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The week's question
In December 2024, in the thread "Re: BRK: Why Not XOM?", sykesix asked the members: "What do you do if you arrive early at movie besides go to the snack bar?" This week it is put to everyone again. The button below opens the small thread re-asking it - read what others have said so far, then give your own answer as an ordinary reply.
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Stocks A to Z / Stocks B / Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
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Author: mungofitch ✹✺🐝🐝🐝 SILVER
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Number: of 22989 
Subject: Re: Buffett Cash Hoard: Why $397 Billion Sits
Date: 05/18/26 5:23 PM
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No. of Recommendations: 27
...holding that much cash during a sustained bull run...

The most rational portfolio construction method is to be heavily long equities when the upside is large and the downside small, and the reverse. Consequently the most sensible portfolio is one that is very cash heavy (and non volatile) at times of high valuation levels and all-in (and therefore very volatile) at times of low valuation levels. It's not emotionally easy, but it's the most profitable way to go.

So, "holding that much cash during a sustained bull run" is precisely what the smartest portfolio manager would do, particularly during what seems to be the later stages of a bull run. The seem to be complaining about management doing what makes most sense.

Of course, one could try to time the market, thinking "I'll ride it up into overvaluation and then sell before everyone else does". But just imagine trying to sell $100bn of equities when the panic starts and there's a huge crowd between you and the exit...

Jim
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This community has written 22,499 posts about Berkshire Hathaway. The article-length ones it recommended most:
BRK: Why Not XOM? · 62 recs · 2024
Second quarter comments · 60 recs · 2023
Berkshire's Profit Contributors · 58 recs · 2023
Summary of 2Q 2026 · 55 recs · 2026
3Q Summary · 53 recs · 2024
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