13 Unrivaled Stocks of the Next 10 Years

9. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B)

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.B) stands among the 13 unrivaled stocks of the next 10 years, reflecting the conglomerate’s long-standing record of capital discipline and diversified earnings power.

Covering analysts’ views on the stock remain divided, with the consensus price target of $529.50 suggesting only single-digit upside. The majority of the covering analysts maintain a “Hold” rating on the stock. Compared to its industry, recent share performance has been somewhat modest. In contrast to the roughly 3.6% increase in the Insurance-Diversified sector over the last six months, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.B) shares have increased by roughly 0.88%. The industry has gone up by roughly 3.13% over the last year, while the stock has declined by almost 0.06%.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.B)’s fourth-quarter results represented the last reporting period under the longstanding CEO Warren Buffett, adding further perspective to the outlook.

Due mostly to relatively slower insurance performance, operating earnings came in at $10.2 billion, down around 29% from $14.56 billion the previous year. Insurance investment income dropped about 25% to $3.1 billion, while insurance underwriting profits dropped 54% to $1.56 billion. Despite not authorizing share buybacks, the company’s cash balance slipped to $373.30 billion from $381.60 billion in the previous quarter.

Management stated the following in its earnings call for the quarter:

“The amount of investment gains (losses) in any given quarter is usually meaningless and delivers figures for net earnings per share that can be extremely misleading to investors who have little or no knowledge of accounting rules.”

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.B) is a diversified holding corporation with operations in insurance, energy, railroads, manufacturing, retail, distribution, and services, including GEICO, BNSF, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Pilot Travel Centers, and McLane.