cwericb

YES! Great little company and stellar results. Acquired this in 2020 @ $11-12 and today sitting around $44. Up nearly 50% in the last 5-6 months.

Stock portfolio: Not including dividends which probably add a couple of percentage points to the numbers. 2021: + 33.9% 2022: + 15.0% 2023: + 27.1% Biggest loser: ALS.TO Altius Mineral Resurces, Down 17% & I am holding way too much. Biggest contributors: FFH.TO - Fairfax Financial +52% ARTL.TO - SNC Lavalin +79% TVK.TO - Terravest Industries + 60% Biggest surprise: The number of board members who have not been invested in Fairfax given the coverage on this board.

Yes, but only the 'No" team hopes the other side wins.

I voted 'NO', only because I have concerns about future climate change and how that will impact the industry - and I too, am a little afraid to anger the investment gods. Of course 'No' is the safe answer because I hope I am wrong and that the industry and Fairfax will find ways to cope with climate change and potential future disasters that may occur. However, since FFH is now about 55% of my stock portfolio, I am still reluctant to lighten up and am confident that Fairfax will continue to produce satisfactory results. Even if it misses that $2000 mark by a bit I wouldn't be too disappointed I am just a small investor compared to many here, but I first looked at Fairfax back in 2006. I followed it closely on the predecessors to this board (Thanks Sanjeev!) and made my first venture into the markets with a substantial (to me) purchase of Fairfax in 2007 at about $220/share. AND, at the time kicking myself that I didn't buy earlier when it was about half that price. Seems to me one of the posters I followed closely back in the early days was Crip (above and thanks) and a surprisingly high number of others that are still around here today. I have yet to sell a share and have added throughout the years and only stopped because it is uncomfortably overweight in my portfolio. My biggest concern at this point is the Capital Gains Tax should I ever decide to sell. Ouch - but a nice problem to have I guess.

Some days it must suck to be Brett ............. SA Analysis <[email protected]> Sat, Nov 4, 1:44 AM (1 day ago) Fairfax Financial: Q3 2023 Results Indicate Banner Year Ahead

"He's chasing prices down and chasing them up instead of leading them down and leading them up. Following his piece targets is no different then looking at a chart of what has already happened it seems. " AND... He gets PAID for his brilliant prognostications? I guess, we mere mortals, are obviously not as bright as he is because he knows so much more about Fairfax than most of the members of this board - who, by the way, actually have money invested in the company. It is kind of comical as to how his original projections were so far out of wack that when when he was likely forced to adjust upwards, he does it in such a begrudging manner. One has to wonder if someone in management at Morningstar had a little word with him.

To add a little colour to Haryana’s post... Aug. 1, SQ was about $80. Sept 19, SQ was about $50. Horn lowered his target from $98 to $83. Yesterday SQ closed at $42.64.

Yup!

For those who don’t follow Canadian news, you might find this interesting (concerning?). There is a history of tension between Canada and India dating back to at least the Air India bombing in 1985 which killed 329 people, most of whom were Canadians. Recently relations have deteriorated to a such a low point that Trudeau and Modi were barely on speaking terms at the recent G20 meetings in New Delhi. The concern here is that while Prem Watsa and Prime Minister Modi supposedly have a good relationship, one might be concerned as to the impact these heightened tensions between the two countries may have on Canadian firms like Fairfax who are doing business in India. Here are a couple of news quotes from the past few days that illustrate just how bad relations between the two countries have become. ................................................ CTV News Toronto, September 11/23... Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed strong concerns about protests in Canada against India to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, according a statement by India. New Delhi has been long sensitive to Sikh protesters in Canada. In June, India criticized Canada for allowing a float in a parade depicting the 1984 assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards, perceived to be glorification of violence by Sikh separatists. “They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship," the Indian statement said. Relations between India and Canada remain tense, and Ottawa this month paused talks on a proposed trade treaty with India, just three months after the two nations said they aimed to seal an initial agreement this year. Modi, who held bilateral meetings with many world leaders during the G20 summit, did not hold one with Trudeau. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by two Sikh bodyguards after she allowed the storming of the holiest Sikh temple in northern India, aiming to flush out Sikh separatists who demanded an independent homeland to be known as Khalistan. Canada has the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab in India, and the country has been the site of many protests that have irked India. Canada will always defend "freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and peaceful protest," Trudeau said at a press conference in New Delhi. "At the same time as we are always there to prevent violence, to push back against hatred," he said, adding that the actions of the few "do not represent the entire community or Canada." Then, a few days ago... “OTTAWA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Canada said on Monday that it was "actively pursuing credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia in June, dealing a further blow to diplomatic ties between the countries. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in an emergency statement to the House of Commons that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen was "an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty". And now in this morning’s headlines... India suspends visas for Canadian nationals as diplomatic spat deepens.

