Buffett’s Drawdowns

August 15, 2014

Drawdowns of perhaps the world’s greatest investor, Warren Buffett:

Yesterday Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway stock price broke $200,000. Buffett’s performance over the years is an amazing feat.

Since 1980, when the price was in the $200-300 range, the stock has compounded at an annual rate of 21% per year. That’s good enough to double your money every three-and-a-half years.

But those returns didn’t always come easy to Buffett or his investors. There were times when his patient style of value investing was out of favor and the stock experienced large losses. Here are the biggest losses in Berkshire Hathaway stock since 1980:

buffett

No way to earn the types of returns he has generated without taking some lumps along the way.

Source: Ben Carlson

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Top International Holdings

August 15, 2014

Among our SMA strategies that have been in highest demand this year has been our Systematic RS International portfolio. Top holdings are shown below:

int'l hldgs

As of 7/31/14

Here is a quick overview of what these companies do (Source: Yahoo! Finance):

Bitauto Holdings (BITA): Bitauto Holdings Limited provides Internet content and marketing services for the automotive industry primarily in the People’s Republic of China.

Vipshop Holdings (VIPS): Vipshop Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates as an online discount retailer for various brands in the People’s Republic of China.

Gruma SAB de CV (GMK): Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, produces, and sells corn flour, wheat flour, tortillas, and other related products.

Empresa Distrib Comercializadora Norte (EDN): Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte S.A., a public service company, is engaged in the distribution and sale of electricity in Argentina.

Seiko Epson (SEKEY): Seiko Epson Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the development, manufacture, and sale of information-related equipment, devices and precision products, sensing and industrial solutions, and others, as well as provision of related services.

Vestas Wind Systems (VWDRY): Vestas Wind Systems A/S engages in the manufacture and sale of wind turbines and wind power systems worldwide.

Pampa Energia SA (PAM): Pampa Energía S.A., together with its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, and distributes electricity in Argentina.

Telekom SA Soc LTD (TLKGY): Pampa Energía S.A., together with its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, and distributes electricity in Argentina.

YFP SA (YFP): YPF Sociedad Anónima, an energy company, is engaged in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Argentina.

Sysmex (SSMXY): Sysmex Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, production, sale, service, and support of diagnostic instruments, reagents, and software worldwide.

To receive a fact sheet for the strategy, please e-mail [email protected] or call 626-535-0630.

There are risks inherent in international investments, which may make such investments unsuitable for certain clients. These include, for example, economic, political, currency exchange, rate fluctuations, and limited availability of information on international securities. Past performance does not guarantee future results. In all securities trading, there is a potential for loss as well as profit. It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance as shown. Investors should have long-term financial objectives when working with Dorsey, Wright & Associates. A list of all holdings for the past 12 months is available upon request.

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Sector Performance

August 15, 2014

The chart below shows performance of US sectors over the trailing 12, 6, and 1 month(s). Performance updated through 8/14/14.

sector 08.15.14

The performance above is based on pure price returns, not inclusive of dividends or all transaction costs. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Potential for profits is accompanied by possibility of loss. Source: iShares

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