Categories
BNSF Special Report

Special Report: BNSF On Track For 2020 Test of Lithium-Ion Locomotive

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Wabtec and BNSF Railway Company are on track for a late-2020 test of a lithium-ion battery-powered locomotive paired with diesel locomotives in a “consist” (railroad jargon for a sequence of connected locomotives) to power a freight train along a stretch of rail in California’s Central Valley between Stockton and Barstow.

If successful, the fuel savings could have a big impact on BNSF and other railroads. And the environmental benefits could also help BNSF advance one of its major capacity-building projects.

BNSF has been developing the pilot program with help from Wabtec (formerly GE Transportation), which is developing the locomotive.

Currently, Wabtec builds new locomotives up to 5,400 horsepower. In addition to locomotives, Wabtec also produces freight cars, passenger transit vehicles and power generation equipment, for both original equipment and aftermarket applications.

For BNSF, the fuel saving could be huge, as adding even one battery-powered locomotive to the train could reduce the consist’s total fuel consumption by up to 15 percent.

BNSF previously looked at liquefied natural gas as a possible alternative to diesel fuel, but ended the project, and has since moved on to battery power.

The leap to battery power is not as big of one as it may at first seem. Diesel-electric locomotives like the machines Wabtec builds are already essentially power plants on wheels. They use a powerful diesel engine to generate the electricity that drives the electric motors that spin the wheels.

Wabtec believes that a battery-powered locomotive is the perfect complement to its diesel-electric brethren. The battery will hold 2,400 kilowatt-hours of energy, meaning it’s able to maintain full horsepower for roughly 30 minutes on a given charge. Then the operator can decide how to use that power.

For example, the operator could slash emissions from the diesel-powered locomotives by drawing heavily on the battery to start up the train. This would be especially desirable if the train were pulling out of a city rail yard, close to populated areas.

Using the battery power also cuts down on noise. The train operator may also choose to “graze” on battery power — or even recharge the battery — when the train is cruising through open landscape, saving hundreds of gallons of diesel.

Each battery locomotive also has a brain, in the form of an onboard supervisory control system. The rail operator can input data about the train’s journey into the system — such as how much weight it’s hauling, the types of locomotives in the consist, and its route — to allow the computer to make decisions about the best way to use the battery before the train even pulls away.

Imagine a battery-enhanced train making a 500-mile trip across sparsely populated terrain — meaning fuel economy is the name of the game. Software will calculate the optimum ratio of battery power to diesel usage for such a journey and decide on the most favorable balance for the hybrid locomotive consist. The software can then pinpoint the exact moments to draw on the battery, thus sparing diesel.

The new locomotive will use a battery cell similar to what you might find under the hood of an electric car. It is a lithium-ion energy storage unit with cells that contain a combination of nickel, manganese and cobalt only far larger.

A standard electric-car battery usually holds a few hundred storage cells — each around the size of a mini tablet computer. But the prototype of the new locomotive will have a battery with approximately 20,000 cells, and future versions may have as many as 50,000 cells. The cells also must be able to weather the heavy-going environment of a locomotive, with all its jolts and shocks.

To build the demonstration model, workers will strip out the engine and cooling systems from a diesel locomotive to make way for the battery under the hood. But from the outside, the battery-powered locomotive won’t look much different from its diesel counterparts.

The impact on BNSF could be huge, not only in fuel cost-savings, but if it could use battery-powered locomotives in urban areas, such as the Port of Long Beach, it might be able to overcome the opposition to its long-stalled Southern California International Gateway plan, which has been held up due to environmental concerns tied to diesel emissions.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance

Categories
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Enhances D&O Liability Insurance in Asia

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has enhanced its Asia Executive First Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance to include a market-leading provision that reinstates policy limits exhausted by the entity or by individual insureds.

“Corporate regulatory investigations have become more targeted and aggressive. As enforcement agencies sharpen their focus, we can expect to continue to see deeper and more costly investigations, often involving multiple individuals,” said Patrick Ko, Head of Executive & Professional Lies, BHSI, Hong Kong. “Our automatic reinstatement of limits provision gives insureds confidence that coverage will be there when they need it.”

