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Duracell

Duracell Launches Limited-Edition Lionel Messi Battery Packs Ahead of World Cup Tournament

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Duracell, the world’s leading disposable battery manufacturer and a Berkshire Hathaway company, has officially launched its limited-edition battery packs featuring soccer icon Lionel Messi. The retail rollout follows the brand’s “Messi Reboot” campaign introduced earlier this year and arrives just ahead of this summer’s premier global soccer tournament.

The collaboration marks a first for Duracell, with Messi-inspired artwork appearing directly on the battery cells. Each battery features a design inspired by the tattoos on Messi’s legendary left leg, celebrating the power and precision that have defined his historic career. Powered by Duracell’s exclusive PowerBoost™ Ingredients, the batteries combine collectible appeal with the brand’s trusted performance.

“We wanted to give fans a unique way to power their passion for the soccer tournament this summer,” said Javier Hernández, Global CMO at Duracell. “Bringing Messi’s iconic left leg tattoos onto our batteries is a first in brand history, allowing us to merge his legendary performance with Duracell’s most advanced power.”

The limited-edition Duracell x Messi collection is now available at major retailers across North America, including Walmart, Amazon, and Lowe’s. Fans who purchase participating Duracell products can also enter a national sweepstakes running through August 30 for a chance to win premium soccer gear and exclusive merchandise signed by Messi.

© 2026 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.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

BHSI Expands Marine Leadership with Key Executive Promotions

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has promoted Ben Wyatt to Head of Marine for North America and the UK, expanding his leadership responsibilities to include oversight of the company’s Marine operations in the UK and Canada alongside his existing U.S. role.

In his new position, Wyatt will lead underwriting, strategy, and portfolio management across the regions, helping to strengthen alignment and support the continued growth of BHSI’s global Marine platform. He will work closely with Nick Holding, Head of Marine UK, as Holding prepares for retirement in June.

“Bringing our North America and UK Marine businesses under Ben’s leadership reflects our continued focus on building a unified, high-performing global platform,” said Sanjay Godhwani, Head of North America. He noted that the move will enhance underwriting consistency, service delivery, and expertise for customers and brokers across key markets.

BHSI also announced additional leadership promotions within its U.S. Marine business. Gregg Shannon has been named Vice President, Contractors Equipment and Inland Marine, while Jim Norman has been promoted to Vice President, Inland Marine. The appointments follow the recent addition of Kevin Kempf as Vice President, Ocean Marine Cargo/Stock Throughput.

The leadership changes come as BHSI continues to expand its Marine insurance offerings, which include Inland Marine, Contractors Equipment, Builders Risk, Motor Truck Cargo, and Ocean Marine solutions. The company said its broad product portfolio and global platform enable it to deliver tailored insurance solutions and a seamless experience for customers and brokers worldwide.

© 2026 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.

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Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen Expands Franchise Push With New Cash Incentives

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has announced a new franchise incentive program designed to accelerate restaurant growth across the United States and Canada.

The initiative offers financial rewards to both new and existing franchisees who open freestanding DQ Grill & Chill restaurants within agreed development timelines. Franchisees who open a qualifying location on schedule will receive a $150,000 cash incentive after opening.

To encourage multi-unit expansion, franchisees can also earn a $200,000 incentive for each additional freestanding DQ restaurant opened within 18 months of the previous location. The program applies to qualifying franchise agreements approved through the end of 2026.

Gregg Benvenuto, Vice President of Franchise Development for the U.S. and Canada, said the program is aimed at operators with strong growth strategies and long-term development plans. He noted that Dairy Queen’s modern restaurant prototypes and established brand presence continue to attract experienced franchise groups.

The incentives are available exclusively for freestanding DQ Grill & Chill locations, including second-generation drive-thru conversion buildings and new construction projects.

Based in Minneapolis, International Dairy Queen oversees more than 7,800 DQ restaurants across more than 20 countries through its subsidiaries American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc.

© 2026 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.

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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: Why Staying Inside Your Circle of Competence Matters

For Warren Buffett, disciplined investing begins with knowing—and respecting—the limits of your circle of competence. At the 2002 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, he explained that the test is simple: if you have doubts about whether you understand an investment, you don’t.

“It’s better to be well within the circle than to be trying to tiptoe along the line,” Buffett said. He cautioned against chasing opportunities simply because others are doing so, emphasizing that success comes from clarity, not speculation.

Buffett also reassured that a small circle of competence is not a disadvantage. “I’d say my circle of competence is pretty small, but it’s big enough. I can find a few things,” he noted. For investors, the lesson is clear: depth of understanding beats breadth of guesswork.

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2026 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 a 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.

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Marmon Group

Railserve Launches YardGUARD™ Integrated Railyard Safety System

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Railserve, a Berkshire Hathaway-owned Marmon Rail company, has introduced YardGUARD™, a new integrated safety system designed to enhance operational safety and efficiency in industrial railyards. The platform combines real-time engineered controls with daily switching operations, creating a coordinated network of technologies aimed at reducing risk and improving execution across rail environments.

YardGUARD™ brings together six interconnected safety solutions—CrossingGUARD™, DerailGUARD™, FoulGUARD™, GapGUARD™, StopGUARD™, and WatchGUARD™—into a single system that provides real-time visibility, alerts, and automated safeguards in critical yard areas.

The technology is designed to address common operational challenges, including limited visibility, reliance on radio communication, switch misalignment, derail status uncertainty, and railcar fouling issues. By integrating sensing, vision, communications, and cloud-based monitoring technologies, YardGUARD™ delivers synchronized yard-side indications and in-cab alerts to support safer and more informed decision-making.

