Camille Van Vyve
05 May 2025
Why Warren Buffett will continue to inspire Easyvest
As he prepares to step down from his role as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year, Buffett leaves behind far more than just an impressive track record. He has shaped an entire way of thinking about investing – long-term, rational, and stripped of unnecessary complexity – that continues to guide our approach at Easyvest.
In the footsteps of a giant
At Easyvest, we hold a simple yet powerful belief: smart, disciplined investing pays off. This philosophy somehow follows in the footsteps of a giant in the world of finance: Warren Buffett, one of the most respected and influential investors of all time.
1. Warren Buffett: a true icon of the “buy & hold” strategy
If there’s one principle Buffett has always defended, it’s long-term investing. Buying solid assets, holding them for years – even decades – and letting time do the work. This “buy & hold” strategy stands in stark contrast to short-term speculative trading. It’s based on the belief that markets, despite volatility, tend to grow over time. Buffett makes no secret of it: he’s held some stocks for 30, 40, even 50 years. He distrusts emotional decisions driven by headlines or market noise. For him, discipline is the key.
“Our favorite holding period is forever.” – Warren Buffett
Easyvest puts this principle at the heart of its approach
At Easyvest, we’ve built our portfolios around the same logic. Our clients don’t invest to sell in six months – they invest in diversified, balanced portfolios designed to grow over the years. This approach is backed by decades of academic financial research – and perfectly aligns with Buffett’s mindset.
2. Buffett and ETFs: a belief that resonates with ours
Warren Buffett made his fortune picking individual companies. But in recent years, he has become a vocal advocate of ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) – low-cost index funds that offer broad market exposure.
“A low-cost S&P 500 index fund is the best investment most Americans can make.” – Warren Buffett
Buffett often recommends that the average investor favor ETFs over trying to beat the market. His reasoning is clear: very few active investors outperform the market over time. So why not simply invest in the market itself – and do it at the lowest possible cost?
Easyvest is fully aligned with this vision
Our portfolios are built exclusively with carefully selected ETFs covering the global markets. It’s a simple, transparent, and cost-effective way to invest. And it’s a recipe for long-term performance: numerous studies show that ETFs outperform the vast majority of actively managed funds. Buffett inspired us in this approach: don’t try to beat the market – benefit from its growth intelligently.
3. A rational view of investing
Warren Buffett is famous for keeping a cool head. He never buys out of fear or euphoria. He reads, analyzes, and waits. He knows that the rational investor is the one who wins in the end. This pragmatic approach is deeply inspiring to Easyvest. We believe that discipline, rigor, and rational thinking are the best allies of any investor. That’s why our algorithm is built on solid mathematical principles – no market predictions, no emotional bias.
“The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” – Warren Buffett
4. A champion of low fees
Buffett doesn’t mince words when it comes to high management fees. He often criticizes actively managed funds that charge 1 to 2% annually, which can significantly reduce net performance for investors. And he’s right: these high fees are rarely justified, especially when performance doesn’t follow. For Buffett, low costs are essential to maximizing long-term net returns.
Easyvest shares this commitment to transparency and efficiency
Our fees are clear, fair, and competitive: between 0,4% and 1% all-inclusive management fee. No hidden costs, no performance commissions. This transparency is part of our DNA. Like Buffett, we believe that investor interests must always come first.
5. Financial education: a shared mission
Finally, Buffett is a strong advocate of financial education. He believes that everyone should understand the basics of personal finance to make informed decisions. He once said that the best investment you can make is in yourself, through learning. At Easyvest, we live by this belief. That’s why we regularly publish educational articles, guides, newsletters, and offer support at every step of the investment journey. We don’t sell products – we help our clients build a smarter financial future.
6. Taxes: a strategic lever
Warren Buffett reminds us that taxation plays a key role in maximizing investment returns. At Easyvest, we fully embrace this view. Our portfolios are built with close attention to the Belgian tax system, helping our clients grow their wealth in the most tax-efficient way. We also guide them provide in all circumstances clear information about the fiscal impact of their investments.
“Investment decisions should be based on the most likely compounded net worth after taxes with minimum risk.” – Warren Buffett
Conclusion: a timeless source of inspiration
Warren Buffett's step down at the end of this year is more than just a change of direction: it marks a turning point in history. But it's also a tremendous opportunity to reaffirm the relevance of his principles. Here’s what we take away from him:
- Invest long term, with patience and conviction.
- Rely on ETFs for effective diversification and low costs.
- Stay rational and disciplined, away from market emotions.
- Prioritize transparency and investor education.
- Optimize performance from a tax perspective.
At Easyvest, we follow in Buffett’s footsteps – not to imitate him, but to carry forward, in our own way, the principles that have stood the test of time. Because we believe, like he does, that investing doesn’t have to be complex to be successful.