Buffett sees economy weak until 2009

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Warren Buffett said the economy is still in a recession and unlikely to improve before 2009 but that stocks appear better valued than a year ago.

The billionaire investor also said there is a "reasonable chance" shareholders of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may be wiped out in any government bailout of the mortgage financiers.

Speaking on Friday on CNBC television, Buffett said some housing-related businesses in his Berkshire Hathaway Inc conglomerate are struggling as the economy works off past excess in making credit available.

"You always find out who's been swimming naked when the tide goes out. We found out that Wall Street has been kind of a nudist beach," said Buffett, who in March was called the world's richest person by Forbes magazine.

He also said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has no "magic wand" to boost an economy facing weak growth prospects, mounting inflation and deteriorating credit. "In my judgment it won't be any better five months from now," he said.

Buffett nevertheless said U.S. stocks are broadly "more attractive" than a year ago. He also said Berkshire has completely unwound a once $21 billion bet against the U.S. dollar, helping boost the greenback in Friday morning trade.

In May, Buffett said Berkshire still had a stake in one currency, the Brazilian real.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based company bought $3.98 billion of stock in other companies in the second quarter, and Buffett said it has added in recent months to its big stake in either American Express Co or Wells Fargo & Co, but did not say which one.

Shares of both rose in early trading, as did major stock indexes.

Buffett reiterated his support for Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in November's U.S. presidential election, but admires Republican rival John McCain. "President Obama is going to have plenty on his plate in January," he said.

HOUSING EXPOSURE

Since 1965, Buffett has transformed Berkshire from a failing textile company into a $180 billion conglomerate.

Berkshire is best known for insurance holdings such as Geico and sells such products as ice cream and underwear.

But its 76 businesses also include housing-related units Acme bricks, Clayton manufactured homes, Shaw carpeting and the Home Services of America Inc real estate brokerage.

"What we're seeing in business, in our retail businesses, or anything having to do with housing, is even a further slowing down in June and July, both in terms of credit experience where people first got in trouble with house payments, and now credit card payments," Buffett said.