LC

How large of a position is this for you now? Any concerns over deal volume? Mgmt has mentioned for a few Qs now (if memory serves) that they are optimistic that deal volume is turning…but doesn’t seem to materialize. Also, are you looking at comps? Have they seen similar volume declines? I notice WK stock is also down from its highs…

Oh wow, I didn't realize he had fully retired, 5 years ago no less.

Do you ski? Great skiing in Hokkaido this time of year, and the countryside is absolutely idyllic.

Since 2010! Down to just a handful of shares these days.

I have not looked too deeply outside the Aecon section but on the whole, my impression is that this board has better discussion. This corner of berkshire and fairfax is a special place

@willypoo If you are buying Aecon, particularly in size, you may want to reference the stockhouse boards - there some great commentary there on following the business. I can DM you the details if you'd like.

Same with all foreign $ generating businesses - my napkin math is to discount the business' growth rate by some estimate of forex leakage. So if BIAL growing 10% PA and the rupee devalues vs the dollar call it 5% PA, I just use a 9.5% growth rate. I try and be conservative with the forex rate and generally look at least a 5 year window to estimate the forex leakage, below is USD INR :

IBKR i've not really had difficulties dealing with them. I use the web portal, not the desktop application as I don't do a ton of trading or super complex positions.

When you get really old- walk! My grandfather lived to 94 with half a neck (removed in his 60s due to esophageal cancer from smoking), had a brick wall fall on him breaking half is body (he worked construction his entire life in the bronx after emigrating from Italy - after surviving a fascist POW camp in WW2 eating rats). Our family has been landowning farmers in southern italy for more generations than i can count- so after "retiring" from construction he spent all day maintaining the modest flower/veg gardens at his house and my fathers, 3 miles away. 6 miles walking every day, then 3-4 hours per house gardening. The guy was one coiled spring of sinew, essentially. Eventually his body gave out, went to hospital, died 3 days later. Aside from those 3 days he walked and worked every day.

Yeah the merger turned me off from BERY. Paypal looks like it could be interesting.

The conflict of freaking interest here is massive. I wouldn't want Elon touching our nation's money. Dude's #1 skill is promotion, same with Stumpy. Fine if it's private money but get outta here with public funds.

Slightly less but yes!

Having heart palpitations just thinking about it... But yeah you're right, that why in theory these types of taxes sound good...but in practice everyone starts using them for personal interests. Less government, more pitchforks!

Yeah or just don't bother with the stuff that won't make you money. Like, IDK how bitcoin will make me money so I don't really think about it. Same with arguing politics with @cubsfan

I have no issue with VAT or sales tax in theory - as a tool for government (society) to discourage consumption of select goods/services. E.g. you want to buy lettuce? OK no tax. You want to buy a 500 ft. yacht that has a ton of externalities? OK pay government (society) an 80% premium to do so. Obviously that's in theory, but you know it's like George said: