Pakistan’s current economic situation and real estate market forecasting

In the Pakistani Market, people are experiencing ups and downs. The same thing happens with real estate market during the past few years. More focusedly, it can be said that people who have invested in real estate have experienced losses during the past few years. Usually, businesses are linked to stability of the country. However, recently some changes have been made in the country.

During the years from 2020 to 2022, real estate market experienced a good boom. People purchased many properties leading to an increase in the rates of properties. For instance, people have also earned up to 100% to 150% profits. However, after that country’s condition worsened and economic went down.

During 2022, banks started increasing their interest rates, and by the mid of 2023, interest rates went to about 21%. This change in interest rates lead to the placement of money in banks by investors after taking money out of all other investment options. This placement of money in banks also resulted in an increase in banks’ businesses during the past two to three years. The interest rate, by the end of 2024, would go to 14% to 13%. Similarly, government bonds have also seen a decline in percentage.

Nevertheless, in Pakistan, it has been predicted that its economy would grow by about 3.2% in fiscal year 2025 (FY25) that is an increase from 2.4% last year. Some foreign investors have also started sending money to Pakistan.

All these aspects would lead to the movement of money from banks to economy and in different businesses. Similarly, big companies and corporates would also take their money from banks and put in different businesses.

Money would either go to Stock Market, but this market has also crossed its all time high, or to the real estate. In the case of real estate, people from overseas have also started showing their interest. So, this can be one of the best times to purchase property.

Source:
Takhleeq - Real Estate Market Update: Latest News & Impact | Takhleeq - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz2YmkYo2tc

Five well-known societies in Islamabad, considering real estate business

(Source: Pixabay)

In Islamabad, some of the well-known societies include ParkView City, Capital Smart City, Lakeshore residencia, New City Paradise, and Kingdom Valley. All of these societies have already achieved their NOC, except ParkView City for which Phase 2 (extension) is going to be approved soon.

Capital Smart City is the project of Habib Rafiq Group, and is developing near new Airport. This project has also an approved its own interchange on Motorway. Most of the residential areas, amenities, and commercial areas have already been developed in this project. It has also started an Overseas West Block, which is also closely adjusted to interchange. DHA Gandhara project is also adjacent to this society. Nevertheless, the Overseas West project in this society has different options of plots, including 5 marlas, 7 marlas, 10 marlas, and 1 kanals.

ParkView City, Phase 2, also has residential plots of 5 marlas, 10 marlas, and 1 kanals. This plot has some of the most attractive amenities, such as dancing fountains and food court. The return on investment is also higher in this area. For instance, 5 marla plots were purchased by people in the price range of 35 lacs but now they are at a price of about 1 crore 30 lacs.

Lakeshore city is available near Khanpur Dam. It is such a project in which KPK is also interested. It is also one of the most beautiful projects. It has different plot options, including 5 marlas, 7 marlas, and 10 marlas.

The New City Paradise is near Burhan Interchange. It suits very much to the people from KPK and Hazara, or Wah Cantt. Or Attock. It’s 5 marla plots are attractive options.

Eventually, Kingdom Valley is a project developing at Chakri Road. It can also be considered one of the most marketed projects in Pakistan. A project, namely BlueWorld City, is also located near this project, but it was an unsuccessful project, despite the investments of overseas people, because of its NOC.

Source:

Saad Ali Khan - Big Discounts & Exclusive Real Estate Deals: Discover Islamabad's Top 5 Trending Housing Societies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDKeuWvaL5s

Post 30/30: It is better to understand real-estate, rather than going with the flow

 

(Source: Pixabay)

I thought of learning about different aspects of Pakistan, as I want to do something for it. Therefore, I started with some of the well-known indices or reports that would help me in gaining more information about Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat (SWOT). These were 12 posts. You can search my posts related to Pakistan by typing: #UsmanZafarParacha_Pakistan

Now, I have been learning about real estate business in Pakistan. I have started from Youtube videos and hopefully during my learning Journey, I will get some more useful resources to move ahead in this learning and perhaps entering into the real estate business.