BHSI’s Asia Executive First D&O Liability policy, which provides clear, simply worded coverage for large commercial organizations and their directors and officers, now includes an automatic reinstatement provision that applies across the board to all of the policy’s insuring clauses, replenishing limits which have been exhausted by the payment of Side A (D&O indemnification), Side B (company reimbursement) or Side C (entity securities claims) losses for future claims.

“In Asia, there is a heightened focus on ensuring that directors and officers are held personally accountable for their actions. This is prompting companies and board members to examine their D&O coverage and carriers more closely,” said Emily Poh, Head of Executive & Professional Lines, BHSI, Singapore. “Our insureds can be confident that, along with expansive coverage, they have a D&O insurer that has the long term commitment and unmatched financial strength to protect not just the corporation, but their personal assets as well.”

BHSI has also added numerous other enhancements to the policy, including coverage for expenses to protect the insured’s reputation and for travel and accommodations required to comply with investigations.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
HomeServices of America Real Estate

Intero Launches Intero Capital Markets

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Intero, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., is proud to announce that top Intero agent, Efi Luzon, will launch and manage a new division for the company called Intero Capital Markets.

Luzon brings more than 30 years of real estate experience to this new division, which is slated to invest more than $1 Billion in various Bay Area commercial opportunities over the remainder of 2019.

In addition to the investments, there will be a viable referral channel for agents that leverage their network to bring sellers with large commercial opportunities. Commercial projects that are up for consideration include large commercial holdings such as office buildings, shopping malls, apartment complexes, hotels, ground leases, mobile home parks and mixed-use parcels.

Running Intero Capital Markets is a natural progression for Luzon, who has experienced the highest level of success within the commercial real estate world. He has participated in some of the most prolific commercial transactions, not only in the Bay Area, but in the country. He has the top-three transactions, based on sales price, in the history of Intero and has more than $6 billion in sales volume over his prestigious career.

“I am very excited to get Intero Capital Markets up and running,” said Efi Luzon, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Intero Capital Markets. “We are going to experience a level of success unprecedented in the commercial real estate space and I’m proud to be driving this incredible division.”

Luzon started with Intero in 2004 and has had a stellar career with the firm. In that 15-year timeframe, Luzon has had several billion dollars in real estate sales and in 2017, he was recognized by RealTrends and The Wall Street Journal as the number one agent in California and number two agent nationally, with more than $800 million in sales. In 2015, Luzon earned the most coveted award from Intero with his induction into the Hall of Fame.

“All of us at Intero are tremendously proud and excited by what Efi is building,” said Brian Crane, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Intero – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate. “We know this will be an extremely successful venture for both Efi and Intero.”

“Having worked with Efi for a while now, I know his skill and determination will be a powerful combination for this new division,” said Scott Chase, Vice President and Managing Officer of Intero Los Altos. “We are not only excited for Efi, but we are excited what this new division will provide for Intero and our agents.”

© 2019 David Mazor


isclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Mouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics Announces 2019 Best-in-Class Award Winners

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Mouser Electronics, Inc. has named the winners of its annual Mouser Best-in-Class Awards.

The authorized global distributor announced the honorees at an awards ceremony on August 5, recognizing the outstanding individuals from its manufacturer partners who best supported Mouser’s marketing programs and new product introduction (NPI) launches by demonstrating exemplary teamwork and top performance.

“Each year, we select our Best-in-Class Award winners from hundreds of business professionals,” said Glenn Smith, Mouser Electronics’ President and CEO. “We greatly appreciate the dedicated individuals who won these awards. Each has played an essential role in helping us introduce and promote their companies’ products to our customers, and we gladly honor them today.”

Winners of the Mouser Best-in-Class Award are selected using five key criteria: Strategically partnering with the Mouser team, promoting product lines and working together on new product launches, finding creative solutions to grow market share mutually for both companies, and maximizing Mouser’s unique value proposition within their own businesses.

