basl1

(Reuters) - Shares of Wells Fargo & Co(WFC.N), which rose by about a third last week, could head even higher as the bank's acquisition of Wachovia begins to pan out, Barron's said in its April 13 edition. Last week, the San Francisco-based company said it expects to post a record first-quarter profit of $3 billion, up about 50 percent from a year earlier, citing a better-than-expected performance from Wachovia and a solid performance in mortgage lending. Fox-Pitt Kelton analyst Andrew Marquardt said Wells Fargo will continue "to manage through this credit cycle better than most," Barron's reported. On Thursday, Wells Fargo shares closed at $19.61 on the New York Stock Exchange. Marquardt has a target of $38, Barron's said. Some question whether Wells may need to further boost its loan-loss reserves, which could eat into future profits, Barron's said. But compared with its rivals, these concerns may simply prove to be short-term issues, Barron's said.

There are many differences between Wasmu and WFC. 1. management of wfc is said by buffett to be the absoute best, hardwired not to take unnecessary risks 2. the numbers for wfc are very good - despite those of you who insist you peel back the onion 3. wfc has survived and thrived through every banking problem that has existed - the savings and loan fiasco, the high tech meltdown, etc and I'm sure the professional investors can name more

??? To those who bought a lot, are you selling? Personally, I'm in for the long haul.

again, I ask the relevant - what is a share of WFC worth -it's nv. At $8.00 it would appear a screaming bargain. Buffett was buying at 24-$35 (gurufocus) I believe he is under limitations as to how much he can own as is the case of AXP.

This board is for discussion, hence my comments. I await comments of those who are heavily invested in WFC, and the wisdom of those following Buffets principles

Ben, Humbly - I'll follow Buffett's lead anyday, over anyone's. YOU CAN BE PESSIMISTIC IF YOU LIKE. bUT THE ODD'S FAVOR wfc immensely. A good company, no matter what industry, will provide growth and profits. Banks are no different. if a company has a big moat - and a reasonable price - and Warreen's endorsing it, I'll buy

most humbly sorry, thaT WAS pARSAD. MY LATENT DYSLEXIC KEYBOARD STRUCK AGAIN :)

Oldye is on the mark. You see, WFC is hard wired as Buffett says, not to make bad purchases. They are hard wired not to make bad loans. There mote keeps growing and thewy'll keep growing. It does not matter if they are a bank. In this environment, winners will be wwinners, losers - well, losers. Let's look at rate of growth. How is 12% obtained. Is this the rate of growth over last several years? is it reasonable tothink it'll continue? Lets forward it to 10 years out. What will compasny be worth. What will cost per share be. What would a reasonable cost be share be today? Let's look at other berkshire purchases and do the same. oldye - your thoughts, please. Prasad - your thoughts, please. help me be a better investor

the comment was not meant to be obnoxious, but to provoke deep thought. Surely, that is not meant to be threatening. I know what Buffett says about caculating intrinsic value - I just know not how to put it into practice. He says you take the sum of all earnings and bring them back to today. The calculation is made for Coca cola in Mary Buffet's book. Can someone attempt to apply it here?

the question is not impossible. The answer, however is difficult and depends on intrinsic values. Surely, some on this list have an understanding of the right answer

WHAT is the estimaed intrinsic value of wfc?

After profits have been achieved in some buys like WFC is it wiser to let the profits run or take profits and reinvest in things still undervalued? in other words, have the easy profits been made?

Next year I'll put it on my calendar. For now, I'll have to rely on this message board to tell me Prem's comments. I trust the good members who can attend will keep us all duly informed

Pardon my ignorance.. At the fairfax meeting, is there a q and A like the berkshire meeting?

I bought some too - but bought mostwhen it was at prices it is today. Having spent most on other purchases, I didn't have much left.

and why does Charlie persist with WSC if brk is so much better?

I bought today. His last book kept me enthralled for the entire summer

It's curious to me why he's in precision steel at all

Business and human quality in place atWesco continues to be not nearly as good, all factors considered, as that in place at Berkshire Hathaway.Wesco is not an equally-goodbut- smaller version of Berkshire Hathaway, better because its small size makes growth easier. Instead, each dollar of book value atWesco continues plainly to provide much less intrinsic value than a similar dollar of book value at Berkshire Hathaway. Moreover, the quality disparity in book value’s intrinsic merits has, in recent years, continued to widen in favor of Berkshire Hathaway. interesting statement

If it were so clear cut, Buffett would be buying like crazy. But he's not. Earnings have been stagnate for years. Newspapers are losing readership and advertising revenue. A better bet is BNI or WFC.

my biggest qualm - Warren buffett has not been buying

Now we're getting closer to why Berkshire seems to love this company. Anyone with further insights?

other than qualitative assessments, is there anything in their numbers to suggest this is a three or four bagger? I'm trying to get edumacated

I'm not asking why you don't like it. I'm interested in knowing why Berkshire likes it. Any speculation?

Still - berkshires postion is increasing. Why is berkshire betting money on this? What makes it a good bet.