MITSF - Why Buffett Bought Into Mitsui & Co.
Warren Buffett has pulled the trigger on $6 billion of investments into Japan's five biggest trading houses. The FT described them as "century-old commodity specialists that are increasingly transforming into global venture capital and private equity businesses".
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B) holds the investments through subsidiary National Indemnity. Berkshire holds 5% stakes in each of the houses: Mitsubishi Corp. (MSBHF), Mitsui & Co. (MITSY), Itochu Corp. (ITOCF), Sumitomo Corp. (SSUMF) and Marubeni Corp. (MARUF).
I've been very involved in the commodity industry (including precious metals) for the past several years because it is a beaten-up