" In essence, the stock market represents three separate categories of business.They are, adjusted for inflation, those with shrinking intrinsic value, those with approximately stable intrinsic value, and those with steadily growing intrinsic value. "
- Michael Burry

The stock market can be thought of as a collection of different types of businesses, each with its own trajectory when it comes to intrinsic value—essentially, what the business is truly worth over time without considering price fluctuations. Michael Burry's statement categorizes these businesses into three distinct groups: those whose value is declining due to various factors such as poor management or outdated technology, those whose value remains relatively constant because they operate in stable industries with steady demand, and finally, those that are growing steadily thanks to innovation, strong market positioning, or other favorable conditions.

Burry's insight delves deeper into the complexities of financial markets by emphasizing the importance of focusing on intrinsic business value rather than short-term price movements. This perspective challenges investors to look beyond stock prices and instead assess the underlying fundamentals of companies. By doing so, savvy investors can identify undervalued growth stocks or overvalued declining ones, which could provide opportunities for profit or risks to mitigate. The categorization also highlights the need for a long-term investment strategy that aligns with understanding a company's true worth.

Michael Burry is known as an American hedge fund manager and author who gained prominence after correctly predicting the 2008 financial crisis. His deep understanding of finance, particularly in the realm of distressed debt and derivatives, underscores his expertise when it comes to analyzing intrinsic value in businesses and the broader implications for stock market dynamics.