Comparative Analysis of Long-Term Investment Philosophies Between Warren Buffett and Wang Guobin

The analysis article published on November 14, 2025 has special historical context and profound significance[0]. It was released at two important junctures: 95-year-old Buffett issued his last shareholder letter on November 10, officially ending the 60-year Berkshire Hathaway-Buffett era[1][2]; while China’s renowned investor and founder of Quanguo Fund, Mr. Wang Guobin, passed away unfortunately on November 3 at the age of 57[3]. This historical moment of “one retirement and one passing” provides an excellent opportunity for the investment community to reflect on the value of long-termism.

Buffett and Wang Guobin show striking consistency in investment philosophy. Buffett’s holding of Apple stock is a brilliant part of his career: total investment cost was about 36 billion US dollars, eventually generating net gains exceeding 150 billion US dollars[1], embodying the great value of long-term holding. Wang Guobin also practiced long-term holding strategy: “Many stocks have been held for three to five years, which is rare in the market”[5]. He was the first in China to propose the “value investment” concept, emphasizing “buy good companies, grow together with good companies, rather than participating in short-term fights”[3].

Both masters place risk control at the core of their investment philosophy. Buffett has always followed the first principle of “not losing principal” throughout his career, while Wang Guobin publicly warned of risks when the stock market was booming in 2007 and 2015, even suspending new issuances of Dongfanghong equity products in April 2015[3]. This awe of risk and timely risk control ability are important guarantees for the realization of long-termism.

The deep insight revealed by the article is that real investment success stems from the unity of investment and life values. Buffett wrote in his last letter: “I am more satisfied with the latter half of my life than the first half”[4], reflecting the state of mind of a true long-termist. Wang Guobin emphasized: “Our original intention is to buy good companies and grow together with them”[3]. Both closely link investment with enterprise growth and life value realization. Investment is not a mere tool for wealth accumulation, but a carrier to realize life value and pursue passion.

By comparing two investment masters from different cultural backgrounds and eras, the article proves the universality and eternal value of long-termism investment philosophy. Buffett warned in his last letter: “Don’t blame yourself for past mistakes—learn a lesson and move on. Choose the right role models and imitate them”[4]. Wang Guobin advocated: “Through comprehensive analysis and in-depth research, allocate to lucky and capable enterprises at reasonable prices”[6]. These concepts transcend time and space boundaries and have important guiding significance for contemporary investors.

In the current environment of increasing market volatility and prevailing short-term speculation, the long-termism concept of this article has important practical guiding significance. The analysis reveals several risk factors worthy of attention:

1. Short-term speculation risk
   : When the market is feverish, it is easy to deviate from the essence of value investment, so rational thinking needs to be maintained
2. Ignoring risk control
   : It is easy to forget the importance of principal safety when pursuing returns
3. Lack of long-term perspective
   : Excessive focus on short-term price fluctuations while ignoring corporate fundamentals

The article provides important opportunity windows for investors:

1. Value regression opportunity
   : When the market is over-speculative, value investment strategies can often obtain excess returns
2. Long-term compound effect
   : Adhering to long-termism can fully utilize the power of compound accumulation
3. Opportunity for concept inheritance
   : Buffett’s retirement and Wang Guobin’s passing provide an opportunity for reflection and inheritance of investment concepts

Based on in-depth analysis of Buffett and Wang Guobin’s investment philosophies, the following key information points can be summarized:

:

• Risk control is the first principle of investment; ensuring principal safety is the foundation for realizing compound accumulation
• Long-termism thinking requires viewing investment as a lifelong career rather than a short-term profit-seeking tool
• Real financial freedom comes from long-term, sustainable growth of personal assets based on health and passion

:

• Choose high-quality enterprises and hold them long-term, growing together with excellent enterprises
• Maintain rationality when the market is feverish, identify and control risks in time
• Establish an investment system consistent with personal values to avoid blind following

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Buffett’s retirement marks the end of an investment era, but his investment concepts will continue to influence future generations. In his last letter, he stated that he will retain sufficient Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares to help successor Greg Abel win shareholder confidence[1], reflecting his consideration for long-term inheritance. Wang Guobin’s passing is a major loss to China’s investment community, but the value investment concept he pioneered will continue to play a role in China’s capital market.

This article provides investors with confidence and methodological support to adhere to long-termism in complex market environments through case comparisons of two investment masters.