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Lubrizol

Lubrizol Unveils High-Performance PUD for Advanced Wood Coatings

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol has announced the launch of Sancure™ 942 Polyurethane Dispersion, a new water-borne, high-solids polymer designed to deliver advanced performance in wood coatings for both residential and commercial applications.

The latest addition to Lubrizol’s growing coatings portfolio, Sancure 942 offers excellent wear protection, strong chemical resistance, and superior adhesion to a variety of substrates. Ideal for OEM and wood floor finishes, its high-solids formulation also allows for greater coverage per application—reducing the number of coats needed and enabling a faster return to service.

“The entire value chain will experience benefits,” said Israel Skoff, technical marketing manager, resin technologies. “From lower shipping emissions and enhanced performance to fewer coats and faster project completion, Sancure 942 delivers across the board.”

When used with external crosslinkers, the product’s performance is further enhanced, making it a powerful solution for formulators seeking both sustainability and durability.

Lubrizol continues to innovate in polymer technology, providing solutions that support eco-friendly initiatives while exceeding performance expectations in demanding markets.

© 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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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: CEOs Should Understand Investing

Warren Buffett believes one of the most valuable skills a CEO can develop is a solid understanding of investing. What puzzles him, however, is how some top executives shy away from managing their own personal finances but still feel equipped to make billion-dollar corporate decisions.

At the 2005 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett shared his thoughts on this contradiction. “I have friends who are CEOs, and they’ll let someone else handle their money,” he said. “Ask them whether to invest in Coca-Cola or Gillette, and they’ll say, ‘That’s too tough. I don’t know anything about investing.’”

Yet, the very next day, these same executives may greenlight a $3 billion acquisition after a brief presentation from an investment banker. “They’ll hand it over to a strategic planning group and believe they’re fit to make a decision on a multibillion-dollar deal,” Buffett said, “when they don’t even feel confident making $10,000 decisions with their own money.”

Buffett’s point is clear: true business leadership should include a deep understanding of investment principles—especially when the stakes are high.

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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Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett Donates Over 12 Million Berkshire Hathaway Shares to Philanthropy

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

On June 27, Warren Buffett converted 8,239 Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares into 12,358,500 Class B shares to support his ongoing philanthropic commitments. Of those, 12,358,321 shares will be donated to five foundations, with the transfers set to be completed on June 30.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust will receive 9,433,839 shares, while the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation will receive 943,384 shares. The Sherwood Foundation, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation will each receive 660,366 shares.

Following this latest round of donations, Buffett’s Berkshire holdings now total 198,117 A shares and 1,144 B shares.

Buffett reaffirmed his long-standing pledge made in 2006 to give away the majority of his wealth, noting that his philanthropic contributions—now totaling about $60 billion in value—have far exceeded his net worth at the time of his original commitment. Despite his continued generosity, his remaining holdings are still worth approximately $145 billion.

Buffett emphasized that no extraordinary events drove this wealth creation, attributing it to sound decisions, time, and the American economic “tailwind.” He reiterated that roughly 99.5% of his estate will ultimately go to philanthropy, per the terms outlined in his will.

© 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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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: The Perils of Ignoring Risk

Risk is a quiet companion, rarely announcing itself until it’s too late. Markets can climb for years, making investors feel invincible. Companies can expand recklessly, and insurers can write policies with blind confidence. Then, in a moment—a market crash, a corporate collapse, or a disaster triggering massive claims—the true weight of risk is revealed.

Warren Buffett, ever the master of analogy, put it succinctly: “You don’t find out who’s been swimming naked until the tide goes out.” The illusion of safety vanishes when conditions turn.

This principle applies broadly. Bond investors chasing yield in risky debt may look brilliant—until defaults spike. Insurers collecting premiums on underpriced policies seem prudent—until a catastrophe wipes out their reserves. Reinsurers, in particular, can go years writing bad business without realizing it. Then, suddenly, the reckoning comes.

As Buffett observed, “You can be doing dumb things and not know it in reinsurance, and then all of a sudden wake up and find out the money is gone.”

The lesson? True financial mastery lies in foreseeing risks as well as opportunities. The best investors, like the best swimmers, know to check the tide before diving in.

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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HomeServices of America

HomeServices of America Appoints Renee Gonzales as Vice President of Core Services Integrations

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices of America, the nation’s leading provider of homeownership services, has named Renee Gonzales as Vice President – Core Services Integrations. This newly created role is aimed at accelerating growth and enhancing operational alignment across the company’s nationwide network.

Gonzales, who will continue as CEO of Long Realty, will collaborate closely with brokerage leaders and core service partners to drive stronger integration of mortgage, title, and insurance offerings. Her efforts will focus on aligning strategic initiatives and promoting best practices at the agent level.

“Renee brings an outstanding record of performance and partnership,” said Chris Kelly, President & CEO of HomeServices of America. “Her leadership at Long Realty exemplifies the kind of thoughtful strategy that will help us deliver a seamless, end-to-end experience for consumers.”

Recognized by RealTrends as the nation’s top full-service brokerage, HomeServices created the new role to reinforce its commitment to service integration and consumer value.