I have seen a video, titled, “Right Time To Invest in Real Estate | Buying & Selling Time , Profit & Loss Comparison Tips 2024” on the channel “PROPERTY NAAMA”.

In this video, the host discusses about the issue of our people who used to sell when the prices are in decline and used to purchase when the prices are increasing. They say that at this time, real estate is in a sort of “slum” and at this time, it is imperative to hold the property or buy the property. It will soon increase in prices. Today, when property is at a very low level, people are not purchasing, and when these will go up, people will start purchasing. The host also shares that most often when you say people to do something they don’t do that and vice versa. This issue has always been beneficial for “developers” and real estate agents or consultants. The host also tells that people are always “panicked.” They are fearful of a cry related to “sell it.” Sometimes, panic is also generated, and people find it difficult to find right people and advise. Without panicking, you can become positive, and can start thinking in a good and right manner that is beneficial in real estate business.

Follow my Hashtag #behtareenkitalaash on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behtareenkitalaash

Sources:

PROPERTY NAAMA  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9HCZrRkAc

Post 28/30: Brokers can cheat with clients in real estate business

(Source: Pixabay)

I thought of learning about different aspects of Pakistan, as I want to do something for it. Therefore, I started with some of the well-known indices or reports that would help me in gaining more information about Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat (SWOT). These were 12 posts. You can search my posts related to Pakistan by typing: #UsmanZafarParacha_Pakistan

Now, I have been learning about real estate business in Pakistan. I have started from Youtube videos and hopefully during my learning Journey, I will get some more useful resources to move ahead in this learning and perhaps entering into the real estate business.

I have seen a video, titled, “Fraud Alert | Big scame in real estate Pakistan | DHA Islamabad | Bahria town | Gulbarg green,” on the channel “Roznaama Property”.

The host shares that policies in Pakistan are among the reasons for the decline in real estate market. Moreover, the interest rates (which were increased) also resulted in a decline in this market. Another important reason is that people associated with the business of real estate are illegitimately taking the dues (haq) of other people. For instance, brokers often “eat” the rights of other people. These types of real estate agents often develop fake offices (with girls) calling people who want to sell or purchase property. The host shares that even about 4 years ago, the real estate market was rarely or not facing these types cheatings, but now the situation has been changed. Sometimes, dealers say to the clients that you can merge your plot in our projects and can get a good profit in return. Some of these cheaters often take big cars on rent to attract clients.

Follow my Hashtag #behtareenkitalaash on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behtareenkitalaash

Sources:

Roznaama Property  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQqMQp_41sg

Post 17/30: Why property dealers may not get success?

(Source: Pixabay)

I thought of learning about different aspects of Pakistan, as I want to do something for it. Therefore, I started with some of the well-known indices or reports that would help me in gaining more information about Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat (SWOT). These were 12 posts. You can search my posts related to Pakistan by typing: #UsmanZafarParacha_Pakistan

Now, I have been learning about real estate business in Pakistan. I have started from Youtube videos and hopefully during my learning Journey, I will get some more useful resources to move ahead in this learning and perhaps entering into the real estate business.

I have seen a video, titled, “Real Estate Unsuccessful Dealers | Main Reason of NAKKAMI | A Tip to Realtors by M Ismail | Mar 2023” on the channel “PROPERTY NAAMA”

The host shares that one of the biggest reasons people don’t get success is that they keep on thinking about their own profits and successes. Usually, dealers think about their own profits from the very start of their dealings. Moreover, it is also a routine that dealers want to get more benefit and they want to share less benefit with the person, whose money is they working with, when actually that person must get more benefit. People must consider ALLAH’s help in their business, and this help can be obtained, if you start thinking about the benefits of other people. Do not ever think about illegal profits, try to be comfortable with what profit is legal.

