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Wedgewood Partners CIO David Rolfe on Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett’s prostate cancer and who would be Buffett’s best eventual successor.
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Look at the IBM start looking -- you looking to pick -- Nicole and indeed it's a stock.
That Warren Buffett had just recently decided to buy this after he had said he didn't understand technology didn't ever -- -- by the bought IBM and Intel.
People have watched every movement -- because arguably the Oracle -- high is our greatest investor -- I'm certainly.
So when anything happens to -- you could imagine that Berkshire Hathaway stock that he owns the company that he runs rather it's certainly going to react.
Didn't react that badly when yesterday it was announced that Warren Buffett has -- one prostate cancer.
But you know that every shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway -- wondering.
This man is irreplaceable get somebody's got to replace him eventually -- got eighty companies under the Berkshire umbrella let's bring in.
One of the shareholders.
Who has watched this company for years he is David -- of Wedgwood.
Which -- partners one point six billion in assets under management.
Berkshire Hathaway B shares the second largest holding behind apple for him -- David good to have you on the phone thank you for joining us.
What was your first reaction when you heard that Warren Buffett yesterday it announced that he had been diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer which of course is very treatable.
Well my my first reaction was you know utter disbelief.
And then quickly followed by -- great really.
-- that it was stage one -- his attitude you know he came out with this press release we're viewed very positively said.
Nothing's gonna stop me -- we spoke to him today.
He sounded exactly as -- always had very high energy.
-- yeah I mean it was you know in the press release still you know stage one prostate cancer I have some family history of -- levels.
And -- stage one you know it's the big -- -- it's spooky.
But imminently treatable.
He's he's going to be around for a long time list a much more worried about him getting hit by the cherry Coke truck.
Since then at that stage one -- they can't yourself of great a great amount of relief thank you.
One point two million B shares is what you -- your portfolio David.
Let's just cut to the chase this of course -- that age old question of succession at this company Warren Buffett has said that he has picked somebody to be the CEO we know his son Howard will be the non executive chairman he's got to top investors -- -- Wexler talk columns.
Who are working on the actual gigantic stock portfolio that is Buffett.
Portfolio but you know.
I -- -- operate all of these eighty companies or at least oversee them.
Who do you need to see at the -- if you had your wish -- who was.
Greg -- permit American.
Well again it might potentially could be met road I would like to see the individual who was heading up.
-- to most capital intensive businesses within Berkshire because they're gonna continue to needed used.
Billions -- -- cash flow.
Each and every year and Greg gable has been inculcated with the -- sure long term culture and mentality for.
Quite a long time.
And Matt -- quite frankly keep the trains running on time.
-- -- your favorite.
OK you know what I think that's an interesting point that you make about Greg gave a lot of people say at -- Jane a -- listen.
From what the sense I get from people -- know and he wants to stand Connecticut running the insurance business but going back to mr.
Buffett.
She talked about at least through Carol Loomis of fortune who filed the report right after the news came out yesterday the longtime friend of Warren Buffett's.
That he was doing business is usual last week that he met with a 160.
Business school students something that he does -- 48 times a year.
Throughout he hopes a bunch of business schools we've actually had an exclusive -- view of those we call that -- you as a university.
And I can tell you -- is with those kids for nine minutes straight hours taking pictures with them having root beer floats with them.
Speaking to them taking any questions that they want signing books to them.
And he was doing that last week he had dinner with Jimmy Buffett I mean this guy just does not stop he's got more energy than some 25 year old spike questioned -- was this.
Any thought even first second of selling those shares with the concern that he might not be around forever.
Absolutely not and this stock is little with this start right now it's just really a handful of points higher.
Then the 10% premium of book that he wouldn't buy it back I'd say what if you're selling Berkshire shares right now are just a few points lower.
You might be selling song that back to Buffett himself and I don't wanna be on the other side of the trade with -- particularly when it comes to Berkshire shares.
Alright David -- saying his vote is for Greg -- of mid America and when that time becomes appropriate again Warren Buffett saying he's in for the long -- telling me today over the the phone.
You shouldn't worry list because I'm not worried this will in no way affect my performance of Berkshire Hathaway just remind our viewers and thanks David so much we'll talk to -- -- again.
