Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and leader of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B), has long advocated a simple yet highly effective investment philosophy: buy high-quality businesses at fair prices and hold them for the long term.
This approach has served him well over decades, turning Berkshire Hathaway into one of the most successful investment companies in history.
For Australian investors, applying Buffett's principles to ASX shares could be a winning strategy.
Instead of chasing speculative stocks or trying to time the market, focusing on fundamentally strong businesses with solid earnings, competitive advantages, and long-term growth prospects can lead to significant wealth creation.
Why focus on quality?
Warren Buffett frequently emphasises the importance of investing in high-quality companies with strong competitive moats.
These are businesses that dominate their industries, generate consistent profits, and have sustainable competitive advantages, such as strong brands, economies of scale, or technological leadership.
On the ASX, some prime examples of high-quality businesses include CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE), and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO). These companies have demonstrated resilience through economic cycles, generate reliable cash flows, and reward shareholders with strong returns over time.
The importance of fair prices
Buffett once stated that "it's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price."
This means investors shouldn't buy low quality companies because they are cheap and shouldn't necessarily wait for high quality companies to look cheap. Just buying the best companies at fair valuations is sufficient.
And given Buffett's returns over multiple decades, it is hard to argue against this strategy.
The power of compounding
Warren Buffett's strategy isn't about short-term gains but long-term wealth accumulation through compounding. By reinvesting dividends and holding onto high quality stocks for decades, investors can harness the power of compound returns.
For example, an investor who bought CSL shares 20 years ago with a $10,000 investment would have seen it grow to approximately $82,000 excluding dividends. The return would be even greater if those dividends were reinvested back into the market.
Foolish takeaway
Warren Buffett's investment principles are timeless and highly applicable to Aussie investors with ASX shares.
By focusing on quality businesses at fair prices and holding them for the long run, investors can build substantial wealth, just as Buffett has done. In the long run, patience, discipline, and a focus on quality are the keys to success.