Follow my Hashtag #behtareenkitalaash on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behtareenkitalaash

Sources:

PROPERTY NAAMA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_jUFgZFRP8

Post 10/30: Points to be considered in becoming a successful real estate agent

(Source: Pixabay)

I thought of learning about different aspects of Pakistan, as I want to do something for it. Therefore, I started with some of the well-known indices or reports that would help me in gaining more information about Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat (SWOT). These were 12 posts. You can search my posts related to Pakistan by typing: #UsmanZafarParacha_Pakistan

Now, I have been learning about real estate business in Pakistan. I have started from Youtube videos and hopefully during my learning Journey, I will get some more useful resources to move ahead in this learning and perhaps entering into the real estate business.

I have seen a video, titled, “How To Be A Successful Real Estate Agent In Pakistan” on the channel “Shams Raja”

The host of the video tells one of the first things to become a successful real estate agent is that of personal grooming. It may also include your growth, behavior, and presence.

The second thing is to make lists everyday for the next day. These lists must contain information regarding what you will do and other similar things and activities. For instance, if a client asks for a video of a plot, you may have checklist to complete that task the next day.

The third thing is that of customer relationship. For instance, you may ask the customer to join you on tea or dinner, or you may also keep your customers updated regarding different projects.

The fourth thing is that of right information regarding the street, sector, or place of a plot, and what things have already been paid and what are not paid. The availability of correct information can also help in increasing the level of bonding with customer.

The fifth thing is to provide extra customer care and services. For instance, you have to provide good opportunities for the customer to invest; help your customers to invest in a timely manner; help them in taxes and bank-related issues, and help them in issues, such as those related to transfer section and sale deed agreement.

The sixth thing is that of marketing skills, and it can be considered one of the most important things. Marketing must also contain latest information regarding property/plots. Improve marketing skills while looking at market’s present state.

The seventh thing is that confidence. Real estate business is also a highly patience-related work.

Follow my Hashtag #behtareenkitalaash on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behtareenkitalaash

Source:

Shams Raja - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjBge5dGAu0

Unlocking Rural Prosperity: The Impact of Entrepreneurship on Chinese Farmers' Livelihoods

(Source: Pixabay)

Entrepreneurship has gained huge momentum over the past few decades. It has changed business-related activities in almost all areas of life. In line with this change, entrepreneurship has also been found to have a considerable effect on the activities of farmers. It has significantly altered their creativity and enthusiasm, thereby empowering them in different ways.

In the context of China, rural entrepreneurship and innovation among farmers have received a huge amount of attention. It has also affected not only the work but also the lives of farmers in both positive and unwanted ways. For instance, on one side, it has increased their level of energy, creativity, and enthusiasm; on the other side, it has also resulted in blindly following others’ ideas and ways that are eventually resulting in a negative effect on incomes, stable development, and agricultural activities. It can also be linked to the waste of resources, social conflicts, and environmental damage.

(Source: Pixabay)

Pan and collaborators have recently discussed the effect of farmers’ entrepreneurial activities on agriculture and rural economic growth in China. They studied 30 provinces in China during the years from 2015 to 2020. They reported that even though the speed of innovation and entrepreneurial activities in rural areas of China has increased, it is still important to optimize these activities and patterns, which may require appropriate education and training for farmers. They also found that innovation and entrepreneurial activities not only boost progress in one area but also in neighboring areas. For instance, the neighboring areas also utilize the same marketing strategies and economic characteristics to improve their agricultural businesses. It has also been reported that innovation and entrepreneurial activities significantly benefit grain-consuming areas and high-income areas.

(Source: Pixabay)

In order to improve innovation and entrepreneurial activities, the government can provide tailored support to these people to make progress by overcoming barriers. For instance, these people can be provided customized incentives and helped through support groups so that they can make progress in a conducive environment. Policies can be developed to strengthen agricultural disciplines in colleges, train agricultural talents, and attract skilled professionals from not only different parts of the country but also different parts of the world. Eventually, the government can help farmers and other individuals from rural areas integrate novel technologies, such as the internet and artificial intelligence (AI), into agriculture to advance rural modernization. In this regard, awareness campaigns, training sessions, and the establishment of modern agricultural parks can be of significant help.

