。高氏父子的經驗提供了一個很好的 準則,高國倫說:「我們父子回到家只談家裡的事,在餐桌上絕不談公事。」家族企業的接班如同放風箏,一開始在交班人的手掌中放任接班人自由飛翔,遇到亂流 可以選擇收線,待時機成熟後再放手讓它翱翔。家族企業的接班也像是一趟旅程,而共同的家族夢想與精神則是在旅程中必備的行囊;家族企業的接班,更應該是一 場讓交班人與接班人雙贏的賭注。

(作者為元智大學管理研究所博士候選人,曾長時間與長興化工高階經營團隊深入訪談)高國倫 Profile

生日:1955年

現職:長興化工董事長

學歷:南加州大學企管碩士

經歷:帝興樹脂公司董事

國際創投董事

 
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快速成長或穩定獲利重要?

2010-8-30 TCW




台大管理學院副院長暨國企系教授李吉仁(以下簡稱李):快速成長(top line)重要?還是穩定獲利(bottom line)重要?

理論上,企業會重視營收的成長,主要是希望以規模的擴張降低平均營運成本,同時,只要自己的成長率大於整體產業,不僅可以壓制對手的成長空間,也可以改變 自己對上下游廠商的議價實力。反觀,重視獲利率的企業,則認為獲利率高代表企業特定資源的不可替代程度,反映了企業的相對競爭力。

實務上,企業訂定高成長目標,往往透露出領導者的企圖心,對內,可提高組織戰鬥意識,對外,則對資本市場傳遞正面訊息。如果目標設太低,你未來可能失去競爭地位,但若目標因設太高而沒能達成,則也會有副作用,組織內的管理紀律較不易建立。

若以台灣主要企業過去十年的營收與獲利資料觀察,營收總額大約成長三倍,然而,總獲利額卻只有成長兩倍,顯見維持獲利比追求成長相對不容易。您如何看待成長與獲利之間難以得兼的問題?

營收和獲利翹翹板,哪個該重一點?

聚陽實業董事長周理平(以下簡稱周):我們給(組織內)所有人的瞭解,一直都是秉持「先做好、再做大」的原則,做好是偏向「獲利」,從這句話來看,似乎是 把獲利能力放在比較優先的位置,但其實,我們把成長和獲利當作是同向的,獲利能力要提升,關鍵還是在成長;但如果(兩者)不同向時,我們才先追求「做 好」。

李:打個比方,公司設的目標,成長達成不了,可是獲利到得了;另一種是,成長到得了,可是獲利到不了,這時,你怎麼評價經理人的表現?

周:我們是看一個「綜效」,這兩者乘起來是否大於你之前的績效。像這陣子的趨勢是國際原物料上漲、亞洲貨幣值上揚,所以對出口業者的成本壓力較大,相對獲利自然會調低,但如果成長這部分你能夠拉高,超過獲利下降的幅度,那綜效是大過的。

李:聽起來是獲利的總量比獲利率來得更重要?

周:對。總的獲利量,其實就是你的成長能力。

調整客戶結構,就能平衡兩端?

周:成長與獲利基本上是一個「翹翹板」,它是一個變動的平衡概念。

我們每年會透過一個預算機制,把整個營運計畫設計出來,有總體的,有每個營業單位個別的。我們會畫出一個「四均分」的象限:有一條水平的線,一條垂直的 線,(分別代表營收)成長率以及獲利。以組織內部平均值做為基準——我們會看,不同的客人,他們在哪個位置,是成長很大、獲利能力很高的位置?還是它在那 種成長很小、獲利能力也不好的位置?我們從整體的觀點就很清楚,哪些是我們比較要更聚焦的,哪些又是我們應該要去減少的,哪些是要調整的。

這些計畫都根據去年、今年的表現,然後,對於未來一年、兩、三年之後的期待來訂定。

所以,(經理人)一個是跟整體比,另外一個是跟自己比,這個客戶,是在進步?還是退步?進步與退步看的就是營收與獲利。

從趨勢來看,(紡織)產業的毛利是逐步下降的,成長相對重要,所以我們接受(這個現實),但是我們希望用比較高的成長來彌補。

經理人如果夠瞭解客戶,可以為客戶加值,賣掉的很快補貨,賣不好馬上減少庫存,才可能去創造出剛剛講翹翹板上的綜效總和。

沒有獲利的訂單,為何還能接?

李:然而,開發新客戶、新業務、新產品,這些對公司來說,可以創造下個成長曲線的東西,營收與獲利上相對會吃虧!因為它可能需要兩年的時間去籌備,當老闆要看成長、要看獲利的綜效,啥都沒有,這怎麼解決?

周:我們會把它定位成「策略性接單」。新業務開始時,投入資源最多、產出是較少的,它不一定能夠賺錢,但它創造了一個未來。評量時,它(一方面)會被放在 四均分的象限之中去看,但(另一方面)我們會再把它單獨拉出來,看我們講的「策略價值」到底是什麼?譬如說,今年接這個單是為了未來,結果第一年虧損,第 二年虧損,第三年也虧損,那你的到底是指未來五年?十年?還是什麼?我們也希望將策略價值予以量化。

我另外再舉一個例子,像沃爾瑪(Wal-Mart)這一、兩年的狀況,我們很難從它的訂單獲利。也就是說,它給我們的是策略性價值,因為它的訂單大,讓我們在淡季還有量,可以減少我們的損失。

成衣的淡旺季非常明顯。旺季如果要營業部門去接賠錢的訂單,他們都不願意,因為他的KPI(關鍵績效衡量指標)跟這個背道而馳;然而,在淡季,要是一個月 少接了五萬打訂單,那可能要賠五百萬,可是如果接了一個賠三塊錢的訂單進來,可能只要賠五十萬,所以五十萬跟五百萬,這件事情是要被拉出來講清楚。

我們就把這個當作是策略性接單,是「減損」。而業務部門創造的邊際貢獻,就用加分的方式,附加上去。

就營收與獲利的取捨來講。剛開始我們談的是整體正常的狀況,但淡季的時候,取的是營收,捨的是獲利;旺季的時候當然以獲利為優先。

市場在變,成長和獲利如何平衡?

李:成長與獲利同步成長的關鍵,最難的是在新的業務模式出現時,還能維持舊業務的動能,同時達到整體成長與獲利目標。聚陽在一九九六年接到沃爾瑪訂單,從 純OEM模式(代工生產),逐漸轉型成為為通路私有品牌產品提供設計製造服務模式,是聚陽在後來十年能達到高成長、高績效的關鍵。然而,在○八年金融海嘯 後,所有業務都集中在單一市場(編按:九成五以上在美國),雞蛋放在同一籃子裡,明顯衝擊到聚陽的成長和獲利,股東權益報酬率從○七年超過三五%,下滑到 ○八年的九‧ 一六%,營收負成長一一%。金融海嘯之後,您怎麼調整成長與獲利的翹翹板的戰略平衡點?尤其當聚陽在發展像ZARA等快速流行服飾連鎖店的業務時,控制成 本的壓力是否也更為加劇?

周:成長來自於機會,然而,能否掌握機會要看能力。舉ZARA的例子,它那麼大,那麼多供應商在做它,不可能會是賠錢生意,別人能接,那麼我們也要能接。 所以如果說,我們去做ZARA不能獲利,那就是我們的能力有問題。它剛開始規模小,你投入比較多,獲利比較差,但隨著規模的成長,會越來越好。但降低價格 的壓力仍在,我們做的,就是怎麼樣能比其他同業更有競爭力?

至於Uniqlo(優衣庫)的模式則要求高度整合,所以我們不在它的第一線供應商名單裡,因為我們比較不是垂直整合(的營運模式),而是聚焦在中下游。

金融風暴過後,我們更注意發展我們的第二(成長)曲線,過去我們強調「多元彈性」(以適應少量多樣的生產模式),但是現在我們也同步發展「大型專精」(以應付強調垂直整合業者的需求),因為不同的客戶,追求不同的東西。

李:但這兩者的資源配置、管理邏輯都不一樣,你會如何面對這個問題?

周:還是要各自有不同的KPI啊!因為大型專精強調高效能、高產出,它的(管理)結構跟我們過去習慣的多元彈性是不同的,所以它(在組織上)必須要獨立。

李:所以我們可以預期,聚陽未來的組織結構一定會改變?

周:對,它有一部分會拉出來,大型事業部會拉出來。

李:就跟台積電現在會切成兩大事業群一樣,一塊就叫作先進製程,一塊叫作主流技術。

周:(笑)所以你開始時要先去定義它的定位,要把策略性業務與一般業務有個區隔,讓你在中長期的成長有動力。追求中長期的成長,短期獲利表現上一定是比較差的,那這樣的事情一定是要由企業內的高階來推動。

結論:針對成長和獲利目標的可能衝突,聚陽是以成長驅動獲利,並以長期可獲利性,做為檢驗成長方向與資源配置的競爭力指標。也就是說,成長與獲利必須要能 整體兼顧,兩者形同是翹翹板一般,犧牲了一邊、必須有另一邊的提高來確保總獲利量的提高。若成長與獲利均低於平均時,必須進行業務的策略性價值檢視,並採 取必要的業務╱客戶取捨。成長與獲利,是動態平衡的概念,必須透過內部管理機制形成經理人的決策共識。

除此之外,經營者仍須時時注意環境結構變化而產生的經營風險。金融海嘯帶給聚陽實業的經驗顯示,企業即使短期成長與獲利均無虞,仍必須策略性的檢視營運結構的風險性,主動的創造短期失衡,以導引另一個長期的成長與獲利平衡。


