Investment guru Warren Buffett, who has been living in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, USA, since 1956, is known as the "Oracle of Omaha" by industry insiders.
The Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' meeting held here every year is called the "Spring Festival Gala of the investment community", and tens of thousands of shareholders will flock to this small town. The whole of Omaha will also usher in several days of carnival, and the air is filled with the smell of carnival.
▲The shareholder meeting can accommodate tens of thousands of people
On May 3, local time, the 2024 "Investment Community Spring Festival Gala" kicked off in Omaha. In addition to having an on-site meeting with Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway shareholders In addition to Q&A, there are also a variety of shopping, gatherings and other activities.
There are often like-minded investors who have a good impression of each other at the scene, and there are also many people who propose marriage on the spot. Buffett's Borsheims jewelry company is also well prepared for this. According to previous years' practice, couples who purchase wedding rings at the Borsheim counter will be witnessed and blessed by Buffett on the spot.
The shareholder meeting attracted attention
For the first time this year, Munger was missing
Berkshire Hathaway was originally a textile company. After being acquired by Buffett, it became an investment platform, which includes various industries controlled by Buffett. and brand.
Berkshire Hathaway's stock price has risen from US$20 per share in 1965 to US$607,000 per share today, making it undoubtedly the most expensive stock in the world today. Even the company's Class B shares (without voting rights and control rights) cost more than 400 US dollars per share, exceeding the normal stock price of US stock giants such as Tesla.
▲During the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting, shareholders wait to buy at the Jishi Toy booth (data map) According to Visual China
According to regulations, Berkshire Hathaway holds a shareholder meeting every year. As the leader, Buffett has to personally answer various questions raised by shareholders.
Currently, Berkshire Hathaway’s Class B shares have approximately 3 million shareholders, most of whom are investors deeply influenced by Buffett’s value investment philosophy. Many Buffett fans only bought 1 share, just to get a ticket to attend the shareholder meeting.
predicts that 40,000 people will attend the "Investment Community Spring Festival Gala" this year. An investor who only bought 1 share told the media: "The purpose of attending Buffett's shareholder meeting is actually to feel the atmosphere and strengthen my own ideas. "
Unlike in the past, Buffett's mentor and friend Charlie Munger will no longer be seen at this year's shareholders' meeting. The "lonely" Buffett is about to turn 94 this year. In his words, he has entered the "overtime stage of life." The discussion about Buffett's successor will surely become the focus of this year's shareholders' meeting.
According to the schedule, Buffett will bring his current deputy Abel and insurance business chief Jain to participate in the most critical shareholder question session. As in previous years, this year's shareholder question session will last 5-6 hours, and 40-60 questions are expected to be answered.
The three-day shareholders' meeting will be rich and colorful.
Important guests will come one after another.
According to the arrangement, May 3rd is shareholder shopping day, May 4th is when Buffett attends the shareholders' meeting and faces questions from shareholders, and there will be a carnival on the 5th. Through activities such as performances, picnics and barbecues, and healthy runs, shareholders have the opportunity to interact with each other and spend an unforgettable time.
Since Berkshire Hathaway holds many well-known local consumer brands in the United States, shareholders can experience and enjoy their "own" products on the first day of the event.
See's Candy is said to be able to sell more than 10 tons of chocolate and sugar products at the shareholder meeting every year, and Coca-Cola will launch special Coke to meet the needs of shareholders. Many other toys, souvenirs, food and alcoholic beverage companies will also bring key products to the venue for shareholders to purchase.
▲ Buffett buys ice cream and eats ice cream on Shareholders Shopping Day
Out of support for his own brands, Buffett usually appears at the venue to take photos with shareholders and conduct "promotional" activities.
After the shareholders' meeting, there will be a sumptuous dinner. On the last day, Berkshire Hathaway will organize a variety of "team-building" activities for shareholders.
According to reports, in previous years, very important guests would appear at these events. For example, Bill Gates is Buffett's most die-hard ally and often comes to shareholders' meetings to support him.
Gates has played bridge with shareholders and had an exhibition table tennis match with Buffett. In addition, Apple CEO Cook and Walt Disney CEO Iger have all attended shareholder meetings, and many American movie stars and sports stars have also appeared at the scene.
▲ Data map: Gates and Buffett had a table tennis exhibition match
It is reported that this year’s guest list has not yet been announced, but a large local photography team has appeared in Omaha, which may indicate that there may be heavyweights attending this year.
Romantic proposals have become commonplace
Warren Buffett’s jewelry “doesn’t go out to outsiders”
In previous years, many people would choose to propose marriage during the shareholders’ meeting, which was also an interesting “strange thing” in Omaha.
In the words of a local resident, "We don't have many famous things here, nor are there as many romantic date spots in big cities. Buffett's shareholder meeting is the most important event of the year."
Some analysts believe that, Since Buffett's fans are basically supporters of his value investment philosophy, it is natural for them to have a good impression of each other since their concepts are highly consistent with each other.
▲ Data map: Buffett (middle) witnessed the successful proposal of a shareholder
Adam Wright is a consultant for a financial company. He successfully proposed at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting many years ago. Last year, he One of his nephews also made a lifelong decision on the same occasion.
Wright recalled that Buffett happened to witness his happy moment at the counter of Borsheim. Buffett not only has a kind attitude, but also has a very quick mind. Before the salesperson could take out his calculator, Buffett calculated the final price he should pay through mental calculation.
Alex Rozek successfully proposed in 2009, and his experience is also quite legendary. At that time, Buffett said there was still time to answer the last question. Rozek raised his hand and asked "how to get the U.S. economy back on track." Buffett responded. Finally, he said that "having a new family will help the recovery of the economy and consumption." ". This answer stimulated Rozek. He knelt down to propose to his girlfriend Krul on the spot, and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Buffett acquired Borsheim Company in 1989 as an important piece in the high-end jewelry retail industry. Adrian, chief revenue officer of Borsheim, said that the company is ready for this year's shareholders' meeting. "We are ready. Being able to participate in the important moments of shareholders' lives is our important value as a company."
Red Star News reporter Zheng Zhi
editor Guo Yu editor-in-chief Li Binbin
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