一、思考:
1、表格记录的伯克希尔股票账面价值和标准普尔指数过去 44 年的表现,如何看待2008年的数据显示?
2、 随着时间的推移,而后发展的市场有什么变化?
二、金融词汇解析:
1、per-share book value - 每股账面净值:
每股账面净值同于股东权益的每股价值(share holders’ equity),股东权益即每股总资产减去总负债。如果公司破产,每股的账面价值可以表示在所有资产清算和债务结算后,股东剩余的现金价值。
2、 S&P 500 index (Standard & Poor's 500 Index)- 标准普尔500指数:
标准普尔500指数是衡量美国500家上市公司的一个股票指数,该指数由公司的资本总额和市场份额决定。另外还有一些反映美国股市变化的小型资本的指标如道琼斯工业平均指数和罗素2000指数。
正文及译文:
Our decrease in net worth during 2008 was $11.5 billion, which reduced the per-share book valueof both our Class A and Class B stock by 9.6%. Over the last 44 years (that is, since present management took over) book value has grown from $19 to $70,530, a rate of 20.3% compounded annually.*
2008 年我们的市值缩水了 115 亿美元。这让我们两种股票的每股账面价值下滑了 9.6%。在过去的 44 年中(也就是说,现任管理层继任以来),我们的第一类股票每股账面价值从19 美元上升到了 70530 美元,每年增长率为 20.3%。
Table:
图表要点:
图表数据为日历年,但有以下例外情况:1965年和1966年,截止日期为9月30日; 1967年,15个月结束12/31。从1979年开始,会计规则要求保险公司对其持有的股票证券进行估值而不是成本或市场的较低,这是以前的要求。
The table on the preceding page, recording both the 44-year performance of Berkshire’s book value and theS&P 500 index, shows that 2008 was the worst year for each. The period was devastating as well for corporate and municipal bonds, real estate and commodities. By yearend, investors of all stripes were bloodied and confused, much as if they were small birds that had strayed into a badminton game.
上页表格记录的伯克希尔股票账面价值和标准普尔指数过去 44 年的数据显示,2008 年对于两者来说都是最坏的年景。对于公司、市政公债、地产和日用品,这段岁月同样都是毁灭性的。年末时,各种类型的投资者都既困惑又遍体鳞伤,仿佛闯入了羽毛球比赛现场的小鸟。
As the year progressed, a series of life-threatening problems within many of the world’s great financial institutions was unveiled. This led to a dysfunctional credit market that in important respects soon turned non-functional. The watchword throughout the country became the creed I saw on restaurant walls when I was young: “In God we trust; all others pay cash.”
随着时间的推移,世界上许多大型金融机构中出现了一系列致命的问题。 这导致信用市场功能失调,在重要方面很快变得无法运作。 全国各地的口号成为我年轻时在餐厅墙上看到的信条:“我们相信上帝; 所有其他人都支付现金。
By the fourth quarter, the credit crisis, coupled with tumbling home and stock prices, had produced a paralyzing fear that engulfed the country. A freefall in business activity ensued, accelerating at a pace that I have never before witnessed. The U.S. – and much of the world – became trapped in a vicious negative-feedback cycle. Fear led to business contraction, and that in turn led to even greater fear.
到了第四季度时,信用危机伴以翻滚的房价和股市,制造出了席卷整个国家的让人瘫软的恐惧。随之而来的是整个商业活动的自由落体运动,而且是以我从未见过的加速度在下落。美国和世界的大部分地区都陷入了一种恶性循环。恐惧带来商业萎缩,商业萎缩导致更大的恐惧。
This debilitating spiral has spurred our government to take massive action. In poker terms, the Treasury and the Fed have gone “all in.” Economic medicine that was previously meted out by the cupful has recently been dispensed by the barrel. These once-unthinkable dosages will almost certainly bring on unwelcome aftereffects. Their precise nature is anyone’s guess, though one likely consequence is an onslaught of inflation. Moreover, major industries have become dependent on Federal assistance, and they will be followed by cities and states bearing mind-boggling requests. Weaning these entities from the public teat will be a political challenge. They won’t leave willingly.
不断加剧的萎靡现状促使政府采取大规模动作。用扑克牌局的术语描述,财政部和美联储已经全押(allin)。如果说此前为经济开出的药都是论杯装,那最近就是论桶。曾被认为是不可思议的用药量当然必然带来不受欢迎的副作用。尽管一个可能的后果是恶性通货膨胀,但是大家还想当然认为用药精确,毫无后顾之忧。此外,主要产业已经变得依赖于联邦政府的援助,城市和州将紧随其后,提出令人难以置信的要求。将这些实体与公共事业彻底分离将是一项政治挑战。 他们不会心甘情愿地离开。
生词积累:
1、Devastate v.摧毁
2、Municipal adj.市政的;地方政府的
3、Estate n.(通常指农村的)大片私有土地,庄园;住宅区;工业区;工厂区;个人财产;(尤指)遗产
4、Creed n.信念;原则;纲领;宗教信仰
5、Vicious adj.狂暴的;残酷的
思考答案:
1、2008 年对两者都是最坏的年景。对于公司、市政公债、地产和日用品,这段岁月同样都是毁灭性的。年末时,各种类型的投资者都既困惑又遍体鳞伤。
2、这一年中,随着时间推移,世界上很多大金融机构内部的致命问题暴露出来。这让之前备受尊敬的信贷市场转瞬变得机能紊乱。到了第四季度时,信用危机伴以翻滚的房价和股市,制造出了席卷整个国家的让人瘫软的恐惧。随之而来的是整个商业活动的自由落体运动和恶性循环的商业萎缩。
思考:
1、美国曾面临过哪两次大战?其表现是什么?
2、20世纪的美国社会经济状况如何?
金融词汇解析:
1、virulent inflation – 恶性通货膨胀:
通货膨胀是一个经济体中一篮子选定商品和服务的平均价格水平在一段时间内增加的速率的量化指标。 价格总水平不断上升,其中一个单位的货币购买量低于前期。 通常以百分比表示,通货膨胀表明一国货币的购买力下降。
2、Dow Jones Industrials – 道琼斯工业指数:
道琼斯工业指数是追踪30家在纽约证券交易所(纽约证券交易所)和纳斯达克证券交易所上市的大型上市公司的指数。 道琼斯工业平均指数以1896年创立的查尔斯道琼斯及其商业伙伴爱德华琼斯的名字命名。
正文及译文:
Whatever the downsides may be, strong and immediate action by government was essential last year if the financial system was to avoid a total breakdown. Had one occurred, the consequences for every area of our economy would have been cataclysmic. Like it or not, the inhabitants of Wall Street, Main Street and the various Side Streets of America were all in the same boat.
