wondering

https://www.fairfaxindia.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Fairfax-India-Completes-Transaction-With-Sanmar-Chemicals-Group/default.aspx

https://www.fairfax.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/OMERS-to-Invest-in-RiverStone-UK/default.aspx

It appears that things are going well with the CSB (Catholic Syrian Bank) IPO. See third paragraph https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/ipos/fpos/bumper-ipos-bring-grey-market-alive-strong-listing-seen-for-csb/articleshow/72326645.cms

https://www.avantelogixx.com/Avante+Logixx+Secures+up+to+%2418.0+million+in+Financing+from+Well+Known+Canadian+Investor+and+To+Expand+Nationally+with+Acquisition+of+A.S.A.P.+Secured+Inc Another convertible debenture deal, Relatively small - total $18m Cdn. 7% interest. If fully exercised, FFH would have 19% of the equity interest in the company. "Avante Logixx Inc engaged in the provision of security, monitoring, system integration, and technology solutions. Its products and services include residential and corporate security business: Avante control center, monitoring, electronic building management, patrol and rapid response, intelligent perimeter protection, secure transport, international security travel advisory services, locksmith services, and smart home automation. "

https://www.fairfax.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Fairfax-Group-Donating-US1-Million-for-Karnataka-Flood-Relief/default.aspx The Bangalore airport is in the state of Karnataka.

It is currently selling at 85% of book value. I will put myself on the line and say the stock is cheap now and it's a good to buy (I have bought some more shares recently and I intend to add more). I am not too worried about these short-term quarter losses and marco-economic noise in the news. The portfolio of investments - airport, chemical company, financial services, grain storage, banking, shipping etc... are all companies and industries that will grow with the India. Added Prem's 20-30 year experience of doing business in India makes me very comfort to be shareholder. In other news (I am not sure if anyone has posted yet). CSB formerly Catholic Syrian Bank is going public. https://www.fairfaxindia.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Fairfax-India-Announces-Filing-of-IPO-Prospectus-by-CSB-Bank-Limited/default.aspx

From another point of view, I seem to be remember that Russell Napier mentioning at one of the FFH pre-AGM dinners that the forgiveness of student debt would be very stimulative to the economy, i.e. by removing the debt burden to young people, they would resume spending again.

https://www.fairfax.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Fairfax-Financial-Holdings-Corporation-Executive-Announcement/default.aspx In sum, Jennifer Allen is taking over the CFO position at FFH from interim CFO John Varnell. Jennifer is leaving her post as CFO at FIH and FAH, and Amy Sherk is taking over those roles. This is keeping with Fairfax's preference for hiring within.

https://www.fairfax.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Fairfax-Announces-Acquisition-of-Shares-of-Quess/default.aspx

petec, thanks for the continued updates on the FFH investments. Sometimes, the investments that are outside of North American are harder to follow unless I make a conscious effect.

https://www.fairfax.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Fairfax-Launches-C500-Million-Senior-Notes-Offering/default.aspx

Sad news https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/fairfax-financial-says-chief-financial-135653428.html

1st quarter results out. https://s1.q4cdn.com/579586326/files/doc_news/2019/May/PRFFH-May-2-2019-Q1-Press-Release.pdf I like the results. - Shares continue to be bought back 250K + 118K shares for a total $175m - net capital gains of $700m (a bounce back for the terrible 4th quarter in 2018) - combined ratio of 97% (I wish it was a little lower, but I can't have everything) - interest and dividends $235m (we are tracking towards the $1B for the year) - book value per share 450/share US, increase of 6.7% from Dec

Toronto, Ontario

I was reading the Chou Funds 2018 annual report, and one of Francis' more recent purchases caught my eye. Sometime in 2018, in the Chou RRSP Fund, Francis purchased 2,000 shares of Fairfax for a Canadian cost of $1,344,170 (or $672/share if my math is right). Two observations 1) Francis is seeing value in Fairfax, even at $672 Cdn/share 2) I am guessing that he never bought Fairfax in the past because of appearance of conflict of interest since he was on the board a number of years ago. I am guessing that the appropriate "cooling off" period has lapsed?

I didn't say it earlier Sanjeev, but thanks for putting on the dinner again this year. As always, I really enjoyed myself and even though I come by myself, I always seem to sit at a table with really interesting people. It's a great cause and I hope it continues because I look forward to it.

Not too much new if you have read the annual report and listened to the last few quarterly calls. At the C&C dinner the night before, Paul Rivett mentioned that FFH was looking to monetize a few of their non-public holdings. Prem was very open and honest about some of his investment missteps the last 5 years. My takeaway is Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa should do very in the future. FIH - quality investments in spite of who wins the election. FAH - Africa is still capital - hungry, and yet private-equity is leaving.

I think would be a good idea to have Paul Rivett sit with Prem on stage during next's year AGM. Prem does this with Chandran during the Fairfax India meeting. This is only my personal bias, but sometimes I feel Prem (God bless him) doesn't always give the greatest answers to shareholder questions. I realize sometimes he can't comment because for example, they may be making a future investment in a company. However, my observations are that Prem seems more relaxed with Chandran on stage, carrying half the load. And the answers from both Prem and Chandran are much more enlightening. Similar to the conference calls, where Paul is doing the talking, I think this would give more assurances to the investment community about continuity at Fairfax, after Prem is gone (which I hope is not for a long time). I don't know how the meetings are conducted at the Fairfax Africa. I haven't been able to attend. Other FFH AGM hightlights. - great gin and tonics from Davos - no gift cards from Toy R US - bummer ;D ;D ;D

https://www.fairfaxindia.ca/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2019/Fairfax-India-Completes-Investment-in-Seven-Islands-Shipping-Limited/default.aspx

Two points to mention 1. I remember this question was asked at the FFH charity dinner the night before the AGM of the how the decision to invest in a certain company is made at Hamblin Watsa, and if there is the risk of group-think . I can't remember if it was Sam Mitchell or one of the other guys at HW that answered. Essentially, they said it was the best of both worlds. Individually, the guys at HW will work on their own ideas, but they also meet as a group play devils advocate on the various investment ideas that come forward. 2. In an interview with Bloomberg/Amanda Lang about a year ago, Prem was asked if his investment in Blackberry was his attempt to be a good Canadian and to express his nationalism through his investment in BB. Prem's response if that was the case, he would have been stopped by the other guys at HW. If we take Prem's at his word, I think we can assume that it is not a dictatorship at HW. The questions raised on this post are valid. I have no idea on the post-mortem analysis.

https://www.fairfaxafrica.ca/News/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Details/2019/Fairfax-Africa-Appoints-Lieutenant-General-Romo-Dallaire-to-Its-Board-of-Directors/default.aspx

Thanks for posting. I have buying more FAH as the price is below initial issue price and book value. I know that the South African zand took a beating against the US dollar, but the zand has recovered somewhat since the summer.

Ok. Thanks. I am little surprised that this announcement did not appear on the FAH website. I would think that the additional role that Michael Wilkerson is taking on (CEO of Atlas Mara) would warrant a press release. By the way, FAH made a $51m investment in Consolidated Infrastructure Group last month. I am glad to see they are putting their cash to use (I just hope it was a good purchase ;)

thanks for posting. the Daily Mail article mentioned that Fairfax Africa had an investment in GroCapital Holdings. I thought I was following FAH pretty closely, but I guess not because I have never heard of this GroCapital investment.

I would like to know more about the Digit investment. I realize that they are probably years from profitability, but I would like to know how revenues are growing. I guess I will have my chance to ask at the AGM.