New Money

Munger's Berkshire Move: A Sign That the Stock is Dirt Cheap

By Katy Marquardt

Posted: November 24, 2008

In his latest email dispatch, hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson says Charlie Munger's sale Friday of 2,000 Berkshire Hathaway shares--or 13 percent of his stake in the company--is a major indicator that the stock is dirt cheap. Say what?

Munger sold Class A shares of Berkshire--which happens to be the country's most pricey stock--in exchange for a promissory note for $77,500 a share for family members. The stock closed at $90,000 on Friday (it closed Thursday at $77,500, and I got a few heated responses to this post as it was trading around $77,000.)

Says Tilson:

"In other words, he found the stock so cheap that he decided to pass the stock along this way--and pay taxes on the gains this year!--rather than through his will. It would be harder to find a stronger statement of how cheap he thinks the stock is--he must believe $77,500 is the lowest basis he will ever see again."

Here's Tilson's reasoning on why Berkshire is a steal, even at $84,000.

Tilson

I think Whitney Tilson is a smart guy, but just a bad investor. Look at his track record with TILFX.

Everyone is saying that stocks are cheap. I think that this is a misleading statement. It's more accurate to say that more stocks are cheaper than in 2007. And more stocks are going under than in 2007. Is Citigroup cheap?

Jeff Liang of CA @ Dec 02, 2008 16:51:57 PM

Munger

I'll bet on Munger's analysis rather than the forecast of the previous comment. Tell us your credentials, M of MT. Otherwise, opinions are like a**holes. Everybody has one.

Tom of @ Nov 27, 2008 06:56:22 AM

When you cant read the anwer to a very simple question, use the impossible explanation. Tilson is blinded by his investment, and as many other value investors, does not consider the macro environment... I am pretty sure BRK will weather the storm, and be in better shape afterwards, especially on a relative basis, but in any case, the share will get a hit. My target is 30-50k for this Bearmarket, 500-600 for S&P500

M of MT @ Nov 25, 2008 13:47:50 PM

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New Money

Katy Marquardt, a senior editor at U.S.News & World Report, takes a contemporary look at happenings in the financial world and aims to help young investors get going with their portfolios--or just sound cool at cocktail parties. Have a question? E-mail Katy at newmoney@usnews.com

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