原文信息:
BUFFETT PARTNERSHIP, LTD.
810 KIEWIT PLAZA
OMAHA 31, NEBRASKA
November 1, 1965
致 1966 年的各位合伙人:
Enclosed are:
随函附上:
(1) Two copies or the commitment letter for 1966, one to be kept by you and one returned to us. You may amend the commitment letter right up to midnight, December 31st. So get it back to us early, and if it needs to be changed, just let us know by letter or phone. Commitment letters become final on December 31st. Every year I get a number or calls in the first week in January expressing a desire to add to the January 1st capital. THIS CAN'T BE DONE.
(1) 两份 1966 年承诺书,一份由你保留,一份寄还给我们。承诺书可于 12 月 31 日零点之前修改,所以请尽早返还给我们。如果需要更改,提前写信或打电话给我们即可。12 月 31 日,承诺书最终生效后不可更改。投入资金起始时间为 1 月 1 日。每年 1 月份的第一周,都会有许多合伙人打来电话,询问能否追加 1 月 1 日投入的资金。逾期无法追加。
(2) A copy of our ever-popular "The Ground Rules."1 It is essential that we see eye-to-eye on the matters covered therein. If you have different views - fine, yours may be better - but you shouldn't be in the partnership. Please particularly note Ground Rule 7. This has been added this year reflecting a moderate shift in my attitude over a period of time. It represents a decidedly unconventional (but logical in my opinion when applied to our operation) approach and is therefore specifically called to your attention.
(2) 一份每年必备的“基本原则”(The Ground Rules)1。所有合伙人务必认同其中的每一条原则。如果你有不同意见,没问题,你说的可能更对,但是合伙基金不适合你。请特别注意第七条基本原则。经过深思熟虑,我的想法略有改变,所以今年增加了这一条。这一条所说的做法在我们的投资活动中符合逻辑,但是与常规做法大相径庭,所以我请各位特别注意。
Any withdrawals will be paid January 5th. You may withdraw any amount you desire from $100 up to your entire equity. Similarly, additions can be for any amount and should reach us by January 10th. In the event you are disposing of anything, this will give you a chance to have the transaction in 1966 if that appears to be advantageous for tax reasons. If additions reach us in November, they take on the status of advance payments and draw 6% interest until yearend. This is not true of additions reaching us in December.
所有提现将在 1 月 5 日支付。提现金额没有限制,最低 100 美元,最高所有权益。同样,追加投资金额也没有限制,但应在 1 月 10 日之前存入。你可以选择在 1966 年完成上述交易,或许能节省一些税款。如果追加资金在 11 月份存入,则将视为预先存入资金,在年底前可获得 6% 的利息。12 月份存入的追加资金无利息。
The partnership owns a controlling interest in Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a publicly-traded security. As mentioned in my midyear letter, asset values and earning power are the dominant factors affecting the valuation of a controlling interest in a business. Market price, which governs valuation of minority interest positions, is of little or no importance in valuing a controlling interest. We will value our position in Berkshire Hathaway at yearend at a price halfway between net current asset value and book value. Because of the nature of our receivables and inventory this, in effect, amounts to valuation of our current assets at 100 cents on the dollar and our fixed assets at 50 cents on the dollar. Such a value in my opinion is fair to both adding and withdrawing partners. It may be either of lower than market value at the time.
合伙基金现已拥有伯克希尔哈撒韦公司的控股权益,伯克希尔是一家公开上市的公司。如 7 月份信中所述,在我们取得控股权益的公司中,资产价值和盈利能力是影响估值的主导因素。市场价格支配的是少数股东权益价值,对控股权益估值没多大意义。今年年末,我们对伯克希尔哈撒韦公司控股权益的估值将介于净流动资产价值和账面价值二者之间。鉴于应收账款和存货的性质,在上述估值方法中,流动资产以账面价值计算,固定资产以 50% 的折价率计算。这个估值对追加投资和提取现金的合伙人都公平,它可能高于也可能低于市值。
As I write this, we are orbiting in quite satisfactory fashion. Our margin over the Dow is well above average, and even those Neanderthal partners who utilize such crude yardsticks as net profit would find performance satisfactory. This is all, of course, subject to substantial change by yearend.
在我写这封信时,我们正沿着正常轨道运转,一切都很顺利。我们超越道指的领先优势远高于平均水平。哪怕是再保守老派的合伙人,即使使用净利润这样原始的衡量标准,也会对我们的业绩非常满意。不过,没到年末,一切都不算数。
If anything needs clarification, call or write John Harding who is in charge of "de-confusing" partners. The tax situation is about as reported in the August letter, but if you would like John to make the calculation for you, he will be glad to do it.
如有任何疑问,请联系约翰•哈丁 (John Harding),他负责解答合伙人的疑问。纳税情况与 8 月份信中所述相同,如果需要约翰帮你估算需要缴纳的税金,请与他联系。
Cordially,
Warren E. Buffett
沃伦 E. 巴菲特谨上
P/S: We are continuing our "no prize" policy for the last ones to get their commitment letters back to us. It will make things easier for us if you get it back pronto. If you want to make changes later (before January lst), just give us a call, and we'll amend it for you.
又及:一如既往,我们还是不会给最晚寄回资料的合伙人颁奖。请火速寄回承诺书,谢谢合作。如果你需要进行更改(1 月 1 日之前),随时联系我们,我们会帮你修改。
1963 年 1 月 18 日信中的“基本原则”
基本原则
这封信中提到新增了第七条基本原则,在下一封信中会讲到,内容是:
这个原则的修改,是因为合伙基金用 40% 的净资产投资了美国运通。