Category: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Expands in California’s Wine Country

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties, one of the nation’s fastest-growing, 100% woman-owned real estate brokerages, has opened three new Sonoma County offices focused on the luxury market.

The offices, located in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Windsor, extend Drysdale Properties’ northern reach and provide further exposure to the upscale real estate market of California’s Wine Country.

“We are thrilled to add these terrific offices and agents to the Drysdale Properties family,” said Gretchen Pearson, brokerage president and CEO. “Each office is well established in its market and staffed by skilled and experienced real estate professionals. The acquisition will help us grow our luxury business as we’re now positioned in the hotbed of popular Sonoma County.”

The bustling Santa Rosa office includes 80 agents, while Sebastopol opens the fertile, west county market to the brokerage. Windsor serves a community drawing thousands of people each year with shows, festivals and a charming, small-town lifestyle.

Drysdale Properties’ move is the second this spring to advance its luxury real estate operations. In April, the brokerage named industry veteran Paula Gold-Nocella, a highly regarded production leader and luxury-property authority in Northern California, as broker of Drysdale Properties and Regional Partner for its San Francisco and North Bay operations. Immediately following Gold-Nocella’s appointment, she relaunched the San Francisco office and will be opening a second San Francisco office in Pacific Heights this summer.

Gold-Nocella will oversee operations in the North Bay. “Our Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand is a natural fit for Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Windsor and their respective lifestyles,” said Gold-Nocella, a board director of the San Francisco Association of REALTORS® for the past seven years. “The region is affluent and highly desirable to a global audience, and we look forward serving its real estate needs for years to come.”

Pearson added that many of the clients her brokerage serves in the Bay Area want to buy second and vacation homes in Sonoma County. “This is a natural step for us,” she said. “The possibilities are endless.”

Gino Blefari, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, applauded Drysdale Properties’ expansion. “This is a terrific achievement for Gretchen and her team and their strategy to develop their luxury business,” he said. “Drysdale Properties is well positioned for growth in Sonoma County, and throughout its Northern California and Nevada markets. We’re proud to support them every step of the way.”

Drysdale Properties now counts 46 offices and more than 1,200 agents throughout Northern California and Nevada. The brokerage, which is completely woman-owned, ranks No. 13 in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network for gross commission income.

© 2018 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 HomeServices

Bay Street Realty Group Joins Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has announced that independent brokerage Bay Street Realty Group has joined the network operating as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group.

The full-service brokerage, serving greater Beaufort and the Sea Islands, remains independently owned and operated. It is a market leader in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

“We are thrilled to bring the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand to Beaufort and the Sea Islands,” said Brokerage Owner Ken Willis. “The brand is fresh, progressive and ideally suited for our coastal communities. Its namesake is Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and it’s built on Berkshire Hathaway’s core values of trust, integrity, stability and longevity. We believe consumers throughout the Lowcountry will appreciate these virtues and embrace the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand.”

Willis plans to double his agent count over the next two years and extend the brokerage’s reach to neighboring markets. He said the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand will help his team recruit. “We think seasoned agents in the area will want to take their businesses to new heights representing Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group. As important, the brand, which builds its strategies and programs with input from its leading millennial agents, will appeal to sharp, younger professionals.”

With their affiliation, Bay Street Realty Group agents gain access to the network’s Global Network Platform, a powerful real estate tool suite that supercharges lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more. The brand also provides international listing syndication, professional education and the exclusive Luxury Collection marketing program for high-end listings.

“The brand’s real estate tools and resources are second to none and will help our agents be their very best for clients,” said Brokerage Owner Will Thurman. “Since Beaufort and the Sea Islands are becoming popular destinations for foreign travelers and investors, we’re particularly excited about Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ global listing syndication program. Our listings will appear monthly before more than 12 million additional consumers abroad.”

Both Willis and Thurman are eager to begin a new era with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Our agents are pumped up, the market is percolating — buoyed by our strong, local economy — and Bay Street Realty Group is positioned to grow for years to come.”

Gino Blefari, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, applauded the brokerage’s transition. “Bay Street Realty Group is highly respected in the marketplace and led by skilled operators. We’re proud to welcome this group to our network family.”

© 2018 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 HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Signs its First Global Franchisee

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has signed its first global franchisee, Rubina Real Estate GmbH, an award-winning real estate brokerage serving central Berlin and neighboring regions. The brokerage will operate as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Rubina Real Estate starting in April.

