...So what is Berkshire buying or looking to buy? Mr. Buffett hews to Berkshire's policy of not discussing potential transactions. But it is safe to guess that sellers of all shapes and sizes -- from beleaguered lenders hurt by the mortgage-backed and commercial-paper markets, to sponsors of private-equity deals that run the risk of falling through -- are reaching out to him.
Some investors speculate Berkshire could be a buyer for parts of mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp., whose stock price has been hit hard by subprime worries. Countrywide's assets, including its debt-servicing business and its portfolio of high-quality mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, could be attractive to Berkshire, these investors say... MORE
