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Berkshire’s (NYSE: BRK.A) Back, So What’s Warren Buffett Buying Now?
By: Money Morning   Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:23 AM

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As shares of Berhshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: ), ( ) plunged over the past year, it became fashionable to ask whether or not Warren Buffett had lost his touch.

(See: ETF Guide: Down $16 Billion - Has Warren Buffett Lost His Touch?; MSN Money: The problem with Warren Buffett; Forbes: Has Buffett Lost His Touch; Reuters: Is Warren Buffett losing his touch?)

In June, financial advisor and CNBC contributor Dennis Gartman even called Buffett “an idiot.”

But now that Berkshire has rallied more than 35% from its March lows, the only idiots to be found are those that ever doubted the world’s second-richest man’s business savvy. Indeed, many of the moves Buffett made during last year’s market melee are paying off in a big way.

Take, for instance, his $5 billion investment in Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: ). Berkshire last September agreed to buy $5 billion in perpetual preferred Goldman shares that pay 10% interest.  In addition, Berkshire received warrants giving it the right to buy $5 billion worth of Goldman’s common shares at any time over the next five years at a price of $115 per share.

Critics lampooned that deal when shares of Goldman Sachs fell to a 52-week low of $47.41 in November. Since then, however, Goldman’s stock has rocketed more than 240% to close yesterday (Tuesday) at $160.25.

If Berkshire cashed in it’s warrants today, it would make a 40% profit or about $2 billion.


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The above story is the opinion of the author only and it does not reflect iStockAnalyst opinion. Further, the author is not personally advising you regarding the suitability of the story for your investment needs. In no event iStockAnalyst will be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or arising out of, or in connection with the use of this information. Please consult your investment advisor before making any investment decision.
  
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