“ But it wouldn't surprise me if Buffett and his successor Greg Abel announce that Berkshire will start returning capital to shareholders via dividends. That could happen at next year's annual meeting.

If so, I think the company might pay a modest ongoing dividend plus occasional large special dividends – similar to what big-box retailer Costco Wholesale (COST) does.”

This is a lazy statement in my opinion. What exactly leads him to believe a dividend is coming? The large cash pile? For someone that has followed Berkshire (and invested) as closely as him has he not heard Buffett's comments on the subject? Does he not know Berkshire shareholders already resoundingly voted down a dividend? Unless he has some kind of insight that we don't know the statement is dumb and a waste of time.

With that said, I think we all get a little too sensitive on the subject. I don't want a dividend but so long as there is a viable divided policy then I really wouldn't care if we had one. The key is putting it in writing. All I ask is that the amount paid out is really small and that said policy dictates that it can never go above that small percentage.