Parsad

Looks like some of us were bang on $10 US /Share Payable Jan 26 When aren't you guys right! Many of you know the company as well as Fairfax's management...hell, some of you called the acquisition of ORH well before anyone else got wind, especially the media. I still think they were going to pay out $13 Smazz, but when they read some of your guys posts, Prem got scared and changed it to $10. ;D Cheers!

He's dead on, and you would think the Kraft board would take heed. Cheers!

I think one of the things that we forget about the dividend is that it is a form of compensation for many of the managers, including Prem. As most have fixed salaries, with limited bonuses and no options or stock grants, the dividend is their primary form of compensation for a job well done. While it isn't very tax-efficient, it's a much better alternative to the managers selling any stock they own. As well, for many managers, Fairfax is their largest asset outside of their home, and the dividend over time allows them to diversify a bit as the stock price continues to go up. Cheers!

I have no idea exactly how the market will do in the future, but I think the next decade will be fine as we've experienced a decade with no gain. Expect more modest growth and corporate profits though. Cheers!

I think they'll almost double the dividend this year...probably $13-15/share and about a 3.25-3.5% yield. They've got some pretty regular income now from their muni portfolio and dividend paying stocks. They've got ample cash, everything is in-house and now 100%-owned, and they've got no run-off expenses going forward. They'll also probably dividend up excess surplus from ORH on an annual basis, and they're listing costs for Northbridge and Odyssey have been eliminated. I'm guessing G&A going forward will be a little less also, since they have lower legal costs from the SEC business being resolved. Cheers!

Article by Whitney Tilson and John Heins. As I've said before, I don't think we will see hyperinflation. I think once the stimulus is removed at some point, things will be precarious and subdued...stagflation is more likely...elevated inflation with slow growth. We have all the hallmarks - elevated oil and commodity prices, fragile economy, high unemployment, protectionist behavior, government printing money...it's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario for any administration. Cheers! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/31/AR2009123103282_pf.html

This is getting interesting! Cheers!

Curtis Jensen, Marty Whitman's protege, will take over the helm at Third Avenue. Cheers! http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=OBR&data-ipsquote-timestamp=20100104&id=10953858

Good Bloomberg article on the last decade in U.S. equities. Cheers! http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=azRby9JhxPH0&pos=1

I would say that the other call up there for "call of the decade", should be Buffett & Munger's warnings on derivatives as early as 2002. Cheers!

Apparently, Goldman Sachs call to buy BRIC economies was the call of the decade, but I would put either Prem's or Paulsen's call on the mortgage industry the call of the decade. Cheers! http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=adQVT5VaMAiE&pos=15

And those investments helped the John Wood's ministry: http://johnwoodsministries.org/ Yikes! Cheers!

Oh, here we go...found their own description of these investments: http://www.lifepartnersinc.com/about/community.html Cheers!

LOL! You're effing kidding me! Wow...red flag galore. Cheers!

I have no interest in this company, but Harry's question intrigued me. I can't find any real disclosure for "Artifacts/Other" going back as far as 2003. Back in 2003, it was only valued at $87K, but today it's $871K! What do they have back there Harry? I tried calling Investor Relations but the office is closed for the holidays. Do they have troy ounces of gold, or a lock of Elvis' hair? Or is this a mysterious asset that doesn't really exist? Cheers!

Hi Harry, Are you talking about their recently formed Life Settlement LP that they are offering as an exempt security to the general public? That they are attempting to add the LP as an alternative investment class to equities, bonds or commodities? Cheers!

Possibly, but I'd put my money on them going to trial. I don't think this is just an attempt at a moral victory for Prem...it's all about reputation, and he will want alot of what happened to go on the record and be out in the public. Cheers!

Story about Eric Sprott, who continues to remain extremely bearish...certainly far more than myself. ;D Cheers! http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aa85k1XdhVlg&pos=5

Article on the BNSF deal and comments by BNSF management. Cheers! http://online.barrons.com/article/SB126170375980104937.html

Merry Christmas Daphne! Cheers!

Read Dave Patch's letter to the SEC: http://www.sec.gov/comments/s7-31-08/s73108-59.pdf Cheers!

To all the readers and boardmembers of "The Corner of Berkshire & Fairfax", I wish you the happiest of holidays and a prosperous 2010! http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/3132775788_d7c87880dc.jpg?v=0 Downtown Omaha at Christmas Cheers!

Unlike many other government bailouts, it looks like TARP will be profitable. Cheers! http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tarp-profit-at-least-16-bln-so-far-treasury-2009-12-23?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Judd Bagley article on how several hedge funds, including Kynikos, Greenlight, Third Point & Maverick, are cutting all ties to SAC Capital as the rumours continue to spread that they are the next big target of investigators. Cheers! http://www.marketrap.com/article/view_article/91190/ghosts-of-fairfax-financial-now-hedge-funds-scurry-to-sever-ties-with-sac-capital

Article on Buffett speaking to Burlington Northern employees. Cheers! http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ah80tRfGp4Kk&pos=5