Buffett/Berkshire - general news

[CorpRaider]

Re: Dealerships I noticed a large (regional?) auto dealer chain advertising a mobility solution last week.  Apparently, you pay ~$1000 to $1,500 and get to select various automobiles that are delivered to you.  I didn't inquire further when I saw the price, but you know on second thought it might not be that steep if you are a person with a constant auto payment, if it includes insurance licensing, service and taxes.  I thought it was interesting.

[gfp]

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170614005701/en/MiTek®-Acquires-Mezzanine-International

MiTek continues to chug along with their second recent acquisition in the mezzanine structure space.  Cubic systems was a domestic operator and this one today is a European leader.

Remember, buy your metal connectors from USP at Lowe's, not that Simpson Strong tie stuff from Home Depot ;-)

[gfp]

Fox Business is running a story that has some interesting detail about Ted Weschler's activity in Germany working with Berkshire's German "scout", the banker that brought them the online motorcycle accessory retailer -

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/06/20/warren-buffetts-scout-inside-europes-biggest-economy.html

edit:

I see it is actually a wall street journal story, with pictures for those that subscribe -
https://www.wsj.com/articles/warren-buffetts-scout-inside-europes-biggest-economy-1497951001

[longinvestor]

Fox Business is running a story that has some interesting detail about Ted Weschler's activity in Germany working with Berkshire's German "scout", the banker that brought them the online motorcycle accessory retailer -

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/06/20/warren-buffetts-scout-inside-europes-biggest-economy.html

edit:

I see it is actually a wall street journal story, with pictures for those that subscribe -
https://www.wsj.com/articles/warren-buffetts-scout-inside-europes-biggest-economy-1497951001

Germany has to be an attractive fishing pond for Berkshire. Private businesses that seek permanent homes is prevalent. I can think of businesses like INA-FAG Bearings being attractive. In the mold of ISCAR. Only needs next-generation kids to enjoy the good life over hard work. One thing is certain, many of the families would rather let the business run into the ground versus selling to FI's, PE etc.  Or for that matter large American conglomerates. Strong distaste.

[John Hjorth]

NICO has invested USD 377 M in Store Capital.

[Mephistopheles]

NICO has invested USD 377 M in Store Capital.

Thx for this

Why is Store Capital diluting its stock this much? Shares outstanding have been shooting up like clockwork

[Mephistopheles]

NICO has invested USD 377 M in Store Capital.

Thx for this

Why is Store Capital diluting its stock this much? Shares outstanding have shot up like clockwork every quarter. And once again with this deal

[doughishere]

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/26/buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-studied-this-stock-for-three-years-before-buying-in.html

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway studied this stock for three years before buying in

[John Hjorth]

The real question here is, what is Mr. Buffett actually doing here? I simply don't get it. Any kind of sharing thoughts with my fellow board members about this investment in this topic would be much appreciated -  thank you in advance.

[Jurgis]

I don't do macro, but it feels like 1999.
Buffett is making mediocre investments since market is too high and nothing else is available.

Alternative explanation for this and HCG might be that it's all Ted's ideas and Warren just signs off without much supervision. That's also not very believable, but just throwing it out there. I base this on the size of the positions which are really small for Warren.