要让金融系统避免彻底崩溃,政府去年采取的强有力的紧急措施必不可少,无论可能出现怎样的负面影响。一旦出现彻底崩溃,对我们经济中的所有领域都将造成灾难性的后果。如果是这样,我们经济的每个领域的结局就会是另一种局面。无论你是否喜欢,华尔街居民、主街居民和美国各种街道上的居民们都在同一条船上。
Amid this bad news, however, never forget that our country has faced far worse travails in the past. In the 20th Century alone, we dealt with two great wars (one of which we initially appeared to be losing); a dozen or so panics and recessions; virulent inflation that led to a 211?2% prime rate in 1980; and the Great Depression of the 1930s, when unemployment ranged between 15% and 25% for many years. America has had no shortage of challenges.
尽管身处坏消息之中,但不要忘记,我们的国家曾经面临过远比这糟糕的局面。仅仅在20 世纪,我们就曾面对过两次大战(其中有一次我们似乎都要输掉战争了);十多次的阵痛和衰退;1980 年,恶性通货膨胀曾导致高达 21.5%的基本利率;还有 1930 年代的大萧条,大萧条期间的很多年中,失业率一直在 15%到 25%间徘徊。美国可从不缺挑战。
Without fail, however, we’ve overcome them. In the face of those obstacles – and many others – the real standard of living for Americans improved nearly seven-fold during the 1900s, while the Dow Jones Industrialsrose from 66 to 11,497. Compare the record of this period with the dozens of centuries during which humans secured only tiny gains, if any, in how they lived. Though the path has not been smooth, our economic system has worked extraordinarily well over time. It has unleashed human potential as no other system has, and it will continue to do so. America’s best days lie ahead.
没有失败,只因为我们战胜了失败。面对着这么多障碍——其他还有很多——美国人的实际生活水准在 20 世纪翻了七番,道琼斯工业指数从 66 点上升到 11497 点。与之形成对比的是,在数十个世纪中,人类都只能依靠微薄所得(如果有的话)过活。尽管前进之路并不平坦,我们的经济体系在过去运转得相当不错。没有其他体系能像它那样激发出人类的潜力,而且这套体系还会继续如此运作。美国最好的日子还在前头。
图表要点:*本报告中使用的所有每股数据均适用于伯克希尔的A股。 B股的数字是A所示数字的1/30。
生词积累:
1、 Cataclysmic adj. 灾变的
2、dozens of 数十个
3、travails n. 阵痛
思考答案:
1、1980 年,恶性通货膨胀曾导致高达 21.5%的基本利率;还有 1930 年代的大萧条,大萧条期间的很多年中,失业率一直在 15%到 25%间徘徊。
2、美国人的实际生活水准在 20 世纪翻了七番,道琼斯工业指数从 66 点上升到 11497 点。
思考:
1、如何维系伯克希尔在金融上直布罗陀海峡般的位置?
2、让公司具备长期竞争优势的措施?
金融词汇解析:
1、 S&P stocks (Standard & Poor’s Stocks) – 标准普尔股票:
标准普尔500指数成立于1957年,代表着大型美国公司,包括熟悉的苹果,埃克森美孚,通用电气和谷歌等公司。
该指数受到资金经理,研究人员和媒体的广泛关注。 股票,共同基金和投资组合的表现通常与标准普尔500指数进行比较。
正文及译文:
Take a look again at the 44-year table on page 2. In 75% of those years, theS&P stocks recorded a gain. I would guess that a roughly similar percentage of years will be positive in the next 44. But neither Charlie Munger, my partner in running Berkshire, nor I can predict the winning and losing years in advance. (In our usual opinionated view, we don’t think anyone else can either.) We’re certain, for example, that the economy will be in shambles throughout 2009 – and, for that matter, probably well beyond – but that conclusion does not tell us whether the stock market will rise or fall.
在过去 44 年中,75%的时间里,标准普尔指数都代表着收获。
我猜,接下来 44 年中大概有相同比例的年份也相当不错。
但无论是查理·芒格——我管理伯克希尔公司的搭档——还是我,都不能提前预知哪些年景好,哪些年景坏。(我们固执的认为,也没人能做出如此预知。)我们能确定,比如,2009 年的经济状况将会惨不忍睹,但是这个结论也不能告诉我们股票市场会上涨还是下跌。
In good years and bad, Charlie and I simply focus on four goals:
(1)、 maintaining Berkshire’s Gibraltar-like financial position, which features huge amounts of excess liquidity, near-term obligations that are modest, and dozens of sources of earnings and cash;
(2)、 widening the “moats” around our operating businesses that give them durable competitive advantages;
(3)、 acquiring and developing new and varied streams of earnings;
(4) 、expanding and nurturing the cadre of outstanding operating managers who, over the years, have delivered Berkshire exceptional results.
无论是好年景还是坏时辰,查理和我都简单地紧盯四项目标:
1、维系伯克希尔在金融上直布罗陀海峡般的位置。这意味着要有非常良好的资金流动性、适度的即将到期债务、数十个利润与现金的源泉;
2、拓宽保护我们生意的 “护城河”,这会让我们的公司们具备长期竞争优势;
3、收购和发展新的、各种各样的利润之源;
4、扩大和培养优秀的管理团队,这个团队要能持续为伯克希尔创造出非凡价值。
生词积累:
1、Liquidity n.流动性
2、Obligations n. 义务、合同,文中引申为债务
3、Durable adj.耐用的
思考答案:
1、要有非常良好的资金流动性、适度的即将到期债务、数十个利润与现金的源泉。
2、拓宽保护生意的 “护城河。
思考:
1、其他保险公司的经济状况远不如伯克希尔的原因?
