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Posted

So lets say BRK purchased some Markel shares.  Knowing Markel owns some BRK shares, is there some kind of tax-free exchange the two corporations could make if they gave each other an equal amount of the others shares?  Weird question but just curious.

 

It only works when there is a business involved, and the business has to be a substantial part of the total deal (I think at least one third of the total deal value).  In the Graham deal Berkshire bought a TV station and obviously they bought Duracell in the P&G deal.  It's probably only worth bothering when you have one side with a very low cost basis in the shares so the tax savings are material to the overall deal size.

Posted

So lets say BRK purchased some Markel shares.  Knowing Markel owns some BRK shares, is there some kind of tax-free exchange the two corporations could make if they gave each other an equal amount of the others shares?  Weird question but just curious.

 

It only works when there is a business involved, and the business has to be a substantial part of the total deal (I think at least one third of the total deal value).  In the Graham deal Berkshire bought a TV station and obviously they bought Duracell in the P&G deal.  It's probably only worth bothering when you have one side with a very low cost basis in the shares so the tax savings are material to the overall deal size.

https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/deals/cash-rich-split-off/

Posted

The shutdown of the DAPL pipeline in the Bakken should be very positive for BNSF going forward.  They have most of the capacity in the region and crude rail capacity will likely double if the shutdown remains in place to transport the marginal barrel.  Railing crude has historically been the most profitable end market for the rails from a margin perspective. 

Posted

WSJ has an article about the OXY warrants that Icahn hatched up.  I'm not sure they have it 100% correct as it relates to the Berkshire security's protections against dilution.  They also seem to miss that OXY has to pay Berkshire 9%, not 8%, when paying the dividend in stock.  Will have to take a peek at the filings for the OXY Berkshire preferred after I walk the dog

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/oxys-sweetener-a-bitter-pill-for-warren-buffett-11594378801

Posted

I agree.  My impression reading the article was, "yeah BRK is really hurt by raising capital that is subordinated to the preferred in this environment." ::)

 

 

Posted

My impression, "yeah BRK is really hurt by raising capital that is subordinated to the preferred in this environment."

 

That is sarcasm, right? (I think it almost definitely is, but just wanted to make sure)

Posted

My impression, "yeah BRK is really hurt by raising capital that is subordinated to the preferred in this environment."

 

That is sarcasm, right? (I think it almost definitely is, but just wanted to make sure)

 

I'm thinking it actually increases the value of Buffett's investment in senior securities in OXY with (1) no negative impact from dilution of subordinated securities and (2) positive impact from lowering the likelihood of OXY filing for bankruptcy with the new money.

Posted

I agree.  My impression reading the article was, "yeah BRK is really hurt by raising capital that is subordinated to the preferred in this environment." ::)

 

Aren't they just distributing 7 year warrants to shareholders? I doubt that results in any new equity capital on their balance sheet until the 7 years are up. And not at all if they end up distressed before that. But it would dilute some of the conversion upside. If this was a rights offering where they sold new shares for cash I'd agree it was great for the prefs, but that isnt my read of what's happening.

Posted

Why do we think Ajit Jain sold some BRK shares for just under $1MM?  [info reported on Dataroma as insider transaction.]

 

 

08 Jul 09:42

BRK.A

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC

JAIN AJIT

Vice Chairman 01 Jul 2020 Sale 5,600 177.735 995,316 I

 

* D/I = Direct / Indirect

* 10% = Entity with 10% or higher ownership stake

* A = Amendment Filing (SEC Form 4/A)

Posted

He did not.  His foundation, the Jain Foundation, sold the shares.  Presumably to make donations, fund research, be charitable, meet minimum requirements to remain a tax exempt foundation, etc...

 

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1067983/000172845120000003/xslF345X03/primary_doc.xml

 

Why do we think Ajit Jain sold some BRK shares for just under $1MM?  [info reported on Dataroma as insider transaction.]

 

 

08 Jul 09:42

BRK.A

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC

JAIN AJIT

Vice Chairman 01 Jul 2020 Sale 5,600 177.735 995,316 I

 

* D/I = Direct / Indirect

* 10% = Entity with 10% or higher ownership stake

* A = Amendment Filing (SEC Form 4/A)

Posted

Maybe he wanted to buy a boat??

 

Okay, I chuckled at that!  You never know..

 

#metoo! [ : - D] -Well, with a salary of USD 19 M for 2019 [including a bonus of USD 3 M or something like that], I suppose you "just" swipe some plastic if you want to buy "a boat" [not a yacht].

Posted

John, my friend, that only happens in the movies. In reality they don't let you swipe plastic. I bought a car a couple of years ago and they only let me swipe plastic for $5,000. I had to bring paper for the rest. This wasn't a corner store place either, it was a BMW dealership.

 

Full disclosure: I gave them a certified cheque. I didn't ask if also took Berkshire stock certificates.

Posted

rb,

 

You're right. The last time I bought something tangible & expensive [for my part: a car] I paid with a certified cheque, too. Later, I have at my broker bought Berkshire shares in one transaction above that figure in the car transaction - the difference is the broker already knows the cash is present and available.

Posted

Value investors don't buy yachts - period. They are cheap-skates [, perhaps with some kind of weird obsession to cars or whatever - not yachts!][ ; - D ]

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

Now back to Buffett/Berkshire - General news.

Posted

Every time I have bought a yacht they have accepted a credit card for the full purchase price!!  ::)

 

Same for me. I think the other guys are just using crappy value investor CCs.  ::)

Posted

Value investors don't buy yachts - period. They are cheap-skates [, perhaps with some kind of weird obsession to cars or whatever - not yachts!][ ; - D ]

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

Now back to Buffett/Berkshire - General news.

Jim Pattison has a yacht: https://www.superyachtfan.com/yacht-nova-spirit.html

 

Charlie Munger has a yacht. https://channelcatcharters.com/about.html

Although it is a cheapskate yacht really.

Value investors don't buy yachts - period. They are cheap-skates [, perhaps with some kind of weird obsession to cars or whatever - not yachts!][ ; - D ]

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

Now back to Buffett/Berkshire - General news.

Jim Pattison has a yacht: https://www.superyachtfan.com/yacht-nova-spirit.html

 

Both Munger and Pattison use it more for either their customers/clients or charitable events.  Cheers!

Posted

Thank you for the information. In a case like this, how does the recovery work. I guess they already distributed the cash to the shareholders at the time of the acquisition. Not sure how it works, my guess is this will be pretty difficult to recover but I have no experience in the field.

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