Consequently, researchers stated, “innovation and entrepreneurship have an obvious positive effect and exemplary effect in rural regions.”

Reference:

Pan, Y., Zhang, S., & Zhang, M. (2024). The impact of entrepreneurship of farmers on agriculture and rural economic growth: Innovation-driven perspective. Innovation and Green Development, 3(1), 100093.

Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, took $4.3 million in the fiscal year 2013

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, took nearly $4.3 million as a compensation package for the fiscal year 2013 which ended in September. This compensation package is marginally higher than his compensation for the previous year that was about $4.2 million.

According to the regulatory filing, Cook's compensation package in the fiscal year 2013 included nearly $1.4 million in base salary along with a cash bonus of $2.8 million. Moreover, the compensation package also included $52,721 in company contributions to Cook's 401(k) account; and other incentives such as life insurance premiums, and a vacation cash-out.

From The Mac Observer;

Looking to 2014, Tim Cook has another 205,000 shares of $AAPL that will vest in August and September, both in Apple's fiscal 2014. Those shares would be values at $113.7 million at Monday's closing price of $554.52, but again should be looked at in the context of the years over which they vested.

Overall, Apple Inc. stock performed poorly during the fiscal year 2013 and went down by about 26%. Despite this decline, Apple Inc. was still the world’s highly valued company based on market capitalization.

Sources:

Preliminary proxy statement of Apple Inc. - SEC (http://goo.gl/9A7jvz)

Apple’s Stock Performance Cost Tim Cook $4 Million, at His Insistence - The Mac Observer (http://goo.gl/4S7BdP)

Apple and China Mobile have finally joined hands in iPhone deal

A worker cleans glass in front of an iPhone 5C advertisement at an apple store in Kunming, Yunnan province, in this October 27, 2013 file picture.

CREDIT: REUTERS/WONG CAMPION

Apple Inc and China Mobile Ltd. have finally signed a multiyear iPhone deal. Now, China Mobile - the world’s largest mobile network - will sell iPhone 5s and 5C models in its retail stores starting the mid of next month, i.e. January 17, 2014. The phones for China Mobile’s network will also be available in Apple’s retail stores in China.

This deal came after about 6 years of meetings between the CEOs of both companies giving Apple access to China’s 1.22 billion wireless subscribers. The terms of the deal have not been announced and the details of pricing and availability for its iPhone 5S and 5C lines would be available at a later date.

“iPhone still matters a lot for high-end customers,” Tucker Grinnan, a Hong Kong-based analyst at HSBC Holdings Plc, said by phone before the announcement. “One of the main reasons China Mobile is in the position that it is today, in terms of growing revenue at a much slower pace than its competitors, is because they have been waiting for an iPhone deal.”

China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. started offering iPhone in November 2009. It is the nation’s second largest carrier. China Telecom Corp. started offering iPhone in March 2012. It is the nation’s third largest carrier.

Sources:

Apple Signs China Mobile IPhone Deal as Both Seek Market Share - BusinessWeek (http://goo.gl/1SsmFG)

An initiative of California to make smartphones less attractive for theives

Theft ((Luis Gomez Photos))

California is going to introduce first “smartphone killswitch” bill after the lawmakers in San Francisco and New York has asked to install this technology of making the stolen devices useless making it less attractive for thieves.

This plan has been announced by California State Sen. Mark Leno on his website on Thursday. Leno is working with San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón.

Initially this year, Apple Inc. has added an "Activation Lock" anti-theft feature and Gascón said at the "Secure Our Smartphones" kickoff meeting in June that it was only "a step in the right direction."

Smartphone theft is one of the most important problems and nearly half of all robberies in San Francisco involved a mobile device last year, and in Los Angeles cell phone thefts had increased almost 12% this year, according to Leno's announcement.

