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Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen Plans 20 Puerto Rico Restaurants by 2036

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Berkshire Hathaway’s International Dairy Queen (IDQ) has announced plans to return to Puerto Rico through a new franchise agreement that will bring 20 DQ Grill & Chill restaurants to the island by 2036.

The agreement was signed with Caribbean Creamery LLC, an affiliate of Richport Restaurants LLC, which owns and operates franchised restaurants in Puerto Rico. The new locations will offer Dairy Queen’s signature frozen treats along with a full menu of hot food.

The first restaurant is expected to open in San Juan during the first quarter of 2027. Dairy Queen last operated in Puerto Rico more than 20 years ago.

IDQ said the partnership with Caribbean Creamery was based on the company’s leadership, operational expertise, and long-term commitment to the local market. The expansion strengthens Dairy Queen’s presence across the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico.

Based in Minneapolis, International Dairy Queen oversees more than 7,800 restaurants in over 20 countries through its subsidiaries.

©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 Understanding Your Circle of Competence Matters

Warren Buffett has long championed the principle of investing within what he calls “your circle of competence.” This idea has been a cornerstone of his approach to investing, guiding his decisions and keeping him focused on areas where he has deep knowledge and expertise.

At the 1999 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, Buffett explained, “Different people understand different businesses. And the important thing is to know which ones you do understand and when you’re operating within what I call ‘your circle of competence.’”

Buffett’s commitment to this rule has shaped his investment strategy, even if it meant passing up tempting opportunities outside his expertise. By sticking to businesses and industries he thoroughly understands, Buffett has consistently avoided the risks that come with ventures beyond his grasp. His success serves as a reminder of the power of focus and the value of staying within one’s area of expertise.

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

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© 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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Lubrizol

Lubrizol Highlights Sustainability Progress in Latest Global Report

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Lubrizol, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has released its latest sustainability report, Global Impact, Local Action, highlighting progress in reducing environmental impact, advancing sustainable innovation and strengthening workplace safety and community engagement.

As the company approaches its 100th anniversary in 2028, the report emphasizes that sustainability is embedded across its operations, innovation and culture. Lubrizol said digital tools, data science and advanced technologies are helping accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for customers worldwide.

Among the report’s key achievements are an 18% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 compared with a 2018 baseline, more than 14,000 employee volunteer hours globally, and continued development of products designed to help customers meet their sustainability goals.

The report also showcases regional case studies demonstrating how locally led initiatives—from manufacturing improvements to employee-driven community projects—are contributing to the company’s broader sustainability objectives. Lubrizol said empowering local teams within a global framework is central to delivering practical, scalable progress toward its long-term sustainability goals.

©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: The Earth’s Orbit Has Nothing to Do With Business Results

Because publicly traded companies report performance on a quarterly and annual basis, investors often focus heavily on those periods. Warren Buffett, however, cautions against giving a single year’s results more weight than they deserve. “There’s nothing magic about a one-year period,” Buffett notes.

“The fact that the Earth revolves around the sun really is not totally connected to most business activities, or the fruition of most investment ideas, or anything of the sort,” Buffett said at the 2000 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. “We have to report every year, and, you know, I care about the yearly figures in that sense. I don’t really care about them, totally, as a measure of what we’re doing.”

Hear Buffett’s full explanation

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© 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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Lubrizol

Lubrizol and Grasim Inaugurate New CPVC Resin Manufacturing Facility in Gujarat, India

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Lubrizol, a Berkshire Hathaway company, and Grasim Industries Limited have inaugurated a state-of-the-art Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) resin manufacturing facility in Vilayat, Gujarat. Combined with Lubrizol’s recently expanded CPVC compounding capacity in Dahej, the new plant establishes one of India’s most integrated and scalable CPVC manufacturing operations.

The facility strengthens Lubrizol’s ability to supply high-quality CPVC resin and compounds for residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing and piping applications. The investment is expected to enhance supply chain resilience, support India’s infrastructure development goals, and ensure reliable access to safe water delivery solutions.

“Lubrizol introduced CPVC technology to India more than two decades ago, and this new facility reflects our long-term commitment to the country,” said Abhishek Shrivastav, Managing Director, Lubrizol IMEA. “By adopting a local-for-local manufacturing approach, we are ensuring consistent access to high-quality materials backed by Lubrizol’s global standards of innovation and performance.”

The project marks a significant milestone in Lubrizol’s 60-year presence in India and aligns with the government’s “Make in India” initiative. Jayant V. Dhobley, Business Head & CEO, Global Chemicals, Aditya Birla Group, said the collaboration combines Grasim’s manufacturing expertise with Lubrizol’s advanced technology to deliver reliable CPVC materials for the growing Indian market.

