Skip to content
Monday 31 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,824.26
+0.29%
DAX
26,258.11
-1.17%
CAC 40
8,334.50
-0.79%
STOXX 50
6,420.16
-1.01%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Saturday 27 February 2016 1:44 pm

Warren Buffett annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders 2015: US presidential candidates have it all wrong – those being born today are the luckiest generation

By: Hayley Kirton

Add as a preferred source on Google

Kids these days are the luckiest of all, according to Warren Buffett's annual letter to the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway released today.

Commenting on the impending US elections, Buffett scoffed at the "negative drumbeat" of the presidential candidates, who seemed to be making a habit of pointing out all of the country's problems, despite GDP per capita having grown to six times the amount it was when he was born in 1930.

Buffett added: "That view is dead wrong: The babies being born in America today are the luckiest crop in history."

Although he did state that inequality in the country was an issue, he continued: "The good news, however, is that even members of the “losing” sides will almost certainly enjoy – as they should – far more goods and services in the future than they have in the past."

Commenting on the performance of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett, who has own and run the company for more than five decades, sounded positive about 2015, particularly in comparison to 2014's performance.

The conglomerate company reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of $24.1bn (£17.4bn) for its full year of 2015, up from $19.9bn the year before, while consolidated shareholders' equity rose to $255.6bn, a net worth gain of $15.4bn for the year.

Buffett also seemed pleased with the recent acquisition of Precision Castparts, which he revealed he would be promoting into his "Powerhouse Six" next year – his current "Powerhouse Five" being the most profitable non-insurance companies of the group.

However, share price in Berkshire Hathaway has not performed well in the last year, dropping about 10 per cent over the last 12 months.

Berkshire Hathaway shares also did not perform particularly well on Friday, closing down 0.4 per cent.

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Business
  • Politics

Trending Articles

  • Pensioners to hand over bank statements in government benefits crackdown

  • Jaguar reveals the Type 01’s screen-free interior

  • Jamie Carragher: HMRC petitions for Sky Sports star to be declared bankrupt

  • City firms mandate phone and face-to-face comms bootcamps for Gen Z lawyers

  • Jamie Vardy bags Bundesliga rights as he steps up streaming war with Neville and Lineker

More from Morning Wire

  • Tracker funds are turning 50 – will they make it to 100?

    Markets
    John C. Bogle, Vanguard founder, speaking at a business event, wearing a suit and tie
  • Capgemini MD: London must keep reinventing itself

    Opinion
    Rob Walker of Capgemini presenting on stage, with a digital screen showing +10.5 growth behind him.
  • Fifa crisis: Is it possible to defend Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan?

    Sport Business
    Gianni Infantino speaks near the FIFA World Cup trophy as Donald Trump sits, wearing a red Trump Was Right About Everythin...
  • Silence Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial and Business Results

    Business Wire
  • ILiAD Biotechnologies Expands Board of Directors and Appoints Chief Business Officer

    Business Wire
  • Saba revives attack on Baillie Gifford trust

    Investing
    Baillie Giffords Edinburgh headquarters with SpaceX investor branding prominently displayed on the modern office building ...
  • A love letter to Sweetings, the City’s oldest restaurant

    Life&Style
    Sweetings Canada restaurant exterior, showing diners inside and a seafood display in the window.
  • Silence Therapeutics Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 2 SANRECO Trial of Divesiran in Polycythemia Vera, Supporting its Potential Best-in-Class Profile

    Business Wire
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook