With all this discussion of not buying back stock and the 'cash horde.' I was hoping to construct a basic understanding of if it is even plausible that Berkshire has had an above average success rate of investing in down markets. When I think of their major returns (for me that is Apple and General Re) they seem to be in upward trending markets with specific bets on companies.
Could someone with a better historical understanding of Berkshire tell me what major acquisitions have looked like during market drawdowns.
My basic understanding is as follows:
2022- Nothing
2020-Covid- Nothing
2009- Sold some S&P puts, bought BNSF, 5 BB into GS, (47BB->>27BB in cash).
2000- Looks like they bought some industrials and junk bonds but not. Looks like it amounts to 5BB on 35-40bb in cash
1987- Bought about 1bb in KO? 10-K I do not have a copy.
From this information it seems to me that they are marginal at best at deploying during downturns. Why have they gained such a reputation for being able to do that?