Why Warren Buffett Is Right to Be Cautious Amid the Pandemic

TC Energy Corp. (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) is one of many TSX stocks that investors should buy if they want to be cautious like Warren Buffett amid the pandemic.

| More on:
close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett

Image source: The Motley Fool

Warren Buffett shocked the world when he disclosed that he had ditched his airline stocks in whole, while mostly sitting on his hands when it came to buying amid the coronavirus meltdown. His sombre tone shouldn’t be ignored by investors with today’s profound uncertainties. While it’s unlikely we’re going to test those March 23rd market bottoms, I think it’d be foolish to assume that it’ll be smooth sailing back to and above those pre-pandemic heights with the coronavirus still lingering out there.

Sure, the Fed has our backs, with no rate hikes on the table for the next two years and potentially beyond. But nobody knows whether printing money will be an effective cure for this public health disaster. We’ve navigated into uncharted waters with this pandemic for which there are no real historical comparables. As such, investors, especially beginners, should seek to take a page from Warren Buffett’s playbook by exhibiting caution and positioning their portfolios to be ready for whatever happens next.

A depression, while unlikely after the ridiculous amount of stimulus, isn’t impossible, even with the impressive tools at the disposal of central banks around the world. So, investors should always have a backup plan if a worst-case scenario comes to be, no matter how low the odds are perceived at any given instant.

Warren Buffett warns that anything can happen with markets

While there’s no question that Warren Buffett has missed out on one of the quickest wealth-creating opportunities in recent memory by not backing up the truck with Berkshire Hathaway’s swelling mountain of cash, I think it’s too soon to judge the man over such a short-term horizon. All it could take are a few major down days, and Warren Buffett could look like the sage again through the eyes of retail investors.

If you’re an investment rookie, it’d be wise to dip a toe into the investment waters while ridiculously wild market swings are the norm. Like Buffett, you should maintain sufficient liquidity, so you can buy shares of companies at even better prices and only purchase shares of bargains that you know to be undervalued in the face of tremendous uncertainties.

A pipeline king among men

Consider shares of TC Energy (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP), a tried and true pipeline kingpin with a long-term investment thesis that’s little changed because of the pandemic relative to most other energy businesses out there. Warren Buffett looks to prefer such resilient plays over “all-or-nothing” bets, like the airlines, given the unprecedented uncertainties.

The company’s resilience in the face of a crisis makes the stock somewhat easier to value than most other firms that depend on the eradication or containment of the coronavirus to get operating cash flows back to (or around) pre-pandemic levels. TC’s exceptional stewards and diversification are major reasons why TC is seen as one of the few midstream operators that is still swimming with its trunks on.

TC recently clocked in solid quarterly results that beat the expectations of many. Comparable EBITDA came in at $2.5 billion, up slightly on a year-over-year basis, while comparable funds from operation jumped around $300 million to $2.1 billion. The company is swimming with cash thanks in part to new pipelines, including the Sur De Texas.

With such robust cash flows, the company is in a position to grow its dividend at a time when most other companies are putting theirs on the chopping block. And with plenty of long-term growth projects on the horizon, TC Energy remains a king among men. Its investors can expect a well-covered 5.5%-yielding dividend to grow at an 8-10% rate every year, regardless of what happens next with this horrific pandemic.

Foolish takeaway on TC Energy and Warren Buffett’s cautious stance

It’s clear that Warren Buffett is a bit rattled by the cash flow-destructive effects of the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re a new investor, you should seek resilient businesses that are still gushing with cash amid the worst socio-economic disaster in recent memory. Nobody knows what will happen next, and you should have investments that will do relatively well and continue growing out of this pandemic.

Today, TRP stock trades at a modest 1.94 times book and 7.9 times cash flow. Shares are cheap, the company is firing on all cylinders, and the name is ripe for picking for investors who want to play it safe, just like Warren Buffett.

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 Joey Frenette owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and recommends the following options: long January 2021 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), short January 2021 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and short June 2020 $205 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares).

More on Dividend Stocks

edit Woman in skates works on laptop
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy Under $30

These three stocks all offer a huge deal for investors looking for dividends, as well as growth that will last.

Read more »

You Should Know This
Dividend Stocks

How to Convert a $300 Monthly Investment Into $338 in Monthly Income

If you want a certain amount in monthly passive income, invest a similar amount today and leave the rest to…

Read more »

Increasing yield
Dividend Stocks

3 Income Stocks With Big Yields to Consider in April 2024

If you haven’t yet made your March investments, here are three income stocks to buy the dip and lock in…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Don’t Miss Out on This Contribution Hack!

This hack has so many benefits for you -- not just when you put it in your RRSP but for…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: 2 Safe Dividend Stocks to Own for the Next 10 Years

Dividend stocks such as Manulife and Fortis can help you generate a stable and recurring passive-income stream.

Read more »

Young woman sat at laptop by a window
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks Everyone Should Own for the Long Haul

For investors looking for top-tier dividend stocks to buy and hold for the long term, here are three of my…

Read more »

Payday ringed on a calendar
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks That Pay Me More Than $54.57 Per Month

These three dividend stocks have done me well over the years, so let's look at how much I've gotten in…

Read more »

Golden crown on a red velvet background
Dividend Stocks

Dividend Royalty: 3 Fabulous Stocks to Buy Now for Decades of Passive Income

Rogers Communications stock and Canadian Natural Resources stock could pay you dividends for decades to come.

Read more »