Warren Buffett & the ATVI Buy; Fmr. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer

Squawk Pod

CNBC

Business News, News, Investing, Business

4.2 • 543 Ratings

🗓️ 18 February 2022

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Warren Buffett is setting the record straight after The Wall Street Journal insinuated that Berkshire Hathaway might have had inside information on the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal that informed his own timely ATVI buy. Buffett said the stock buys were made by “one of the two investment managers who operate independently of me at Berkshire” – a reference to Berkshire investors Ted Weschler and Todd Combs – and were completed long before the acquisition was announced. Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO and the company’s largest shareholder, discusses the Activision Blizzard deal, investing--or not investing--in the metaverse, inflation, and the markets. As founder of the non-partisan, nonprofit data organization USA Facts, Ballmer shares data on the US population amid the pandemic, as well as misinformation. The Ukraine-Russia crisis entered a tense new day, as reports indicated there were new outbreaks of violence and ceasefire violations. Plus, happy fry-day! In this episode: Steve Ballmer, @Steven_Ballmer Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawk Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Cameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY

Transcript

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0:00.0	Bring in show music please.
0:04.0	This is Squack Pod and I'm C and D.C. producer Cameron Costa.
0:08.0	Today in our podcast,
0:10.0	unpacking Microsoft's moves into the Metiverse with former Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer.
0:17.0	That investment we made in Xbox 20 years ago and what that meant for gaming at Microsoft has been really good for the bottom line
0:25.4	and this Activision deal I think is fantastic. And speaking of Activision Blizzard Blizzard,
0:30.7	the lucky timing of Berkshire Hathaway's own Activision by raised eyebrows on Wall Street.
0:36.8	But Warren Buffett is setting the record straight.
0:39.3	Warren Buffett is inside information.
0:41.7	He does not need to use inside information. He does not need to use inside information.
0:45.4	Those stories plus updates from both the Russia-Ukraine border and the Canadian
0:51.2	border and we're treating you to a lighter discussion for this Friday.
0:56.0	Vinegar and onion fries, the loaded chili cheese fries.
1:00.0	Just as long as they're not sagi, I like a crispy fry. I have become a connoisseur.
1:05.0	It is Friday, February 18, 2022. Squackpot begins right now.
1:12.0	Stand Becky by in three, two, one, fuel-free.
1:17.0	Good morning everybody.
1:18.0	Welcome to Squack Box here on C.
1:20.0	I'm Becky Quick, along with Joe Kernan and Andrew Ross
1:22.8	Sorkin.
1:24.0	Mr. Warner, Mr. Warnock, Ms. Warren, Mr.
1:27.3	White House, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Young.
	...

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