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聚紡》受惠ECFA獲利將成長3成 掛牌後可望登紡織股后

2010-9-1  Smart




你知道嗎?1件登山用的「機能性」外套,要價上萬元,不怕雨淋、又能排出身體熱氣,因為採用的布料,可是具有透濕、防水功能的高科技產品。

銷售這種外套的業者,主要是全球兩大競爭品牌Gore-Tex及The North Face,而後者的布料,正是預計9月中掛牌上櫃的聚紡所代工。除了The North Face,聚紡也長期為與Nike、Columbia等國際大型運動品牌商,共同合作開發高單價機能外套。

透濕防水布料是1976年由化學工程師Gore(戈爾)所研發,用聚四氟乙烯(PTFE;俗稱鐵氟龍)為材料,並成立Gore-Tex公司。

專精透濕防水布料 品質全國居冠,直逼全球第2

聚紡董事長蔡秋雄,從亞東工專(現為亞東技術學院)紡織科開始,一路到中國紡織工業研究中心研究員,就負責透濕防水布料專案的研發。生產這種布料最大的麻 煩在於環保問題,特別是歐美市場對此的規範極嚴。蔡秋雄以本身10年實驗室經驗的知識優勢成立聚紡,決定朝環保及無溶劑釋放發展,在2005年取得瑞士環 保標章Oeko-Tex Standard100的無毒認證,2009年還取得藍色標誌(bluesign)環保製程及生產環境認證。

聚紡目前擅長的濕式塗佈產品,不但耐水洗、搓揉,且超輕薄、手感佳,品質為國內第1,可達日本Toray(東麗,全球市占第2名)水準。為了達成與環境百 年共生的目標,今年起聚紡還預計投入總計畫2,000萬元,與美國杜邦公司合作,研發用可分解玉米生質材料,取代原來化學塗料。蔡秋雄說,用生質材料成本 不會比原來高,只要石油價格高於80元,用玉米來源生產就具有誘因;他訂下3年內百分之百取代現有塗料的目標。

搶攻軍護產品市場 降低消費市場起伏影響

1999年蔡秋雄開始創業時,只有員工4個人,資本額1,800萬元,蔡秋雄不但要打樣、跑客戶、泡料、開鍋爐、包裝,還兼送貨員和保全。11年後,資本 已膨脹到2億4,000萬元、員工近200人,最重要的是,聚紡交出亮麗的獲利成績,除了金融海嘯影響使2009年EPS小幅下滑到3.17元,已維持5 年EPS穩定在4元以上的營運成績,與紡織同業高下立見。8月18日聚紡在興櫃市場收盤價53元,在已上市、櫃紡織類股中,股價僅次於聚陽(1477), 掛牌後可望挑戰「紡織股后」寶座。

紡織業訂單lead time(前置期)需要半年,下半年的訂單都是上半年談定的。聚紡每年旺季在第2季,今年4~6月營收比第1季暴增近30%,法人推估聚紡上半年EPS約 2.5~2.8元左右;下半年進入淡季,全年EPS約在4.5~4.8元間。由於創業艱辛,上櫃前法人說明會不開在豪華的五星級飯店,只準備向承銷證券商 借一個會議室來舉辦,可以看出蔡秋雄務實求是的經營精神。

ECFA(兩岸經濟合作架構協議)簽訂後,為台灣紡織業帶來第二春,今年進入中國市場的關稅從14%降到5%,明年可降為零;中國愈來愈富,以及龐大的內 需市場,讓蔡秋雄很看好明年中國市場對機能性紡織品的需求。聚紡之前已有少量出貨給中國第1大運動用品商,也接觸其他知名廠商,明年因關稅大幅下降,聚紡 營運成長,可望由中國市場的需求來推動,2011年營收、獲利成長可望上看3成。

此外,由於機能性紡織品需求多隨著民生消費型態起伏,聚紡也積極介入軍護產品市場,目前這塊的出貨營收占比約25%;聚紡已把軍用防水外套市場開發列為策略目標,可望逐步降低營運受消費市場起伏影響。

聚紡(4429)● 股本:2.44億元 ● 預計掛牌日:2010.09.15 ● 產品組合:機能性紡織品加工收入99%、其他(係指原物料及商品等銷售)收入1%

操作建議:本益比13倍內具買進價值,股價40元有撐

依法人推估聚紡今年每股盈餘逾4.5元來計算,8月18日收盤價53元,本益比僅11.7倍,建議在本益比12~13倍之內,皆具有買進價值。由於聚紡配 股配息穩定,在外流通籌碼僅約2成5,2007年引進的智融、華鴻、中盈投資等外部法人股東的買進成本皆在40元以上,且此次上櫃前承銷價亦暫定為40 元,因此股價在40元位置有撐。


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人氣財經部落客SmartMoney 看獲利成長找「錢多事少」的潛力股

2010-9-13 TWM




財經部落客SmartMoney認為,每股獲利成長幅度大於營收成長的公司,代表「錢多事少」、企業經營效率高,是投資人不錯的選擇。

口述.SmartMoney 整理.歐陽善玲企業財報是逐季變化的數字,有其延續性,所以觀察時不能只看單一項目,要多方比較,才能從中研判出個股短、中期營運趨勢。

我檢視財報,有三個項目會特別留意。一、存貨,二、營收成長性,三、每股獲利成長性。其中,營收及每股獲利成長數字,要同時放在一起比較,才能找出真正的大黑馬。

譬如,營收數字成長幅度很多,但每股獲利成長卻較少的公司,就像「加班沒有加班費」,白做工一樣。最典型的例子是鴻海,營收成長幅度大於每股獲利的成長比率,表面上看起來業績風光,但對每股獲利貢獻度卻不高,等於是「做心酸」的,就不是投資首選標的。

反之,每股獲利成長幅度大於營收成長的公司,代表「錢多事少」。意味該公司的營業效益改善或是經營效率提升,是投資人布局時不錯的選擇。像工業電腦、LED及通訊族群,上半年營收與獲利數字,就符合上述條件。一般預期下半年這些產業的獲利展望佳,值得投資人持續追蹤。

其中,工業電腦中的研華,第二季營收比第一季成長四成,每股純益卻成長八六%;上半年材料短缺問題,已從八月開始獲得舒緩,第三、四季成本壓力下降、毛利率有機會提高,後勢表現令人期待。

測試設備廠致茂,第二季營收較第一季成長約二八%,但每股純益卻成長六成。由於第三季是檢測業的旺季,加上目前接單能見度高,毛利率可望持續維持高水準,第三季業績有機會更上一層樓。

至於通訊廠中的啟碁,上半年營收年增率五六%,稅後每股純益年增率更達一一○%,下半年在新產品及智慧型手機大量出貨下,仍可維持強勁成長動能,投資人可密切留意。

SmartMoney

選股建議:

投資首選每股純益成長幅度大於營收成長幅度的公司。

私房選股

公司

名 稱 營收(億元) 毛利率(%) 營益率(%) 每股純益(元)第一季 第二季 第一季 第二季 第一季 第二季 第一季 第二季致茂2360 11.7 15.0 54.6 58.0 27.4 30.1 0.96 1.54 研華2395 30.9 43.4 26.4 23.9 11.8 11.4 1.00 1.86 啟碁6285 40.5 54.2 16.7 15.2 6.5 5.4 1.16 1.39


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一个投资者的成长——读巴菲特的信(1) Barrons

http://blog.caing.com/article/9095/

  最近正在读巴菲特给股东的信,从1957开始。当时巴菲特还只是一个27岁的青年投资者,仅有两年正式的职业投资经验。1954-1956年,巴菲特曾经在格雷厄姆的投资公司工作。在那之前,巴菲特提出免费给格雷厄姆工作,但遭到了拒绝。他给股东的信忠实的记录了一个投资者成长的历程。      在1957-1961年的信中,有几段话吸引了我的注意:      基金的目标      “My continual objective in managing partnership funds is to achieve along-term performance record superior to that of the Industrial Average. I believe this Average, over a period of years, will more orless parallel the results of leading investment companies. Unless we do achieve this superior performance there is no reason for existence of the partnerships.”      “我管理合伙基金的一贯目标是取得优于道琼斯工业平均指数的长期业绩。我坚信这一平均指数在长期将与领先的投资公司的业绩相类似。除非我们取得这样优异的业绩,否则我们的合伙基金没有理由存在下去。”    
(1960年给合伙人的信)    
 
巴菲特最初的目标是长期业绩超越指数。这个目标至今没有改变。
     如何获得超越市场的业绩    
“However,I have pointed out that any superior record which we might accomplish should not be expected to be evidenced by a relatively constant advantage in performance compared to the Average. Rather it is likely that if such an advantage is achieved, it will be through better-than-average performance in stable or declining markets and average, or perhaps even poorer- than-average performance in rising markets.”
   “但是,我曾经指出,即使我们可能取得优秀的业绩,这也不能证明我们能保持相对稳定的对道琼斯工业平均指数的优势。如果我们获得优势,也是通过在平稳或下跌市场中超出平均的业绩,在上涨的市场中获得平均业绩,甚至有可能是逊于平均的业绩而达到。”
    (1960年给合伙人的信)
    巴菲特告诉自己的合伙人,自己超越市场不是持续稳定的超越,具有稳定的优势,而是在市场不好时超越,在市场狂热时表现一般,甚至逊色。换句话说,战胜市场不是多赢,而是少输。       
 
