Reports: Buffett, Lemann buy H.J. Heinz; Buffett investment group increases Costco holding

NEW YORK — The investment groups of billionaires Warren Buffett and Jorge Paulo Lemann will buy H.J. Heinz for about $23 billion, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and Lemann's 3G Capital would buy the condiment maker for $72.50 per share, and the deal includes $12 billion to $13 billion from Buffett's group. Heinz also owns the Ore-Ida potato chip brand.

In other news, Berkshire Hathaway increased its holdings in Costco Wholesale, acquiring 6,457 shares of the company for $28.26 per share, bringing its total shares in the club retailer to 139,297, according to records filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Wednesday.

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