NormR

Yes, although it depends on how the debt was accumulated. Is it a sign that they're a spendthrift, etc.

I hate to break it to you, but the entire world is already irradiated. Be on the look out for cosmic rays and don't take a trip to your basement.

They know how to make money. Why fix what isn't broken? ???

A little piece on Return On My Capital. Don't run into too many trees out there! :) Might I be able to encourage the nice fellow from across the lake to have a chat? ;D

An excellent idea! ;D

Just got my ticket 8) As per usual, I'll organize two additional events. Provided Dr George runs his conference before the FFH Dinner, there will be a casual Ben Graham dinner the night before the FFH Dinner at a nearby restaurant for those getting into town early. In addition, that awkward time between the conference (or after work) and the FFH dinner will be filled with some light afternoon drinks. :D

Generally suffers from very poor pricing power that is getting worse over time...

It'll depend on some assumptions. I.e. Dec31/Jan1, etc The % returns can be found via http://www.ndir.com/cgi-bin/downside_adv.cgi.

It takes one to know one. :) Norm happens to be a physicist. :) Alas, I'm not a rocket scientist. Atomic physicist maybe, but I never figured out the transportation part. ;D There are more than a few folks with unusual backgrounds around here. :)

Sanjeev is a mysterious character. But the investing public wants to know critically important things about his past! ... What was the name and location of the corner convenience store that inspired the naming of his fund? Just what was his favorite drink and snack? These are pressing questions that beg for answers. ;D

I hope that it's only a matter of time. 8) Until then, are there any other rocket scientists around these parts? ;D

The Aleph Blog tracks penny stocks that were prompted in spam emails. They're a great way to lose money. Median loss north of 90% as of the last report. http://alephblog.com/2013/08/27/6534/ But I doubt that shorting would be feasible with such names. (Likely dangerous, even if possible, due to the pump part of the pump and dump.)

Isn't such a study going to be plagued by survivourship bias.

Several, take a look at the Events & Meeting Notes section of the forum for a few that include the FFH and BRK meetings.

SEC Accuses SAC’s Cohen of Failing to Prevent Insider Trading http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-19/sec-sues-cohen-for-failure-to-supervise-traders.html

The good people you guys don't want are welcome up here in Canada. We're happy to have people with the moxie to uproot themselves and live in a new land. Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door, to Canada

Thanks for the effort, seems like the mid-1980s is as far back as S&P Cap IQ goes too. :(

I'm trying to find annual (monthly would be better) share price data for BRK.A going back to at least when Buffett took over management. Can any one point to a good source?

Happy Birthday! Finally, a good reason to celebrate the 4th of July. :D

I think we need a picture of your purchases and the AGM gift ;D

So you're the guy who's been keeping the price high! ;)

The obvious follow up question is, what other industries would you never invest in?

Not a fan of Mr. Kass, but sympathize with pulling the plug. This forum is very well mannered. But take a look at the comments section on youtube/newspapers/etc and they are often packed full of nastiness. Particularly if it happens to be remotely political in nature. In the business section, stories that are negative on a stock prompt a good amount of ire. So does anything remotely favorable to advisors.

Just wondering, why didn't you look for negative growth in shares outstanding?

A good question was posed at last spring's Ben Graham Dinner, which I'll paraphrase. If newspapers didn't exist today, would they be created? (A good question to ask of most businesses.)