衡量业绩的标准
     “I believe in establishing yardsticks prior to the act; retrospectively, almost anything can be made to look good in relation to something or other.    
I have continuously used the Dow-Jones Industrial Average as our measure of par. It is my feeling that three years is a very minimal test of performance, and the best test consists of a period at least that long where the terminal level of the Dow is reasonably close to the initial level.    
While the Dow is not perfect (nor is anything else) as a measure of performance, it has the advantage of being widely known, has a long period of continuity, and reflects with reasonable accuracy the experience of investors generally with the market.”    
“我坚信在行动前制定标准。因为事后再看,几乎任何事情,相对于某些其他事物,都能显得很好。      
我一直用道琼斯工业平均指数作为我们衡量的基准。我感觉三年是检验业绩的最短时间。最佳的检验至少要包括三年的时间,而道琼斯指数的终值与初始值相当接近。     
虽然道琼斯指数并不是衡量业绩的完美指标(任何事物都不是),但这个指数有着广为人知,长期的连续性,以及相当准确的反映了市场投资者情况的优势。”      
(1961年给合伙人的信)      
巴菲特选取指数是为了有一个公平的标准。而且,他认为要评价投资业绩最少要三年的时间,而且最好是在这段时间里市场持平。这样才能体现出投资的真实业绩,而不是短期运气,或者随着市场水涨船高。     
保守的投资   
“Many people some years back thought they were behaving in the most conservative manner by purchasing medium or long-term municipal or government bonds. This policy has produced substantial market depreciation in many cases, and most certainly has failed to maintain or increase real buying power.     
Conscious, perhaps overly conscious, of inflation, many people now feel that they are behaving in a conservative manner by buying blue chip securities almost regardless of price-earnings ratios, dividend yields, etc. Without the benefit of hindsight as in the bond example, I feel this course of action is fraught with danger. There is nothing at all conservative, in my opinion, about speculating as to just how high a multiplier a greedy and capricious public will put on earnings.”      
“True conservatism is only possible through knowledge and reason.”      
“多年前很多人认为购买中期或者长期政府债券是最保守的做法。这种方式造成了大量的损失,而且肯定无法保持或者增加真实购买力。     
由于意识到通胀,甚至过于担心通胀,很多人认为他们不顾市盈率、股息率等指标购买大型蓝筹股是保守的做法。即使不考虑过去债券的例子,我也认为这种做法充满危险。在我看来,投机毫无保守可言,投机只不过是猜想贪婪而变化无常的公众能给盈利多高的倍数。”      
“真正的保守惟有通过知识和理性才有可能。”     
(1961年给合伙人的信)      
 
50年前的忠告同样适合今天的人们。不顾租售比,不考虑价格买房的人并不是在通胀条件下进行保守的保值投资。预期房价不断上涨,其实就是预期贪婪而变化无常的公众将给房子支付更高的价格。


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一个投资者的成长——读巴菲特的信(2) Barrons

http://blog.caing.com/article/9137/

  内在价值的回归与卖出时机      被低估股票的价格何时能回归内在价值?如何才能回归内在价值?在什么情况下要卖出所投资的股票?巴菲特的回答如下:      “Some times these work out very fast; many times they take years. It is difficult at the time of purchase to know any specific reason why they should appreciate in price. However, because of this lack of glamour or anything pending which might create immediate favorable market action, they are available at very cheap prices. A lot of value can be obtained for the price paid. This substantial excess of value creates a comfortable margin of safety in each transaction. This individual margin of safety, coupled with a diversity of commitments creates a most attractive package of safety and appreciation potential. Over the years our timing of purchases has been considerably better than our timing of sales. We do not go into these generals with the idea of getting the last nickel, but are usually quite content selling out at some intermediate level between our purchase price and what we regard as fair value to a private owner.”      “有 时候很快就能实现。更多的时候,需要几年。在买入的时候很难知道有哪一个具体的原因让股票价格应该上涨。但是,正是由于这种缺乏魅力或者没有期待,才有可 能创造出当前有利的市场机会。这些股票可以用非常便宜的价格获得。通过支付低价,我们能获得很多价值。这种大量的超额价值在每个交易中创造出一个相当大的 安全边际。这种个股的安全边际加上投资的分散性,创造出了一个最有吸引力的组合,具有安全性和升值潜力。在过去几年,我们买入的时间点一直远好于卖出的时 机。我们买入这些股票时并没有想获得最后一分钱的利润。我们往往满足于在买入价和合理价位中间卖掉。我们认为的合理价位是对私人业主来说公平的价格。”      (1961年给合伙人的信)        价值投资的安全性      价值投资的安全性不是来自于高超的卖点选择,而是来自于买入的低价。      By buying assets at a bargain price, we don't need to pull any rabbits out of a hat to get extremely good percentage gains. This is the cornerstone of our investment philosophy: “Never count on making a good sale. Have the purchase price be so attractive that even a mediocre sale gives good results. The better sales will be the frosting on the cake.”      通过低价买入资产,我们无需施展魔术才能得到非常好的百分比回报。我们投资哲学的基石是:“绝不指望好的卖出。而是让购买价格如此之诱人,即使一个平庸的卖出也能带来良好的回报。更好的卖出将会是锦上添花。”      (1962年给合伙人的信)        股市下跌的情况      价值投资,安全边际,购买便宜的股票也不能避免下跌。市场涨跌左右短期表现。      The generals tend to behave market-wise very much in sympathy with the Dow. Just because something is cheap does not mean it is not going to go down. During abrupt downward movements in the market, this segment may very well go down percentage-wise just as much as the Dow. Over a period of years, I believe the generals will outperform the Dow, and during sharply advancing years like 1961, this is the section of our portfolio that turns in the best results. It is, of course, also the most vulnerable in a declining market.      我们的股票倾向与市场表现一致。便宜并不意味着不会进一步下跌。在市场突然下跌的时候,这些股票完全可能与道琼斯指数一样,下降同样的百分比。从长期看,我相信这些股票将超过道琼斯指数的表现。在1961年那样猛烈上涨的市场,这部分股票在我们的投资组合中表现是最佳的。当然,在一个下跌的市场,这部分也是最容易受到损失的。      (1961年给合伙人的信)        对投资人的承诺      结果无法保证,目标可以承诺,投入全部身家,与合伙人利益保持高度一致。      I can not promise results to partners. What I can and do promise is that:      a.Our investments will be chosen on the basis of value, not popularity;      b.That we will attempt to bring risk of permanent capital loss (not short-term quotational loss) to an absolute minimum by obtaining a wide margin of safety in each commitment and a diversity ofcommitments;and      c.My wife, children and I will have virtually our entire net worth invested in the partnership.        我无法对合伙人承诺结果。我能够承诺而且确定承诺的是:      a.我们投资的选择是基于价值,而不是流行。      b.我们会试图把资本永久损失(而不是短期账面损失)的风险降到绝对最低。而这是通过每个投资的大的安全边际和投资的分散性达到的。      c.我的妻子,孩子和我将把我们几乎全部的净值都投资在合伙基金中。      (1962年给合伙人的信)        对投资业绩的检验      市场下跌是对投资是否保守的客观考验。无需患得患失,少输胜过多赢。      I feel the most objective test as to just how conservative our manner of investing is arises through evaluation of performance in down markets. Preferably these should involve a substantial decline in the Dow.      我认为通过评估在下跌市场中的业绩,我们可以得到最客观的关于投资方式有多保守的检验。最好是道琼斯指数下跌很多的时候。      (1962年给合伙人的信)      Our job is to pile up yearly advantages over the performance of the Dow without worrying too much about whether the absolute results in a given year are a plus or a minus. I would consider a year in which we were down 15% and the Dow declined 25% to be much superior to a year when both the partnership and the Dow advanced 20%.      我们的任务是积累年复一年超越道琼斯指数的业绩,而不是过度担心某一年的绝对结果是正还是负。我认为道指下跌25%而我们只下跌15%的一年要远好于道指和我们都上涨20%的一年。      (1962年给合伙人的信)

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一个投资者的成长——读巴菲特的信(3) Barrons

http://blog.caing.com/article/9259/

 复利的威力      在投资中,巴菲特逐渐体会到了复利的威力。实际上,巴菲特最终成为首富就是靠长期高速的复利增长。关于复利的威力这一点,巴菲特在32岁的时候就非常清楚。     I have it from unreliable sources that the cost of the voyage Isabella originally underwrote for Columbus was approximately $30,000. This has been considered at least a moderately successful utilization of venture capital. Without attempting to evaluate the psychic income derived from finding a new hemisphere, it must be pointed out that even had squatter's rights prevailed, the whole deal was not exactly another IBM. Figured very roughly, the $30,000 invested at 4% compounded annually would have amounted to something like $2,000,000,000,000 (that's $2 trillion for those of you who are not government statisticians) by 1962. Historical apologists for the Indians of Manhattan may find refuge in similar calculations. Such fanciful geometric progressions illustrate the value of either living a long time, or compounding your money at a decent rate. I have nothing particularly helpful to say on the former point.       我从不太可靠的消息来源得知,当年西班牙女王伊萨贝拉资助哥伦布远航的成本大约是3万美金。这被认为至少是一个相当成功的运用风险资本的例子。不考虑发 现一个新半球的精神上的收获,即使算上强占的土地的权利,这个投资也比不上IBM的例子。简单估算,3万美金投入4%复利增长,到了1962年将会是2万 亿美元。同情曼哈顿岛的印第安人的人们也会找到类似的计算。这种奇异的几何级数增长揭示了两种事物的价值:长寿或者让你的金钱以相当好的速度复利增长。我 对前一个事情没什么可讲的。      The following table indicates the compounded value of $100,000 at 5%, 10% and 15% for 10, 20 and 30 years. It is always startling to see how relatively small differences in rates add up to very significant sums over a period of years. That is why, even though we are shooting for more, we feel that a few percentage points advantage over the Dow is a very worthwhile achievement. It can mean a lot of dollars over adecade or two.       下面的表格显示的是10万美元以5%,10%和15%的速度复利增长10,20和30年。让人吃惊的是,相对较小的速度差别,经过多年的积累,逐渐变为 巨大的数字差异。这就是为什么虽然我们的目标是更高的增长,但我们感觉,对于道指的几个点的优势是非常有价值的成就。假以时日,10年或20年,这意味着 很多钱。    

 
一个投资者的成长——读巴菲特的信(3)