2.、伯克希尔生意的核心。
金融词汇解析:
1、 underwriting gain/loss/profit - 承保……:
承保是个人或机构承担金融风险的过程。 风险最典型的是贷款,保险或投资。 承销商一词起源于让每个风险承担者在他们愿意接受特定保费的风险总额下写下他们的名字的做法。 虽然机制随着时间的推移而发生了变化,但今天承销仍然是金融界的关键功能。
2、“float” – money -浮动资金:
在财务方面,浮动是银行系统内的资金,由于登记存款或取款的时间间隔,通常由于处理纸质支票的延迟而被简要计算两次。 一旦支票存入,银行就会对客户的账户进行贷记。 但是,从付款人的银行收到支票需要一些时间并进行记录。 在支票清算所用的账户之前,它在两个不同的地方“存在”的金额,出现在收款人和付款人银行的账户中。
正文及译文:
Most of the Berkshire businesses whose results are significantly affected by the economy earned below their potential last year, and that will be true in 2009 as well. Our retailers were hit particularly hard, as were our operations tied to residential construction. In aggregate, however, our manufacturing, service and retail businesses earned substantial sums and most of them – particularly the larger ones – continue to strengthen their competitive positions. Moreover, we are fortunate that Berkshire’s two most important businesses – our insurance and utility groups – produce earnings that are not correlated to those of the general economy. Both businesses delivered outstanding results in 2008 and have excellent prospects.
去年,伯克希尔生意中的大多数都受到下行经济的显著影响,在 2009 年还会如此。我们的零售业受到的打击尤其严重,我们同民用建筑相关的组织也是这样。尽管如此,总体而言,我们的制造业、服务业和零售业产生了大量的现金流,它们中的大多数,尤其是那些较大的,继续在巩固自己的市场竞争优势。更值得庆幸的是,伯克希尔的两项最重要的生意:保险业务和公用事业业务,它们逆市增长,产生了大量利润。这两项生意在 2008 年都有杰出贡献,它们的前景也都非常辉煌。
As predicted in last year’s report, the exceptional underwriting profits that our insurance businesses realized in 2007 were not repeated in 2008. Nevertheless, the insurance group delivered anunderwriting gainfor the sixth consecutive year. This means that our $58.5 billion of insurance “float” – moneythat doesn’t belong to us but that we hold and invest for our own benefit – cost us less than zero. In fact, we were paid $2.8 billion to hold our float during 2008. Charlie and I find this enjoyable.
正如去年年报中提到的,2007 年我们保险业务实现的卓越的承保利润在 2008 年不会再现。不过,保险集团还是连续第六年贡献了承保收入。这意味着我们保险业的 585 亿浮存金虽然不属于我们,但是归我们持有,并且在为我们的利益进行投资,我们却什么都不用付出。事实上,持有这笔浮存金在 2008 年还给我们带来了 28 亿美元的收入。查理和我发现这买卖还真不错。
Over time, most insurers experience a substantial underwriting loss, which makes their economics far different from ours. Of course, we too will experience underwriting losses in some years. But we have the best group of managers in the insurance business, and in most cases they oversee entrenched and valuable franchises. Considering these strengths, I believe that we will earn anunderwriting profit over the years and that our float will therefore cost us nothing. Our insurance operation, the core business of Berkshire, is an economic powerhouse.
大多数保险公司都经历了严重的承保流失,这让它们的经济状况远不同于我们。当然,一些年之后,我们也会经历承保流失。但我们拥有这个行业最优秀的经理们,多数情况下,他们都密切注意着那些特定的价值不菲的销售地区。考虑到这些力量,我相信我们会持续赚得承保利润,我们持有的浮存金也不会消耗我们任何成本。保险业是伯克希尔生意的核心,是我们的经济发电站。
生词积累:
1、 In aggregate即 In general总的来说
2、 Consecutive adj.连续的
3、Substantial adj.大量的
思考答案:
1、大多数保险公司都经历了严重的承保流失,这让它们的经济状况远不同于我们。当然,一些年之后,我们也会经历承保流失。但我们拥有这个行业最优秀的经理们,多数情况下,他们都密切注意着那些特定的价值不菲的销售地区。
2、保险业是伯克希尔生意的核心,是我们的经济发电站。
思考:
1、投资时的心态关系
2、伯克希尔投资的回报
金融词汇解析:
1、utility business - 公用事业企业:
用企业属于垄断行业中的自然垄断行业,是指邮政、电信、供电、供水、供气、供热和公共交通等为公众提供产品、服务或由公众使用的业务或行业。公用事业虽然不排除营利目的,但有一定的公益性和社会福利性质。公用企业或者其他具有独占地位的经营者所享有的独占地位是法律赋予的,因而具有合法性,但是如果具有独占地位的经营者利用自身独占地位和经济优势来排斥或限制其他经营者参与竞争,则是对其独占地位的滥用,会受到法律的规制。
2、 capital-allocation – 资本配置:
资本分配是指公司首席执行官(CEO)决定花费公司所赚钱的地点和方式。 资本分配意味着以提高效率和最大化利润的方式分配和投资公司的财务资源。
3、Marmon – 马蒙集团:
一家美國控股公司,其總部位于伊利諾伊州芝加哥。該公司生産電器元件,工業部件和運輸設備,并提供服務,包括建築和零售解決方案。坦克車是一個主要業務,它通過其附屬公司聯盟罐車公司銷售。
正文及译文:
Charlie and I are equally enthusiastic about our utility business, which had record earnings last year and is poised for future gains. Dave Sokol and Greg Abel, the managers of this operation, have achieved results unmatched elsewhere in the utility industry. I love it when they come up with new projects because in this capital-intensive business these ventures are often large. Such projects offer Berkshire the opportunity to put out substantial sums at decent returns.
查理和我对我们的公用事业生意同样乐观,去年已经有了盈利记录,而且未来前景可观。Dave Sokol 和 Greg Abel,我们的两个管理人员,已经取得了在公用事业行业从未有过的成绩。每当他们拿到新项目我都会欢喜雀跃。在这个资本密集的行业,每个项目投资都会很大。这让伯克希尔有机会把大量资金投入到有不错回报的行业。
Things also went well on the capital-allocationfront last year. Berkshire is always a buyer of both businesses and securities, and the disarray in markets gave us a tailwind in our purchases. When investing, pessimism is your friend, euphoria the enemy.
去年我们在资本分置上做得也不错。伯克希尔总是同时购买生意和安定,我们又想赚钱又想低风险。市场的混乱让我们在收购时顺风顺水。投资时,市场的悲观是你的朋友,乐观则是敌人。
In our insurance portfolios, we made three large investments on terms that would be unavailable in normal markets. These should add about $11?2 billion pre-tax to Berkshire’s annual earnings and offer possibilities for capital gains as well. We also closed on ourMarmon acquisition (we own 64% of the company now and will purchase its remaining stock over the next six years). Additionally, certain of our subsidiaries made “tuck-in” acquisitions that will strengthen their competitive positions and earnings.
