paulmars

Doug Kass's Killer Shorts - Barron's

Buffett has drifted. Call it whatever fancy name you want.
How is his new style of investing any different from hundreds of other money managers, who like to buy good businesses at fair valuations? Most of his stalwart bluechip picks of gone mostly sideways for years, so, how has he added all this value?
Sure, his Berkshire businesses have performed well, run, of course, by other people. So, he's a good hands-off delegator. But as far as the investing in common stocks goes, either him or Lou Simpson have not exactly outperformed much of the pack in recent decades.
Buffett says it's because the numbers are now too big.
Well, may be, but, maybe he should figure out a way to split things into smaller pieces that could outperform.
I mean, since when did conglomorations ever really prove to be a great vehicle for producing outstanding results?
He's nothing but another Henry Singleton in many respects.
Dexter Shoes? Wells Fargo (King of Home equity 2nd mortgages and other regretful consumer loans in California and other the other former bubble states?) Geez, how uninspired is that?

Doug Kass's Killer Shorts - Barron's

Colgate? A short?
What generic toothpaste is there to buy? C'mon, a $3 tube of toothpaste, that lasts a couple of months, is where people will be cutting back? That's silly.
And, 70%++ of their sales are non-U.S.....so, what is he thinking?
CL is one of the best stocks with the most durable, wide moats available. Better than COKE, anyday, since the product is so cheap per use, and is beneficial, and has an entrenched global market share of 40% and is growing like a weed in emerging countries where people are brushing more and better.
Doug, pick on something else, this is a stupid short idea.