But.... We all assume Putin was behind the death of Prigozhion. But what if Putin was in fact NOT responsible the crash? What if the crash was caused by a small bomb planted by the Ukrainians? Prigozhion has repeatedly and publically called out the incompetence of the Russian Army. Would not the Ukrainians rather contend with an incompetent Russian Army than the more sucessful Wagner Group? Eliminating Prigozhion and his top people helps to derisk the likelihood that his private army will lead another advance on the Ukraine and leaves the incompetent Russian Army leadership in charge of the war. As a side benefit, blaming it on Putin just reinforces his bad reputation throughout the rest of the world. Food for thought?

Given past history one would think this would be unlikely. Been there, done that.

Yes unfortunately, you are more or less correct in what you say, however in both cases the situation occurred more through ignorance than through intent. One individual was touring in the entertainment industry, the other was crewing offshore registered yachts. Both of these ‘undesirables’ have a university education, one with a Masters degree. I believe there are tens of thousands of Canadians living in the US illegally. Likewise, I suspect there may be thousands of Americans living in Canada illegally (however, I think the Canadian immigration laws may be more liberal). For the most part, both groups are contributing to society in both countries and yet are refused citizenship. Yet both countries use the taxes paid by these ‘CanAm illegals’ to support immigrants from any number of other countries who arrive with no money, little education and unknown pasts. Sorry for the rants, but it is a sore point.

I have two Canadian female friends (who don't know each other). Both are living in the US illegally. Both are are hard working, well educated, fifth generation Canadians. Both are married to Americans. Neither can get Green Cards or US citizenship. One has been in the US for over 20 years and I personally know that she has spent well into six figures on lawyers trying to obtain American citizenship and it's like banging your head against a brick wall. They live in a catch 22 situation where they can't leave the US for family emergencies or any other reason because it is unlikely they could ever return to their husbands and homes, despite having lived there, worked there, paid their taxes there and own homes there. Neither has any sort of police record. On the other hand I have several friends from Cuba who have risked their lives travelling through central America to enter the US over the Mexican border and are now working in Miami. On the other hand here, where I live in Canada, we are acquiring more and Americans neighbours spending their summers here to avoid the heat of the Southern States and are quite welcome to do so. THIS IS JUST PLAIN NUTS!

GM's Cruise autonomous vehicle unit agrees to cut fleet in half after 2 crashes in San Francisco https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/gm-s-cruise-autonomous-vehicle-unit-agrees-to-cut-fleet-in-half-after-2-crashes-in-san-francisco-1.6526129

Perhaps this sort of an excersion might be an idea for some. So far this year we have been to Cuba and Portugal. And while jets are great, my better half has always wanted to experience a flight in a helicopter. So, with an upcoming milestone birthday, I booked a helicopter picnic tour with a company called Vision Air, out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Vision has a popular sideline flying parties of four to the deserted Sambro Island located just outside of the famous Halifax Harbour where the WWII convoys assembled prior to departing for Britain. On the return journey, convoy crews would often remark that they couldn’t rest easy until they saw the lighthouse on Sambro Island. Sambro is a small island about a 20 minute low level flight over the historic city and it’s harbour from the airport. After circling the island, the pilot gently sets the helicopter down on the rocky Atlantic coast not far from Sambro’s towering lighthouse, said to be the oldest in North America. I the helicopter, you can easily slide open the large window beside you and it makes for stellar photography. Once on Sambro you have an hour or so to wander around, take pictures and explore the deserted buildings and the wildlife on the Island. Later, table and chairs are set up on the rocks not far from the helicopter and wine and snacks (salad, fruit plates, etc) are served. Everyone agreed that the food exceeded expectations. Our return flight took place over several small and picturesque harbours along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. Fortunately, we have two close friends who live in the city and wanted to come with us and it was truly a ‘bucket list’ experience for us all. Cost was $575 CDN per person. Next on our list might be Vision’s Sable Island tour. Known as ‘the graveyard of the Atlantic and for it’s herds of wild horses, Sable Island is over an hour’s flight time and a day long trip. https://visionairhelicopters.ca/heli-picnic-island-escape/