2019 Mouser Best-in-Class Award Winners:

Lora McIlheran, 3M
Sumit Awasthi, Analog Devices
Kelley Nall, Amphenol
Matthew Salmanpour, Cypress Semiconductor
Diane Laegeler, Digi International
Matthew Baker, HARTING
Renée Dill, Molex
Bob Johnson, NXP Semiconductors
Jay Pauer, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors
Tammy Stine, TE Connectivity

At this year’s ceremony, Mouser also recognized the four individuals who have achieved the President’s Award honors. The President’s Award recognizes the extraordinary individuals from Mouser’s supplier partners who have won the Best-in-Class Award five or more times, demonstrating consistent exemplary performance.

President’s Award Winners:

Dee Fuller, Amphenol
Cheryl Swaim, KEMET
Doug Lippincott, Panasonic
Steve Nye, Vishay Intertechnology

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
GEICO Insurance

GEICO’s Rynthia Rost Receives Prestigious Urban League Award

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

GEICO’s vice president of public affairs, Rynthia Rost, received the Charles B. Collins Distinguished Trustee Award at the recent 2019 National Urban League Conference in Indianapolis.

The annual honor goes to a notable Urban League advocate who embodies the ideals of the organization and the esteemed Charles B. Collins – who helped to usher-in great growth and improvements during his long affiliation with the National Urban League.

Rost’s commitment to community service and mentorship is longstanding and well-known. She began her career as a pro bono attorney and continues to dedicate her life and work to uplifting communities.

“Rynthia Rost embodies the Urban League’s mission of empowerment and service,” said Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “Her work on financial literacy programs, in particular, has made an enormous difference in the lives of underserved people. As a member of the Audit Committee of the National Urban League Board of Trustees, she serves a vital function in overseeing the fiscal soundness of our movement. She is a role model and mentor not only within the Urban League but in the community at large. We are proud to honor her with the Charles B. Collins Distinguished Trustee Award.”

Rost also serves on the boards of Urban League affiliates in Washington, D.C., and Essex County, New Jersey. In addition, she is vice-president and an executive board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and chair of the Children’s National Hospital Corporate Advisory Board. Rost has earned many other accolades for her work, including the Community Partner Award from Mentor’s Inc. and the Service to Youth Award from the National Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Rost has led GEICO’s public affairs efforts since 1994. She directs community affairs and GEICO Cares, the company’s country-wide associate community service and volunteer program.

“I am grateful to the National Urban League for this tremendous honor and for allowing me to be part of your efforts to empower local communities,” Rost said. “I also want to thank GEICO for the privilege of working with our 40,000 associates across the country on exciting community service projects that are positively impacting so many people.”

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Value Investing

Value Investing: Risk Is Not Your Path to Reward

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Part of an occasional series on Value Investing

How often have you heard that if you want greater returns you have to take more risk?

It’s one of those stock market investing truisms that not only gets repeated ad nauseam, but most anyone that has ever met with a financial advisor, or opened an online mutual fund or brokerage account, has probably been asked to declare their risk tolerance, as if the more risk you take the more reward you can hope to achieve.

The implication is that risk is tied to reward and you must be willing to take more risk if you want more reward.

However, nothing could be further from the truth.

This is not to say that there aren’t some investments that are safer than others. A Treasury bill is certainly far safer than a corporate bond, for example. However, there’s not a direct correlation between riskiness and return.

The very fact that there is risk means by definition that you have a greater chance of losing money the riskier an investment gets.

The father of Value Investing, Benjamin Graham, summed this seemingly pervasive but erroneous view when he wrote “there has developed the general notion that the rate of return which the investor should aim for is more or less proportionate to the degree of risk he is ready to run.”*

The goal of investing is making money, and it is not just taking greater risk that gets an investor closer to that result.

So, what gets an investor more return if it is not taking more risk?

It is doing the painstaking work that leads to recognizing value.

According to Graham, return is not related to the risk you take, but the preparation you have done (or lack of it) in selecting your investment before you invest.

For the Value Investor, the research you do and your adherence to Value Investing principles is what determines your rate of return.

First among those principles is that price is at the heart of any investment decision, because even a good business or piece of a business can bring a poor return if bought at too high a price.

