Post date: May 09, 2013 5:54:10 PM
Reuters Business Report - Warren Buffett says the economy is improving- thanks to the Fed.
SOUNDBITE: WARREN BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY:
"American business is doing very well. I don't have worries for American business over time."
And even if the Fed tinkers with its bond buying- he's not making changes to his investment strategy based on that.WARREN BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY:
"Well, it will be interesting watch what happens when that happens but we are doing nothing. We own businesses we like, and we'll like them a year from now and we'll like them 5 years from now. So we buy things we like and we don't worry too much about month to month or day to day things. "
Buffet's strategy has made him an investment darling. But his company is seeing slower growth these days and some wonder if even slower growth is ahead.
He admits the 2009 to 2013 five-year period may be the first time ever his company growth in book value per share will fall behind that of the S&P 500 including dividends.
When asked if he's concerned about a stock market bubble- He says no. He still sees value - if investors use the right long term strategy:
WARREN BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY:
"The market is not cheap but it is not high priced I mean but over time the people who buy stocks now and hold them for 10 or 20 years they will make money. If they hold it for 10 or 20 days I don't know what will happen."
And while he admits there can be great opportunities in the technology sector- he's sticking to his long-held strategy of leaving that to others.
WARREN BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY:
"Well, there are millions and millions of people who are smarter about it than I am so I am not going to try and beat someone else at their own game."
Buffett, who is 82, met with shareholders in Omaha Nebraska over the weekend. He says he and his board are solidly in agreement on who should be the next CEO- but still offered no name.