BH Energy among bidders for Oncor

[rogermunibond]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-25/centerpoint-berkshire-said-to-explore-bids-for-oncor.html

 

$17B would qualify as an elephant, if not a highly regulated elephant

[xo 1]

Thanks for the link.  It will be interesting to see if BH Energy is willing to participate in an auction or if they will try to use the certainty to close in lieu of a bidding war.  I'd love to see Oncor added but it seems likely that one of the other bidders will have more aggressive pricing.

[Kiltacular]

While I don't know the politics here, given the disaster that was Energy Future holdings, the regulators might be favorably disposed to the stability that Berkshire offers.

 

Buffett has stated that this stability, combined with Berkshire's clear willingness to invest, should give it an advantage in bidding for these types of utility investments.  It is an enticing offering for regulators and politicians.  In addition, in this particular case, Berkshire's BNSF is headquarted (for now  8)) in Dallas / Ft. Worth.  Berkshire's Nebraska Furniture Mart is also building a huge store in the area right now.  That is a lot of jobs and tax revenues that might tilt things in Berkshire's favor.

 

 

[captkerosene]

WEB paid a high price for AltaLink according to the Brookfield guys during their 2014 investor day. So maybe we'll get it.

[LC]

When do regulators become concerned given the growing amount of utilities etc that BRK owns?

 

 

[Guest longinvestor]

The tyranny of PE ownership on show. Bought for $48 B seven years ago, now BK with $49 B in debt! Similar story with Burger King's debt.