   (1962年给合伙人的信)      Since the whole subject of compounding has such a crass ring to it, I will attempt to introduce a little class into this discussion by turning to the art world. Francis I of France paid 4,000 ecus in 1540 for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. On the off chance that a few of you have not kept track of the fluctuations of the ecu 4,000 converted out to about $20,000.      由于复利这个话题牵扯的范围很广,我就试着把这个讨论转向艺术世界,来引入一门小课程。1540年,法国的弗兰西斯一世花了4000克朗把达芬奇的蒙娜丽莎买下。你们可能没关注克朗的波动,这4000克朗相当于今天的2万美金。      If Francis had kept his feet on the ground and he (and his trustees) had been able to find a 6% after-tax investment, the estate now would be worth something over $1,000,000,000,000,000.00. That's $1 quadrillionor over 3,000 times the present national debt, all from 6%. I trust this will end all discussion in our household about any purchase of paintings qualifying as an investment.      如果弗兰西斯还活着,他(和他的受托人)当时能够找到一个税后6%的投资,这笔财产现在会价值超过1000万亿。这是目前国债的3000倍,都是从这6%而来。我相信这将结束所有家庭中关于购买画作算不算投资的讨论。      (1963年给合伙人的信)        基金无法战胜市场      巴菲特发现即使是领先的大基金也无法战胜市场指数。他认为这源于这些投资机构的机制。     The results continue to show that the most highly paid and respected investment advice has difficulty matching the performance of an unmanaged index of blue-chip stocks. This in no sense condemns these institutions or the investment advisers and trust departments whose methods, reasoning, and results largely parallel such investment companies. These media perform a substantial service to millions of investors in achieving adequate diversification, providing convenience and peace of mind, avoiding issues of inferior quality,etc. However, their services do not include (and in the great majority of cases, are not represented to include) the compounding of money at a rate greater than that achieved by the general market.       这些结果继续显示,那些获得最高额收入和最受尊敬的投资建议也很难比得上一个无人管理的蓝筹股指数的业绩。这并不是指责这些机构或投资顾问,以及与这些 投资公司有着大体上类似的方法、推理,和结果的信托部门。这些机构给成百万的投资者起到了重要的服务作用,以获得足够的分散投资,提供便利,让人感到踏 实,避免质量低下的问题等。但是,他们的服务不包括(在大部分情况下也不声称包括)以高于市场的速度复利增长金钱。      Our partnership's fundamental reason for existence is to compound funds at a better-than-average rate with less exposure to long-term loss of capital than the above investment media. We certainly can not represent that we will achieve this goal. We can and do say that if we don't achieve this goal over any reasonable period excluding an extensive speculative boom, we will cease operation.       我们的合伙基金存在的根本原因就是要以高于平均水平的速度复利增长基金,而且与上面所说的投资公司相比,我们要有更少的长期资本损失的风险。我们当然无 法声称会达到这一目标。我们能说的而且是确实说的是,除了在长时间的投机性牛市中,如果我们在相当长的一段时期内,达不到这一目标,我们将停止运营。      (1963年上半年给合伙人的信)      The repetition of these tables has caused partners to ask: "Why in the world does this happen to very intelligent managements working with (1) bright, energetic staff people, (2) virtually unlimited resources, (3) the most extensive business contacts, and (4)literally centuries of aggregate investment experience?" (The latter qualification brings to mind the fellow who applied for a job and stated he had twenty years of experience - which was corrected by the former employer to read “one year's experience -twenty times.”)       这些重复出现的表格让一些合伙人不禁问道:“这些聪明的投资经理究竟怎么了?他们有(1)聪明而精力充沛的手下(2)几乎无限的资源(3)最广泛的商业 联系(4)加在一起几个世纪的投资经验。”(这最后一点让我想起一个家伙在求职时声称有20年的经验。后来前任雇主纠正说是“1年的经验,20次”。)      This question is of enormous importance, and you would expect it to be the subject of considerable study by investment managers and substantial investors. After all, each percentage point on $30 billion is $300 million per year. Curiously enough, there is practically nothing in the literature of Wall Street attacking this problem, and discussion of it is virtually absent at security analyst society meetings, conventions, seminars, etc. My opinion is that the first job of any investment management organization is to analyze its own techniques and results before pronouncing judgment on the managerial abilities and performance of the major corporate entities of the United States.       这个问题极其重要。你可能会认为投资经理和大投资者们对这个议题有着很多的研究。毕竟300亿美元的百分之一就是一年3亿美元。令人好奇的是,实际上在 华尔街没有任何文章探讨这个问题。在证券分析师会议和讲座等活动中也几乎没有讨论。我的想法是,任何一个投资管理机构的首要任务都是分析自己的技术和结 果,而不是判断整个美国的主要投资机构的管理能力和业绩。      In the great majority of cases the lack of performance exceeding or even matching an unmanaged index in no way reflects lack of either intellectual capacity or integrity. I think it is much more the product of: (1) group decisions - my perhaps jaundiced view is that it is close to impossible for outstanding investment management to come from a group of any size with all parties really participating in decisions; (2) a desire to conform to the policies and (to an extent) the portfolios of other large well-regarded organizations;(3) an institutional framework whereby average is "safe" and the personal rewards for independent action are in no way commensurate with the general risk attached to such action; (4) an adherence to certain diversification practices which are irrational;and finally and importantly, (5) inertia.       在大多数情况下,投资机构缺乏超越无人管理的指数的业绩,甚至连与指数一致的业绩都少见。这绝不是由于缺少智慧或者诚信。我认为这主要是以下几个原因的 结果:(1)集体决策-我的可能有些偏颇的看法是:如果所有成员都真正参与决策,出色的投资管理几乎不可能从任何大小的集体中产生。(2)希望与其它备受 尊重的大型投资机构的投资政策保持一致,甚至在某种程度上与其投资组合保持一致。(3)机构的体制让平均成为“安全”。对个人的回报与激励无法补偿独立行 动所带来的全面风险。(4)拘于某些不合理的分散投资做法。最后,也是最重要的是(5)惰性。      (1964年给合伙人的信)        关于保守的问题      那些著名的大型投资公司,号称保守,以传统的方式行事。但巴菲特认为真正的保守来自于事实和逻辑,而不是投资方式。     In looking at the table of investment company performance, the question might be asked: “Yes, but aren't those companies run more conservatively than the Partnership?" If you asked that question of the investment company managements, they, in absolute honesty, would say they were more conservative. If you asked the first hundred security analysts you met, I am sure that a very large majority of them also would answer for the investment companies. I would disagree. I have over 90% of my net worth in BPL, and most of my family have percentages in that area, but of course, that only demonstrates the sincerity of my view - not the validity of it.       阅读那些投资公司的业绩表格,有人可能会问:“确实,你的业绩更好。但是那些投资公司难道不比你的合伙基金运营的更保守吗?”如果你对那些投资公司的经 理问这个问题,他们绝对会诚实的回答他们更保守。如果你问你所碰到的前100个分析师,我确信他们当中的很大一部分也都会认为那些投资公司更保守。但我不 同意。我把我自己超过90%的净值放在巴菲特合伙基金中。我大部分的家庭成员也差不多把90%的净值投入了合伙基金。当然,这只表明了我看法的真诚度,而 不是证明我的看法的正确性。      It is unquestionably true that the investment companies have their money more conventionally invested than we do. To many people conventionality is indistinguishable from conservatism. In my view, this represents erroneous thinking. Neither a conventional nor an unconventional approach, per se, is conservative.      的确,那些投资公司比我们投资的方式更加传统。对许多人来说传统与保守没有区别。但在我看来,这是错误的思维。无论是传统的还是非传统的方式,在本质上都不能说是保守的。      Truly conservative actions arise from intelligent hypotheses, correct facts and sound reasoning. These qualities may lead to conventional acts,but there have been many times when they have led to unorthodoxy. In some corner of the world they are probably still holding regular meetings of the Flat Earth Society.      真正保守的行为来自于聪明的假设,正确的事实和合理的推理。这些特点有可能导致传统的投资行为,但在很多时候也会指向非正统的方式。在世界的某个角落有些人可能仍然坚持曾经的“正统”理念,认为地球是平的,并定期开会。      We derive no comfort because important people, vocal people, or great numbers of people agree with us. Nor do we derive comfort if they don't. A public opinion poll is no substitute for thought. When we really sit back with a smile on our face is when we run into a situation we can understand, where the facts are ascertainable and clear, and the course of action obvious. In that case - whether conventional or unconventional – whether others agree or disagree - we feel - we are progressing in a conservative manner.       仅仅因为重要人物,评论家,或者非常多的人赞同我们,这并不能让我们感到安心。反之,如果他们都不同意我们的做法,也并不能让我们感到安心。民意测验无 法替代思考。只有当我们能理解我们的形势,事实清晰确定,行动方案显而易见的时候,我们才能真正放松,面带笑容。这时候,无论传统与否,无论他人同意与 否,我们都认为自己是以一种保守的方式取得进展。      (1964年给合伙人的信)        耐心与保密      投资需要耐心与保密。     (1)Our business is one requiring patience. It has little in common with a portfolio of high-flying glamour stocks and during periods of popularity for the latter, we may appear quite stodgy.      It is to our advantage to have securities do nothing price wise for months, or perhaps years, while we are buying them. This points up the need to measure our results over an adequate period of time. We suggest three years as a minimum.      我们的生意必须耐心。这与满是高高在上的热门股的投资组合不同。在这些热门股票流行的时期,我们会显得非常古板枯燥。      在我们购买股票的时候,这些股票的价格几个月,甚至几年不变,这对我们来说是个优势。这清楚的表明在衡量我们结果的时候,需要足够长的时间。我们建议三年是最短的时间。      (2)We cannot talk about our current investment operations. Such an open-mouth policy could never improveour results and in some situations could seriously hurt us. For this reason, should anyone, including partners, ask us whether we are interested in any security, we must plead the “5th Amendment.”      我们不能谈论我们目前的投资运营。这种公开张扬的政策永远也无法提高我们的结果,在某些时候还可能严重损害我们自己。由于这个原因,如果任何人,包括合伙人,问我们是否对某个股票感兴趣,我们必须援引“宪法第五修正案”,保持沉默。      (1963年给合伙人的信附录)    


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一个投资者的成长——读巴菲特的信(4) Barrons

http://blog.caing.com/article/9372/

  投资的本质  

   投资的本质是什么?是与自身人性的博弈。只有时时刻刻记住投资的终极目标“最快的长期复利增长”,时时刻刻保持从零开始的态度,不断学习,不断修正自己,才有可能达到目标。      Buying activities during the first half were quite satisfactory. This is of particular satisfaction to me since I consider the buying end to be about 90% of this business.      在上半年我们的买入活动相当令人满意。这对我来说尤其感到满足,因为我认为投资这门生意大约90%在于买入。      1964年上半年给合伙人的信)      More investment sins are probably committed by otherwise quite intelligent people because of "taxconsiderations" than from any other cause. One of my friends - a noted West Coast philosopher maintains that a majority of life's errors are caused by forgetting what one is really trying to do.