在保险领域,我们做了三项在正常市场环境下无法完成的重大投资。这些投资会给伯克希尔带来 15 亿税前年收入,同时提供资本收益的可能。我们也结束了对 Marmon 的并购举动(我们现在拥有这家公司的 64%股份,并且会在接下来的 6 年内持续购买它的其余股份)。此外,特定的辅助收购会强化我们旗下公司的竞争优势和盈利能力。
That’s the good news. But there’s another less pleasant reality: During 2008 I did some dumb things in investments. I made at least one major mistake of commission and several lesser ones that also hurt. I will tell you more about these later. Furthermore, I made some errors of omission, sucking my thumb when new facts came in that should have caused me to re-examine my thinking and promptly take action.
好消息到此为之。还有些不太让人高兴的事实:2008 年我做了一些愚蠢的投资。我至少犯了一个重大错误,还有一些错误不那么严重,但也造成了不良后果。稍后我会更详细谈及此事。此外,我还犯了一些疏忽大意的错,当新情况出现时,我本应三思自己的想法、然后迅速采取行动,但我却只知道咬着大拇指发愣。
生词积累:
1、Euphoria n.幸福感、乐观
2、Subsidiary adj.附属的
3、Promptly adv.及时、立刻
思考答案:
1、投资时,市场的悲观是你的朋友,乐观则是敌人。
2、在保险领域,我们做了三项在正常市场环境下无法完成的重大投资。这些投资会给伯克希尔带来 15 亿税前年收入,同时提供资本收益的可能。
思考:
1、 伯克希尔的价值来源
2、保险业的价值
金融词汇解析:
1、 insurance float - 保险浮存金:
保险浮存金是指保户向保险公司交纳的保费。保户交纳的保费并非保险公司的资产,在财务报表中应列入“应付账款”中,属于公司的债务,当保户出险时,拿出来付给保户进行理赔。这些资金,保险公司在留有一定比例的近期理赔或支付金额后,其余的可以拿出去进行投资。而投资收益则归保险公司所有(若与保户另有约定,则投资收益按约定比例由双方分享)。
2、intrinsic value – 内在价值:
内在价值是资产,投资或公司的感知或计算价值。 该术语用于基本面分析,以估计公司的价值及其现金流量。 内在价值的另一个用途是期权合约中存在的利润额。
正文及译文:
Berkshire has two major areas of value. The first is our investments: stocks, bonds and cash equivalents. At yearend those totaled $122 billion (not counting the investments held by our finance and utility operations, which we assign to our second bucket of value). About $58.5 billion of that total is funded by ourinsurance float.
伯克希尔的价值主要来自两块领域。首先是我们的投资:股票、债券和视同库存现金。到年底时,这部分资产价值为 1220 亿美元(其中不包含由我们的金融部门和公用事业组织做出的投资,它们被算作第二部分价值)。其中有 585 亿美元是由我们用保险业浮动资金投资贡献的。
Berkshire’s second component of value is earnings that come from sources other than investments and insurance. These earnings are delivered by our 67 non-insurance companies, itemized on page 96. We exclude our insurance earnings from this calculation because the value of our insurance operation comes from the investable funds it generates, and we have already included this factor in our first bucket.
伯克希尔的第二部分价值来源是除投资和保险之外的其他盈利渠道。这部分利润由我们的 67 家非保险公司贡献。我们把保险排除在外,是因为保险业的价值在于它的资金提供的投资收益,这我们已经归类于第一部分了。
In 2008, our investments fell from $90,343 per share of Berkshire (after minority interest) to $77,793, a decrease that was caused by a decline in market prices, not by net sales of stocks or bonds. Our second segment of value fell from pre-tax earnings of $4,093 per Berkshire share to $3,921 (again after minority interest).
2008 年,伯克希尔的投资股从每股 90343 美元下跌到 77793 美元,这种下跌由整个市场的衰退引发,而不是由于市场对股票或债券的抛售。第二部分股票价值从税前每股盈利4093 美元下降到 3921 美元。
Both of these performances are unsatisfactory. Over time, we need to make decent gains in each area if we are to increase Berkshire’sintrinsic valueat an acceptable rate. Going forward, however, our focus will be on the earnings segment, just as it has been for several decades. We like buying underpriced securities, but we like buying fairly-priced operating businesses even more.
两类股票的表现都不让人满意。如果我们希望以一个可接受的速率增加伯克希尔的固定资产价值,我们需要在每个领域内都逆市增长。当然,我们会始终聚焦在能带来利润的领域,正好像我们数十年来一直做的那样。我们喜欢购买那些被低估的安全资产,但是我们更喜欢购买那些价格公道的公司。
Now, let’s take a look at the four major operating sectors of Berkshire. Each of these has vastly different balance sheet and income account characteristics. Therefore, lumping them together, as is done in standard financial statements, impedes analysis. So we’ll present them as four separate businesses, which is how Charlie and I view them.
现在让我们看看伯克希尔的四块主要部分。每一领域的赢收平衡和收入计算方法都迥然不同。因此,把它们合并到一起,如标准的金融报告所做的那样,只会妨碍我们的分析。因此我们把它们分成四个独立部分,查理和我正是如此想的。
生词积累
1、 itemize v.明细
2、 exclude v.排除
3、 segment n.段、分割
思考答案:
1. 伯克希尔的价值主要来自两块领域。
首先是我们的投资:股票、债券和视同库存现金。第二部分价值来源是除投资和保险之外的其他盈利渠道。这部分利润由我们的 67 家非保险公司贡献。
2. 保险业的价值在于它的资金提供的投资收益
Regulated Utility Business
公用事业
思考:
1、伯克希尔持有的中美能源控股的股份以及中美能源旗下的最大的公用事业组织
2、今日的图表较浅显易懂,尝试用自己的思维建模分析数据。
金融词汇解析:
1、MidAmerican Energy Holdings - 中美能源控股公司:
中美能源控股公司是一家以爱荷华州得梅因市为基地的电力公司。
2、Yorkshire Electricity and Northern Electric - 约克夏电力和北方电力:
3、Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power - 太平洋电力和洛基山电力:
4、Kern River and Northern Natural pipelines - 科恩河和北方天然气管道公司:
5、HomeServices of America - 美国家庭服务公司:
美国家庭服务公司是一家位于明尼苏达州明尼阿波利斯的房屋服务公司,包括经纪、抵押、特许经营、所有权、托管、保险和搬迁服务。
正文及译文:
Berkshire has an 87.4% (diluted) interest in MidAmerican Energy Holdings, which owns a wide variety of utility operations. The largest of these are (1)Yorkshire Electricity and Northern Electric, whose 3.8 million end users make it the U.K.’s third largest distributor of electricity; (2) MidAmerican Energy, which serves 723,000 electric customers, primarily in Iowa; (3) Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power, serving about 1.7 million electric customers in six western states; and (4) Kern River and Northern Natural pipelines, which carry about 9% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S.
