dcollon

Goldman Sachs to Redeem Preferred Stock Issued to Berkshire Hathaway Friday, March 18, 2011 01:16:00 PM The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) today announced that the Federal Reserve has concluded that it has no objection to Goldman Sachs’ proposed 2011 capital actions, which include the redemption in full of the 50,000 shares of the Company’s 10% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series G (Preferred Shares) held by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, Berkshire Hathaway), the repurchase of outstanding common stock and a potential increase in our quarterly common stock dividend. The Company has mailed notices of redemption to Berkshire Hathaway stating that the Company will redeem in full the Preferred Shares held by Berkshire Hathaway, for the stated redemption price of $110,000 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The redemption date will be April 18, 2011. Berkshire Hathaway continues to hold the warrant to purchase 43,478,260 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, which Berkshire Hathaway purchased from the Company concurrently with the Preferred Shares on October 1, 2008. The redemption includes a one-time preferred dividend of approximately $1.64 billion which will be reflected in the Company’s first quarter results. This is expected to reduce reported diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter by approximately $2.80 per share. The redemption also results in the acceleration of $24 million of preferred dividends that are payable from April 1 to the redemption date, which will reduce reported diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter by approximately $0.04. While the Preferred Shares were outstanding, the Company incurred a dividend expense of $125 million per quarter, or $500 million annually, which reduced diluted earnings per common share by $0.85 in 2010.

Some interesting figures in this CDC report http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr59/nvsr59_04.pdf

I just ordered the new book...thanks for pointing it out. I'm going to need new bookshelves to support the weight of all Mr. Kilpatrick's books. Funny to see him mention stopping in DQ in China. I was just over there and visited a DQ in Xi'an. The place was packed. It's in the main square. I attached a few pictures to show you how many people there were walking by this one DQ location (this was during the week).

I didn't see this posted, so forgive me if I missed it. http://www.oaktreecapital.com/MemoTree/On%20Regulation%2003_02_11.pdf

What a great letter. I particulary enjoyed the discussion of Clayton Homes, GEICO, derivatives and the letter from his grandfather. What great advice. Now, I'm looking forward to reading what Jamie Dimon has to say.

Sorry if I missed this, but didn't see it posted http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Biglari-Holdings-Inc-News-prnews-2864242270.html?x=0&.v=1

Sanjeev and the rest of the board members, Thank you for all your efforts. The ideas and commentary on this site are fantastic. In my opinion, this board has become one of the best in a very short period of time. Congrats on the Nine Years, but most importantly heres to many more. It will be fun to see where we end up.

That is some funny stuff. I always enjoy reading Mike Lewis's comments. Thanks for posting the article.

You can read a lot of it right here http://www.fcic.gov/report

Thanks for posting the link. Good stuff

There are some very interesting discussions, e-mails, etc...in this report. http://www.fcic.gov/report I thought some of you would enjoy scanning through it.

Biglari Holdings Inc. News Release Tuesday, February 08, 2011 08:20:07 AM San Antonio, TX, February 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Biglari Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BH) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 1-for-15 reverse stock split. The Company will issue a release to announce the effective date of the reverse stock split. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Shareholders will receive a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares based upon the average of the high and low trading prices on the effective date. The rationale prompting the decision to initiate the reverse stock split is for the Company to continue to attract long-term owners whose purpose is to prosper in concert with the Company's progress. The reverse stock split does not change the Company's intrinsic value. At the upcoming shareholders meeting, a second class of stock will be presented for the approval of the shareholders. Subject to approval of the shareholders and the New York Stock Exchange, the economic value of the class B stock would be 1/50 of the current common stock.

http://contenta.mkt1710.com/lp/26966/120613/D9823.pdf

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/01/24/110124fa_fact_gawande?currentPage=all

The article at the bottom of the link is worth reading if you are involved with gold. http://www.caseyresearch.com/gsd/critical-reads/small-gold-trader-makes-big-splash

http://cache.dealbreaker.com/uploads/2011/01/Greenlight-Q4_2010-Letter.pdf

Interesting Bloomberg story http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-21/u-s-state-bankruptcy-weighed-by-house-republicans-blocking-aid.html

I found the Kaplan books to be useful, but the in class work not worth a whole lot. The practice exams that you can take online are great for test prep and really all you need to do.

This is good stuff http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110113006626/en/Letter-Gideon-King-President-Loeb-Capital-Management

Here is some video footage of cars floating away http://www.break.com/index/queensland-austrailia-flash-flood-1981836

http://www.fairholmefunds.com/pdf/pressrelease.pdf

Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you all a great 2011 and many years to come. Thanks especially to Sanjeev and the other members of this board for making 2010 a great year to remember.

I think it pays to remember how the original Mr. Davis made all his money...insurance. I just recently re-read the Davis Dynasty and forgot how much I enjoyed the story. I think the same can be said about any other industry were an individual may have in-depth experience. Personally, I'm still finding enough ideas to stay busy. I agree that the insurance space is compelling, but I have also been having success in the overcapitalized small bank/thrift area. I hope that in 2011 we continue to see spin-offs and re-orgs, since there were a hand full of those that worked really well for me this year.

Interesting commentary...thanks for posting it.

I always enjoy James Montier's comments