Question: Will you be looking to do more business in China?
Buffett: China is a huge market. There will perhaps be opportunities to buy more businesses there. We would have bought more than 10% of BYD if we could have - but that's all they wished to sell us. Chinese dollar assets are going to build as long as there is a significant trade surplus with China.
Munger: I think China has one of ... read more
Question: The Bank of America and Merrill Lynch deal has been in the news lately because of lack of disclosure. Who should be authorized to make a decision not to disclose information to public? If Berkshire Hathway was pressured - how would you respond?
Buffett: I'd be terribly interested to hear Charlie's answer on that. If you learn from a confidential source that there's going to be a ... read more
Question: When will see return on investment on MidAmerican Energy's wind farms?
Buffett: We're the largest in terms of wind and capacity of any utility. But the wind only blows about 35% of the time in Iowa... so you can't count on it for your baseload. But Iowa has been very receptive and progressive in encouraging us to bring them a lot of wind capacity. We are a net exporter of ... read more
Question: How would you quantify the impact and damage of Berkshire losing its AAA credit rating? What are you doing actively to restore its AAA rating?
Buffett: It won't regain it soon - I don't think ratings agencies would turn around like that. Moody's affirmed the rating in January. In terms of our credit default swaps which is a metric you can use for credit acceptance. That spread came ... read more
Question: What is your latest outlook on the dollar given what's been thrown up in the air in the last 6 months?\
Buffett: It's pretty unpredictable. I guarantee you the dollar will buy less 10-20 years from now. But we are doing things that will hurt the purchasing power of the dollar. On the other hand the same thing is happening in different countries around the world. The British will run a ... read more
Question on Berkshire's latest investment - BYD
Munger:...I know it looks like Warren and I have gone crazy - but I don't think we have. The car you're going to see - I think they make everything in that car except the glass and rubber. Whoever went into autos and made every part? This is not normal. This is very unusual and I regard it as a privilege to have Berkshire associated with a company ... read more
Buffett: 1Q operating earnings of $1.7B vs. $1.9B one year ago. Cash on hand a little less than $20B. We're lucky to be in the insurance and utility businesses ... read more
Munger: a lot of new regulation coming wouldn't have been needed if accounting wasn't done better in banking. Yet - I haven't met an accountant who has said I'm ashamed of my own profession. If they don't have shame - it's not right. ... read more
Question: You've talked a lot about opportunity-costs. Can youdiscuss more important decisions over the past year?
Buffett: When both prices are moving and in certain cases intrinsic business value moving at a pace that's far greater than we've seen - it's tougher, more interesting and more challenging and can be more profitable. But, it's a different task than when things were moving at more ... read more
Liz Claman joined FOX Business Network (FBN) as an anchor in October 2007. Her debut included an exclusive interview with Berkshire Hathaway CEO and legendary investor Warren Buffett.
May 2, 2009 01:49 PM EDT
Buffett: May be more opportunities to buy in China
Question: Will you be looking to do more business in China? Buffett: China is a huge market. There will perhaps be opportunities to buy more businesses there. We would have bought more than 10% of BYD if we could have - but that's all they wished to sell us. Chinese dollar assets are going to build as long as there is a significant trade surplus with China. Munger: I think China has one of ... read more
0 Comments