Salient to Investors: Warren Buffett has said he likes industries that come with barriers to entry. Many publicly traded dealers own 60 to 100 stores, so would be attractive acquisitions to Buffett’s automotive division, with the type of recurring revenue streams from service and parts that Buffett likes. Morningstar said the 10
READ MORE... →Salient to Investors: Automotive News reports that 3.27 million unsold cars sit on lots across the US, the most in almost 5 years and versus 2.7 million a year ago and 1 million more than in the summer of 2011. Interest rates are still relatively low, car loans are easy
READ MORE... →Salient to Investors: The economic expansion shows signs of lasting almost twice as long as average, with few of the excesses that often presage the start of contractions – inflation is slowing, not quickening, household debt is shrinking, not expanding, and the labor market is slack, not tight. Robert Gordon
READ MORE... →Salient to Investors: Lou Basenese at The Wall Street Daily writes: At the very least, an uptick in demand is ahead for housing-related and automotive companies. Richard Fisher at the FRB Dallas says US GDP could grow 3% in 2013 versus the average economist expectation of 2%. Pickup truck sales
READ MORE... →Salient to Investors: Trickle-down oil wealth and the spread of easily accessible auto financing are lifting auto sales in Russia. The Russian middle class is rising, and becoming a force in both commerce and public life. Russians have shown little nostalgia for their own cars. Russia is projected to surpass
READ MORE... →Salient to Investors: Millan Mulraine at TD Securities said retail sales are not as strong as the headline number suggests as the price of gas will divert from discretionary spending. Jenny Lin at Ford said economic fundamentals remain modest but stable. Read the full article at http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-14/retail-sales-in-u-s-increased-0-9-in-august-on-auto-demand.html
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