Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway nearing deal to buy Precision Castparts: Report
Resource from: Reuters Likes:225
Aug 10,2015
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc is nearing an agreement to buy Precision Castparts Corp , in what could be the company's largest purchase ever, the Wall Street Journal said on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The purchase of Precision Castparts, which makes aircraft components and energy-production equipment, could be announced as soon as next week and cost more than $30 billion, assuming typical premiums for mergers, the newspaper said. Precision Castparts' market value was $26.7 billion on Friday.
Neither Berkshire nor Precision Castparts was immediately available for comment.
Berkshire is one of Precision Castparts' largest shareholders, with a roughly 3 percent stake worth $882 million as of March 31, according to securities filings.
Though it began building that stake in 2012, it remains among the smaller investments in Berkshire's portfolio. Such investments are normally picked by Buffett's investment managers, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler.
The addition of Precision Castparts would extend Buffett's decade-long push into the industrial sector, where he has bought such companies as parts maker Marmon, Israeli toolmaker Iscar, and specialty chemicals company Lubrizol.
He considers those companies among his "Powerhouse Five" collection of non-insurance businesses that contribute greatly to Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire's bottom line.
Precision Castparts makes components such as nuts, bolts and other fasteners for aerospace companies such as Airbus Group SE
and Boeing Co, an industry that accounts for roughly 70 percent of sales. It also makes products such as pipes and fittings for power and industrial companies.
The company reported a profit of $1.53 billion on net sales of $10 billion for its fiscal year ended March 29.
But it has struggled with slack demand in some businesses, and last month missed analysts' quarterly profit forecasts as Chief Executive Officer Mark Donegan lamented a "challenging" oil and gas environment.
Precision Castparts shares have fallen 29 percent since June 2014, and have lagged the Standard & Poor's 500 by close to 30 percentage points over the last five years.
Berkshire shares have also lagged that index over five years, but by a smaller percentage.
A purchase would likely let Berkshire deploy much of its $66.59 billion of cash, while still leaving the $20 billion cushion Buffett wants.
Berkshire's biggest purchase is the $26.5 billion takeover in 2010 of the 77.4 percent of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad it did not already own. It has more than 80 operating businesses.
(Reuters)
【CBCC News Statement】
1.The news above mentioned with detailed source are from internet.We are trying our best to assure they are accurate ,timely and safe so as to let bearing users and sellers read more related info.However, it doesn't mean we agree with any point of view referred in above contents and we are not responsible for the authenticity. If you want to publish the news,please note the source and you will be legally responsible for the news published.
2.All news edited and translated by us are specially noted the source"CBCC".
3.For investors,please be cautious for all news.We don't bear any damage brought by late and inaccurate news.
4.If the news we published involves copyright of yours,just let us know.
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Cnbearing is the No.1 bearing inquiry system and information service in China, dedicated to helping all bearing users and sellers throughout the world.
Cnbearing is supported by China National Bearing Industry Association, whose operation online is charged by China Bearing Unisun Tech. Co., Ltd.
China Bearing Unisun Tech. Co., Ltd owns all the rights. Since 2000, over 3,000 companies have been registered and enjoyed the company' s complete skillful service, which ranking many aspects in bearing industry at home and abroad with the most authority practical devices in China.