“By combining field-proven execution with real-time visibility and automated safeguards, we’re enabling a higher level of consistency and control in complex yard environments,” said Laurie Stiles, President of Railserve.

Unlike standalone safety tools, YardGUARD™ is customized for each facility and embedded directly into Railserve’s operating model. The company says the system’s layered approach—including continuous monitoring, automated braking support, and multi-level verification—can help crews identify and address risks before incidents occur, particularly in low-visibility and high-tempo operating conditions.

Railserve views YardGUARD™ as a key step toward a more connected and technology-enabled future for industrial rail operations. The company is currently offering customer demonstrations and site assessments as part of the system’s rollout across North America.

© 2026 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.

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Acquisitions

Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire Home Builder Taylor Morrison in $6.8 Billion Deal

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.8 billion. Under the agreement, Berkshire will pay $72.50 per share, representing a 24% premium to Taylor Morrison’s closing stock price of $58.50 on May 29, 2026.

Taylor Morrison Chairman and CEO Sheryl Palmer described the deal as a transformative opportunity for the company, citing Berkshire Hathaway’s financial strength and long-term investment approach as key advantages. Palmer noted that the partnership will support the homebuilder’s continued growth and expansion while preserving its customer-focused culture and operational strengths.

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel said the acquisition reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to the housing sector. He praised Taylor Morrison as a leading national homebuilder and indicated that Berkshire plans to integrate its site-built homebuilding operations into a larger platform aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities across the United States.

Taylor Morrison operates more than 350 communities across 21 markets in 12 states and serves a broad range of buyers through its Taylor Morrison, Esplanade, and Yardly brands. The company also provides mortgage, title, escrow, and insurance services.

Following the completion of the transaction, Taylor Morrison will continue to be led by its current management team, including Palmer, and will become a privately held company. Its shares will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to shareholder approval, regulatory clearances, and other customary closing conditions.

© 2026 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.

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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: Think Like a Business Owner, Not a Trader

Warren Buffett has long emphasized that investing should be about owning businesses, not trading pieces of paper. Rather than focusing on the daily ups and downs of stock prices or the overall market’s direction, he looks at each stock as a share of a real company with long-term value.

“We look at individual businesses. And we don’t think of stocks as little items that wiggle around on the paper and that have charts attached to them,” Buffett explained at Berkshire Hathaway’s 1999 annual meeting. “We think of them as parts of businesses.”

This approach reflects Buffett’s belief that successful investing requires thinking like a business owner, not a speculator.

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2025 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.

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

BHSI Expands Swiss Operations With New Casualty Insurance Solutions

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has launched two new casualty insurance policies in Switzerland, expanding its offerings for large corporate and upper middle market commercial and industrial organizations. The new solutions include one policy for multinational businesses and another designed for domestic risks.

The policies are intended to provide flexible, market-standard coverage using clear and straightforward language. Through its multinational program, BHSI can also issue local policies in more than 178 countries worldwide.

According to Pascal Carrer, Head of Casualty at BHSI Switzerland, Swiss companies are operating in an increasingly complex risk environment, creating greater demand for customized insurance solutions.

Franco Masciovecchio, Country Manager, Switzerland, BHSI, said the launch strengthens BHSI’s lead casualty capabilities in Switzerland and reflects the company’s focus on long-term risk solutions supported by disciplined underwriting, financial strength, and its “Claims Is Our Product” philosophy.

In Switzerland, BHSI also provides property damage and business interruption coverage, Executive First D&O liability insurance for commercial organizations and financial institutions, as well as multinational insurance programs.

© 2026 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.

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Johns Manville

Johns Manville Names John Vasuta CEO as Bob Wamboldt Retires

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Johns Manville (JM), a Berkshire Hathaway company, has announced a leadership transition as Bob Wamboldt prepares to retire and John Vasuta assumes the role of President and Chief Executive Officer effective August 1, 2026.

Vasuta joined Johns Manville in 2019 as President of the company’s Engineered Products business. He also serves on the board of EJ, a global manufacturer of infrastructure access products for utilities and telecommunications.

“It’s an extraordinary privilege to step into the role of CEO,” Vasuta said, adding that he looks forward to continuing to support customers and employees across the organization.

Before joining JM, Vasuta held several leadership positions at Bridgestone Corp., including President of Firestone Building Products International and Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing & Operations. He holds degrees in engineering, business administration and law from the University of Akron.

Wamboldt, who joined Johns Manville in 2003, led each of the company’s three major businesses before becoming President and CEO in 2020. Reflecting on his retirement, he said he was proud of the company’s achievements and expressed confidence in Vasuta’s leadership.

Mary Rhinehart praised Wamboldt’s contributions during his tenure and said the company looks forward to building on its strong foundation under Vasuta’s leadership.

© 2026 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.

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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: Taking the Long-Term View of Risk

For Warren Buffett, risk isn’t limited to the challenges a business faces today. Instead, he defines it as the potential threats that could erode a company’s strengths years into the future.

Speaking at Berkshire Hathaway’s 2000 annual meeting, Buffett explained: “We think of business risk in terms of what can happen, say 5, 10, 15 years from now, that will destroy, or modify, or reduce the economic strengths that we perceive currently exist in a business.”

He emphasized that Berkshire avoids companies where too many long-term risks are visible: “If we can think of very much that can go wrong with them, we just forget it. We are not in the business of assuming a lot of risk in businesses.”

For Buffett, successful investing isn’t just about spotting strong businesses today—it’s about ensuring their durability for decades to come.

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2025 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.