At $18.2 billion, Uber is worth more than Mattel. Maybe Barbie should become an Uber driver?
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul R. La Monica. Other than Time Warner, the parent of CNNMoney, Abbott Laboratories and AbbVie, La Monica does not own positions in any individual stocks.
That's one expensive cab ride! Uber disclosed Friday that it had raised $1.2 billion from investors. The latest round of financing values the company at a whopping $18.2 billion.
To put that in perspective, Uber -- which for those not in the know runs an app that lets people connect with car service drivers -- is worth more than these 12 companies in the S&P 500 that you probably have heard of.
It's also amusing to note that Uber is now worth almost as much as the combined market value of car rental "giants" Hertz (HTZ) -- market value of $12.4 billion -- and Avis Budget (CAR) -- market value of $6.3 billion.
What's next? Airbnb worth $10 billion? Oh. Wait.
Attendees at the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting can buy Heinz ketchup with either Warren Buffett or Charlie Munger's face on it. There's even a contest to see which one sells more.
There was a healthy discussion about top Berkshire Hathaway subsidiaries and investments at the shareholder meeting Saturday afternoon once investors returned from lunch. Here are the top five highlights.
1. Pass the ketchup, please
Warren Buffett said that Heinz MORE
Paul R. La Monica - May 3, 2014 4:18 PM ET
Click the chart to track Harley-Davidson's stock.
Shares of Harley-Davidson fell sharply Wednesday after the motorcycle giant's second-quarter sales figures fell short of Wall Street's estimates.
Sales were particularly weak in Europe, where dealers sold just 14,639 motorcycles, 9% fewer than last year.
"We continue to remain cautious in our expectations for retail sales globally in an environment of greater economic uncertainty, including in Europe where sales are clearly being affected by the MORE
Hibah Yousuf - Aug 1, 2012 1:28 PM ET