WM Wrigley Jr.

Knowing Buffett's moves not always a money-maker

By Ben BerkowitzNEW YORK (Reuters) - Knowing what Warren Buffett is going to do a few weeks before he does it is not the sure-fire money-maker you might think.

The iconic investor and champion of ethical corporate behavior is under fire over the revelation that his presumed successor, David Sokol, bought shares in Lubrizol Corp <LZ.N> before pushing Buffett to acquire the company.That $9 billion deal netted Sokol a profit of nearly $3 million. It also raised questions about whether others inside Buffett's holding company Berkshire Hathaway Inc <BRKa.N> <BRKb.N> have ever bought into stocks they knew Buffett might take a shine to later.A look back at five other high-profile deals Buffett made in the last three years shows the same kind of foresight Sokol had would have been very lucrative at some times -- and at other times a losing proposition.Reuters looked at the acquisition of railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe in August 2009 and four investments Berkshire made in 2008 -- Goldman ...

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