Buffett boosts Goldman Sachs with $5-billion investment
3:56 PM,
September 23, 2008
Warren Buffett to the rescue: His Berkshire Hathaway Inc. agreed today to invest $5 billion in Goldman Sachs Group via a purchase of preferred stock.
Berkshire also will get warrants to buy up to $5 billion of Goldman common shares.
The deal, announced after markets closed, amounts to a huge vote of confidence by Buffett in the investment banking an, at a time when investors remain spooked about the future of Wall Street.
"Goldman Sachs is an exceptional ins ution," Buffett said in a statement. "It has an unrivaled global franchise, a proven and deep management team and the intellectual and financial capital to continue its track record of outperformance."
Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein said the firm considered Buffett’s capital infusion "a strong validation of our client franchise and future prospects." Goldman also said it would raise another $2.5 billion by selling more common stock to the public.
Buffett will earn a hefty 10% dividend yield on his preferred shares. The warrants, which are immediately exercisable, have a strike price of $115 a share.
The deal has given Goldman’s shares a pop in after-hours trading, to $135.87. The stock had gained $4.27 to $125.05 in regular trading, after falling as low as $113.