    更多的由于“税务考虑”,很多其实非常聪明的人犯了太多的投资罪过。我的一个朋友—一个著名的西海岸哲学家认为人一生所犯的大部分错都是由于忘记了自己真正想要做什么。      
(1964年给合伙人的信)      
It is obvious that the performance of a stock last year or last month is no reason, per se, to either own it or to not own it now. It is obvious that an inability to "get even" in a security that has declined is of no importance. It is obvious that the inner warm glow that results from having held a winner last year is of no importance in making a decision as to whether it belongs in an optimum portfolio this year.    
显然,一个股票去年或者上个月的业绩,本质上并不是现在拥有或者不拥有这只股票的原因。同样,不能在一只已经下跌的股票上“翻本”也并不重要。当然,拥有一支去年的赢家股票会让自己的内心感到喜悦,但这在决定这只股票是否属于今年的最优组合时毫不重要。    
(1964年给合伙人的信)    
I don’t mention this because I am proud of such performance – on the contrary, I would prefer it if we had achieved our gain in the hypothesized manner. Rather, I mention it for two reasons: (1) you are always entitled to know when I am wrong as well as right; and,(2) it demonstrates that although we deal with probabilities and expectations, the actual results can deviate substantially from such expectations, particularly on a short-term basis.    
(虽然业绩很好,但实现的方式与我们的预期不一致。)我举这个例子并不是我们对此感到自豪。正好相反,我更希望我们以事先假设的方式获得收益。我提这个是由于两个原因:(1)你有权知道我何时错了,何时对了。(2)这表明虽然我们与概率和预期打交道,但实际的结果有可能大范围的偏离这些预期,在短期内这更是如此。    
(1964年上半年给合伙人的信)    
After last year the question naturally arises, "What do we do for an encore?” A disadvantage of this business is that it does not possess momentum to any significant degree. If General Motors accounts for 54% of domestic new car registrations in 1965, it is a pretty safe bet that they are going to come fairly close to that figure in 1966 due to owner loyalties, dealer capabilities, productive capacity, consumer image, etc. Not so for BPL. We start from scratch each year with everything valued at market when the gun goes off. Partners in 1966, new or old, benefit to only a very limited extent from the efforts of 1964 and 1965. The success of past methods and ideas does not transfer forward to future ones.     
去年的好业绩之后,一个很自然的问题就是:“我们怎么才能重复这一好的业绩?”投资这门生意的坏处就在于无法保持一定的势头。如果通用汽车在1965年占有54%的国内汽车市场,那么很有可能他们在1966年的数字也会非常接近。因为他们有消费者的忠诚,经销商的能力,生产能力,在消费者心中的形象等因素。但巴菲特合伙基金不是这样的。每年我们都是从零开始,由市场估值。在1966年的合伙人,无论新旧,都只能从我们1964年和1965年的努力中获得非常有限的好处。过去的成功方法与想法无法转移到未来。    
(1965年给合伙人的信)
   
 

复利的悲哀

 

    成也萧何,败也萧何。巴菲特享受到了复利的好处,也很快感受到了复利的悲哀。当基金越来越大,复利增长也就越来越难。到了1965年,巴菲特向新投资者关闭了合伙基金。      

Nevertheless,as circumstances presently appear, I feel substantially greater size is more likely to harm future results than to help them. This might not be true for my own personal results, but it is likely to be true for your results.     
但是,基于目前的情况,我认为基金越大,则越有可能伤害而不是帮助我们未来的业绩。这对我自己的收入可能不是如此(因为我的管理费和分成会随之增加),但对你的业绩确实如此。      
Therefore, unless it appears that circumstances have changed (under some conditions added capital would improve results) or unless new partners can bring some asset to the Partnership other than simply capital, I intend to admit no additional partners to BPL.

   所以,除非这种情况得到改变(即在某种情况下增加的资本会改善业绩),或者合伙人不仅能给合伙基金带来资金,我有意停止接收新的合伙人进入巴菲特合伙基金。    

(1965年给合伙人的信)    

  

 

集中投资

    这是巴菲特投资理念中极其重要的一部分。与传统的“分散投资”相反,巴菲特崇尚集中投资。在35岁的时候,他就清晰的认识到,要想超越指数,就必须集中投资。这种集中投资不仅与预期的回报高低有关,更与潜在的损失相关。最新的《数学研究

》也表明,巴菲特的这种集中持股方式符合最优的长期复利增长,具有最高的几何平均增长速度。     

This year in the material which went out in November, I specifically called your attention to a new Ground Rule reading, "7. We diversify substantially less than most investment operations. We might invest up to 40% of our net worth in a single security under conditions coupling an extremely high probability that our facts and reasoning are correct with a very low probability that anything could drastically change the underlying value of the investment."      
今年11月发出的材料里,我特意让你注意一条新的基本原则。“7.我们比大部分投资机构都要较少的进行分散投资。如果我们的事实与逻辑推理有极高的可能性是正确的,而且投资的内在价值剧烈变化的可能性极低,我们最多可能把净值的40%投入单支股票。”      
We are obviously following a policy regarding diversification which differs markedly from that of practically all public investment operations. Frankly, there is nothing I would like better than to have 50 different investment opportunities, all of which have a mathematical expectation (this term reflects the range of all possible relative performances, including negative ones, adjusted for the probability of each - no yawning, please) of achieving performance surpassing the Dow by, say, fifteen percentage points per annum. If the fifty individual expectations were not intercorrelated(what happens to one is associated with what happens to the other) I could put 2% of our capital into each one and sit back with a very high degree of certainty that our overall results would be very close to such a fifteen percentage point advantage.          
很明显,我们的分散投资政策与绝大多数公众投资机构有着显著的不同。坦率的讲,我最愿意拥有50个不同的投资机会,每一个都有每年超过道指15%的数学期望。(这里的数学期望是指所有可能的相对业绩的范围,包括负值,经过概率调整后的结果。)如果这50个期望不是相互关联的(一个的结果与其它结果的联系),我能把2%的资本平均分配给每个机会,然后就能高枕无忧而且非常确信我们的整体业绩将非常接近对道指15%的优势。     
It doesn't work that way.    
根本不是那么回事。          
We have to work extremely hard to find just a very few attractive investment situations. Such a situation by definition is one where my expectation (defined as above) of performance is at least ten percentage points per annum superior to the Dow. Among the few we do find, the expectations vary substantially. The question always is,“How much do I put in number one (ranked by expectation of relative performance) and how much do I put in number eight?" This depends to a great degree on the wideness of the spread between the mathematical expectation of number one versus number eight. It also depends upon the probability that number one could turn in a really poor relative performance. Two securities could have equal mathematical expectations, but one might have .05 chance of performing fifteen percentage points or more worse than the Dow, and the second might have only .01 chance of such performance. The wider range of expectation in the first case reduces the desirability of heavy concentration in it.          
我们必须极其努力才能找到仅有的几个有吸引力的投资机会。这种机会是指我的预期(如上面的定义)是业绩至少每年超过道指10个 百分点。在找到的仅有的几个机会中,我们的预期非常不同。问题总是在于“我在第一个投多少(这里的第一是指按预期的相对业绩排),在第八个投多少?”这取 决于第一和第八的数学期望的差异度有多大。这也取决于第一个会取得非常差的相对业绩的概率。两只股票可能有相同的数学期望,但是一个有0.05的概率低于道指15%或更差的业绩,而第二个则只有0.01的概率会有这样差的业绩。由于第一个例子中数学期望的范围差异度很大,这就减少了重仓集中在这个股票的意愿。          
The above may make the whole operation sound very precise. It isn't. Nevertheless, our business is that of ascertaining facts and then applying experience and reason to such facts to reach expectations. Imprecise and emotionally influenced as our attempts may be, that is what the business is all about. The results of many years of decision-making in securities will demonstrate how well you are doing on making such calculations – whether you consciously realize you are making the calculations or not. I believe the investor operates at a distinct advantage when he is aware of what path his thought process is following.      
以上的论述让整个过程显得非常精确。其实不是的。但是,我们的投资生意就是搞清事实,然后运用经验和逻辑推理,从而得出预期。我们的努力可能不精确,并受到情感的影响,但这就是投资。多年股票投资决策的结果将证明我们在做那些计算时有多精确— 无论你是否意识到,你都在进行计算估计。我相信当投资者意识到他自己所遵从的思路时,他在投资方面就有了明确的优势。          
There is one thing of which I can assure you. If good performance of the fund is even a minor objective, any portfolio encompassing one hundred stocks (whether the manager is handling one thousand dollars or one billion dollars) is not being operated logically. The addition of the one hundredth stock simply can't reduce the potential variance in portfolio performance sufficiently to compensate for the negative effect its inclusion has on the overall portfolio expectation.          
我能向你保证一件事。即使基金的业绩表现是一个次要目标,一个有着100支股票的投资组合是不合理的(无论基金经理是管理1千美金或者10亿美金)。增加第100支股票根本无法把投资组合业绩的潜在波动足够降低,反而无法弥补加入这支股票对整个投资组合的预期回报所带来的负面效应。    
Anyone owning such numbers of securities after presumably studying their investment merit (and I don't care how prestigious their labels) is following what I call the Noah School of Investing - two of everything. Such investors should be piloting arks. While Noah may have been acting in accord with certain time-tested biological principles, the investors have left the track regarding mathematical principles. (I only made it through plane geometry, but with one exception, I have carefully screened out the mathematicians from our Partnership.)          
任何拥有这么多股票的人,估计是学了某种投资价值观(我才不管这些人有多著名),我 称之为诺亚学派的投资哲学,就是任何东西都来一对儿。这种投资者应该去开诺亚方舟。虽然诺亚每种生物都选一对儿的方式是根据了经过时间检验的某种生物规 律,但投资者这么做却是偏离了数学的基本原理。(我只学过平面几何,但是我已经仔细筛选过我们的合伙基金,把数学家排除在外了。)          
Of course, the fact that someone else is behaving illogically in owning one hundred securities doesn't prove our case. While they may be wrong in overdiversifying, we have to affirmatively reason through a proper diversification policy in terms of our objectives.          
当然,别人不合逻辑的拥有100支股票,这并不能证明我们是对的。他们可能过度分散是错的,而我们则必须确实推理出基于我们自己目标的合适的分散投资策略。          
The optimum portfolio depends on the various expectations of choices available and the degree of variance in performance which is tolerable. The greater the number of selections, the less will be the average year-to-year variation in actual versus expected results. Also, the lower will be the expected results, assuming different choices have different expectations of performance.     
最优的投资组合取决于现有的不同投资选择的数学期望,以及我们所能容忍的业绩变化的程度。选取的股票越多,平均每年的业绩与预期的结果差异越小。但是,假定不同的投资选择有不同的预期业绩,随着选取股票数量的增加,则预期的业绩也将降低。          
I am willing to give up quite a bit in terms of leveling of year-to-year results (remember when I talk of “results,” I am talking of performance relative to the Dow) in order to achieve better overall long-term performance. Simply stated, this means I am willing to concentrate quite heavily in what I believe to be the best investment opportunities recognizing very well that this may cause an occasional very sour year - one somewhat more sour, probably, than if I had diversified more. While this means our results will bounce around more, I think it also means that our long-term margin of superiority should be greater.          
 

