valueinvesting101

It looks like Graham holding pension plan hold around $228mn of Berkshire stock. Buffett may swap these pension plan assets for stake in Graham holding. It might involve entire portfolio of the pension plan. Here is excerpt from SEC filing of Graham holding. Is it saying pension plan held investment which increased from $223mn to $389mn in 9 months? I wonder which one that would be. Mostly some large cap. Also structure of this transaction will point to Buffett's valuation of Berkshire. I think it was good bargain below 109 and still not very far from it.

Filing Link: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104889/000119312514048161/d674993dsc13da.htm

http://fundooprofessor.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/why-i-bought-thomas-cook/ I have a feeling you might get another chance to pick it at low 70s in next few months. I think it is going to be multiyear story. Hardly started now. so giving up first 30-40% gain might not be too much in the long run.

http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/12/whos-hiring-and-who-isnt-in-five-charts/ Interesting macro analysis of employment numbers and employment movement in different sectors.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2013/12/difference-engine Interesting article. Renewable energy from Solar and Wind could be answer to electricity generation with falling prices and growing scale. Using electricity for electrolysis can also solve problem of storing electricity effectively only to be used during the day for transportation.

http://nypost.com/2013/11/10/bloomberg-recruits-buffett-to-oversee-ground-zero-fund/

Does this mean there is no woman/girl on this forum at least active one? I would be surprised if it was otherwise. That is kind of sad. Do you guys think women can be better at value investing than men due to less volatile temperament and risk averse behavior in general?

Also at NYPL. Similar talk http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2013/10/23/warren-buffett-howard-g-buffett-howard-w-buffett Actual event starts after 1 hr so in the video

http://english.capital.gr/News.asp?id=1891997

Any listed play for Starbucks in emerging market? I know they have partnered with Tata for India entry but that is not pure-play on Starbucks as it also includes Tea and other beverages. Has anyone explored this option of targeting well known brands entering into new markets via listed companies? Arcos Dorados Holding Inc comes to my mind. Also remember Coke subsidiary in Greece discussed on the board.

http://www.fairfax.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2012/Intention-to-Make-a-Normal-Course-Issuer-Bid1131158/default.aspx

Let me start by saying that lot of the board member might not value Harvard opinion or even care to check that but has anyone used it to understand industry or company better. I think buying case for few dollars is definitely cheap but I think there is no easy way to judge quality before buying it.

Jersey City, New Jersey. This is almost like sixth borough of NYC without city tax ;) Did that NYC meet ever happen?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuarogers/2013/08/07/buffet-dont-tweet-mindful-investors-ignore-twitter-cnbc-the-wsj-but-do-read-books/ Twitter did cause panic selling in the market few days back. Still why would you follow twitter?

In other notes for other investment section: cost basis for finance and financial product has increased from 3,148 to 3,254. Why would it increase? It is amortization of some cost? Also Since BAC was trading at 13 at the end of June 2013 compared to 11.36 on Dec 2012 end but unrealized gains increase only from 1,804 to 1,981. Does this figure looks understated? Yeah book value of is ~123K but still looks under reported considering conservative accounting by management and assets on book not reflecting true market value.

Why should reporters be fired?

+1

I remember watching video where Buffett discussed pay of next CEO. He made comment that CEO that will take company from $250bn to $500bn should make good amount of money. At $500bn BRK will be the largest company in the world. I guess sooner or later it would happen :) Just question of when. Hopefully BRK achieves it with Warren still around.

Cost basis of investments in Banks, insurance and finance goes up by $760mn. I guess that would more purchase of WFC. Unrealized gains are up by almost $9.5bn in 90 days ;D Banks, insurance and finance up $3.5bn Consumer products up $2.6bn Commercial, industrial and other $2.9bn

What kind of insurance is he referencing to exactly? Is it P&C?

I think it will end up higher than price of BRK/A by end of the day.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dividendchannel/2013/04/08/berkshire-hathaway-moves-up-in-market-cap-rank-passing-google/

Any books which can help me understand banking industry and how to read and interpret their financial statement? I understand their might not be just one book. Good way would be to understand industry and learn accounting seperately to apply to it. I am looking for more of things to consider or different facets of the business and its balance sheet. Just wanted to hear thoughts about board members as there is lot of discussion about banking sector on this board yet someone like WEB is still able to spot amortization charge on WFC income statement which he claimed no one talks about including analysts.

How is the tax treatment in this case? Does BRK need to pay any tax on gain or do they pay tax only when they sell their shares?

The Innovation Project™ 2013 Reinventing the Conversation about Innovation in Payments http://www.pymnts.com/briefing-room/commerce-3-0/the-innovation-project-2013/warren-buffett-video/