Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. has amassed an 8.74-million-share stake in Nalco Holding Co., the Naperville, Ill., provider of water treatment chemicals and services. The purchase was disclosed in a regulatory filing Feb. 17, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The disclosure was made in a quarterly filing for the period ending Dec. 31. Many investors scrutinize Buffett’s portfolio and emulate his strategy; as a result, the stock of companies in which he takes an interest often see a surge after Berkshire's disclosure.
Based on Nalco recently reporting an average of 137.4 million shares outstanding in the Dec. 31 quarter, Berkshire's filing indicates Buffett's investing vehicle has a 6.4% holding in Nalco.
A Nalco spokesman said the company was not aware of the purchase until Feb. 17, the newspaper reported.
"We welcome Berkshire Hathaway as a shareholder and appreciate their interest and confidence in Nalco as an investment," he said.
Source: Chicago Tribune