为了取得总体更好的长期业绩,我愿意 放弃相当一部分的年度结果(记住当我说“结果”时,我指的是相对于道指的业绩)。简而言之,这意味着我愿意相当集中的重仓持有我坚信是最好的投资机会。与 此同时,我清楚的意识到,与更加分散的投资相比,我这种方式有可能造成偶尔一个业绩非常糟糕的一年。虽然这意味着我们的业绩将上下波动,但我坚信这也意味 着我们长期的优势将更大。          

You have already seen some examples of this. Our margin versus the Dow has ranged from 2.4 percentage points in 1958 to 33.0 points in 1965.If you check this against the deviations of the funds listed on page three, you will find our variations have a much wider amplitude. I could have operated in such a manner as to reduce our amplitude, but I would also have reduced our overall performance somewhat although it still would have substantially exceeded that of the investment companies. Looking back, and continuing to think this problem through, I feel that if anything, I should have concentrated slightly more than I have in the past. Hence, the new Ground Rule and this long-winded explanation.     
你已经看到了一些例子。我们对道指的优势从1958年的2.4个百分点到1965年的33个 百分点大范围波动。你如果把这个与第三页的投资基金与道指的差异相比,你就会发现我们业绩变化的范围更广。我本来可以按那些基金的方式运营,以减少业绩变 化的范围,但是那样会降低我们的整体业绩,虽然我们也能大范围的超过那些投资基金公司。回顾过去,我对这个问题经过持续深入思考后认为,如果要改变什么的 话,我会比过去的方式稍稍更加集中持股。所以,我就制定了这个新的基本准则,并且花了这么大的篇幅进行解释。          
Again let me state that this is somewhat unconventional reasoning (this doesn't make it right or wrong - it does mean you have to do your own thinking on it), and you may well have a different opinion - if you do, the Partnership is not the place for you. We are obviously only going to go to 40% in very rare situations – this rarity, of course, is what makes it necessary that we concentrate so heavily, when we see such an opportunity. We probably have had only five or six situations in the nine-year history of the Partnership where we have exceeded 25%. Any such situations are going to have to promise very significantly superior performance relative to the Dow compared to other opportunities available at the time. They are also going to have to possess such superior qualitative and/or quantitative factors that the chance of serious permanent loss is minimal (anything can happen on a short-term quotational basis which partially explains the greater risk of widened year-to-year variation in results). In selecting the limit to which I will go in anyone investment, I attempt to reduce to a tiny figure the probability that the single investment (or group, if there is intercorrelation) can produce a result for our total portfolio that would be more than ten percentage points poorer than the Dow.          
让我再次声明,这是有些反传统的推理思考(这并不决定其对错,但这意味着你必须对此做自己的的思考)。你完全可能有不同的看法。如果你有不同的看法,那么这个合伙基金不适合你。很明显,我们只会在非常罕见的情况下把净值的40%投入单支股票。当然,正是这种罕见的机会才让我们必须如此集中重仓。在合伙基金的9年历史中,我们可能只有5到6次超过25%集中持股的情形。任何这些情况,与当时其他的机会相比,都具有更大幅度超越道指的希望。不仅如此,它们还具有如此优异的定性和/或 定量因素,以至于严重的本金永久损失的机率是最小的。(在短期内,在账面价值上,任何事情都有可能发生。这也是为什么我们的风险更高,年度业绩波动扩大的 部分原因。)在选择任何单一投资的限度时,我意图把单一投资(或者一组投资,如果有内部的相关性)使我们整个投资组合的业绩低于道指10个百分点的概率减到极小。          
(1965年给合伙人的信)          
Interestingly enough, the literature of investment management is virtually devoid of material relative to deductive calculation of optimal diversification.          
有趣的是,有关投资管理的文献几乎没有推理计算最优分散投资的材料。    
All texts counsel "adequate" diversification, but the ones who quantify "adequate" virtually never explain how they arrive at their conclusion. Hence, for our summation on overdiversification, we turn to that eminent academician Billy Rose, who says, "You've got a harem of seventy girls; you don't get to know any of them very well.”          
所有的教科书都建议“足够”的分散投资。但是量化“足够”的人从来没有解释他们如何得到其结论。所以,为了总结我们关于过度分散投资的论述,我引用知名学者Billy Rose的话“如果你的后宫有70个女孩,那么你对哪一个也不会有深入的了解。”          
(1965年给合伙人的信)


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一个投资者的成长——读巴菲特的信(5) Barrons

http://blog.caing.com/article/9653/

市场分析与投资
 
巴菲特的投资原则非常清晰,对公司做分析判断,不对市场进行预测。
 
Ground Rule No.6 (from our November packet) says: “I am not in the business of predicting general stock market or business fluctuations.If you think I can do this, or think it is essential to an investment program, you should not be in the partnership.”  
 
第六条基本原则(来自于11月份的材料)提到:“我不从事预测整个股票市场或者商业波动的事业。如果你认为我可以做预测,或者认为这对投资是必不可少的,那你不应该在这个合伙基金。”
 
Of course, this rule can be attacked as fuzzy, complex, ambiguous, vague, etc. Nevertheless, I think the point is well understood by the great majority of our partners. We don't buy and sell stocks based upon what other people think the stock market is going to do (I never have an opinion) but rather upon what we think the company is going to do. The course of the stock market will determine, to a great degree, when we will be right, but the accuracy of our analysis of the company will largely determine whether we will be right. In other words, we tend to concentrate on what should happen, not when it should happen.
 当 然这条原则会被人批评是模糊、复杂、含混、不清楚。但是,我认为大多数合伙人都非常理解这一原则。我们不根据其他人所认为的股票市场将如何表现(我从来对 此没有意见)而买入和卖出。我们根据我们认为公司将如何表现而买入和卖出。股票市场的进程将很大程度上决定我们何时会正确。而我们对公司分析的精确程度将 主要决定我们是否正确。换句话说,我们倾向于集中精力分析什么能发生,而不是何时能发生。    1966年上半年给合伙人的信)      I resurrect this "market-guessing" section only because after the Dow declined from 995 at the peak in February to about 865 in May, I received a few calls from partners suggesting that they thought stocks were going a lot lower. This always raises two questions in my mind: (1) if they knew in February that the Dow was going to 865 in May, why didn't they let me in on it then; and, (2)if they didn't know what was going to happen during the ensuing three months back in February, how do they know in May? There is also a voice or two after any hundred point or so decline suggesting we sell and wait until the future is clearer. Let me again suggest two points: (1) the future has never been clear to me (give us a call when the next few months are obvious to you – or, for that matter the next few hours); and, (2) no one ever seems to call after the market has gone up one hundred points to focus my attention on how unclear everything is, even though the view back in February doesn't look so clear in retrospect.    我把“猜测市场”这部分又重新提出来是因为道指从2月份995点的高峰跌到5月的865点,之后我接到了几个合伙人的电话,认为股票还将继续下跌很多。这总会在我脑海里引发两个问题:(1)如果他们在2月份知道,道指将在5月份跌到865点,为什么当时他们不阻止我投资。而且(2)如果他们不知道2月份之后接下来的三个月将发生什么,他们怎么知道5月之后将发生什么?也有几个人在道指大跌百点后建议我们卖出,等待未来更加清晰后再行动。让我再次建议两点:(1)对我来说,未来从没有清晰过(如果未来几个月对你非常显而易见,给我们打个电话,在接下来的几个小时就打)(2)在市场上涨百点后没人给我打电话,让我注意任何事情都是不清晰的,即使回过头来看2月份的情形其实并不清晰。    1966年上半年给合伙人的信)      十年总结      10万到5千万,巴菲特的第一个10年是幸运的。他的投资哲学得到了实践,个人财富也大大增长,成为了一个有经验的成功投资人。但是,随着规模的扩大,投资变得越来越难,好的投资想法则越来越少。即便如此,巴菲特还是坚守自己的原则,不随波逐流。      The results of the first ten years have absolutely no chance of being duplicated or even remotely approximated during the next decade. They may well be achieved by some hungry twenty-five year old working with $105,100 initial partnership capital and operating during a ten year business and market environment which is frequently conducive to successful implementation of his investment philosophy.    第一个10年的结果,在下一个10年绝对无法复制,甚至连接近都不可能。这些结果完全有可能由一个25岁,充满渴望,却只有105100美元初始资金的年轻人取得。而且还得有10年常常是有助于成功实施他的投资哲学的商业和市场环境。    
They will not be achieved by a better fed thirty-six year old working with our $54,065,345 current partnership capital who presently finds perhaps one-fifth to one-tenth as many really good ideas as previously to implement his investment philosophy.
 
