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Warren Buffett Is Retiring, but Another Billionaire Wants to Create the Next Berkshire Hathaway

Core Viewpoint - Bill Ackman has successfully negotiated a deal with Howard Hughes Holdings to create a diversified holding company, akin to a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway, with a significant investment from Pershing Square [1][10]. Investment Details - Pershing Square will invest $900 million in newly created shares, purchasing 9 million shares at a price of $100 each, resulting in a 46.9% stake in Howard Hughes [3][4]. - The investment will enable the company to build a portfolio of controlling stakes in high-quality public and private operating companies while continuing to grow its core real estate business [4]. Management Structure - Ackman will assume the role of executive chairman, while the current leadership team, including CEO David O'Reilly, will remain in place [5]. - A new position of chief investment officer will be created, to be filled by Pershing Square's CIO, Ryan Israel [5]. Fee Structure Changes - The management fee structure has been revised to a base fee of $3.75 million paid quarterly, approximately 0.4% of the current market cap annually, which aligns management incentives with shareholder success [6][7][8]. - Additionally, a quarterly management fee of 0.375% will be applied only to any increase in the company's market cap above a threshold of approximately $3.9 billion, adjusted for inflation [7]. Future Prospects - Ackman indicated that acquiring or building an insurance company may be part of the business strategy, similar to Berkshire Hathaway's model [11]. - The transaction does not require further shareholder approvals and was finalized on May 5, following the board's approval [11].