Source:

California to introduce first 'smartphone killswitch' bill - CNN Money (http://goo.gl/LdbD1P)

Nintendo working on smartphone apps

This is unlikely to happen, ever.
(Credit: Apple/Nintendo/CBSi)

Main Point:

Nintendo is working on smartphone apps as revealed by Nintendo of America president/chief operating officer Reginald "Reggie" Fils-Aime but is not probably launching its games on mobile platforms.

Study Further:

“It’s a topic that comes up all the time. It’s a debate that’s constantly had,” Reggie told in an interview with KING 5 News. “We recognize that there are a lot of smartphones and tablets out there, and so what we’re doing is we’re being very smart in how we use these devices as marketing tools for our content.”

 “We’re also doing a lot of experimentation of what I would call the little experiences you can have on your smartphone and tablet that will drive you back to your Nintendo hardware,” Fils-Aime said. “It’s largely going to be much more marketing activity-oriented, but we’ve done little things where there’s some element of gameplay – a movement, a shaking, something like that.”

Although the company would give a trial of games on smartphones but it would cause the users to come to the device at last.

"We believe our games are best played and best enjoyed on our devices, and so the full gameplay will only be on Nintendo devices," he said.

Source:

Nintendo’s Fils-Aime: We’ll 'experiment' with smartphones, tablets - King5 (http://goo.gl/md5yoc)

Samsung and LG are going to present dinosaurs of TV

Samsung’s 105-inch ultra-HD TV (Credit: 

Samsung)

Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. are going to present 105-inch curved Ultra HDTVs to the consumer market next year. Both of the TVs will come with ultra-high definition liquid-crystal displays (LCD). Although, organic-light-emitting-diode screens gave more vivid colors and an extremely thin body but due to its expensive nature, at this time, companies have utilized LCDs. LG has also announced a 77-inch curved TV.

Both of the South Korean tech giants will unveil the televisions at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, i.e. January 5. However, the companies have not revealed the time, when the TVs will be available in the market.

Samsung said that the curved TV will give an IMAX-like cinema experience to the users. On the other hand, LG said that the TV will give even the “minutest detail in breathtaking clarity.” Both of the LCD displays has 11 million pixels, compared to 2 million in current HDTVs. The rectangular 21:9 aspect ratio, a shape similar to that of CinemaScope theater screens, is wider than current 16:9 widescreen HDTVs.

LG Electronics' 21:9 aspect ratio Curved Ultra HD TV 105-inch display.(Credit: LG Electronics)

LG's new TV "makes a dramatic statement about what the possibilities are for home entertainment," says Tim Alessi, LG Electronics USA's director of new product development. "Its ... picture resolution and sheer size will deliver a truly cinematic experience."

“For TVs that are over 70 inches in screen size, curves are believed to offer a more absorbing view than flat screens,” said Jerry Kang, a display analyst with IHS Korea.

Source:

Samsung, LG to Show 105-Inch Curved TVs - WSJ (http://goo.gl/gPEXvt)

Apple Inc has finally announced its heavy-duty Mac Pro

Apple Inc. has announced the sales of its all-new long-awaited, cylindrical Mac Pro, on Wednesday, keeping the promise that the company made in late October at its last product event.

Apple’s Mac Pro is a professional workstation (a heavy-duty, super-high-end computer) and the base model will start at $2,999, giving you a 3.7GHz quad-core Intel Xeon E5-1620 v2. It will also be available with 6-core, 8-core or 12-core Intel Xeon E5 processors, having up to 64GB of ECC DDR3 RAM, dual AMD FirePro graphics chips with up to 6GB of dedicated memory, up to 1TB of PCIe-based solid state storage, six Thunderbolt 2 ports,and support for 4K displays.

From Apple’s website;

In creating a pro computer for the future, we wanted to provide an enormous amount of expansion — without being limited to the space inside the enclosure. Designed with built-in Thunderbolt 2, USB 3, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI 1.4 ports, Mac Pro sets a new standard in flexible, high-performance expansion. It’s our most expandable Mac yet. And it has everything you need to build a workstation completely customized to what you need and how you work.