这些成绩无法由一个相对富足的36岁的人取得。他运营着54百万美元的合伙人资金,与以前相比,却可能只有五分之一到十分之一的好想法去实施他的投资哲学。
 
Buffett Associates. Ltd. (predecessor to Buffett Partnership. Ltd.) was founded on the west banks of the Missouri. May 5. 1956 by a hardy little band consisting of four family members, three close friends and $105,100. (I tried to find some brilliant flash of insight regarding our future or present conditions from my first page and a half annual letter of January, 1957 to insert as a quote here. However, someone evidently doctored my file copy so as to remove the perceptive remarks I must have made.)
 
巴菲特联合有限公司(巴菲特合伙有限公司的前身)于195655日,在密苏里河西岸成立,主要由四个家庭成员,三个亲密的朋友组成,外加105100美元。(我曾经想从写于19571月的第一份年度信中,找到揭示我们目前或者未来的光辉的闪光点而引用到这。但是,显然有人对我的文件作了手脚,抽走了我当时所做的洞悉未来的评论。)
 
At that time, and for some years subsequently, there were substantial numbers of securities selling at well below the "value to a private owner" criterion we utilized for selection of general market investments. We also experienced a flow of “workout” opportunities where the percentages were very much to our liking. The problem was always which, not what. Accordingly, we were able to own fifteen to twenty-five issues and be enthusiastic about the probabilities inherent in all holdings.
 
那时,以及后面的几年里,有相当多股票的价格都远低于我们所用的“私人拥有的价值”衡量的投资标准。在“Workout”类别的投资机会中有很多的百分比都是我们喜欢的。对于我们来说,问题总是选哪一个,而不是选什么。所以,我们能够拥有1525个投资,对所有机会的内在可能性充满热情。
 
In the last few years this situation has changed dramatically. We now find very few securities that are understandable to me, available in decent size, and which offer the expectation of investment performance meeting our yardstick of ten percentage points per annum superior to the Dow. In the last three years we have come up with only two or three new ideas a year that have had such an expectancy of superior performance. Fortunately, in some cases, we have made the most of them. However, in earlier years, a lesser effort produced literally dozens of comparable opportunities. It is difficult to be objective about the causes for such diminution of one's own productivity. Three factors that seem apparent are: (1) a somewhat changed market environment; (2) our increased size; and (3)substantially more competition.
 
在过去几年,这种情况发生了重大改变。我们现在发现只有很少的股票我能理解,而且规模足够大,能提供满足我们的投资业绩预期,即每年增长高于道指10个百分点。在过去3年里,我们每年只找到了2-3个符合这样出色业绩预期的新的投资想法。幸运的是,在一些情况下,我们充分利用了大部分这些机会。但是,在早些年,很少的努力就能产生几十个类似的投资机会。在探讨一个人自己的生产效率下降的原因时,很难做到客观。有三个因素可能是明显的:(1)市场环境有了相当的改变;(2)我们的规模增加了;(3)大幅度增加的竞争。
 
It is obvious that a business based upon only a trickle of fine ideas has poorer prospects than one based upon a steady flow of such ideas. To date the trickle has provided as much financial nourishment as the flow. This is true because there is only so much one can digest(million dollar ideas are of no great benefit to thousand dollar bankaccounts - this was impressed on me in my early days) and because a limited number of ideas causes one to utilize those available more intensively. The latter factor has definitely been operative with us in recent years. However, a trickle has considerably more chance of drying up completely than a flow.
 
显然,一个只是基于涓涓细流式的好想法的生意,其前景比不上有着源源不断的稳定的好 想法的生意。到今天为止,这涓涓细流提供了与滚滚洪流一样的财务营养。这只是因为一个人的消化能力有限(百万美元的想法对只有一千美元的银行账户没什么益 处—这在早期我深有体会)而且正是因为想法有限,才会尽量充分利用这些现有的想法。在最近几年,我们一直在充分利用有限的投资想法。但是,涓涓细流与滚滚 洪流相比,有更大的可能完全枯竭。
 
These conditions will not cause me to attempt investment decisions outside my sphere of understanding (I don't go for the "If you can'tlick 'em, join 'em” philosophy - my own leaning is toward "If you can't join ‘em, lick 'em”). We will not go into businesses where technology which is away over my head is crucial to the investment decision. I know about as much about semi-conductors or integrated circuits as I do of the mating habits of the chrzaszcz.(That's a Polish May bug, students - if you have trouble pronouncing it, rhyme it with thrzaszcz.)
 
这些状况并不能让我尝试在我所理解的范围之外进行投资决策。(我的哲学不是“不能战胜他们,就加入他们”。我自己倾向于“不能加入他们,就战胜他们”。)我们不会投资科技对投资决策有决定性作用的业务,科技远远超出了我的理解。我对半导体或芯片的了解与我对chrzaszcz虫子的交配习惯的了解差不多。(这是一种波兰的虫子,发音是thrzaszcz。)
 
Furthermore, we will not follow the frequently prevalent approach of investing insecurities where an attempt to anticipate market action overrides business valuations. Such so-called "fashion" investing has frequently produced very substantial and quick profits in recent years (and currently as I write this in January). It represents an investment technique whose soundness I can neither affirm nor deny. It does not completely satisfy my intellect (or perhaps my prejudices), and most definitely does not fit my temperament. I will not invest my own money based upon such an approach hence, I will most certainly not do so with your money.
 
而且,我们不会追寻盛行的投资方式,那些方式意图预测市场而不是业务估值。那些所谓的“流行”投资方式在近些年经常取得了高额而快速的利润(在我写这封信的1月就是如此)。对这种投资方式的可靠性,我无法接受也无法否认。这种方法不能完全达到我的思考的标准(或者是我的偏见),而且绝对不适合我的禀性。所以,我不会用我自己的钱去进行此种投资。我当然也不会用你的钱去进行此种投资。
 
Finally, we will not seek out activity in investment operations, even if offering splendid profit expectations, where major human problems appear to have a substantial chance of developing.
 
最后,我们不会寻求投资于有很大可能会造成严重人类问题的机会,即使这些机会能提供无与伦比的利润预期。
 
What I do promise you, as partners, is that I will work hard to maintain the trickle of ideas and try to get the most out of it that is possible – but if it should dry up completely, you will be informed honestly and promptly so that we may all take alternative action.
 
我所能向你保证的是,作为合伙人,我将努力工作,保持投资想法的涓涓细流,并从中获得尽可能多的回报。但是,如果投资想法的涓涓细流一旦枯竭,你将及时得到通知,我们都将选择各自的其他出路。
 
1966年给合伙人的信)
 
 
坚持集中投资
 
巴菲特式的集中投资,用短期波动换取长期业绩,但绝不冒资本金重大损失的风险。这是典型的符合凯利判据的投资方式。而1966年,凯利判据也正好诞生10年。
 
The sort of concentration we have in this category is bound to produce wide swings in short term performance – some, most certainly, unpleasant. There have already been some of these applicable to shorter time spans than I use in reporting to partners. This is one reason I think frequent reporting to be foolish and potentially misleading in a long term oriented business such as ours.
 
我们所进行的集中投资必然导致短期内大范围的业绩波动,这有时候肯定是令人不愉快的。在比我向合伙人汇报的时间段更短的时期里,已经有了一些大范围波动的情况。这就是为什么我认为在我们这种注重长期的生意里,频繁的汇报是愚蠢而且有可能是误导的。
 
Personally, within the limits expressed in last year's letter on diversification, I am willing to trade the pains (forget about the pleasures) of substantial short term variance in exchange for maximization of long term performance. However, I am not willing to incur risk of substantial permanent capital loss in seeking to better long term performance. To be perfectly clear - under our policy of concentration of holdings, partners should be completely prepared for periods of substantial underperformance (far more likely in sharply rising markets) to offset the occasional over performance such as we have experienced in 1965 and 1966, and as a price we pay for hoped-for good long term performance.
 