“Rubina Real Estate is an ideal fit for our network and we’re excited that it will carry the distinction of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ first franchisee abroad,” said Gino Blefari, president and CEO of the network. “The brokerage’s business acumen and dedication to service and growth mirror our own values and aspirations. As important, Rubina Real Estate is a market leader and is wonderfully positioned in Berlin’s vibrant real estate market.”

Along with serving the German capital region, Rubina Real Estate attracts buyers and investors to Berlin from China, India and the Middle East. The firm is an industry authority on the residential sector and is often used as a source of real estate insight among banks, lenders and real estate developers.

Rubina is a perennial honoree for Germany in the prestigious International Property Awards held each fall in London. In 2017, the brokerage was named Best Real Estate Agency and Best Property Consultant (Marketing) for all of Europe.

“We are proud to bring the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand to Berlin, Germany and other key markets in which we serve clients,” said Carsten Heinrich, co-founder and managing director of Rubina Real Estate. “The brand carries the name of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., one of the world’s most respected and trusted corporations. We believe the brand will be warmly embraced in our markets and will help us build our global brand bridging Europe, Asia and America. We look forward to a new era of growth as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Rubina Real Estate.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices continues as America’s fastest-growing real estate brokerage network, with more than 45,000 agents and 1,400 offices named to the brand since its launch in September 2013. The network will provide Rubina Real Estate with a powerful tool suite focusing on lead generation and network referrals, marketing and social media support, international listing syndication, professional education, business consultation and more.

Heinrich, who with his leadership team will be formally introduced to the network March 5 during Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ annual Sales Convention in San Antonio, Texas, said he and his team look forward to exchanging client referrals with network brokerages and engaging with the U.S. real estate market. “Our alliance will be mutually beneficial,” he said. “The brand is poised for great success globally; our company is ready and eager to grow, as well.”

Blefari said Rubina Real Estate opens the door to additional global franchisees. “We’ve approached global network expansion very carefully and methodically,” he explained. “We will continue to name high-quality franchisees in the months ahead in Europe, Asia, North America and beyond.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices began global expansion in 2016.

© 2018 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 HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty Acquires Attorneys Title

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty has acquired North Carolina-based Attorneys Title, the company recently announced.

The acquisitions adds expertise, resources and a seamless customer experience to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty.

Attorneys Title President Kimberly Rosenberg and Vice President of Operations Bryan Rosenberg will continue on in their respective roles.

“The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies is committed to redefining home-buying, home-selling, and homeownership by integrating all the elements of the real estate transaction into a seamless experience,” says Tommy Camp, president and CEO of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies. “The merger of Attorneys Title into our organization reinforces and strengthens this commitment and our ability to provide the highest level of service to our clients and sales associates.”

“The longstanding commitment by Attorneys Title to our customers and our employees will not change,” says Kimberly Rosenberg. “Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty and Attorneys Title have a shared vision of providing superior customer service. In Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty we have found a business partner with an impeccable reputation and one that provides us with exciting opportunities for growth as we continue to serve the needs of our new and existing clients.”

Bolt-On Acquisitions Continue to Power Berkshire’s Growth

© 2017 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 HomeServices

Allan Dalton’s Road from Basketball to COO of Real Living Real Estate

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When Allan Dalton played basketball back in 1971 at Suffolk University he hoped it would lead to bigger things. It almost led to an NBA career when he was drafted by the Boston Celtics, but where that journey fell short, his real estate career kept rising.

HSF Affiliates LLC, which is majority owned by Berkshire Hathaway, and operates the real estate brokerage franchise networks Real Living Real Estate, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Prudential Real Estate, has appointed Dalton as chief operating officer at Real Living Real Estate.

Dalton is the former president and CEO of Realtor.com, and has 30+ years of leadership experience, including serving as the co-owner of a 32-office firm, the EVP of Coldwell Banker New England and EVP of NRT National.

Dalton said he’s excited to join HSF Affiliates and the Real Living brand. “Real Living has attracted a legion of fiercely loyal brokers and associates who possess a deep connection to the brand and to one another,” he explained. “Their integrity, independence and optimism make it inspiring to work with them and for them.”

Speaking of his basketball career, Dalton may not have played with the Celtics, but he did play professionally overseas. In Greece, he went by the name Alexos Daltos, and on a touring Lithuanian team he used Janus Ambrosius. Anything to keep the ball bouncing.

