From my understanding, at least in the later years, he also has very much control in running the companies, so he isn't exactly just a stock picker. From the articles I read, many of the companies that he buys he amalgamates, trims staff, etc, and this is part of the reason why whatever he touches seems to turn to gold. In fact, I remember even quotes going around that you don't want him buying the company that you work for because it will mean trouble ahead for the employees. Shareholders might love him, but no so much the workers.
If you remember such stuff you must be 70 plus, you are talking about Dexter Mill that was in the seventies....
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