Want to match Buffett? Hedge fund mogul Ackman seeks to merge with real estate developer Howard Hughes to create a modern version of Berkshire!

According to the Zhitong Finance APP, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman proposed that his subsidiary, Pershing Square, merge with real estate developer Howard Hughes (HHH.US) at a price of $85 per share. Ackman proposed the merger to create a company he believes could emulate Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. His hedge fund proposed to acquire approximately 11.8 million shares of the real estate developer Howard Hughes (HHH.US) at a price of $85 per share, with the premium primarily paid in cash. Pershing will establish a subsidiary to merge with this real estate developer. This will be a $1 billion acquisition, which will also include a $500 million stock buyback of Howard Hughes. Ackman wrote, "Apologies to Mr. Buffett, Howard Hughes will become the modern Berkshire Hathaway, acquiring a controlling interest in operating companies." He was referring to the billionaire who has long served as the CEO and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company that has acquired and invested in many other businesses across various sectors—from the running shoe and apparel brand Brooks to the residential real estate company American Home Shield, and to See's Candies and insurance giant Geico. The acquisition offer stems from Ackman's dissatisfaction with the stock price of the Texas-based developer. Howard Hughes' stock rose about 9% on Monday, but has fallen about 24% over the past three years. He wrote, "While we are pleased with the significant business progress Howard Hughes has made since going public 14 years ago, we, like other long-term shareholders and the board, are dissatisfied with the company's stock price performance." Pershing Square holds approximately 38% of Howard Hughes, and Ackman served as the company's chairman for over a decade until stepping down last year. Depending on the number of investors accepting the acquisition offer, Pershing will hold between 61% and 69% of the equity. If the merger is successful, Ackman will become the Chairman and CEO of Howard Hughes. However, his intention is to allow Howard Hughes' CEO David O'Reilly's leadership team to continue steering the real estate subsidiary Howard Hughes, with all employees retained. Ackman stated that he is committed to maintaining Howard Hughes' stock on the New York Stock Exchange and intends to hold the stock "forever." Ackman seems to see value in the "path" to "excess cash resources," as he put it, and he suspects that Howard Hughes is on that path