Buy, Sell, or Hold: Berkshire Hathaway

The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which industrials editor/analyst Brendan Byrnes and consumer goods editor/analyst Austin Smith discuss topics across the investing world.

In today's edition, Brendan and Austin discuss Warren Buffett's iconic company, Berkshire Hathaway. Brendan rates Berkshire as a buy mainly because of its incredibly cheap valuation. Trading at just 1.13 times book value, the stock is very close to where Buffett has said that Berkshire would repurchase shares -- at 1.1 times book value. Clearly, the Oracle of Omaha thinks Berkshire's stock is trading well below intrinsic value. The company's core businesses are still performing well, and Berkshire continues to be run by the world's greatest investor. Check out the video below for more on why Berkshire is a buy today.

Berkshire looks like a solid long-term buy, but our analysts have come across a different stock that has us so excited we can hardly contain our investing enthusiasm. This pick has so much promise that we've dubbed it "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2012." We've created a special free report for investors to uncover this soon-to-be rock star. The report highlights a company that is revolutionizing commerce in Latin America, and you can get instant access to the name of this company by clicking here to download it now.

At the time thisarticle was published Austin Smithowns shares of Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, and Wells Fargo.Brendan Byrnesowns shares of Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway, International Business Machines, Coca-Cola, and Wells Fargo and has the following options: short APR 2012 $21.00 puts on Wells Fargo, short APR 2012 $29.00 calls on Wells Fargo, short OCT 2012 $33.00 puts on Wells Fargo, and short OCT 2012 $36.00 calls on Wells Fargo.Motley Fool newsletter services recommendBerkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, and Wells Fargo. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.