伯克希尔拥有中美能源控股 84.7%的股份。
中美能源旗下有多家公用事业组织。
它们中最大的包括:1.Yorkshire Electricity and Northern Electric,它有 380 万用户,是英国第三大电力公司;2.中美能源,它服务着 72.3 万电力用户,主要集中在爱荷华;3.PacificPowerandRockyMountainPower,服务着西部六州的 170 万电力用户 ;4.Kern River and Northern Natural pipelines,通过它运输的天然气占美国用量的 9%。
Our partners in ownership of MidAmerican are its two terrific managers, Dave Sokol and Greg Abel, and my long-time friend, Walter Scott. It’s unimportant how many votes each party has; we make major moves only when we are unanimous in thinking them wise. Nine years of working withDave, Greg and Walter have reinforced my original belief: Berkshire couldn’t have better partners.
我们在中美能源控股的合伙人包括两位了不起的管理者 Dave Sokol 和 Greg Abel,以及我的老友 Walter Scott。每个合伙人拥有多少投票权并不重要。因为只有我们达成一致时才会做出重大决定。同 Dave、Greg 和 Walter 的九年合作让我深信,我们再找不到比他们更好的搭档了。
Table:
图表要点:
*包括1.75亿美元的分手费和我们投资9.17亿美元的利润。
**包括伯克希尔(扣除相关所得税)的利息,2008年为72美元,2007年为70美元。
Somewhat incongruously, MidAmerican also owns the second largest real estate brokerage firm in the U.S., HomeServices of America. This company operates through 21 locally-branded firms that have 16,000 agents. Last year was a terrible year for home sales, and 2009 looks no better. We will continue, however, to acquire quality brokerage operations when they are available at sensible prices.
有些让人扫兴的是,中美能源还拥有全美第二大房地产经纪公司Home Services of America。
这家公司有 21 个地方品牌和 16000 个代理商。去年是房地产销售的恐怖之年,2009 年也好不到哪儿去。
不过,我们会在合理价格水平上,继续收购一些优质经纪公司。
生词积累:
1、Terrific adj.了不起的
2、Incongruously adv.不协调地
3、estate brokerage firm 房地产经纪公司
思考答案:
1. 伯克希尔拥有中美能源控股 84.7%的股份。
中美能源旗下最大的公用事业组织:
Yorkshire Electricity and Northern Electric
中美能源
Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power
Kern River and Northern Natural pipelines
2. 开放性问答
合乎逻辑和情理都可采纳,需呈现出完整的个人思维模型的思考路径。
思考:
1. 中美能源的成果付出
2. 伯克希尔购得中美能源以来的发展选择
金融词汇解析:
1、PacifiCorp - 太平洋电力公司:
2、Dividend - 红利:
股息是指公司收益的一部分奖励分配,并支付给一类股东。
股息由公司董事会决定和管理,但必须经股东通过投票权批准。 股息可以作为现金支付,作为股票或其他财产发行,但现金股息是最常见的。 与公司一起,各种共同基金和交易所交易基金(ETF)也支付股息。
正文及译文:
Achievements at our electric utilities have been equally impressive. In 1995, MidAmerican became the major provider of electricity in Iowa. By judicious planning and a zeal for efficiency, the company has kept electric prices unchanged since our purchase and has promised to hold them steady through 2013.
中美能源在电力供应和天然气管道输送方面的表现非常杰出。
1995 年,中美能源成为爱荷华州的主要电力供应者。
通过精确规划和效率提升,从我们进入以来,公司就一直维系着电价不变,并且会继续保持价格稳定到 2013 年。
In 2008 alone, MidAmerican spent $1.8 billion on wind generation at our two operations, and today the company is number one in the nation among regulated utilities in ownership of wind capacity. By the way, compare that $1.8 billion to the $1.1 billion of pre-tax earnings of PacifiCorp(shown in the table as “Western”) and Iowa. In our utility business, we spend all we earn, and then some, in order to fulfill the needs of our service areas. Indeed, MidAmerican has not paid a dividendsince Berkshire bought into the company in early 2000. Its earnings have instead been reinvested to develop the utility systems our customers require and deserve. In exchange, we have been allowed to earn a fair return on the huge sums we have invested. It’s a great partnership for all concerned.
仅在2008年,MidAmerican就在我们的两个业务部门花费了18亿美元用于风力发电,如今该公司在风能产权所有权的受监管公用事业公司中排名第一。 顺便说一下,将18亿美元与PacifiCorp(表中显示为“西方”)和爱荷华州的11亿美元税前收益进行比较。 在我们的公用事业中,为了满足我们服务领域的需求,我们将所有收入,然后是一些收入。 事实上,自2002年初伯克希尔公司收购该公司以来,
MidAmerican并未支付股息。相反,其盈利已经重新投资,以开发客户需要和应得的公用事业系统。 作为交换,我们被允许从我们投入的巨额资金中获得公平的回报。 对所有相关人员来说,这是一次伟大的合作。
生词积累:
1. zeal n.热情
思考答案:
1、中美能源在电力供应和天然气管道输送方面的表现非常杰出。1995 年,中美能源成为爱荷华州的主要电力供应者。通过精确规划和效率提升,从我们进入以来,公司就一直维系着电价不变,并且会继续保持价格稳定到 2013 年。仅在2008年,他就在我们的两个业务部门花费了18亿美元用于风力发电,如今该公司在风能产权所有权的受监管公用事业公司中排名第一。
2、 自2002年初伯克希尔公司收购该公司以来,中美能源并未支付股息。相反,其盈利已经重新投资,以开发客户需要和应得的公用事业系统。 作为交换,伯克希尔被允许从他们投入的巨额资金中获得公平的回报。
思考:
1、伯克希尔被称为“最佳买家”的原因
2、杠杆收购者的核心追求
金融词汇解析:
1. leveraging up acquired businesses – 杠杆收购公司:
公司债务数额的增加,在1980年代经常被用作防止恶意收购的一种方式。 当公司利用时,他们发行债券作为为扩大经营提供融资的一种方式。 公开交易的公司可能会这样做以回购自己的股票,从而提高股价。
2、leveraged-buyout operators - 杠杆收购运营商:
杠杆收购(LBO)是指使用大量借入资金来收购另一家公司以满足收购成本。 被收购公司的资产通常用作贷款的抵押品,以及收购公司的资产。
3、private equity – 私募股权:
私募股权是另类投资类别,由未在公共交易所上市的资本组成。 私募股权由直接投资私营公司或从事上市公司收购的基金和投资者组成,导致公共股权退市。 机构投资者和散户投资者为私募股权提供资金,资本可用于资助新技术,进行收购,扩大营运资本,以及支持和巩固资产负债表。
正文及译文:
Our long-avowed goal is to be the “buyer of choice” for businesses – particularly those built and owned by families. The way to achieve this goal is to deserve it. That means we must keep our promises; avoid leveraging up acquired businesses; grant unusual autonomy to our managers; and hold the purchased companies through thick and thin (though we prefer thick and thicker).
