Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat’s commentary for the week of February 20, 2013?

Article Excerpt

You can draw a number of conclusions from the Heinz takeover, and some make more sense than others. For instance, some Heinz investors are upset that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is supplying more than half of the capital in this $23 billion takeover. They assume, based on Buffett’s involvement and his reputation as a canny investor, that if Warren is buying, the $72.50 a share takeover price must be a better deal for buyers than for sellers. Note, however, that Mr. Buffett’s involvement—what you might think of as the “Warren Buffett seal of approval”—makes it cheaper and easier to arrange financing for the deal. It also makes it possible for the bidding group to come up with a bid that wins quick acceptance. The only way to do that is to offer the sellers a good price and/or good terms. Of course, when Mr. Buffett gets involved as a key player in a takeover, he negotiates a better deal for himself…