schin

I finished reading the book this week. Classic Issaccson. I liked it, but felt they spend a lot of time on his latest Twitter investment. It's interesting, I feel like they glossed over his time on X.com/Paypal. I read PayPal "The Founders" book, which wasn't about Elon... but, gave more detail and richness to this personality during that time. I have to admit the guy works hard.... I knew he was hardcore, but you get a lot of his demon mode episodes. As always, it always comes at a cost. Decent read.

I do not know for sure what the Ukraine thread got delete, but whoever started the thread has the ability to delete it... I was asked to do for a duplicate Mohawk thread and it was pretty easy. I initiated it and had the power to erase. Parsad also as the admin... but, the creator of the thread probably deleted it.

I don't know where he got the Korean security book, but I assumed he got a Japanese book based on the investment he made there recently too.

Articles about his HF performance https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertlenzner/2010/10/28/buffett-acolytes-scrutinize-todd-combs-returns-and-wonder-why/?sh=29512bd7440c https://www.reuters.com/article/us-berkshirehathaway-combs/warren-buffetts-latest-pick-investor-todd-combs-idUSTRE69O5B220101025 https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/Who-is-this-Todd-Combs-anyway-747167.php I remember Warren Buffett saying that both Ted and Todd have been underperforming the S&P in their portfolio over the past few years. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-berkshirehathaway-combs/warren-buffetts-latest-pick-investor-todd-combs-idUSTRE69O5B220101025 If you listen to the video, Todd has strong opinions about GEICO and Progressive. Essentially, they will be investing more in technologies as their IT is antiquated. I have friends that work there and it's definitely outdated. We'll see if he can add value to GEICO. He was hired for his investment prowess -- less see if he can reinvigorate GEICO on the operational side.

I remember reading about Todd's HF performance and it wasn't that impressive. From the interview, he is on calls with Seth Klarman, Michael Lewis and all the other heavy weights... But, I haven't seen any great alpha/returns from his stock selections for BRK or prior to that. Based on the interview, he's a financial analyst specialist. I would suppose he would have gone crazy earlier this year with the SVB and really understanding where are the best bargains out there. I have not seen anything amazing from his insurance, banks, or fintech pick. Everyone looks smart by buying Visa and Mastercard... but.... I really don't get why Todd Combs is special. He's a bookworm like Charlie -- but, how has that knowledge translated to alpha or oversized returns. Even if he did short Fannie and Freddie, I have not seen it in his HF performance stats... Also, his Charter Communication is not wow. He's a good communicator and reads a lot, but where's the value add?

Masayoshi Son is closer to the Elon Musk than Warren Buffett. Masayoshi is more of a growth investing/venture capitalist than value investing. He won't take anything out of the trash heap... he is backing horses.... I would says he's more Elon Musk in IQ and Andresson Horawitz/Sequoia Capital-esque.

@Saluki Where are most unloved industries for you?

The government didn't give subsidies when they had negative interest rates.... and were focused on banks keeping their branches and employees employed.... Negative interest rates is a huge tax on banks and a forcing factor for them to streamline their bloated costs..... which is closing branches and firing people... which the government doesn't want.. I mean... you cannot have it both ways.

Can you really considering Switzerland after that whole CS and UBS fiasco... I mean... As for Germany, I hope so.... I'm in Commerzbank and DB.

Do you know what his return was? I know he was trying to do that with the airlines before COVID blew that up. But, how did he do with his pharma basket?

I did not find any information on Herbert W. Stocks with my Google search. Do you have any information on him?

I also heard the slight toward Walter Schloss. There is not a lot out there, but for the few videos on Youtube, I don't seem him as a retard. Does anyone have any reference video or article that shows him to be a dim bulb? Or not the sharpest tool in the shed?

Great find! I am surprised she has not writing anything else after Snowball. Is she formally retired?

Does anyone have any recollection of Buffett playing these "baskets"? I remember him going into airlines and that's probably the right move and then, COVID happened and he backed out of them. But, I do not recall him playing a sector bet like this and how it turned out.

I stand corrected. Their trading houses. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-06-19/buffett-raises-stake-in-five-japanese-trading-houses

Has anyone analyzed Buffett's purchases of japanese banks. I know he bought a basket. It is somewhat similar to how he approached his investment in US airlines. Has anyone looked into the Japanese economy and what about it makes it interesting to Buffett? And specifically their banks. I've always know they were cheap, but don't understand what metrics makes it interesting to him now. I would love anyone's thoughts.

Hi all, I was looking into some European stocks and have Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab for my accounts. I was wondering how people approach buying ADRs (OTC market) versus buying directly on the Milan or UK markets? Does anyone have any advice? Obviously, the spread is better going directly to the market -- but, I need to convert currency to purchase.... and pay a bit of commission. I am not sure how dividends and other fees might come in. Conversely, if I buy the ADR/OTC share, the bid/ask spreads are generally bad and associated liquidity. There is a commission too here.. but, again, I am not sure if book keeping for the brokerage is similar with the ADR/pink sheet intermediary. Again, normally, I don't think about this.. but, wanted thoughts from people that invest oversees. What if the shares trade on NYSE like Barclays or Deutsche Bank? Their spreads are good and generally very easy to get in and out.. but, once on the OTC.... like Unicredit, Commerzbank, etc.... those spreads are worst. Thoughts?

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely do this for my mom.

Thanks for sharing. Interesting.

That is pretty amazing... other than hoping there is a doctor in your network... how do you find the specialist and part B, how can you get an appointment that is somewhat timely?

I think part of the problem is I don't see doctors too much that I can interview them... for a person not in the industry, it's almost like people interviewing CEOs for me.. they're very well mannered and generally good speakers..... I went to two ear doctors from prominent schools and both gave different advice... I see that from dentist too...so, I struggle to get a good beat on them.

Having access to the Dr. Weisskopf, did it allow you all to get access to the drug trials or is there something he can do that others could not diagnose? My mom has Sjogren's Disease and there is no cure. Just treat the symptoms..... there is a phase 2 drug, but not sure if she will be given access to that. Is that Mayo doctor do better than the rest? They're smarter and more punctual?

I live in Maryland and we have John Hopkins near by. My ex-wife had lung cancer and our best friend had stomach cancer.... Both seen at JHU and our best friend passed away because it was detected too late. My ex-wife was detected early, but seems like the doctor was more interested in using robotic surgery and being invasive.... That is what I worry about. Like mechanics, most people are changing out the whole engine instead of really diagnosing any issues... The cost is all the patient/owner... that is what I worry about.

My parents are getting older and I wanted to find some good doctors that can think holistically or deep thinkers. Most just keep referring you to other specialists and it just got around and around. Lots of tests and medicines that doesn't lead to anything.. Easy answer is age. Again, it's hard enough to find good financial help, but doctors... other than being paid a lot and hard to make appointments.. How do I find Dr. Gregory House from the TV show? All the local magazines seem to show doctors with the best social networks, best paid advertising, and best bedside manner... How do you all find care?

I'll definitely DM you the options chain. Good suggestion on the recent papers. I was wondering if there is some data we can mind from government sources, like the Fed, Census, or SEC (like insider trading)... that can allow us to find a signal.