jeffmori7

Exactly what I tought when I saw the current cash position, with the redemption of GS and Swiss Re investments, as well as Ge which will come this fall. So a lot of cash availabe with a perfect timing for Buffet with the market going down. Maybe he will buy more common stock than in March 2009 this time, with more cash to deploy.

Haha funny, I live in Longueuil too. Mais je viens de Québec! Content de savoir qu'il y a d'autres Québécois! Bonne bourse à vous!

I understand that raising taxes for the richest won't do it alone. But it is part of the equation. Reduce military expenses, make some cuts in your spending and you will be all right. Compromise is always a better solution and Republicans aren't doing any compromise. During Bush era, you didn't had that much issues with the debt ceiling, so what is the problem of the Tea Party? Another problem of America and the fact that a lot of AMericans consider government as evil is your bad management of healthcare system. If I remember correctly, USA spend more in percentage than a lot of developped country like Canada where we have at least universal healthcare coverage for the ever growing budget we dedicate to it. You on the other side, must take private insurance even if you're governement is spending more than us on healthcare..that is part of the problem I think.

As a Canadian from Quebec, I just have a simple question as I don't understand what is really happenning. Here, richest people are used to pay more than 50% of their revenue in taxes and it's not that bad! What is it with you Americans? Why is it so terrible to raise taxes to eliminate a deficit, espicially when these tax raises will concern only the richest 2% of you (more than 250k $ /year)?!? Those rich people can afford paying a bit more and it will be so much better for the economy than any tax cuts that hapens during the Bush era. For me, this chart speaks for itself : http://www.offthechartsblog.org/what%E2%80%99s-driving-projected-debt/

Is it me or BRK is nearly priced at 1x investment per share only?! It means that not a lot of value is given to all the great operating companies among BRK? If I remember correctly (I am writing rapidly here, without looking at the numbers), investment per share was around 95k$/share and now the stock is as 111k$, so 16$k for the operating portion of BRK, which means, 1 or two times operating earnings maybe?

Do we have to be a shareholder to get this book?

What have you done in Ontario? It will be really sad for Canada in the next 4 years.

I fear for a Harper majority, but I think he will get a minority. In this context, I hope Jack could lead a coalition, which could be a good thing. I also think the liberal party does have the more equilibrate program but they don't succeed at convincing the Canadians. I personally think Ignatieff is a bright guy, but in the same time, LPC hasn't not renewed itself enough in the last year. So maybe Ontario will vote Liberal enough, Quebec will vote NDP and we could finally get rid of Harper. And Go Canucks Go!

Oh..I'm a Habs fan..sorry for the lapsus!

Another Canadian topic..but it's not about RIM nor hockey playoffs! As I know there is a lot of Canadians on this board, I'm curious to know what you all think about the federal election campaign. What do you think will happen? Don't hesitate to explain you choice and describe you seat projections!

It seems a lot of you guys invest in buying 50 cents in a dollar. So you buy at half the IV and sell when it reach you evaluation of IV. I understand it's important to keep a good margin of safety when investing, and everyone prefers to buy an undervalued stock, but I am not sure this is an investment pattern that suits me. I must admit I prefer buying safer stock at maybe lighter discount but offering good long term prospects. So if I evaluate that a company can grow IV at, let's say 10 or 12%, I rather buy it and keep it instead of looking for more important discount elsewhere. In this case, even if the stock reaches its intrinsic value rapidly because finally Mr Market recognizes its value, I will not necessarily sell because I know IV should keep growing. I could sell before if reasons 2 or 3 are met though. So I must admit I have difficulties selling at IV if I am looking for stocks with IV that keeps growing overtime. It doesn't seem to work really well with the buy and hold approach that I want to pursue.

7:54 AM: Sokol says it wouldn't make any sense for him to invest in companies he likes, for his family's benefit, and not share his enthusiasm for the company with Buffett. I give this point to Sokol. But apart for that, I feel that Sokol was not happy with his role at Berkshire and that he would have like to be involved in investment more directly, maybe even in stock purchase himself. Maybe it's a good thing he is gone if he was not confortable with his position in the company.

I think most of you are right. One of the first things that come to mind is the bad design. I hope they will rethink the whole thing in all arena. Unfortunately, the NHL is not gonna take the lead on that one as far as we know how Gary Betman is such a great leader... But as I see how it happens, as some of you, I'm not so sure that Chara isn't pushing MaxPac with his hand...and one thing Chara should know : He is probably the strongest guy in the league. He needs to be aware of that when he's fighting with other players. Personnaly, I'm thinking there is too much injuries in this league..I know hockey is fast, but ref should be more severe with roughness and assault... Anyway, the Habs won't win the Cup until another 20 years or so..

Hey guys, I know there is a bunch of hockey fans here..so what do you think about Zdeno Chara move on Max Pacioretty yesterday?! And the NHL not giving any suspension?! From a poor Habs fan...who is seeing our team decimated by injuries...

For those interested, two recent articles by Francois Rochon from Giverny Capital, reviewing the basis. http://www.givernycapital.com/assets/documents/136/The_Gazette___An_enriching_strategy_for_quality_assets_jan_2011_.pdf?1295903027 http://www.givernycapital.com/assets/documents/139/High_confidence_humble_approach_happy_investor.pdf?1296567592

Another acquisition for Markel Venture. It's interesting how they seem to be growing this division faster than before. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Markel-Announces-Diamond-prnews-1484232588.html?x=0&.v=1

Welcome to Omaha, Todd Combs : http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/14/news/companies/Todd_Combs_Buffett.fortune/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote