The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Tuesday's shareholder vote blocked Berkshire Hathaway from solidifying its position as a cornerstone investor in Home Capital Group (HCG). The Globe's James Bradshaw writes that HCG's board had unanimously recommended selling a second tranche to Berkshire, arguing it would validate Warren Buffett's backing, enhance HCG's stature in capital and deposit markets, and provide extra liquidity. Since his initial investment, the flow of money into HCG's guaranteed investment certificates has returned to more normal levels, and the company is now lowering the generous interest rates that were used to attract deposits. Edward Jones & Co. analyst Jim Shanahan says, "This company was in real trouble, and Berkshire stepping in -- providing liquidity, making an investment in the stock -- arguably saved the business." The provisional second tranche of shares, negotiated as part of the original deal, would have cost Mr. Buffett only $10.30 a share -- a 27-per-cent discount to HCG's share price of $14.08 at Monday's close in Toronto. This second investment faced opposition from the start. Some analysts had already priced a no vote into their estimates.