It will be available to order from Thursday, December 19, through the Apple's online store, Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers.

Sources:

Apple - http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/

Innovation related questions

AMD has taken SeaMicro

Article first published as AMD Acquires SeaMicro, Enhances Cloud Based Computation on Technorati.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Inc. announced yesterday that it has reached an agreement to acquire SeaMicro for $334 million, of which $281 million will be paid in cash.

The strategy behind this acquisition is to improve cloud based computation while using the energy efficient and high bandwidth microservers of SeaMicro.

“By acquiring SeaMicro, we are accelerating AMD’s transformation into an agile, disruptive innovator capable of staking a data center leadership position,” said Rory Read, president and CEO, AMD.  “SeaMicro is a pioneer in low-power server technology.  The unmatched combination of AMD’s processing capabilities, SeaMicro’s system and fabric technology, and our ambidextrous technology approach uniquely positions AMD with a compelling, differentiated position to attack the fastest growing segment of the server market.”

AMD has reported that a range of different processors and platforms will be launched, by combining the technologies of both the companies helping to reduce the cost consumption, energy utilization, and data center complexity while enhancing the performance. First AMD Opteron processor-based solutions combined with SeaMicro technologies will be revealed in the second half of this year.

IDC predicted that cloud data centers would be the fastest growing part of the server market through 2015 and SeaMicro technologies give pronounced benefits in cloud environments and large data centers.

“Cloud computing has brought a sea change to the data center--dramatically altering the economics of compute by changing the workload and optimal characteristics of a server,” said Andrew Feldman, SeaMicro CEO, who will work as general manager of AMD’s newly created Data Center Server Solutions business. “SeaMicro was founded to dramatically reduce the power consumed by servers, while increasing compute density and bandwidth.  By becoming a part of AMD, we will have access to new markets, resources, technology, and scale that will provide us with the opportunity to work tightly with our OEM partners as we fundamentally change the server market.”

Further Reading:

AMD

iPad's trademark is the issue in Californian Court

Proview, the manufacturer of LED lights from China, has sued against Apple now in California's superior court about the trademark of iPad.

In 2000, Proview launched iPAD, i.e. Internet Personal Assistant Device, but that was not a market hit. The company is stating that the trademark is its property.

The press release reads: "The complaint provides evidence that the December 23, 2009 agreement that Proview Taiwan entered into was fraudulently induced by the concealment and suppression of material facts by Apple's agents, and that, as a result, the 2009 agreement is void. Once the agreement is voided for fraud, the iPad trademarks in the European Union, South Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam will revert back to Proview Taiwan."

"Among the many allegations in the U.S complaint are fraud by intentional misrepresentation, fraud by concealment, fraudulent inducement, and unfair competition," Proview said.

Further Reading:
SayPeople

Roche has extended tender offer for Illumina

Article first published as Roche’s Extension of Tender Offer and its Response by Illumina on Technorati.

Roche, Swiss Pharmaceutical Company, has announced the extension of tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Illumina Inc., a company working for life sciences tools and systems, at $44.50 per share, to 6:00 p.m., New York.

Roche started the tender offer on January 27, 2012. The offer was $44.50 per share in cash or an aggregate of about $5.7 billion on a fully diluted basis.

The company has reported that at the end of February 24, 2012, almost 102,165 shares had been tendered including 44,152 shares to be delivered within the next three working days of NASDAQ.

Illumina responded to the extension of the Roche’s tender offer as,
City time, on March 23, 2012, while all the terms and conditions are same. Previously, the offer was ending at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on February 24, 2012.

The extension by Roche was expected. An extremely low number of shares have been tendered, consistent with our view – and that of our stockholders – that Roche’s offer does not reflect Illumina’s unique leadership position, business performance and future prospects.

We remain focused on continuing to develop breakthrough products that expand existing markets and create new ones. The potential of our industry is enormous, with major new markets emerging in medical diagnostics, reproductive health and cancer management.

