Should the A-shares abolish price limits?
News
Warren Buffett, often referred to as the "Oracle of Omaha," is a figure emblematic of consistent and prudent investing. Under the aegis of his company Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has achieved extraordinary success, with stock prices reaching astonishing heights of around $630,000 per share. This has positioned Berkshire Hathaway as a titan within the global stock markets, a standard that few have come anywhere near to matching. Yet, even the best of investors experience the turbulence of the markets, as was evidenced by a historical day for Buffett's firm on June 3rd.On that fateful day, Berkshire Hathaway's stock exhibited unprecedented volatility. In a whirlwind 24 hours, the company's shares soared to an all-time high — a staggering $726,700 — before plunging to unprecedented lows, dropping to merely $185.10 per share. The sheer magnitude of this fluctuation not only startled investors but also showcased the extreme volatility that can occur even within the confines of a seemingly stable investment. To put this in perspective, within a mere eleven seconds, the stock was sold at the record low of $185.10. Interestingly, a total of 46 shares changed hands at this low before trading was suspended for nearly two hours. If anyone were fortunate enough to buy shares during this fleeting moment, they would have witnessed an incredible surge in value amidst the chaos. To elaborate, if one had capitalized on this brief opportunity with a purchase at $185.10, given the prior trading price of $627,400, the profit would have amounted to nearly 4.54 million Chinese yuan per share, a remarkable windfall realized in mere seconds.However, the circumstances of that day raised several questions. Analysts suggested that the dramatic dip to $185.10 could be attributed in part to technical failures within trading systems or possibly even to recent modifications in the T+1 settlement rule on the U.S. stock market, which may have allowed for manipulation that precipitated such drastic price swings. Despite this wild turbulence for Berkshire Hathaway's A-class shares, the B-class shares continued to trade normally without the same dramatic fluctuations, suggesting a divergence within the company's share structure. Moreover, this wasn't an isolated incident; various other stocks within the U.S. market also experienced abnormal trading activity on that day, further indicating that this anomaly wasn't tied directly to the fundamental health of the companies involved but might rather reflect underlying liquidity issues in the market.The conundrum of the 46 shares traded at $185.10 illustrates a potentially fleeting moment of wealth, as those fortunate enough to transact during that stretch may find their trades annulled as trading systems stabilize and rectify. These speculators, if categorized as such, perhaps enjoyed a hollow victory – a mere paper profit that might become irrelevant if the trades are voided. The high price of Berkshire Hathaway's A shares, which averages a mere few thousand shares traded daily, means that any substantial buying or selling activity can heavily impact the volatility of the stock. The extremely high price point of these shares means that they are primarily held by ultra-high-net-worth individuals who have locked them away for decades, rarely opting to sell.Berkshire Hathaway has historically not paid cash dividends, which adds to the upward pressure of its share price. In practice, this means that unless investors purchase B-class shares, ordinary investors are locked out from participating in owning a piece of such a prestigious company. The disparity in prices and the firm's investment strategy can create barriers, making stock trading less accessible for the average person.Such extreme fluctuations are incredibly rare in the A-share market, particularly in a structured environment where limitations exist. Outside of significant anomalies, movements akin to a 99% drop are generally reserved for stocks that impose no limits on price swings or for rare circumstances like severe market crises. Contrastingly, in the Hong Kong stock market, the absence of circuit breakers creates an environment where stocks can experience wild fluctuations – a risk that ordinary investors must manage carefully, fostering a more unpredictable trading sphere.This begs the question of whether the A-share market should consider abolishing the circuit breaker mechanism. After observing the volatility present in both the U.S. and Hong Kong markets, investors may now approach the removal of such constraints with more caution. If the circuit breakers were cast aside entirely, the market could easily see instances of stocks plummeting by 50% or even 80% within a single trading day, posing an overwhelming risk to retail investors.The argument for eliminating circuit breakers undoubtedly comes with the condition that pre-existing liquidity must remain vibrant and high. Without ample liquidity, the absence of these limits can quickly swing power toward large institutional investors, who may then dictate stock prices with larger trades, exacerbating the volatility in the market. Hence, even if there is a strong push for change, any rollout might benefit from restrictions to ensure sufficient liquidity and could start with pilot testing only on stocks that can demonstrate robust trading activity.Overall, the events surrounding Berkshire Hathaway's stock price on June 3rd serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of financial markets. They invoke a broader conversation regarding investor protections versus the fluid dynamics of trading environments, illustrating the delicate balance needed to maintain healthy markets while fostering opportunities for all investors.