从个人来讲,在去年的信中所说的极限之内,我愿意用短期波动带来的痛苦(忘记快乐 吧)来换取长期的业绩。但是,我不会承担资本金重大永久损失的风险来换取更高的长期业绩。必须明确指出,在我们目前的集中重仓持有的策略下,为了我们所希 望的好的长期业绩,合伙人必须完全准备好迎接业绩严重不佳(在暴涨的牛市更有可能)的时期,虽然我们偶尔也会有像19651966年这样的好业绩。
 
All this talk about the long pull has caused one partner to observe that“even five minutes is a long time if one's head is being held underwater." This is the reason, of course, that we use borrowed money very sparingly in our operation. Average bank borrowings during 1966 were well under 10% of average net worth.
 所有这些关于长期的说辞引起了一位合伙人的评论“如果一个人的头被按在水下,即使五分钟也是一段很长的时期。”这就是为什么我们很少借钱投资。在1966年,我们的平均银行贷款远低于平均净值的10%    
1966年给合伙人的信)
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一个投资者的成长——读巴菲特的信(6) Barrons

http://blog.caing.com/article/9761/

 
坚持原则拒绝投机
 
 
 
当投机盛行,而且获利颇丰的时候,对坚持价值投资原则的人是很大的考验。投机的迅速高额回报是极具诱惑的,而只有内心强大的投资者才能拒绝这种诱惑。
 
 
Last year I said:
 
 
“A few mutual funds and some private investment operations have compiled records vastly superior to the Dow and, in some cases, substantially superior to Buffett Partnership, Ltd. Their investment techniques are usually very dissimilar to ours and not within my capabilities.”
 
 
去年我说过:
 
 
“有些共同基金和私人投资公司获得了大大超越道指的业绩,有些还大范围的超越了巴菲特合伙基金的业绩。他们的投资技术通常与我们的非常不同,这超越了我的能力范围。”
 
 
In 1967 this condition intensified. Many investment organizations performed substantially better than BPL, with gains ranging to over 100%. Because of these spectacular results, money, talent and energy are converging in a maximum effort for the achievement of large and quick stock market profits. It looks to me like greatly intensified speculation with concomitant risks - but many of the advocates insist otherwise.
 
 
在1967年,这种情况加剧了。很多投资机构大范围的超越了巴菲特合伙基金,有的收益超过100%。由于这些惊人的业绩,金钱、人才、精力都以最大的程度汇集到一起,来取得大量而迅速的股票市场收益。这在我看来更像是加剧的投机,同时伴随着风险。但很多这些投资方式的倡导者并不这么看。
 
 
My mentor, Ben Graham, used to say. “Speculation is neither illegal, immoral nor fattening (financially).” During the past year, it was possible to become fiscally flabby through a steady diet of speculative bonbons. We continue to eat oatmeal but if indigestion should set in generally, it is unrealistic to expect that we won’thave some discomfort.
 
 
我的导师,格雷厄姆曾经说。“投机不是非法的,不是不道德的,也不是(金钱上)增肥的。”在过去一年,通过连续吃投机的巧克力夹心可以在金钱上变胖。而我们继续吃燕麦片,但是如果大家整体都消化不良,希望我们不会感到不舒服也是不现实的。
 
 
(1967年给合伙人的信)
 
 
Essentially I am out of step with present conditions. On one point, however, I am clear. I will not abandon a previous approach whose logic I understand (although I find it difficult to apply) even though it may mean foregoing large and apparently easy, profits to embrace an approach which I don’t fully understand, have not practiced successfully and which, possibly, could lead to substantial permanent loss of capital.
 
 
我基本上是跟不上目前的形势了。但是,我非常清楚一点。即使放弃大量而明显的容易挣的利润,我也不会放弃我以前的方法,因为我理解这种方法的逻辑(虽然我发现这种方法难以应用)。我不会接受一种我不完全理解,没有成功实践的方法,因为这有可能导致资本的重大永久损失。
 
 
(1967年给合伙人的信)
 
   
 
定性与定量
 
 
 
证券分析与决策总是结合了定性与定量,定性赚大钱,定量赚稳钱,缺一不可。
 
 
The evaluation of securities and businesses for investment purposes has always involved a mixture of qualitative and quantitative factors. At the one extreme, the analyst exclusively oriented to qualitative factors would say. "Buy the right company (with the right prospects, inherent industry conditions, management, etc.) and the price will take care of itself.” On the other hand, the quantitative spokesman would say, “Buy at the right price and the company (and stock) will take care of itself.” As is so often the pleasant result in the securities world, money can be made with either approach. And, of course, any analyst combines the two to some extent – his classification in either school would depend on the relative weight he assigns to the various factors and not to his consideration of one group of factors to the exclusion of the other group.    为 了投资目的而对证券与业务进行的估值,向来混合了定性和定量的因素。在一个极端,完全偏向定性因素的分析者会说:“买好的公司(有好的前景,好的内在行业 状况,好的管理等),价格自己会上涨。”在另一个极端,定量分析一方会说:“买在合适的价位,公司(和股票)自己会努力。”在证券世界里,良好的业绩往往 证明,这两种方式都可以赚钱。当然,任何分析师在某种程度上都综合了这两种方式,他对这两种学派的划分要看他对不同因素所给予的权重,而不是只考虑一类因 素而拒绝其他一类因素。    
Interestingly enough, although I consider myself to be primarily in the quantitative school (and as I write this no one has come back from recess - I may be the only one left in the class), the really sensational ideas I have had over the years have been heavily weighted toward the qualitative side where I have had a "high-probability insight". This is what causes the cash register to really sing. However, it is an infrequent occurrence, as insights usually are, and, of course, no insight is required on the quantitative side - the figures should hit you over the head with a baseball bat. So the really big money tends to be made by investors who are right on qualitative decisions but, at least in my opinion, the more sure money tends to be made on the obvious quantitative decisions.
 
 
有趣的是,虽然我自认为主要是定量这一学派的(在我写这封信的时候,大家都还没从休 假回来,我可能是这一派唯一剩下的一个人),但是在过去这么多年,那些真正绝妙的投资想法都严重倾向于定性一端,对那些想法我有着“高概率的深刻见解”。 这才是赚钱的真正原因。但是,这种机会并不常见。因为洞察、深入见解通常并不是定量分析所必须的。数字是直来直去的,就像你的头被棒球棒击中一样。所以, 至少在我看,真正的大钱是靠投资者在定性分析上决策正确而赚的,而可靠而稳定的赚钱则要靠明显而直接的定量决策。
 
 
Such statistical bargains have tended to disappear over the years. This may be due to the constant combing and recombing of investments that has occurred during the past twenty years, without an economic convulsion such as that of the ‘30s to create a negative bias toward equities and spawn hundreds of new bargain securities. It maybe due to the new growing social acceptance, and therefore usage (or maybe it's vice versa - I'll let the behaviorists figure it out) of takeover bids which have a natural tendency to focus on bargain issues. It may be due to the exploding ranks of security analysts bringing forth an intensified scrutiny of issues far beyond what existed some years ago. Whatever the cause, the result has been the virtual disappearance of the bargain issue as determined quantitatively - and thereby of our bread and butter. There still maybe a few from time to time. There will also be the occasional security where I am really competent to make an important qualitative judgment. This will offer our best chance for large profits. Such instances will. however, be rare. Much of our good performance duringthe past three years has been due to a single idea of this sort.
 
 
这些便宜的机会在过去一些年逐渐消失。这可能是由于在过去20年里,投资公司不断合并,而且又缺乏像30年 代那样的大的经济震荡来产生对股票的负面偏见,因此无法大量产生成百的便宜股票。这也可能是因为社会的容忍度逐渐增加,所以收购兼并的使用逐渐增加(也可 能是反过来,收购兼并增加而导致社会越来越容忍,让行为学者想明白吧。)这些收购兼并自然集中在便宜的投资机会上。这还可能是由于证券分析师数量的暴增, 对证券的仔细深入研究程度远超过多年前的水平。无论原因是什么,结果是通过量化分析就能判断是便宜的股票几乎消失了,而这是我们投资的基本生计。偶尔,也 会有几个便宜的机会。有时候,有的股票我确实有能力做出重要的定性判断。这将带来巨额盈利的最好机会。但是,这些情况都非常少见。我们过去三年的好业绩很 大一部分都是由于一个这种好的投资想法。
 
 
(1967年给合伙人的信)
 
 
 
 
 
投资与生活的平衡
 
 
 
投资并不是生活的全部,人需要平衡,巴菲特也不例外。放弃追求最大化,也给自己留出了空间。
 
 
Elementary self-analysis tells me that I will not be capable of less than all-out effort to achieve a publicly proclaimed goal to people who have entrusted their capital to me. All-out effort makes progressively less sense. I would like to have an economic goal which allows for considerable non-economic activity. This may mean activity outside the field of investments or it simply may mean pursuing lines within the investment field that do not promise the greatest economic reward. An example of the latter might be the continued investment in a satisfactory (but far from spectacular) controlled business where I liked the people and the nature of the business even though alternative investments offered an expectable higher rate of return. More money would be made buying businesses at attractive prices, then reselling them. However, it may be more enjoyable (particularly when the personal value of incremental capital is less) to continue to own them and hopefully improve their performance, usually in a minor way, through some decisions involving financial strategy.
 
 
基本的自我分析告诉我,我无法不全身心投入去实现一个对大家公开宣称的目标,这些人 们把资本托付了给我。但全身心投入的方式越来越不明智了。我希望设立一个容许相当多的非经济活动的经济目标。这有可能意味着投资领域以外的活动,或者只意 味着追寻不具有最大经济回报的投资。后一个的例子,比如持续投资于一个令人满意(但远不是绝妙)的控股业务。即使有其他投资机会能提供预期更高的回报率, 我也会投资于这样的生意,因为我喜欢管理者和生意本身。在好的价位买入业务,然后卖掉能挣更多的钱。但是,持续拥有生意,并通过财务决策有希望稍微改善它 们的业绩,这更有乐趣(尤其当个人不必持续投入精力时)。
 
 
Thus, I am likely to limit myself to things which are reasonably easy, safe, profitable and pleasant. This will not make our operation more conservative than in the past since I believe, undoubtedly with some bias, that we have always operated with considerable conservatism. The long-term downside risk will not be less; the upside potential will merely be less.
 
 
所以,我将会把我的工作限于比较容易、安全、盈利,而且愉快的业务。这不会让我们的运营比过去更加保守。因为我坚信(毫无疑问这有些我自己的偏见)我们一直以相当保守的方式运营。长期的下行风险不会更少,而向上的潜力将更少。
 
 
(1967年给合伙人的信)


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