在商业上,我们长期以来的公开目标就是成为―最佳买家,尤其是对那些由家族创立和拥有的生意。想拥有这个称号,就必须配得上这个称号。这意味着我们必须坚守承诺:避免杠杆收购;给予经理人极大的自主权;和被收购公司同甘共苦,好坏共度(尽管我们更喜欢公司越来越好)。
Our record matches our rhetoric. Most buyers competing against us, however, follow a different path. For them, acquisitions are “merchandise.” Before the ink dries on their purchase contracts, these operators are contemplating “exit strategies.” We have a decided advantage, therefore, when we encounter sellers who truly care about the future of their businesses.
过去的历史表明我们言行一致。同我们竞争的大多数买家都不走我们这条路。对他们而言,收购就像买卖萝卜白菜,合约墨迹未干,收购者已经在考虑―退出策略‖,寻找下家。因此,当我们碰到那些真正关心自己生意未来的出售者时,我们拥有压倒性优势。
Some years back our competitors were known as“leveraged-buyout operators.” But LBO became a bad name. So in Orwellian fashion, the buyout firms decided to change their moniker. What they did not change, though, were the essential ingredients of their previous operations, including their cherished fee structures and love of leverage.
退后几年,我们的竞争者被称为―杠杆收购者‖(LBO)。但是杠杆收购后来声名狼藉。因此,收购者要给自己换个马甲。但是他们的所作所为全都未变,比如他们深爱的收费制度和对资金杠杆的热爱。
Their new label became“private equity,” a name that turns the facts upside-down: A purchase of a business by these firms almost invariably results in dramatic reductions in the equity portion of the acquiree’s capital structure compared to that previously existing. A number of these acquirees, purchased only two to three years ago, are now in mortal danger because of the debt piled on them by their private-equity buyers. Much of the bank debt is selling below 70¢ on the dollar, and the public debt has taken a far greater beating. The private- equity firms, it should be noted, are not rushing in to inject the equity their wards now desperately need. Instead, they’re keeping their remaining funds very private.
它们的新马甲是 ―私募股权基金(PE)。这个称号颇具颠倒事实的误导性。这些公司购买的商业组织总是得到一个不变的结局,同 PE 进入之前相比,股权投资在它们资本结构中的构成比例急剧下降。一些才被收购了两三年的公司,发现自己被 PE 加给它们的债务推到命悬一线的境地。今天,银行债券大都在以低于票面价值七折的价格出售。政府公债价格更低。尽管如此,应注意的是,PE 公司并没有对它们的监护公司注入它们急需的股权投资,相反,它们把自己还剩下的资金牢牢掌控在自己手里,相当之“私”。
生词积累:
1、long-avowed 长期公开宣称的
2、moniker n.绰号
3、invariably adv.总是地、不变地
4、portion n. 一部分
5、acquiree n.购买方
6、piled on 堆积如山
思考答案:
1、伯克希尔坚守承诺:避免杠杆收购;给予经理人极大的自主权;和被收购公司同甘共苦,好坏共度
2、对收费制度和资金杠杆的热爱
思考:
1、谁会对收购计划的买家进行判断?
2、伯克希尔自信的原因
金融词汇解析:
1、PacifiCorp-太平洋电力公司
正文及译文:
In the regulated utility field there are no large family-owned businesses. Here, Berkshire hopes to be the “buyer of choice” of regulators. It is they, rather than selling shareholders, who judge the fitness of purchasers when transactions are proposed.
在高度管制的公用事业领域内没什么大的家族企业。
因此,伯克希尔希望成为监管者眼中的―最佳买家。
当收购计划提出时,是监管者而不是出售股权的股东在判断买家品性如何。
There is no hiding your history when you stand before these regulators. They can – and do – call their counterparts in other states where you operate and ask how you have behaved in respect to all aspects of the business, including a willingness to commit adequate equity capital.
在监管者面前隐藏你的历史表现毫无作用。
他们能——而且也会——让他们在各州的合作机构调查你之前的商业轨迹,包括你是否愿意提供足够的资本入股。
When MidAmerican proposed its purchase of PacifiCorpin 2005, regulators in the six new states we would be serving immediately checked our record in Iowa. They also carefully evaluated our financing plans and capabilities. We passed this examination, just as we expect to pass future ones.
中美能源在 2005 年意欲收购 PacifiCorp 时,六个州的监管机构迅速检查了我们在爱荷华州的纪录。
他们还仔细核查了我们的财务计划和资本能力。我们通过了检验。我们希望我们能一如既往地通过未来的各种检验。
There are two reasons for our confidence. First, Dave Sokol and Greg Abel are going to run any businesses with which they are associated in a first-class manner. They don’t know of any other way to operate. Beyond that is the fact that we hope to buy more regulated utilities in the future – and we know that our business behavior in jurisdictions where we are operating today will determine how we are welcomed by new jurisdictions tomorrow.