Graham notes that it’s not the risk you take, but rather “The rate of return sought should be dependent, rather, on the amount of intelligent effort the investor is willing and able to bring to his task.”*

Value Investing lays out the fundamentals that followers of this school of investing are looking for. Those fundamentals lead the investor to the price worth paying for an investment, whether it’s a share of stock or the purchase of an entire business.

Warren Buffett went so far as to state that “The greater for potential for reward in the value portfolio, the less risk there is.”**

So, the next time you are making an investment, don’t let risk be an indicator of reward, it will only lead you astray.

*Graham, Benjamin, et al. The Intelligent Investor: a Book of Practical Counsel. Harper Collins, 2013.

**Buffett, W. (1984). The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville. Hermes, (Fall)

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett Prevails in Battle with Carl Icahn

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Famed activist investor Carl Icahn has come up short in his battle with Warren Buffett over Occidental Petroleum’s acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum.

The deal closed on August 8, which puts in place Berkshire Hathaway’s funding deal of the takeover.

At the end of April, Buffett announced that Berkshire would invest $10 billion in Occidental in exchange for preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock. The investment enabled Occidental to top Chevron’s bid for Anadarko.

The deal infuriated Icahn, who castigated Occidental’s CEO and President Vicki Hollub, and railed that “The whole thing is a travesty.”

In exchange for $10 billion, Berkshire Hathaway received 100,000 shares of cumulative perpetual preferred stock with a liquidation value of $100,000 per share and 8% annual dividend. Berkshire can redeem the shares for cash at the option of Occidental in at least 10 years for 105% of the liquidation price, in addition to all dividends.

Berkshire also received warrants to purchase up to 80 million shares of common stock with an exercise price of $62.50 per share, with an expiration date of up to one year after Berkshire redeems its preferred stock.

In a letter to Occidental shareholders written after the announcement, Icahn expressed his displeasure, stating that “Buffett figuratively took her to the cleaners,” and that it was “like taking candy from a baby.”

That may be, but Berkshire will now be receiving 8% for as long as it holds its preferred stock, which looks mighty good in these days of falling interest rates. Berkshire will be receiving $800 million a year, and may make millions more if oil prices rise and make its warrants valuable.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate

Touchdown Home Pros Joins Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, part of the HSF Affiliates LLC family of real estate brokerage franchise networks, has announced that independent brokerage Touchdown Home Pros of Morgantown, West Virginia, has joined its network operating as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Touchdown Home Pros Realty.

The brokerage, led by Broker/Owner Lindsay Williams, remains independently owned and operated.

“We are excited to welcome Touchdown Home Pros Realty to our network,” said Gino Blefari, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Lindsay and her team are passionate about real estate and the service they provide their clients. They are also community-minded and embrace greater Morgantown through support and volunteerism. We’re eager to help this team grow.”

“We are the same real estate team Morgantown residents know and trust, and now we’re aligned with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand,” said Williams. “The brand is respected and trusted – just as its Berkshire Hathaway Inc. namesake – and it offers an impressive suite of real estate tools and resources. Morgantown’s finest agents will now be even more effective in the service of local homebuyers and sellers.”

With their brand transition, Touchdown Home Pros Realty agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ active referral and relocation networks, and its “FOREVER Cloud” technology suite, a powerful source for lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has aligned with Salesforce to deliver world-class technology support to its network members far into the future.

The brand also provides global listing syndication, professional training and ongoing education and the exclusive Luxury Collection marketing program for premier listings. Its Prestige Magazine showcases network members’ premium listings with a strong lineup of feature stories covering topics that appeal to high-end real estate consumers.

“As an independent, I couldn’t afford to provide my agents these varied and important tools, resources and international brand support,” Williams explained. “I knew I needed to join an influential brokerage network and chose Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.”

Williams said the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand will be warmly embraced by consumers in greater Morgantown. The combination of the brand and her Touchdown Home Pros Realty company name will capture the winning spirit that’s prevalent in and around West Virginia University.

“I’m a graduate of the university and am as passionate as any Mountaineers football fan,” she said. “They call Morgantown ‘Touchdown City,’ where fans follow the Mountaineers as if the team were pros. That’s how I arrived at my Touchdown Home Pros Realty company name, and supported by the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, we can’t be beat.”

