Berkshire Hathaway to buy Occidental's OxyChem for $9.7 billion, in Buffett's biggest deal in three years

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway has reached a deal to acquire Occidental Petroleum's petrochemical unit, OxyChem, for $9.7 billion in cash, marking its largest acquisition since 2022 [1][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition of OxyChem is valued at $9.7 billion, which is Berkshire's largest deal since it purchased insurer Alleghany for $11.6 billion in 2022 [1]. - Berkshire Hathaway currently holds a record cash reserve of $344 billion, providing ample liquidity for this acquisition [1]. - The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of the year [4]. Group 2: Stake and Strategy - Berkshire Hathaway is already a significant investor in Occidental, holding a 28.2% stake as of the end of June [2]. - Warren Buffett began acquiring Occidental shares in 2022, capitalizing on market volatility to purchase at lower prices [2]. Group 3: OxyChem Operations and Financial Strategy - OxyChem specializes in manufacturing water treatment, healthcare, and other commercial chemicals [3]. - Occidental plans to utilize $6.5 billion of the proceeds from the sale to reduce its debt [3]. - Greg Abel, Vice Chairman of Non-Insurance Operations at Berkshire, expressed optimism about integrating OxyChem as a subsidiary and highlighted Occidental's commitment to long-term financial stability [4].