我们如此自信的原因有两点。
首先,Dave Sokol 和 Greg Abel 会始终以一流的水准来管理交由他们管理的生意。他们根本不知道如何把事情做差。
其次,我们希望在未来我们能购买更多管制下的公用事业机构,我们知道,明天是否受监管机构的欢迎,取决于今天我们如何表现。
生词积累:
1、Regulators n.监管者(机构)
2、Shareholders n.股东
思考答案:
1、当收购计划提出时,是监管者而不是出售股权的股东在判断买家品性如何。
2、首先,Dave Sokol 和 Greg Abel 会始终以一流的水准来管理交由他们管理的生意。
他们根本不知道如何把事情做差。其次,我们希望在未来我们能购买更多管制下的公用事业机构,我们知道,明天是否受监管机构的欢迎,取决于今天我们如何表现。
思考:
1. 伯克希尔繁荣发展的根源
2. GEICO 增长的原因
金融词汇解析:
1. the Fortune 500 – 财富世界500强:
财富500强是“财富”杂志每年列出的500家最大的美国公司,按其各自财年的总收入排名。 该清单使用最新的收入数据编制,包括公共和私营公司的公开收入数据。 成为财富500强公司被广泛认为是声望的标志
2. GEICO – 政府雇员保险公司:
政府雇员保险公司(GEICO)是美国第7大汽车保险商,该公司创建于1936年。它主要为政府雇员、军人等成熟谨慎的人提供汽车、住房以及财产等方面的保险业务。
3. State Farm - 州立农业保险公司:
州立农业保险是美国最大的受理财产和意外伤害的保险公司之一。成立于1922年,公司成立以来,相继由Mecherles (1922-1954)和 Rusts (1954-至今)两个家族领导。
4. Allstate - 好事·达保险:
美国好事达保险公司创建于1931年的美国好事达保险公司是美国第二大从事个人险种业务的财险和意外险保险公司, 并跻身于全美最大的15家人寿保险公司的行列。公司的总部设在芝加哥地区。
正文及译文:
Our insurance group has propelled Berkshire’s growth since we first entered the business in 1967. This happy result has not been due to general prosperity in the industry. During the 25 years ending in 2007, return on net worth for insurers averaged 8.5% versus 14.0% for the Fortune 500. Clearly our insurance CEOs have not had the wind at their back. Yet these managers have excelled to a degree Charlie and I never dreamed possible in the early days. Why do I love them? Let me count the ways.
打从 1967 年我们进入以来,保险业就一直在推动伯克希尔公司的增长。
这个让人欣喜的结果并不是由该行业的普遍繁荣带来的。
截至 2007 年年底,过去 25 年时间内,按市值计算,保险业的投资回报增长率是 8.5%,财富 500 强是 14%。
很明显,我们在保险业的 CEO们并不占天时地利。
但这些经理的表现却远超出查理和我早先的预计。我爱死他们了。
At GEICO, Tony Nicely – now in his 48th year at the company after joining it when he was 18 – continues to gobble up market share while maintaining disciplined underwriting. When Tony became CEO in 1993, GEICO had 2.0% of the auto insurance market, a level at which the company had long been stuck. Now we have a 7.7% share, up from 7.2% in 2007.
TonyNicely18 岁时加入 GEICO,如今已在公司度过 48 年。当他在 1993 年成为公司 CEO时,GEICO 在车险领域仅有 2%的市场份额,公司很长时间以来一直徘徊在这个市场份额上下。现在我们的市场份额已经从 2007 年的 7.2%上升到了 7.7%。
The combination of new business gains and an improvement in the renewal rate on existing business has moved GEICO into the number three position among auto insurers. In 1995, when Berkshire purchased control, GEICO was number seven. Now we trail only State Farm andAllstate.
开拓新生意带来的收获和对已有生意的再创新,让 GEICO 在车险保险公司中占据了第三的市场位置。
1995 年伯克希尔购得公司控制权时,它的市场位置是第七。如今我们牢牢占据探花位置。
GEICO grows because it saves money for motorists. No one likes to buy auto insurance. But virtually everyone likes to drive. So, sensibly, drivers look for the lowest-cost insurance consistent with first-class service. Efficiency is the key to low cost, and efficiency is Tony’s specialty. Five years ago the number of policies per employee was 299. In 2008, the number was 439, a huge increase in productivity.
GEICO 增长的原因是它能为机动车驾驶者省钱。
没人喜欢购买车险,但是基本上人人都喜欢开车。
因此,驾车者喜欢寻找保险费用最低但服务一流的保险公司。
高效是低成本的关键,而高效正是 Tony 的专长。五年前,每个雇员能获得 299 张保单。2008 年,这个数字是 439 张。生产力极大提高。
生词积累:
1. Propel v.推进
2. gobble up 狼吞虎咽,文中引申为占据市场
思考答案:
1. 优秀的经理人团队
2. GEICO 增长的原因是它能为机动车驾驶者省钱。没人喜欢购买车险,但是基本上人人都喜欢开车。因此,驾车者喜欢寻找保险费用最低但服务一流的保险公司。高效是低成本的关键。
思考:
伯克希尔市场份额提高1%的原因
金融词汇解析:
GEICO:
Geico是美国第四大汽车保险公司,是沃伦·巴菲特的Berkshire Hathaway投资公司的合伙人。
Geico,即政府员工保险公司,是美国第四大私人客户汽车保险公司,拥有保险客户约600万人。
同时是美国最大的直销保险公司。
正文及译文:
As we view GEICO’s current opportunities, Tony and I feel like two hungry mosquitoes in a nudist camp. Juicy targets are everywhere. First, and most important, our new business in auto insurance is now exploding. Americans are focused on saving money as never before, and they are flocking to GEICO. In January 2009, we set a monthly record – by a wide margin – for growth in policyholders. That record will last exactly 28 days: As we go to press, it’s clear February’s gain will be even better.
当我们看到GEICO当前的机会时,托尼和我感觉就像两个饥饿的蚊子在裸体主义者营地。多汁的目标无处不在。首先,也是最重要的一点,我们在汽车保险方面的新业务现在正在激增。
美国人像以往一样专注于节约资金,他们正蜂拥而至。2009年1月,我们为投保人的增长创造了一个大幅度的月度记录。这一记录将持续整整28天:正如我们要报道的,很明显2月份的收益会更好。
Beyond this, we are gaining ground in allied lines. Last year, our motorcycle policies increased by 23.4%, which raised our market share from about 6% to more than 7%. Our RV and ATV businesses are also growing rapidly, albeit from a small base. And, finally, we recently began insuring commercial autos, a big market that offers real promise.
除此之外,我们在盟军的战线上取得了进展。
去年,我们的摩托车政策增长了23.4%,使我们的市场份额从6%提高到7%以上。
我们的房车和ATV业务也在快速增长,尽管规模较小。
最后,我们最近开始为商用车保险,这是一个提供真正承诺的大市场。
GEICO is now saving money for millions of Americans. Go to GEICO.com or call 1-800-847-7536 and see if we can save you money as well.