Just got back from a long trip mostly on two lane highways. When you see a line up of traffic behind a vehicle on a two lane highway it is usually not the first guy in the line that is causing the problem. It is the SECOND car in the line who is the problem. Because the second car hasn't passed the slow vehicle, the rest of the line must now pass two slow vehicles. And what really burns me is that almost always, the second car in the line is tailgating the slow vehicle in front thus forcing the passing driver now to have to pass two vehicles at the same time. Had this happen two or three times in the past couple of days. If you don't want to pass the car in front, don't tailgate it, leave room for someone to pass you and then the slow car. Furthermore, anyone driving at 30 in a 55 should be pulled over and ticketed for impeding traffic. Drive with the flow of traffic. If you are passing a lot of vehicles, you are probably driving too fast. If a lot of vehicles are passing you, you are probably driving too slow. This is coming from a senior citizen who has been driving since the age of ten, and I admit that I habitually drive fast. However I have driven in over half the Canadian provinces, probably three quarters of the US states, including extensively in 3 of the Hawaiian islands and also several countries in Europe. Most of my driving has been on two lane highways and a good deal of that has been in winter and at times in blizzard conditions. Tickets: very, very few. Accidents: Zero.

What makes anyone think there would be fewer vehicles on the road? And in an emergency with cars broken down and/or stuck in a snowstorm, hurricane, or whatever, do you think an autonomous car will have the intellect to take to a sidewalk or cross someone’s lawn to get around downed telephone poles and stranded vehicles in an emergency? But whenever someone here brings up a potential problem here, the answer is always “Well they will have a way to handle that”. Oh? They will? If new technology is so great how come - in the United States alone - in just 2022 alone there, were 30,000,000 vehicles recalled for safety issues? Again, that is Over Thirty Million. And today’s vehicles are far less complicated than electric fully autonomous vehicles. And yes, pilots are being greatly assisted by technology. But that same great technology flew a brand new Airbus into the ground a number of years ago and more recently also flew couple of 737 Max’s into the ground. A lot of assumptions are being made here about the infallibility of technology and future autonomous vehicles. In 2016, Fort McMurray in northern Alberta (400 miles North of Calgary) was devastated by a major forest fire that swept through a large portion of the city. The city was evacuated. People had barely time to jump into their cars and trucks to escape. Many had to drive through a nightmare of burning forest, stranded vehicles and other obstructions. The population of Fort Mac at the time was 66,000. With failing power and cell phone connections destroyed, does anyone here see a problem with 60,000 people all trying to call for an Uber at the same time?

Yup. The overall idea seems very Utopian, but when you look at the details, reality rears its ugly head. However, once AI takes over the world, well then I guess we well just have to do what we are told to do.

Well aside from sort of defeating the whole purpose, there are a lot of people who do not have 2 or 3 cars nor the space to park them. Public transport is great if you live in major built up areas, but in North America it simply is not practical in many places. For instance, in many countries you can drive from one side of the country to the other in a matter of hours. here it takes the better part of a week.

So when a natural disaster strikes effecting millions of people and evacuation orders are in place....? If that happens to me, my car is in my driveway with a tank full of gas. Meanwhile, you are trying to call an Uber, but the cell towers are down and poles and trees block or partially block many roads and the power is out. Good luck...

THAT. Never mind the Gulf coast, I'm in Atlantic Canada where we have had two devastating hurricanes in just the past 3 years, so that covers the whole Atlantic seaboard and involves more than a few people. PS. Imagine evacuation orders when cities are threatened with fire or severe weather. Yeah, try calling an Uber. And can you just imagine the chaos in winter in the snow belt? Where sensors freeze up or constantly get covered with snow and ice. Combine that with snow drifts and whiteouts that obliterate normal landmarks and snow covered roads. Then add in power outages that sometimes can last for days and where stop lights and charging stations no longer work.

Well that's a scary scenario. Might as well continue that fantasy to the point no one has a job in this future Utopia. And what happens when some bright teenager hacks into the software this all depends on. Seems that happened to Dodge back not long ago.

BINGO! People in the major centres that think self driving cars are just around the corner are WAY off the mark. It is like the situation with electric vehicles. I find it strange that people are pushing for prompt electrification of all vehicles at a time when power grids in many areas are already stretched to, or beyond capacity. Kinda like putting the cart before the horse.

That's too bad. But if you are waiting for an autonomous car to pick you up to get the groceries I would suggest you hook Bessie up to the wagon.