Today, Dalton is rising to the top, and this time he even gets to use his own name!

© 2017 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 HomeServices

Crager Real Estate Joins Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, part of the HSF Affiliates LLC family of real estate brokerage franchise networks, today announced that independent brokerage Crager Real Estate has joined the network operating as Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crager Tobin Real Estate.

The brokerage, founded in 2001 by Broker/Owner Laura Crager, operates throughout Central Ohio including Champaign, Clark, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Madison and Pickaway counties and surrounding communities.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is one of America’s fastest-growing brokerage networks with nearly 43,500 agents and 1,313 offices named to the brand since its 2013 launch.

Crager Tobin Real Estate remains independently owned and operated by Laura Crager and her daughter Kate Crager-Tobin. “We are the same great, local company now backed by a powerful brand,” Laura Crager said. “Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices stands for trust, integrity, stability and longevity and the name stands apart in real estate. We’re proud to bring this brand home to our communities.”

“Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices offers us systems, tools and consultation to help us enhance and grow our operations for years to come,” explained Kate Crager-Tobin. “We’re building a premium environment for our agents to help them deliver incomparable service to our Central Ohio clients.”

With their transition, Crager Tobin Real Estate agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Global Network Platform, a powerful tool suite focusing on lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more. Beyond technology, the brand provides national and international marketing support, professional education and the exclusive Luxury Collection for high-end listings.

As part of the network, Crager Tobin Real Estate is also in line for client referrals from outside its marketplace and relocation business. “We considered franchise opportunities for some time and decided Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is the best choice for our brokerage, agents and clients,” said Laura Crager. “It gives us all pieces of the puzzle.”

Growth is on the minds of Laura Crager and Kate Crager-Tobin. “We believe the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand will have broad appeal among real estate professionals and consumers alike,” Laura Crager said. “We would like to increase our agent count and add new offices throughout the marketplace over the next few years.”

“We are incredibly excited about the future and our agents can’t wait to represent the brand,” said Kate Crager-Tobin. “We will grow, yet we will always be the family-oriented brokerage that does what’s best for its clients.”

“We proudly welcome Crager Tobin Real Estate to our network,” said Gino Blefari, president and CEO of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Laura and Kate operate a terrific, local company with a great reputation. The brokerage will be strong brand ambassador in Central Ohio.”

© 2017 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 HomeServices

Intero Real Estate Services Opens in Vietnam

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Intero Real Estate Services, a subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., has opened a real estate showroom in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to market their listing and promote US real estate investment to the Southeast Asia luxury market.

Intero also sent a team to the invitation-only luxury property show in China, LPS Beijing, which was held last month, June 16th through the 18th.

With more than 6,000 potential investors over the 3 day conference, having a large presence at LPS strengthens Intero’s commitment to providing global exposure for its luxury property collection.

Representing the Intero brand was Alain Pinel, General Manager of Intero Prestigio International, as well as Yoga Yang, Mitch Wong and Li-Wu Yang, all part of Intero’s International Realtor Team. Alain was also a feature speaker to an audience of highly motivated Chinese buyers interested in Silicon Valley and the greater North America region.

The LPS conference occurs twice a year bringing together a number of real estate professionals exhibiting high-end properties around the world. Intero CEO Tom Tognoli and other representatives from Intero will also be attending the LPS conference to be held in Shanghai in December.

To further its global exposure, Intero has opened a showroom in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This will serve as a strategic location for Intero to feature its listing inventory, and a touch point in providing a higher level of customer service and a stronger relationship with wealthy investors all throughout Southeast Asia.

“Last year, foreign buyers purchased more than 200,000 homes in the US for a total sales volume in excess of $100 billion. Roughly half of this dollar amount was the fact of Chinese buyers. Their impact on U.S. real estate sales has been and still is significant, to say the least. It is imperative for Intero’s sellers that our properties and brand stay clearly in front of this market now and for years to come,” states Alain Pinel.

© 2017 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 HomeServices

Sacramento’s Elite Real Estate Joins Berkshire Network, Changes Name

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, has announced that independent brokerage Elite Realty Services based in Sacramento, California, will join the network beginning July 25 and change its name to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Elite Real Estate.
Robert Do, brokerage president and CEO, announced the transition yesterday to his team of 180 agents and staff at their Sacramento headquarters.

