Weekend Reading at VIN

In a speech in 2007, Seth Klarman summed up, in one paragraph, why value investing works, and why that will never go away.

I take a look at Western Sizzlin’ Corporation, a holding company in the mold of Berkshire Hathaway, and its merits as a long term investment.

First of all, before I received this book I knew it would have to be really special in order for the book to receive a 10 out of 10. Value Investing is a subject that is constantly written about and any new book would really have to be unique in some sort of way to really make an impact on someone who is constantly reading about it.

This week saw Lehman Brothers replace two of its top executives: CFO Erin Callan and COO Joseph Gregor. The two will remain at the bank in lesser roles.

“As recently as a month ago,” says Justice Litle in Taipan Daily, “Erin Callan was on top of the world.”

Warren Buffett knows great businesses, and he’s generous enough to share his wisdom through his letters to shareholders. By using the Magic Formula, we automatically find the good businesses from the poor ones.

Looks like the great American investor will have something to say about the future of the Great American Lager, with Warren Buffett reportedly involved in the hostile takeover battle between Anheuser-Busch and European brewing giant InBev.

Can you imagine Budweiser as anything but an American company? Scary isn’t it? While it seems unlikely, this deal has a good chance of going through. This first bid they made was just to get a reaction, the next will be a lot bigger. I found out how high InBev is willing to go, click through to find out.

Eleven of Wall Street’s most insightful investment experts weigh in on the uncertain prospects for the economy, stocks, bonds, commodities and more in our midyear Roundtable. Some good and bad news about oil and banks. And an early read on 2009 — and yes, 2010.

After its second bid was rejected, a frustrated Microsoft turned its back and walked away. This infuriated Yahoo shareholders who had seen the bid as the company’s last chance to regain profitability. A contingent led by Carl Icahn instigated a proxy battle, seeking to oust Yahoo’s current board of directors and replace it with candidates of his choosing.

The dormant, yet important, proposed $5 billion merger of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XMSR) cleared a major hurdle, as Federal Communication Commission Chairman Kevin Martin backed the merger – with stipulations.

Billionaire hedge-fund manager Edward S. Lampert is placing new bets on a U.S. housing recovery, buying stakes in beaten-up home builders, mortgage lenders and a home-improvement retailer.

Weekly roundup of stocks moving in and out of the Magic Formula screen.

Why won’t execs stop making promises they are not 100% sure they can deliver?

A look at the likelyhood of the latest rumor…