CPVC is widely used in hot and cold water systems, fire sprinkler networks, HVAC systems, and industrial piping due to its heat resistance, durability, corrosion resistance, and hygiene benefits.

The inauguration is part of Lubrizol’s broader expansion strategy in India, which includes investments in a Global Capabilities Center in Pune, capacity expansion at Dahej, growth of its Mumbai operations, and the development of a dedicated India Innovation Center.

© 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 Markets Become Dangerous When They Resemble Casinos

At Berkshire Hathaway’s 2021 Annual Meeting, Warren Buffett reflected on the strengths and weaknesses of modern financial markets. He praised stock markets as one of humanity’s greatest economic innovations, allowing investors to buy ownership in leading businesses at low cost and with remarkable liquidity. Unlike real estate or farms, which can take months to buy or sell, stocks can be traded almost instantly.

However, Buffett warned that the same features that make markets efficient also make them attractive to speculation. Markets generate significant profits for financial intermediaries when investors trade frequently, chase short-term gains, and engage in gambling-like behavior rather than long-term investing.

To illustrate the danger, Buffett cited economist John Maynard Keynes, who wrote in The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936): “Speculators may do no harm as bubbles on a steady stream of enterprise. But the position is serious when enterprise becomes the bubble on a whirlpool of speculation.”

Buffett argued that the surge in day trading and options speculation during the previous year reflected this concern. Millions of new investors entered the market seeking excitement and quick profits. While speculation may provide entertainment and better odds than a lottery, Buffett noted that most participants would likely achieve better results by simply buying quality stocks and holding them for the long term.

His message was clear: markets work best when they serve productive investment and business growth, not when they become dominated by casino-like speculation.

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 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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BNSF

BNSF’s Barstow International Gateway Receives Key Approval

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BNSF Railway has reached a major milestone after the Barstow City Council approved the Barstow International Gateway (BIG), a $4 billion freight infrastructure project that is expected to transform goods movement across California.

The 4,500-acre facility will be built on the west side of Barstow and will include a rail yard, intermodal terminal, and transload warehouses. Designed to improve freight efficiency, the project will allow cargo arriving at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to move directly by rail to Barstow for processing before continuing across BNSF’s national network.

BNSF says the facility will reduce congestion at Southern California ports, improve supply chain reliability, and create a more sustainable freight system. The company plans to use zero-emission cargo-handling equipment and pursue additional emissions-reduction technologies through partnerships with state and regional air quality agencies.

The project is also expected to deliver significant economic benefits. BNSF estimates BIG will support approximately 62,000 construction-related jobs and 15,000 long-term operational jobs. Within Barstow alone, the project is projected to generate about 5,400 direct jobs, $938 million in earnings, and $2.9 billion in economic output over its first 20 years.

In addition to freight infrastructure, the project includes community improvements such as flood-control upgrades, replacement of the Hinkley Road bridge over the Mojave River, and roadway enhancements to improve traffic flow and safety.

Recently certified by Governor Gavin Newsom under California’s SB 149 infrastructure acceleration program, BIG is the first transportation project to receive the designation. State officials have highlighted the project’s potential to reduce truck traffic, improve supply chain efficiency, and strengthen the competitiveness of California’s ports.

© 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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Insurance

Berkshire’s GenStar Launches STAFFprotect+ for PEOs and Staffing Agencies

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GenStar Insurance Services, LLC has launched STAFFprotect+, a new insurance program designed specifically for Professional Employment Organizations (PEOs) and staffing agencies. The product will be distributed through Starfish Specialty Insurance and written on an excess and surplus (E&S) basis using General Star Indemnity paper.

The program is intended to address the complex liability and coverage needs faced by staffing-related businesses through a primary package offering and excess capacity options. As PEOs and staffing firms continue to navigate evolving workforce and compliance risks, STAFFprotect+ aims to provide broader and more specialized insurance protection.

Matt Brown, Senior Vice President and Delegated Division Manager at GenStar, said the launch reflects the company’s commitment to expanding its delegated programs portfolio with tailored solutions for niche industries. He added that Starfish Specialty brings strong program administration expertise and market insight to the partnership.

Jeremy Hitzig, CEO of Starfish Specialty Insurance, said the PEO and staffing sectors have lacked a comprehensive insurance solution for some time. He described the market as ready for a new entrant and noted that STAFFprotect+ represents the company’s second program focused on this segment.

GenStar Insurance Services is a provider of excess, surplus, and specialty property and casualty insurance, operating exclusively through a select group of wholesale brokers. Both GenStar and General Star Indemnity Company are subsidiaries of General Reinsurance Corporation, part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies.

© 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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Duracell

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

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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

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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.