Gonzales has made Long Realty a model for brokerage-core services collaboration. In her new role, she aims to extend that success across the HomeServices network.

“I’m honored to help expand HomeServices’s leadership in integrated real estate services,” Gonzales said. “By empowering agents and aligning strategy, we can deliver a truly seamless experience for every consumer.”

© 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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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: The Real Meaning of “Synergy”

At the 2013 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Warren Buffett offered a candid take on the corporate buzzword “synergy.” According to Buffett, it’s often just a euphemism for mass layoffs—especially targeting the very employees who built the company’s success.

“They would have all these ideas about synergy,” Buffett said, “and synergy would mean that the people that had helped him build the business over 30 years would all get sacked.” He likened the acquiring companies to Attila the Hun, sweeping in and displacing long-standing employees in the name of efficiency. Buffett made it clear: he had no interest in deals that rewarded cost-cutting at the expense of loyal people.

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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Jazwares

Berkshire’s Jazwares Expands Squishmallows Brand Into Sleep Essentials

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Squishmallows™ fans, get ready for the ultimate bedtime upgrade. Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company and the force behind the globally adored Squishmallows brand, is launching the SquishPillow by Original Squishmallows—a new line of ultra-soft sleeping pillows designed to bring signature squishiness to your nightly routine.

Launching exclusively at Target stores and on Target.com starting June 22, the SquishPillow combines Squishmallows’ signature marshmallow-like fill with a luxurious, velvety-soft pillowcase (included with each purchase). Available in standard ($29.99) and king-size ($39.99, online only), the pillows come in a firm option at launch, with a medium version arriving this fall.

Driven by fan demand—many already use Squishmallows as makeshift pillows—Jazwares saw an opportunity to transform the sleep space. “The SquishPillow is the ultimate blend of comfort, functionality, and squishiness,” said Laura Zebersky, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Jazwares. “It’s perfect for home, dorms, or travel, and we’re thrilled to bring this to market just in time for back-to-school.”

Sleep expert Dr. Rebecca Robbins supports the move, noting that “a great pillow is essential for a great night’s rest,” which in turn benefits everything from mood to heart health.

Fans can also customize their sleep setup with six Squishmallows-themed pillowcases (sold separately from $9.99), featuring bold colors and popular characters—with more styles arriving later this year.

Sleep, snuggle, and squish your way to dreamland—SquishPillow has arrived.

© 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 Expands European Presence with New London Office

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol, a global leader in specialty chemistry, has opened a new office in Hammersmith, London. The move reinforces Lubrizol’s commitment to its local-for-local strategy, aiming to enhance collaboration with customers and employees while strengthening its footprint across Europe.

The London office will host a range of business functions, including sales and European leadership, and adds to Lubrizol’s existing presence in the UK, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. It is designed to foster innovation and teamwork, featuring modern co-working and meeting spaces.

“Europe plays a crucial role in our global strategy, particularly due to its concentration of technical leadership and key OEMs,” said Sander van Donk, Vice President of Lubrizol Europe. “The opening of our London office underscores our dedication to this important market.”

With more than 90 years of history in Europe, Lubrizol continues to build on its legacy of innovation and strong industry partnerships. The new office is expected to become a vital hub for the company’s regional operations and future growth.

© 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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Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: The Importance of Liquidity

Warren Buffett is always on the lookout for undervalued stocks and businesses, but he never forgets the importance of maintaining liquidity. No matter how attractive an investment opportunity may seem, ensuring sufficient cash reserves is key to financial stability.

At the 2012 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting, Buffett emphasized this principle: “We know we don’t want to go broke… And we know you can’t go broke if you’ve got a fair amount of liquid reserves around and you don’t have any near-term debts.”

This highlights a fundamental rule of investing—having liquidity protects against unforeseen downturns and allows investors to seize opportunities without financial strain. No matter the market conditions, maintaining a strong cash position is a strategy that ensures long-term success.

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 Launches Tailored Management Liability Insurance for Australia’s Life Sciences Sector

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has unveiled a new Management Liability Insurance Policy designed specifically for Life Science, Biotech, and Pharmaceutical (LBP) companies in Australia. The policy addresses the unique risks faced by this fast-growing sector, particularly early-stage and R&D-focused businesses.

“The new LBP Management Liability Policy reflects our commitment to Australia’s thriving life sciences community and our deep understanding of the challenges start-ups face at every stage of their journey,” said Jessica Jefferies, Underwriting Manager at BHSI Australia.

The policy offers enhanced coverage not typically included in standard management liability products. It protects Directors, Officers, and members of Scientific and Medical Advisory Boards, and includes critical features such as coverage for private capital raisings and protection in the event of company insolvency. Importantly, it also offers options to extend coverage to U.S. exposures, acknowledging the common pursuit of FDA approvals by Australian firms.

This launch builds on BHSI’s strong position in the Directors and Officers insurance market for ASX-listed life sciences companies and supports its broader strategy to deliver tailored solutions across the life sciences value chain—from start-up to scale.

© 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.