The news about a stock that can outperform Berkshire Hathaway is particularly relevant for private investors, as it offers clues to potential investment opportunities and sparks interest in market movements. Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, is known for its long-term investments and its ability to outperform the broad U.S. stock market over decades.
HAL Trust: A Potential Alternative
HAL Trust is a holding company that, like Berkshire Hathaway, focuses on long-term investments in profitable businesses. The history of HAL Trust dates back to 1873 when it was founded as a shipping company. In the 1980s, the van der Vorm family shifted focus and began investing in private and publicly traded companies.
Financial Development and Valuation
- Revenue and Profit: HAL Trust’s revenue increased from 8,066 million euros to 12,465 million euros, while profit rose from 391 million to 1,210 million euros.
- Price-Earnings Ratio: The price-earnings ratio fell from 32.6 in 2017 to 8.5 in April 2025, indicating undervaluation.
- Equity Ratio and Profit Margin: HAL Trust has a high equity ratio of 61.8% and an average profit margin of 11.2%.
- Dividend: The stock offers a dividend yield of 2.50%.
Market Positioning
Since 1998, HAL Trust has outperformed well-known indices like the MSCI World, S&P 500, and DAX. Despite a price decline, the stock presents potential investment opportunities due to its undervaluation and healthy financial development.
Berkshire Hathaway in Comparison
Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified conglomerate with interests in various sectors such as insurance, railway transport, energy, and consumer goods. Warren Buffett is known for his long-term investment strategy and his ability to invest against the market when he sees overvaluations.
Current Developments
- Investments in Japan: Berkshire Hathaway has recently increased its stakes in Japanese trading houses and issued a new yen bond, highlighting its ongoing interest in the Japanese market.
- Market Performance: The stock of Berkshire Hathaway has performed positively in 2025, with an increase of about 20% since January.
Conclusion
For private investors, it is essential to focus on companies that grow sustainably and stably in the long term. HAL Trust offers an interesting alternative to Berkshire Hathaway with its broad diversification and undervaluation. Both companies share a long-term investment strategy that relies on profitable business models. While Berkshire Hathaway is an established player, HAL Trust could gain value in the future due to its undervaluation and solid financial foundations.