ICUMD

I think all excesses, follow the rule of diminishing returns and escalating costs. Personally, I can't be bothered with that size of home. I have enough keeping up with mine. I think his goal was to flip it and bank a few million in tax free capital gains (Canada) which would make sense. Assuming markets cooperate and your cash flow can support your intent. My home home has without fail had at least 10k of repairs or refreshes done per year. Adding in taxes, insurance and utilities that's another 12-15k. I'm sure that 15,000 sq ft home would be in the neighborhood of 100-150k per yr carrying costs, excluding mortgage.

Everyone has their own cup of tea. Was recently reconnecting with an old colleague telling him how I escaped Toronto for more space in the country with 2700 sq ft, lots of garage space and waterfront. He then tells me after 10 min of my bragging how he lives in a 15,000 sq ft home in North Toronto with an indoor swimming pool.

Lots of variables that make a suitable house a home, size only being one of them. Location, quality of construction, proximity to work, crime, upkeep to name a few etc. Generally speaking, larger = more frictional costs of running it = more headaches. For example, have heard that in exclusive neighborhoods, trades people charge a fortune for basic things like painting, just because they can. I was plenty happy just renting back in the day. Job allowing, you can rent anywhere in the world. Having a family was main reason for me to buy.

2023: 35% Increase in BIAL Passenger Volumes 37 Million https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/passenger-traffic-at-bangalore-international-airport-jumps-35-3-pc-to-37-2-mn-in-2023/articleshow/106780001.cms

@hobbit great find. Thank you for sharing. Now if they can just get around to listing Anchorage!

@John Hjorth Canada has one of the strongest banking systems in the world and a 200 yr history of surviving depressions and wars. Also, they are an oligopoly. Definitely attractive if you like dividend income. A cornerstone of all Canadian pension plans. I think non Canadians don't understand Cdn banking very well. Also, Canadian dividends for Americans are subject to extra taxation, so perhaps not as attractive.

@John Hjorth My bank holdings are only Canadian. BNS is my largest, followed by BMO. Also have some TD and RY. I bought heavily BNS at recent lows. I think it represents the best valuation of the big 5 and a tremendous dividend at over 7% when I bought. BMO I hold from the COVID lows in 2020. These holdings will be never sells for me.

Doesn't matter who's at fault in Indias partition. Separating India into two independent countries, each with religious majorities and persecuted minorities is a failure of humanity and leadership. As is the war in Israel. Absolutely sickening to see all the senseless death and destruction. This is the ultimate racism. And it is contagious. Spilling into university campuses and becoming the personal agenda of powerful billionaires apparently.

Hard to respect this guy. Reminds me of Animal Farm. https://www.readthistwice.com/quotes/book/animal-farm

My core strategy is around quality dividend companies. Focusing on increasing personal cash flow is a more quantifiable goal than trying to pin the tail on the 10 bagger donkey. The optionality of cash flow is tremendous. I'd take a highly profitable, under valued equity paying a good dividend as my pick. Bank of Nova Scotia paying 6.5% would be a great example currently. Rinse and repeat should generate an exceptional cash flow machine over the years.

60% Cdn Banks 10% Cdn Rail 10% Fairfax India 5% Alibaba 5% Brookfield 5% Apple 5% Other bets

Fairfax India is a very different business from Fairfax. I actually don't own any Fairfax as it currently seems to be more fully valued. Was a steal in the 350s. Aside from management, the two have little in common. Fairfax India on the other hand, is deeply discounted in my estimation. I think the thinly traded shares are much more valuable than the market makes them out to be. I'm confident the value will be realized over time. Both BABA and Fairfax India are deep value plays on my books together totalling about 15% of my portfolio.

BABA Fairfax India

China GDP per capita is 12,000 USD vs India 2,200 USD. Basically India is where China was 15 yrs ago. Will be interesting to see how the next decade goes for India. A possible five fold increase in GDP per capita x 1 billion people = tremendous improvement in quality of life and economic productivity.

From those diagrams, China is still very well interconnected. Further, a made in USA mandate will likely stoke inflation. No easy choices.

A generous heap of BABA.

Seems like they would have generated about 160 M USD through the IIFL share sale. Prior to the sale, their equity stake was about 640 M. Not a bad way to raise capital IMO.

Completely agree. I prefer the option they have chosen since it seems to be shareholder friendly. Personally, it's improved my confidence in management. Share price seems to have moved nicely since.

The Performance fee being paid in cash will reduce cash liquidity for Fairfax India I presume this will impair FIH.U ability to enact share buybacks through the NCIB and acquire new companies. Do we know if FFH is buying FIH shares on the open market?

Any draw backs or advantages to shareholders of Fairfax India in the performance fee being paid in cash rather than shares? I guess we avoid dilution at these ridiculously discounted share prices!

I believe they have increased ownership to 54%. Otherwise you are correct. This is a great start. I don't know what loans they may have taken on to fund T2 development, but the profitability allows for them to develop and refine and develop businesses within the existing physical structure. Also, will hopefully attract investors for a planned IPO under Anchorage, marking to market this key asset.

BIAL Record Profits - 63.3 M USD 2023 yr end. Finally some outstanding news I've been eagerly waiting for. I guess Fairfax India does know how to run airports. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/bengaluru-airport-most-profitable-in-the-country-in-fy23-ahmedabad-incurs-highest-losses-11859721.html

Using Starlink at my home right now. Live in a border city in Canada. Had terrible internet service from Bell, wired, but apparently at the end of a stretch of copper wire. Would cut out multiple times a day and very slow. Starlink has been transformative. 50-80bps, always connected with no drops. No issues streaming video or having a smart connected home now. A life saver. Downsides? Having to mount a dish to the roof with an ugly wire coming down the wall into the basement. Cost is expensive at $150/mo cdn. The price of rural living I guess.

BIAL. Wondering if anyone knows whether they are collecting their promosed 16% return on aero fees and 100% of non aero fees as set out in their operating terms with the government? My understanding is that the Aero fees are regulated at 16%, and assured by changes to the User Development Fees (UDF) charged to each passenger and set out in each control period. Have not come across a clear update on this question.

With the bulk of Fairfax India's valuation tied up in BIAL, a private company, there is no way of knowing if we are or are not ahieving that 15% compounded return. BV is only an estimate. Value will be unlocked only if Anchorage goes public or there is a SIB and Fairfax offers a fair price per share. Having said that, the share price performance over the last year or so wasn't bad considering the markets. We were impaired due to COVID affecting air travel. Hopefully 2024 offers some opportunity for fair exit of those interested in pursuing other opportunities.