Warren Buffett Expands His Portfolio, Invests in John Deere Tractor Equipment

Nov 23, 2012

Buffett’s Berkshire Purchases $330 Million Worth of Shares In John Deere and Co.

One of the most successful U.S. business investors - Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway recently invested in $330 million worth of shares in John Deere & Company, a well-known maker of tractors and agriculture equipment.

This move demonstrates that Buffett isn’t afraid to expand his portfolio into areas that he hasn’t traditionally invested in - like agriculture.

Deere’s net income was at $3.07 billion for the full fiscal year- however it fell short of expectations of an estimated $3.12 billion– which can largely be attributed to unexpected cost increases. Deere shares have been trading $82 to $85 which is just short of its record high of slightly under $90 a share.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.