GEICO现在正在为数百万美国人存钱。去geico.com或者打电话1-800-847-7536,看看我们能不能帮你省钱。
General Re, our large international reinsurer, also had an outstanding year in 2008. Some time back, the company had serious problems (which I totally failed to detect when we purchased it in late 1998). By 2001, when Joe Brandon took over as CEO, assisted by his partner, Tad Montross, General Re’s culture had further deteriorated, exhibiting a loss of discipline in underwriting, reserving and expenses. After Joe and Tad took charge, these problems were decisively and successfully addressed. Today General Re has regained its luster. Last spring Joe stepped down, and Tad became CEO. Charlie and I are grateful to Joe for righting the ship and are certain that, with Tad, General Re’s future is in the best of hands.
我们最大的国际再保险公司 Gen-eralRe2008 年也表现不凡。
一段时间之前,这家公司还存在非常严重的问题(我们在 1998 年购买它时,我对问题毫无察觉)。
2001 年,JoeBrandon 在 TadMontross 的辅助下成为公司 CEO 时,公司的情形还在进一步恶化。
公司正承受着承保额下降、现金储备减少以及与此同时的支出带来的损失。
Joe 和 Tad 上任之后,这些问题都很成功地被解决了。
今天 GeneralRe 已经重新焕发青春。
去年春天 Joe 退休,Tad接替他成为 CEO。查理和我对 Joe 扶正公司航向的工作感激不尽,同时我们也相信,Tad 正是 Gen-eralRe 所需的那个正确的领导者。
生词积累:
1. Flocking:群集,聚集,蜂拥
2. Albeit:尽管,虽然
3. Deteriorated:恶化
思考答案:
1. 伯克希尔市场份额提高1%的原因
我们的摩托车政策增长了23.4%
思考:
1. GeneralRe胜出的原因
2. Ajit做生意的特征
金融词汇解析:
AAA:是由评信机构对债务人的偿债能力及其所发行债券作出的等级评定。
AAA级表示债务人具有非常强的还本付息能力。购买这类公司所发行的债券几乎没有风险。有些评信机构以AAA或Triple A表示这一等级。
正文及译文:
Reinsurance is a business of long-term promises, sometimes extending for fifty years or more. This past year has retaught clients a crucial principle: A promise is no better than the person or institution making it. That’s where General Reexcels: It is the only reinsurer that is backed by an AAA corporation. Ben Franklin once said, “It’s difficult for an empty sack to stand upright.” That’s no worry for General Re clients.
再保险是门长线生意,一个保险承诺有时会延续 50 年甚至更久。
过去的一年让承保人再次认识到一个至关重要的原则:承诺并不重要,重要的是承诺由谁做出。
这正是 GeneralRe胜出的地方:它是惟一一家有 AAA 级公司作为背后支撑的再保险公司。
本·富兰克林说过一句话:―空麻袋立不直,空心承诺靠不住。GeneralRe 的客户无需担心这点。
Our third major insurance operation is Ajit Jain’s reinsurance division, headquartered in Stamford and staffed by only 31 employees. This may be one of the most remarkable businesses in the world, hard to characterize but easy to admire.
我们在保险业的第三大机构是 AjitJain 的再保险公司。
它的总部位于 Stamford,仅有 31名雇员。
它可能是世界上最值得称道的公司之一,难以描述难以定义,但绝对值得表扬。
From year to year, Ajit’s business is never the same. It features very large transactions, incredible speed of execution and a willingness to quote on policies that leave others scratching their heads. When there is a huge and unusual risk to be insured, Ajit is almost certain to be called.
每一年 Ajit 的生意都花样翻新。它的特征是大买卖、让人难以置信的执行速度和愿意承保那些让竞争对手苦恼到挠头不已的单子。
每当有一项保险存在巨大的非同一般的风险时,人们总会想到去找 Ajit。
Ajit came to Berkshire in 1986. Very quickly, I realized that we had acquired an extraordinary talent. So I did the logical thing: I wrote his parents in New Delhi and asked if they had another one like him at home. Of course, I knew the answer before writing. There isn’t anyone like Ajit.
Ajit 在 1986 年加入伯克希尔。
用不了多久,我就意识到自己得到了一个非比寻常的天才人物。
因此我写了一封信给他在新德里的父母,问他们是否还有另外一个这样的孩子在家待着。当然,写信之前我就知道答案会是什么。世界上根本不可能有第二个 Ajit。
Our smaller insurers are just as outstanding in their own way as the “big three,” regularly delivering valuable float to us at a negative cost. We aggregate their results below under “Other Primary.” For space reasons, we don’t discuss these insurers individually. But be assured that Charlie and I appreciate the contribution of each.
我们那些稍小些的保险机构也都以自己的方式表现杰出,像我们提到的三巨头一样。
它们以微小的成本为我们提供了宝贵的浮动资金。我们将它们归类于―其他类。为了避免冗长,我们不再详细个别讨论。但请相信,查理和我对它们的贡献都欣赏不已。
Here is the record for the four legs to our insurance stool. The underwriting profits signify that all four provided funds to Berkshire last year without cost, just as they did in 2007. And in both years our underwriting profitability was considerably better than that achieved by the industry. Of course, we ourselves will periodically have a terrible year in insurance. But, overall, I expect us to average an underwriting profit. If so, we will be using free funds of large size for the indefinite future.
这是我们保险公司经营的四个支柱的记录。
承销利润意味着所有四家公司去年都向伯克希尔提供了免费的资金,就像2007年一样。
而且在这两年里,我们的承保盈利能力大大高于行业所取得的。
当然,我们自己也会定期在保险业度过一个糟糕的一年。
但是,总的来说,我希望我们平均承销利润。如果是这样的话,我们将在不确定的未来使用大量的免费资金。
生词积累:
1、Excel :擅长;善于;突出;胜过平时
思考答案:
1、再保险公司胜出的原因
承诺并不重要,重要的是承诺由谁做出。
2、Ajit做生意的特征
它的特征是大买卖、让人难以置信的执行速度和愿意承保那些让竞争对手苦恼到挠头不已的单子。
图表要点:
1、在2007和2008年,BH Reinsurance的承销利润和年终浮动都是最大的,并且08年的承销利润将近总承销利润的一半。