Warren Buffett Remains Optimistic On Housing And How To Benefit From It

10 August 2012- Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) saw its recent profits fall 9% on losses from its derivatives portfolio. However, these derivative losses are unrealized (i.e. he has not sold the position) and are long term positions in equity indexes in US, Europe and Japan with a maturity date of 2018 and later. Buffett, outspoken on the problem with financial derivatives, has stated he will not likely be increasing additional derivative positions due to changes in financial accounting for derivatives. While Buffett may not be purchasing more derivatives, these positions do represent a traditional view of this value-orientated investor; Buffett expects US, Europe, and Japan indices to see growth in the upcoming years. A simple strategy to mimic these expectations would be to purchase index ETFs, which is nothing new, or we can take a look into two sectors below that Buffett expects to benefit greatly from an increase in economic growth. Housing: Last month, Buffett expressed increasing optimism toward the US Housing market in general. Granted, there are still weaknesses, but it’s clear that Buffett expects this sector to rebound in the next couple of years (remember, this value-orientated investor rarely likes to make 3 month speculations). Real-estate indices including the S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City have shown consecutive month to month growth after a prolonged trough. Berkshire Hathaway’s positions also include that of Clayton Homes, which builds, sells, finances and insures manufactured homes. Continued housing growth would help drive overall economic growth in the United States. Buffett was recently quoted saying Europe’s financial issues are having a negative impact on United States and that weak residential housing is holding back growth. However, Buffett’s recent bid to purchase large amounts of distressed housing loans from ResCap’s bankruptcy offering show another story. Should he win the bidding, this would offer Buffett a large portfolio of loans (approximately 4 billion) that could see considerable upside if the housing market recovers. It appears that Buffett does think housing will recover and feels now that is a great time for purchase cheap assets. Positions that would benefit from an increase in housing include Caterpillar (CAT) and Wells Fargo (WFC). Wells Fargo is the largest US Home Lender and Buffett’s 2nd largest position. Transportation/Railroads: Another sector that would benefit heavily from US Economic growth is transportation. Buffett made headlines for his 2009 bet to buy-out BNSF (Burlington Northern Sante Fe Corp). This bet, the largest bet that Buffett has made, is making a prediction that when (and not if) economic growth comes roaring back, it will take the railroad and freight movement with it. Because the United States produces so many economic goods that must be transported, railroads can be more efficient than trucking in moving large quantities of goods across long distances. Buffett’s 2011 purchase of Lubrizol (engine and machinery lubricant) for $9 billion showed that Buffett expected engine and machines usage to increase (often a proxy for economic growth). Lubrizol also provides goods to emerging markets which are likely to see increased demand. The transportation industry has recently seen a change in commodities it services. The recent use of cheaper natural gas has resulted in lower coal demand. Coal, which is largely transported by railroads, have thus impacted revenues of BNSF and its competitor Union Pacific Corp (UNP). However, while usage of coal has dropped for these transportation stocks, the amount of business from shale, crude oil, and petroleum related shipments has increased dramatically. Demand for coal still remains as a crucial transportation driver, but increased demand for shale-related products is expected to see double-digit growth in the upcoming years. Whether the increase in demand for shale will off-set the diminished demand for coal remains to be seen, the transportation industry will likely see strong growth if US economic growth picks up. Positions that would benefit stronger economic growth and increased demand for shale include mid-west Union Pacific Corp who are trying to capitalize on shale demand. Other railroad companies may warrant a look, but be aware that not all railroad companies have access to nearby cheap coal to transport. The continued drop in demand for coal would impact railroad companies that transport expensive coal first. Buffett’s 2009 buyout of BNSF deserves much praise; BNSF’s access to cheap and clean coal from the Powder River Basin and proximity to numerous shale fields is looking to be another profitable Buffett investment.