Roche invested about 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2011 and over 80,000 people were working for Roche in the world in 2011. Company shows interest in Illumina to expand the business of diagnostics.

New CEO after Warren Buffett

Article first published as Warren Buffett’s annual letter to the company reported the new CEO on Technorati.

Warren Buffett has released the annual letter to the company, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. based in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday in which he said about the successor but has not disclosed the name yet. Buffett said that he has no plans to leave the company soon.

Warren Buffett is an 81 years old billionaire, who is running the company for almost half a century.

"Your Board is equally enthusiastic about my successor as CEO, an individual to whom they have had a great deal of exposure and whose managerial and human qualities they admire," he said, adding there were two backup candidates as well.

Ajit Jain could be the next CEO as reported by the experts. Ajit Jain is currently operating the reinsurance business of the Berkshire. Warren Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger praise his work. "Charlie would gladly trade me for a second Ajit. Alas, there is none," Buffett said.

Buffett also reported that recently hired investment managers, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, would be able to operate the large investment portfolio after Buffett.

"Each will be handling a few billion dollars in 2012, but they have the brains, judgment and character to manage our entire portfolio when Charlie and I are no longer running Berkshire," Buffett said.

"My task is clear, and I'm on the prowl," he said.

On the other hand, the company has reported that its net income fell 30% in the fourth quarter as the paper value of its derivatives decreased. However, many of the subsidiaries performed well. Net income for the fourth quarter is $3.05 billion, or $1,846 per Class A share. This is a decrease from $4.4 billion net income, or $2,656 per share, a year ago.

Samsung's Board has approved the separation of LCD business

Article first published as Samsung Board has approved the Spin-off of LCD businesses and operations on Technorati.

Samsung Electronics’ Board of Directors has approved the separation of LCD businesses and operations. The separated corporation will be launched by the company as Samsung Display Company Ltd. on 1 April. This new corporation will be started with a capital of 750 billion won ($668 million).

Although, the company has come closer to the separation of the company as a new entity after board’s approval but it still needs the approval of shareholders.

The company has taken this decision as the demand of LCD products is decreasing in this era of fast technological progresses and the company wants to keep in pace with new advancements. Moreover, the supply of LCD products has also been increased by manufacturers.

Samsung is the largest TV and flat screen manufacturer and the deceleration of the sale of LCD products could affect the company most. So, the company has planned to focus on the new technologies such as Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) to maintain competitiveness.

"The spin-off will allow us to make quicker business decisions and respond to our clients' needs more swiftly," said Donggun Park, executive vice president and head of Samsung's LCD business.

"Through enhancements in business competitiveness, we will continue to provide superior products and services for the market," he added.

Time will tell that this strategy of Samsung for increasing competency and operations will work or not.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Nestle has reported 9.5 billion Swiss francs of net profit

Nestle has announced the results on February 16 in which the company has reported 9.5 billion Swiss francs of net profit, which is 8.1% on a continuing basis.

The company has reported the sales of 83.6 billion Swiss francs.

Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO,

We delivered good performance, top and bottom line, in both emerging and developed markets in 2011. It was a challenging year, and we do not expect 2012 to be any easier. We have continued to invest for the future and strengthen our capabilities across the world. We have established new partnerships in China. Nestlé Health Science has got off to a good start. Our innovation is creating opportunities in all categories, whether bringing new consumers to our brands in emerging markets, or building on our consumers’ engagement with our brands in the developed world. Our people are aligned behind our strategic roadmap, which is as relevant in today’s new reality as ever, to drive sustainable performance improvement. We are therefore well positioned in 2012 to deliver the Nestlé Model of organic growth between 5% and 6% as well as an improved margin and underlying earnings per share in constant currencies.

The company has reported 5% of organic growth in Europe and 6.4% in the Americas. There is more growth of 13.1% in the Asia, Oceania and Africa.
Further Reading:

Nestle
SayPeople