Brazilian, Chinese firms on Buffett's wish list

NEW YORK - Warren Buffett's search for deals in Brazil and China may put companies from Marcopolo SA to Odontoprev SA and Lonking Holdings Ltd on his wish list.

The 80-year-old billionaire investor and chairman of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc said at a news conference on May 1 after its shareholder meeting that Brazilian companies are on his "radar screen" and that he would be "delighted to buy businesses in China." Buffett's comments came less than two months after agreeing to purchase Wickliffe, Ohio-based Lubrizol Corp for about $9 billion.

The world's most successful investor is looking outside the United States with emerging economies forecast to grow twice as fast as developed nations and near-zero percent interest rates limiting returns in fixed-income markets. Marcopolo, Brazil's biggest busmaker, Odontoprev, the country's largest provider of dental plans, and Lonking, one of China's biggest makers of construction equipment, are among 27 companies from Brazil and China that meet the acquisition criteria listed in Buffett's annual report, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.