Categories
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD to List Battery Unit by 2022

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BYD (Build Your Dreams), a world leader and pioneer in battery and zero-emission vehicles, has announced plans to list its battery unit by 2022.

The company did not specify the exchange it would be listed on.

The move, which was reported by Reuters out of Beijing, comes roughly six months after BYD opened the world’s largest battery manufacturing plant in the western province of Qinghai. The plant is designed to keep up with the demands of a company that has become the world leader in battery powered cars.

The facility has commenced manufacturing batteries, but the entire facility will not be fully completed until the end of 2019.

The plant opened with a manufacturing capacity of 24 GWh, and BYD aims to increase its total manufacturing capacity to 60 GWh by 2020.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost ten-fold, and is now worth roughly $1.96 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Uncategorized

Ajit Jain’s $20 Mil Stock Purchase Shows His Belief in Berkshire Hathaway

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Ajit Jain, Berkshire Hathaway’s Vice Chairman of Insurance Operations, has purchased $20 million in Berkshire Hathaway stock.

Jain purchased the stock on December 18, at prices ranging from $295,750 to $297,000 a share for Berkshire Hathaway’s A shares, which had been as high as $335,900 in October.

In January 2018, Jain, who along with Greg Abel, who was elevated to Vice Chairman of Non-insurance Operations, became vice chairmen, a move that puts them in line for the long term leadership of Berkshire Hathaway.

Jain’s stock purchase shows that he not only believes in leading Berkshire, but owning it as well.

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Warren Buffett

Berkshire Hathaway Exits Home Capital Position

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway is substantially exiting its position in Canadian alternative lender Home Capital Group following the completion of the company’s Substantial Issuer Bid process.

In 2017, Berkshire invested in the company and provided financing that helped stabilize the lender, however, shareholders thwarted its plans for more extensive ownership.

“We are delighted to see Home Capital back on its feet with healthy liquidity and a solid capital position,” Warren Buffett said in a statement. “In June of 2017, when some were questioning Home’s staying power, Berkshire agreed to lend the Company $2 billion. The team at Home was a pleasure to deal with and have worked to thoughtfully strengthen Home over the last 18 months. As part of the loan commitment Berkshire also committed to provide $400 million of equity financing to Home – $153 million with the funding of the credit line and an additional $247 million contingent upon shareholder approval; shareholders did not approve the additional investment and, as a result (coupled with a full repayment of Berkshire’s credit line) Berkshire’s investment in Home is now not of a size to justify our ongoing involvement. Although we have decided to substantially exit from our investment, we will continue to cheer from the sidelines for our friends at Home.”

© 2018 David Mazor


Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Berkadia

Berkadia Announces Freddie Mac Financing for 2,200 Rental Units for Seniors

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkadia, Berkshire Hathaway’s joint venture with Jefferies Financial Group, has announced the closing of $327 million in fixed and variable rate financing for Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.

Berkadia’s Senior Managing Directors Heidi Brunet and Lisa Lautner of the Seniors Housing & Healthcare team originated the transaction through Freddie Mac’s new Structured Pool Transaction program.

The deal closed on November 16 and will be used to refinance 28 senior housing facilities representing approximately 2,200 units.

The ten-year, non-recourse Structured Pool Transaction features fixed and variable rate loan components and a 30-year amortization schedule. The fixed rate component was $213 million and the variable rate component was $114 million.

The property was financed through Freddie Mac’s Green Advantage program, which provides competitive pricing to finance upgrades that reduce energy or water consumption.

In 2017, Berkadia’s Seniors Housing team completed more than $1.7 billion in loan volume, including closing over $1 billion in financings in a single day.

Berkadia’s Seniors Housing & Healthcare group leads the industry in innovative and comprehensive solutions for even the most complex independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing projects across the country.

In addition to deep market knowledge, the group offers a full set of advisory, underwriting, loan origination services and products including FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Life Company, Proprietary Bridge Lending and Capital Markets Advisory Services.

Last year, the team expanded its capabilities by adding an investment sales presence, rounding out its full-suite of services.

About Berkadia

Founded in 2009 as a 50/50 joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, Berkadia is a third-party commercial mortgage servicer, as well as an approved lender for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA.

The company is among the top Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae multifamily lenders.

Berkadia owes its origins to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation, which was acquired in 2009 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. Christened Capmark Financial, the company had $10 billion of originations in 2008 and a servicing portfolio of more than $360 billion before running into bankruptcy in October 2009.

In a deal approved by the bankruptcy court, Capmark sold its mortgage loan and servicing to the newly formed Berkadia in a deal worth $515 million.

The deal brought Berkshire into the heart of the commercial loan serving business, and the company has one of the largest commercial real estate servicing portfolios.

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

Ecuador City Vies to Have First All-Electric Mass Transit

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

The city of Guayaquil, Ecuador may soon have the honor of being the first in the world to have an all-electric mass transit system.