“Lindsay Williams is a hall-of-fame-style leader whose love for real estate, and life itself, will keep her team winning for years to come,” said Chris Stuart, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Morgantown has a terrific, go-to player in Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Touchdown Home Pros Realty.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is one of America’s fastest-growing real estate brokerage franchise networks with more than 50,000 agents and 1,450 offices added to the brand since its launch six years ago including global network members in Berlin, Germany; London, England; Milan, Italy; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Madrid, Spain.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Commentary Nebraska Furniture Mart

Commentary: Buffett’s Got the Inside Numbers on Softening Consumer Demand

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Warren Buffett probably knows the current state of the economy better than anyone else in the United States. After all, at any moment he knows how cars are selling at Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, how homes are selling at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, and how much goods and commodities are shipping at BNSF Railway.

BNSF Railway’s total carloads for 2019 are in a downward trend as compared to 2018 due to a major decrease in intermodal shipping, which is down 5.53% from 2018.

And we already know from Ford’s and General Motors’ earning reports that car sales fell in the second quarter.

Buffett also knows that consumer demand for furniture and home goods continues to soften, as the numbers at his retailers: Nebraska Furniture Mart, Jordan’s Furniture, RC Willey, and Star Furniture show.

In its latest SEC filing, Berkshire Hathaway reported that its sales and earnings from its furniture business were down 3% from the same period in 2018.

“Soft consumer demand,” along with poor weather in parts of the country, were the reasons cited.

Berkshire’s pre-tax earnings for home furnishings for the first six months fell a dramatic 23%, due to higher operating costs and lower sales.

Home furnishings, which include furniture, appliances, rugs, table and chairs, and other home décor, decline in sales when consumers cut back on discretionary spending, delay upgrading, and avoid adding large purchases, as their consumer debt grows.

Berkshire’s Jordan’s Furniture, which is the leading furniture retailer in New England, is already offering 72-month interest free financing in order to prop up sales.

Strong consumer demand, which has long propped up the economy, and kept the longest economic expansion in U.S. history chugging along, may finally be weakening. And Warren Buffett certainly knows it better than anyone.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Categories
Berkadia

Berkadia Arranges Sale of 360-Unit Apartment Community in San Antonio

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkadia, Berkshire Hathaway’s joint venture with Jefferies Financial Group, has arranged the sale of Axio Apartments, a 360-unit garden style apartment community in San Antonio, Texas.

Managing Director Mike Miller, Senior Director Will Caruth, Director Chris Ross and Director Cody Courtney of Berkadia’s San Antonio office represented the seller, Presidium Group, a real estate investment firm based in Texas.

“Axio Apartments exemplifies the upside potential that exists throughout San Antonio’s multifamily inventory,” said Caruth. “With almost 20,000 new residents moving to San Antonio over the past year due in part to its affordability, the demand they bring has elevated rent growth above the national average, making it a compelling market for investors.”

Built in 1982 and renovated in 2016, Axio Apartments is located at 8722 Cinnamon Creek Drive. One-, two- and three-bedroom units feature dishwasher, disposal, range and walk-in closets. Community amenities include fitness center, pool, basketball court, tennis court and volleyball court.

Situated in northwest San Antonio, Axio Apartments is located near major employers and transit routes. The USAA Corporate Headquarters is less than a minute away and South Texas Medical Center is under 10 minutes away. Interstate 10 is about 2 miles away, providing direct access to Interstate 410 and Downtown San Antonio.

About Berkadia

Founded in 2009 as a 50/50 joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation (now known as Jefferies Financial Group), Berkadia is a third-party commercial mortgage servicer, as well as an approved lender for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA.

The company is among the top Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae multifamily lenders.

Berkadia owes its origins to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation, which was acquired in 2009 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. Christened Capmark Financial, the company had $10 billion of originations in 2008 and a servicing portfolio of more than $360 billion before running into bankruptcy in October 2009.

In a deal approved by the bankruptcy court, Capmark sold its mortgage loan and servicing to the newly formed Berkadia in a deal worth $515 million.

The deal brought Berkshire into the heart of the commercial loan serving business, and the company has one of the largest commercial real estate servicing portfolios.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.