Best Shareholders Quotes

Money managers have to account for their actions to their shareholders, which means they have an undue fear of underperformance. We invest only our own money. Our investments are driven by optimism, not fear.

What the American people don’t understand is how Merrill Lynch or AIG or Lehman Brothers can reward people, and the entity fails. Not only do the shareholders lose, but the entities lose.

Business exists to supply goods and services to customers and economic surplus to society, rather than to supply jobs to workers and managers or even dividends to shareholders.

It can be argued that the U.S. brokerage and investment banking industry has transformed the modern American stock market into nothing more than a mechanism for transferring wealth from shareholders to management.

Great fit and synergism for both companies and excellent outcome for employees, customers and shareholders.

The extravagance of any corporate office is directly proportional to management’s reluctance to reward the shareholders.

My job is to listen to ideas, maybe cook up a few of my own, and make decisions based on what’s good for the shareholders and for the company.

When management owns stock, then rewarding the shareholders becomes a first priority, whereas when management simply collects a paycheck, then increasing salaries becomes a first priority.

Our laws demand that a corporation have a fiduciary responsibility with shareholders to maximize profits. They are legally required to make as much money as possible, any way possible within ‘the law.’

Companies prefer to put money in the pockets of shareholders or to hoard cash rather than to raise wages or invest.

My wealth came from growing businesses. I had wealth, but not liquidity. Basically I transferred illiquid shares of AIC for liquid shares of Manulife. Now I’m the biggest individual shareholder of Manulife.

A lot of people love Oreos. So their manufacturer is making money. That means more dividends for shareholders.

Legacy doesn’t mean a lot because once you have left, even if you are one of the biggest individual shareholders it only means [a small amount of influence]. But it’s something I’m very pleased about.

I believe that management should focus on two particular areas. One is Gemba (shop floor) and the other is customer (not the shareholder).

I am always asking myself how I can improve the lives of my customers, my colleagues, my shareholders, my family and my friends.

It’s a nightmare to administer some of this sort of thing, but I want to tell the shareholders of Berkshire, to the percent we own marketable securities or things for which there are market, even if those markets – I want to tell them what it’s all about.

We do not view the company itself as the ultimate owner of our business assets but instead view the company as a conduit through which our shareholders own assets.

Is management candid with the shareholders?

Companies, to date, have often used the excuse that they are only beholden to their shareholders, but we need shareholders to think of themselves as stakeholders in the well being of society as well.

Happy employees ensure happy customers. And happy customers ensure happy shareholders—in that order.

I often say that shareholders should feel very responsible for how responsive corporations are to the public trust.

I am convinced that companies should put staff first, customers second and shareholders third – ultimately that’s in the best interest of customers and shareholders.

If you can’t use dividends, it’s not a bad thing to give it back to your shareholders. They’ll use it somewhere else.

If you’re long-term oriented, customer interests and shareholder interests are aligned.

I mean the good thing about Marvel is that they’re really good about reading what they call the shareholders – the fans. Because they really are the keepers of what keeps these movies going, you know?

I have never seen an employee who jumps out of bed in the morning in order to create shareholder value.

Oligopoly, plutocracy, kleptocracy: All things that are good for a shareholder.

Companies are returning a lot of money to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. And a lot of people say that’s not a good use of capital. I think that’s normal reallocation of capital.

In our search for more, we have blinded ourselves to our personal responsibility for challenging these absurdities. A resource-based society considers us all equal shareholders of Earth. We are responsible both for the planet and for our relationship with each other.

The things that are done in the name of the shareholder are, to me, as terrifying as the things that are done – dare I say it – in the name of God.

Real teams are much more likely to flourish if leaders aim their sights on performance results that balance the needs of customers, employees, and shareholders.

Multi-billion-dollar multinational corporations view the exploitation of the world’s sick and dying as a sacred duty to their shareholders.

I’ve always wanted to help build a better society and build a better company, and I always wanted a healthy, vibrant company, a healthy, vibrant society. We take care of our people, we provide them with opportunity. But I’ve always believed business is here to serve your clients, your shareholders, your communities. If we do this well, everyone benefits. We have to do a good job for all of them.

Customers should be number 1, Employees number 2, and then only your Shareholders come at number 3.

Customers first, employees second, and shareholders third.