The port city, which is known as “the Gateway to the Galapagos,” is swapping its entire fleet of diesel transit buses for pure-electric buses.

The move comes after a five month pilot program proved the viability of the buses. The test bus ran an average of 250 kilometers per day.

BYD’s K9 buses feature air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and will have a dramatic impact on air pollution and fuel costs.

The buses are projected to reduce 12.8 tons of CO2 and 2.9 million gallons of diesel annually.

The buses are scheduled to be in service by March 2019.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost ten-fold, and is now worth roughly $1.96 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Marmon Group

Marmon Holdings Gets New CEO

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Angelo V. Pantaleo will become Chairman and CEO of global industrial conglomerate Marmon Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., effective January 1, 2019.

His promotion was announced by Greg Abel, Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.

Pantaleo, currently President of Marmon Holdings, will succeed Frank S. Ptak, who as previously announced is retiring at the end of 2018 after leading Marmon for 13 years. “I am delighted to pass the Marmon baton to Angelo,” Ptak said. “He was my choice as successor and our friends at Berkshire wholeheartedly agreed. I expect him to build upon what we have accomplished together and take Marmon to the next level of success.”

Marmon Holdings comprises more than 100 autonomous manufacturing and service businesses whose diverse products range from railroad tank cars and platform trailers, to shopping carts and commercial beverage dispensers, to screws and work gloves. Marmon has operations in 23 countries, with about 20,000 employees and projected 2018 revenues of more than $8 billion.

Pantaleo joined Marmon in 1991 as president of the company’s industrial water filtration business and advanced to serve as group president over all of Marmon’s water treatment and consumer products businesses worldwide. During this period, he led numerous Marmon acquisitions in Asia, Europe, and North America. On his watch, Marmon Water earned the leading market share position at retail in North America and Europe, and became the fastest growing consumer water treatment company in China.

In 2014, Pantaleo was asked to lead the Berkshire Hathaway transition team responsible for integrating Duracell, a multi-billion-dollar global battery business, into Berkshire. Upon completion of the Duracell acquisition, Pantaleo become CEO of Duracell. He returned to Marmon as president in late 2017 with the announcement of Ptak’s planned retirement.

Before joining Marmon, Pantaleo spent 11 years in progressive roles with DuPont. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.B.A. in Finance.

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD Hires Former Tesla Executive

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BYD (Build Your Dreams), a world leader and pioneer in battery and zero-emission vehicles, has added a former Tesla executive to its U.S. operations.

Sam Jammal was hired by BYD as Senior Manager of Government Relations for the Western United States.

Jammal comes to BYD from SolarCity and Tesla. Before that he held several high-level jobs in the federal government, including Chief of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives and Presidential Appointee (Obama) at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value almost ten-fold, and is now worth roughly $1.96 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lovejoy Realty Rebrands to Reflect Growing Presence in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Lovejoy Realty has changed its name to better reflect its growing regional presence in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

The brokerage will now operate as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices North Properties with aspirations to serve all of Minnesota and fortify its presence in Wisconsin.

“Our brokerage has come a long way since its start in 1991,” said Peggy Lovejoy, company founder and president. “With our sights set on growth and the ability to serve more clients throughout our region, it became time to change our local-styled name for one with greater regional flexibility and appeal.”

North Properties, a full-service real estate company, operates 12 offices with more than 130 agents.

Lovejoy said one of her brokerage’s strengths is its continuity. Several of her sales professionals have been with the brokerage since it opened.

“Our agents are smart, loyal, hard-working and genuinely concerned about their clients’ best interests,” she explained. “I love our agents and I’m proud they represent North Properties.”

With nearly 40 years in real estate, Lovejoy hasn’t slowed and is eager to drive growth at the brokerage. “What I enjoy most about the business is helping our agents achieve more than they would in my absence,” she said. “We’ve created a culture of learning and professional development at the company. The upshot is our agents are always growing and investing in their careers. It’s why clients may expect premier service from our brokerage.”

Lovejoy said her team is actively recruiting to help the brokerage expand its reach in the marketplace.

“We’re looking for more of our region’s top sales professionals,” she said. “Agents who want to take their careers to new heights should look no further than Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices North Properties.”

Gino Blefari, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, applauded the name change. “Peggy Lovejoy and her team are well-respected in their markets,” Blefari said. “We look forward to supporting North Properties as it grows and prospers in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.”

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Adds Florida Keys Realtor

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has announced that independent brokerage Freewheeler Realty has joined its network operating as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Freewheeler Realty.

Freewheeler Realty is a full-service real estate brokerage serving the Upper Florida Keys. The brokerage stands among market leaders in the region.

The full-service brokerage, Islamorada’s oldest operating under the same management, remains independently owned by real estate veteran Alexa Wheeler. It unites with one of America’s fastest-growing real estate brokerage networks, which counts more than 48,000 agents and 1,400 offices in only five years as a brand.