“Our brokerage has grown nicely over the years yet now we step to a whole new level of brand awareness, agent resources and marketing,” Do explained. “Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices gives us everything we need to grow and provide even better service to our clients and agents.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices remains one of America’s fastest-growing brokerage networks with nearly 43,500 agents and 1,313 offices named to the brand since its 2013 launch. The brand’s namesake is Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., among the world’s most trusted and respected corporations. “The network is built on Berkshire Hathaway’s value set of trust, integrity, stability and longevity,” Do pointed out. “We strongly identify with these values and are proud to represent Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Sacramento County and surrounding areas.”

Do expects to grow his brokerage as a result the transition. The agent-centric CEO, who owns his Sacramento headquarters building at 7412 Elsie Ave., wants to add at least three offices and double his agent count over the next few years. “At Elite Real Estate, everything we do focuses on helping our agents grow their business and prosper,” he said. “We are a great home for agents; the future has never been brighter for our team.”

With their transition, Elite Real Estate agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Global Network Platform, a powerful tool suite focusing on lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more. Beyond technology, the brand provides national and international marketing support, professional education and the exclusive Luxury Collection for high-end listings.

“My team is already tech-savvy so the Global Network Platform will help us supercharge our client service and efficiency,” said Do, who has more than 20 years’ experience in real estate and has trained thousands of agents. “We will be our very best for our home-buyers and sellers.”

Elite Real Estate will commemorate its transition July 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and agent luncheon. Its new Cabernet and White yard signs will appear in the marketplace starting that day.

“We are proud to welcome Robert and his team to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices,” said Gino Blefari, president and CEO of the network. “Elite Real Estate has earned a strong reputation in the marketplace and is marvelously diverse. It’s well positioned for years of growth in Sacramento.”

© 2017 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 HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Courts Chinese Buyers with Juwai.com Deal

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has signed a marketing agreement with Juwai.com to syndicate all of its franchisees’ residential listings to the China-based international property portal that attracts roughly two million visitors monthly.

In addition, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices also launched a banner advertising campaign on Juwai.com to promote its brand, home page and listings to Juwai.com’s audience.

The alliance makes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices a dominant brand on one of the world’s most popular real estate search sites.

“The Chinese have overtaken all nationalities besides Americans as the leading buyers of property in the U.S.,” said Gino Blefari, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Our efforts through Juwai.com, and through existing marketing agreements with The Wall Street Journal/Asia and Mansion Global Wechat Channel, make it much easier for Chinese real estate buyers to find and shop our property listings.”

Juwai.com and Juwai.com/luxe attract high-net-worth consumers who are ready to buy homes in the U.S. Site traffic comes from more than 400 cities in China and from 165 countries around the world. Juwai.com hosts its sites and services on both sides of China’s “great firewall,” enabling Chinese consumers access no matter where they live and buy.

“Our listings and banner ads are on display inside and outside of China,” said Kerry Donovan, vice president of Marketing for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “This is a huge differentiator for us.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ home page on Juwai.com offers a network introduction and statement about the brand’s values and heritage. The site includes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ real estate market perspectives and it provides access to the network’s listings – lots of them. Listings are in click-to-translate mode for consumers and a dedicated “concierge” team based in China stands by to help home buyers with translation, questions and referrals to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices listing agents.

“We will continue refining our global listing-syndication program to bring the most value to our domestic franchisees based on international buying activity and search patterns,” said Donovan. “Juwai.com is an important step toward our overall strategy.”

© 2017 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 HomeServices

Intero Real Estate Services Creates New Home Sales Division

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Intero Real Estate Services, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire’s HomeServices of America, Inc., has launched a new home sales division labeled Intero Development Group.

This newest offering from Intero fills what the company believes is a sales and marketing void for small, medium and large developers in and around the Bay Area.

The new division will utilize certified education to make sure the various developments have the most professional and qualified team supporting their needs. In addition, there will be varied tiers of the program offering that will fit development projects of any size.

Leading the Intero Development Group is Broker Associate and Intero Los Gatos Assistant Manager Mike D’Ambrosio, a seasoned real estate leader who has years of experience in residential, commercial and development projects throughout the Bay Area. Mr. D’Ambrosio will oversee all aspects of the division including marketing, sales and operations.

“As we continue to grow brokerage services available from Intero, a new home sales division is a natural addition to our residential and commercial offerings,” said Tom Tognoli, Intero President & Chief Executive Officer. “With Mike and his team at the helm of Intero Development Group, we’re confident that this program will be one more success to add to our resume.”

© 2017 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.