Is Warren Buffett Making a $122 Billion Bet on a Market Crash?

Warren Buffett’s US$122 billion cash hoard could be seen as a bet against the market. Fairfax Financial Holdings (TSX:FFH) could be a safe haven.

| More on:
Clock pointing towards a 'sell' signal

Image source: Getty Images.

The world’s most popular investor may be indicating that the stock market is overpriced and due for a correction. At the end of June this year, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A)(NYSE:BRK.B) reported a cash pile of over US$122 billion. 

To put that into perspective, the holding company’s cash hoard is worth over 60% of the investment portfolio. According to the same report, Buffett’s portfolio of public companies is now worth US$208 billion.

The fact that the world’s most successful investor, a man who once told reporters he “hates cash”, has allowed his cash pile to bloom should serve as a clear red flag for investors across the world, particularly in North America. 

The only other time in Buffett’s career the allocation reached these levels was in the years leading up to the financial crisis of 2008-09. Cash as a portion of the portfolio touched a peak at 60% in 2004 and hovered above 40% until the recession hit in 2008. 

What does this mean for Canadian investors?

Canada’s economy is joined at the hip with its larger neighbour to the south. With this in mind, Buffett’s implication that America’s stock market is overvalued should apply to Canadian stocks as well. 

One of his favourite macroeconomic measures to monitor valuations is the ratio of the nation’s stock market to the national output. Put simply, if the combined value of all listed companies is more than the gross domestic product (GDP) in any given year, the market is overvalued and investors should move to cash. 

In the U.S., this ratio touched 146% during the dot-com bubble and 137% at the height of the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007. The ratio is now over 154%. Meanwhile in Canada, the ratio of the stock market’s combined value to GDP hit 136 in 2007 and is now above 134. 

I think Canadian investors can safely assume that the stock market is overheated and could correct within the next few years.  

Buffett’s Canadian counterpart, Prem Watsa, seems to be hoarding cash and moving allocations as well. At the end of June, Fairfax Financial Holdings (TSX:FFH), Watsa’s investment vehicle, held US$5 billion in cash and cash equivalents, while 65.8% of the underlying investment portfolio was dedicated to cash and bonds.   

As I’ve mentioned before, Watsa’s investment track record is comparable to Buffett’s, so the fact that he is devoting so much to cash, bonds and foreign investments in India or Africa rather than equities in North America should serve as yet another red flag for Canadian investors.

In fact, Fairfax, with its allocation to emerging markets and cash, could be the ideal hedge against a potential market crash in Canada. The stock offers a 2.3% dividend yield and trades at roughly 8% discount to book value per share. Fairfax could serve as a safe haven for investors worried about a market correction or recession in the near future.   

Bottom line

Warren Buffett’s US$122 billion cash hoard could be seen as a bet against the market. Canadian investors have reason to be worried and should consider whether to shift their allocations to either cash or safe havens like Fairfax Financial Holdings.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Vishesh Raisinghani has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and has the following options: long January 2021 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and short January 2021 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). Fairfax Financial Holdings is a recommendation of Stock Advisor.

More on Investing

Nuclear power station cooling tower
Metals and Mining Stocks

If You’d Invested $1,000 in Cameco Stock 5 Years Ago, This Is How Much You’d Have Now

Cameco (TSX:CCO) stock still looks undervalued, despite a 258% rally. Can the uranium miner deliver more capital gains to shareholders?

Read more »

Businessman holding tablet and showing a growing virtual hologram of statistics, graph and chart with arrow up on dark background. Stock market. Business growth, planning and strategy concept
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Magic: Earn Enormous Passive Income That the CRA Can’t Touch

If you're seeking out passive income, with zero taxes involved, then get on board with a TFSA and this portfolio…

Read more »

Man with no money. Businessman holding empty wallet
Dividend Stocks

2 Stocks Under $50 New Investors Can Confidently Buy

There are some great stocks under $50 that every investor needs to know about. Here’s a look at two great…

Read more »

potted green plant grows up in arrow shape
Stocks for Beginners

3 Growth Stocks I’m Buying in April

These three growth stocks are up in the last year, and that is likely to continue on as we keep…

Read more »

clock time
Tech Stocks

Long-Term Investing: 3 Top Canadian Stocks You Can Buy for Under $20 a Share

These three under-$20 stocks offer excellent buying opportunities for long-term investors.

Read more »

Arrowings ascending on a chalkboard
Energy Stocks

Beat the TSX With This Cash-Gushing Dividend Stock

Canadian Natural Resources stock is well set up to beat the TSX as it continues to generate strong cash flows…

Read more »

think thought consider
Dividend Stocks

Down 10.88%: Is ATD Stock a Good Buy After Earnings?

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) stock might not be the easy buy-case it once was. Here’s a look at what happened.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Dividend Stocks: Earn $1,200/Year Tax-Free

Canadian stocks like Fortis are a must-have in your portfolio to earn tax-free yields for decades.

Read more »