“We reached a jumping off point as an independent company wanting to grow,” said Wheeler. “As a member of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices we gain access to a strong and respected brand whose namesake is one of the world’s most trusted and respected corporations. We also receive the latest tools and resources to help our agents serve their clients. Joining the brand was an obvious choice for us.”

Gino Blefari, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, welcomed Freewheeler Realty. “Freewheeler Realty stands among market leaders in the Upper Florida Keys,” he said. “Alexa and her team of seasoned agents are well regarded for their conscientious service and ethical business standards. We’re proud to bring them aboard.”

Wheeler said the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand appeals to the broadest range of consumers, particularly those seeking high-end and resort homes in the region. She believes her brokerage will earn more of the market’s high-end listings because of its brand membership. “The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand stands for excellence in real estate, as does Freewheeler Realty,” she explained. “We’re confident that consumers in our marketplace will embrace Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Freewheeler Realty like no other brokerage.”

With their network membership, Freewheeler Realty agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Global Network Platform, a powerful tool suite driving lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more. The network also provides global listing syndication, relocation referrals, professional education and the exclusive Luxury Collection marketing program for high-end listings.

“Tools in the Global Network Platform will help our team gain efficiencies and serve more clients,” Wheeler said. “Of course, the digital marketing support and international listing syndication provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will bring much more attention to our listings. Without question, we’re excited for the future.”

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Insurance National indemnity

Berkshire Hathaway Assumes Motor Accident Commission’s Back Book of Compulsory Third Party Claims

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway is investing in South Australia, the conglomerate is taking over the Motor Accident Commission’s ‘back book’ of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) vehicle insurance claims.

The South Australia treasurer, Rob Lucas, said Berkshire Hathaway would establish operations in Adelaide as its Reinsurance Division takes over management of the Motor Accident Commission’s ‘back book’ of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) vehicle insurance claims.

Lucas said the move – to take effect from January 1, next year – was a natural consequence of the former Labor government’s decision in 2014 to privatize the provision of CTP vehicle insurance in SA and would put the state on the map with global investors.

“This is a significant coup for South Australia,’’ said Treasurer Lucas.

“Having an investment company of Berkshire Hathaway’s global standing come and set up in Adelaide not only speaks volumes for our sound business environment, but for the progressive leadership of the new Liberal government under Premier Steven Marshall.

“Berkshire Hathaway’s reinsurance arm, National Indemnity Company, is the only reinsurance company in the world with the same AA+ credit rating as South Australia, offering SA policy claimants security over future claims, as well as excellent value for taxpayers who no longer bear the risk of movements in investments and claims outcomes.

“For example, this year’s Mid-Year Budget Review will include a significant reduction in returns to the budget from MAC.

“Put simply, assets and liabilities from MAC will be transferred to Berkshire Hathaway’s National Indemnity Company, so that all the risks of managing MAC’s liabilities will be transferred to Berkshire Hathaway.

“Part of the arrangement will see $300 million of the reinsurance premium retained in South Australia – with at least $100 million retained for five years – for local funds management.

“The Government will consider a range of options to help implement a key election commitment to grow local funds management activity.”

Berkshire Hathaway CEO and Chairman Warren Buffett said he looked forward to the potential of growing his business in South Australia.

“We are thrilled to have agreed terms with South Australia to reinsure their auto liabilities, and we would love to find more opportunities to do business there,” Buffett said.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. also has significant worldwide interests in energy, utilities, infrastructure, rail, retail and manufacture.

In October, the State Government announced it would wind down the Motor Accident Commission, a ‘natural consequence’ of the former Labor Government’s decision in 2014 to privatize the provision of CTP vehicle insurance in SA – which had been MAC’s core function.

MAC ceased writing new CTP insurance policies from July 1, 2016 but has remained responsible for managing a ‘back book’ of claims issued up to and including June 30, 2016.

The MAC Board has approved acceptance of the Berkshire Hathaway bid.

Background

The former Labor government, in September 2014, approved a new framework to assess unsolicited proposals to government.

Under this framework, and just prior to the state election, Berkshire Hathaway submitted an unsolicited proposal to the former Labor government to manage the ‘MAC back book’. This bid was only valid for an off-market exclusive transaction.

Treasury engaged respected financial advisory firm Moelis who concluded the proposal was unique and presented as value for money. Moelis recommended approval for the proposal and concluded Berkshire Hathaway’s history supported the conclusion that the Berkshire Hathaway bid was only valid for an off-market exclusive transaction.

The existing Allianz claims management contract will remain in place at least until its current expiry of June 30, 2019. Berkshire Hathaway will explore with Allianz long-term arrangements. Claimants will not experience any change in their claims management experience.

After the deal is concluded, budgeted returns from MAC to the budget will reduce by up to an estimated $68 million over the 3-year period from 2019-20.

Early next year, the Government intends to release most of the contractual documentation with some commercially confidential provisions redacted.

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.