Category: Stock Portfolio

Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD’s stock jumped to a new all-time high on Friday, with the share price up a dramatic 22.67 percent in the past month.

Shares of BYDDF jumped +$1.38 (3.76%) to close at $38.10 on October 22, 2021.

BYD shares had been on a dramatic run since 2020, rising from $4.52 on March 20, 2020 to an intraday peak of $38.33 on Friday. The 52-week low was $17.05.

The sharp rise comes as BYD’s strong September car sales in China of 70,022 plug-in vehicles. September was the fourth month in a row that the company set a sales record.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million has grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD has announced that the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico City Council approved the purchase of five K8M 35-foot battery-electric buses for its RoadRUNNER Transit fleet.

Under a five-year contract to be awarded to BYD, the city will buy five K8Ms and has an option to purchase seven additional buses. The five buses, which will be made in the United States, are expected to arrive in New Mexico’s second largest city in fall 2022 and could be in service before Christmas next year. They will replace older carbon-fuel buses.

“As part of its sustainability initiatives, the Las Cruces City Council is committed to making the city a model of sustainable practices which includes converting City fleet vehicles to electric vehicles,” said Mike Bartholomew, the city’s Transit Administrator. “We are very excited about the opportunity to start the process of moving to a fully electric fleet in the city’s RoadRUNNER Transit service.”

The American-made K8M, a state-of-the-art transit bus, can seat up to 33 passengers. Highly reliable and safe, the K8M battery electric bus comes equipped with up to 435kWh LFP battery and can be fully charged within 3 hours.

The K8M set a high scoring record in the Federal Transit Administration Model Bus Testing Program in Altoona, Pa., earning high marks in structural durability, reliability, maintainability, and safety.

“BYD buses, known around the country for their style, safety and innovation, are a perfect fit for Las Cruces,” said Patrick Duan, BYD North America Senior Vice President. “We see a great and expanding market for our brand in New Mexico and know that residents and riders will appreciate this clean, quiet and efficient addition to the city’s fleet.”

The Las Cruces announcement comes on the heels of New Mexico officials picking BYD to participate in a statewide purchase agreement that gives transit agencies throughout the Land of Enchantment and the United States the ability to buy American-made BYD coaches and buses.

The vehicles, which comply with strict Buy America standards, are manufactured in ISO 9001-certified American factory, guaranteeing quality, safety, and efficiency in every aspect of design, production, and customer care.

Buses included in the agreement are the 30-foot K7M, the 35-foot K8M, the 40-foot K9M, and the 60-foot K11M. Motor coaches included in the agreement are the 23-foot C6M, 40-foot C9M, and 45-foot C10M.

About BYD

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Vitol, a Bogotá, Colombia-based oil trader, and Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD have formed a partnership to provide fleet mobility as a service in select markets worldwide. Together they will offer municipal, corporate and others a comprehensive solution including electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and depot design.

The partners have committed an initial $250 million to the initiative, targeted at organizations, private and public, looking to decarbonize their fleets through electrification. The organizations will benefit from access to capital and the partners’ expertise in installing and managing the required infrastructure, as well as the efficient management of power requirements.

Vitol is already in the process of deploying over 300 electric buses in Bogotá and is seeking additional opportunities in South America and further afield.

Andrew de Pass, Head of Renewables, Vitol Inc said: “We are excited by the potential and intend to grow our fleet tenfold in the coming years. Fleet owners are looking to minimize emissions and our proposition enables them to do so with minimal capital outlay and outsourced operational risk.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD has officially launched the e-platform 3.0 for pure electric vehicles. With outstanding advantages in intelligence, efficiency, safety, and aesthetics, the e-platform 3.0 aims to promote new energy vehicle’s (NEVs’) performance in safety and low-temperature driving range as well as improving intelligent driving experiences.

The e-platform 3.0 will help BYD develop more efficient and safer new intelligent electric vehicles (EVs). The new-generation BYD e-platform covers vehicles of varying sizes and will be open to the industry to facilitate the development of intelligent EVs worldwide.

Built upon the e-platform 3.0, the unveiled Ocean-X concept is a mid-size sporty sedan with high performance. The Ocean-X brings brand new experiences in performance and intelligent driving thanks to the fully integrated blade batteries in the car body, an 8-in-1 electric powertrain, and an all-wheel-drive architecture.

Equipped with ultra-safe blade batteries integrated into the car body, the e-platform 3.0 builds up a special pure electric vehicle frame structure to increase the rigidity of the vehicle.

The new platform enables ranges exceeding 1,000 km (620 miles) through the world’s first 8-in-1 electric powertrain. In addition, the world’s first fast charging technology enables a range up to 150 km (93 miles) after a 5-minute charging. The original designed direct cooling and heating system for batteries increases the thermal efficiency by up to 20% while reducing energy loss. Additionally, the heat pump system which can work at temperatures from -30℃ to 60℃, has increased the range by up to 20% in winter, since the system leverages the residual heat from surroundings, the powertrain, passenger compartment and even the batteries. Finally, the brand-new electric AWD system features 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration improved to 2.9 seconds, resulting in energy consumption compared to that of 2WD vehicles, while letting users enjoy the high performance of AWD EVs.

The e-platform 3.0 deeply integrated the drive, braking, and steering system. The industry’s first drive train domain controller has been developed through the full utilization of the electric motors’ fast response and has been applied on the model EA1. BYD’s smart cockpit domain controller and smart body domain controller are already in mass production. As for software, BYD has independently developed the BYD OS which decouples hardware and software, offering an elite collaboration system for high levels of intelligent driving.

On the side of aesthetics, the vehicle features shorter overhangs and a longer wheelbase, significantly expanding the passenger space; a lower body and a longer wheelbase liberate the vehicle’s aerodynamic design, decreasing the drag coefficient to 0.21Cd.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD sold 67,630 passenger vehicles in August, up 90.5% year-over-year and 18.7% month-over-month.

New energy vehicles (NEVs) contributed 60,508 units representing an increase of 331.9% year-over-year. Four consecutive months of booming sales and a series of monthly sales records underscore BYD’s successful strategic deployment and the widespread acceptance of its products in the market.

After hitting the 50,000-unit mark, BYD’s monthly new-energy passenger vehicle sales continue to grow, positioning BYD as a dominant player in terms of market share. The continued contribution of DM-i sales fueled further success for the DM model, which saw 30,126 units sold in August, up 555.6% year-over-year. Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales rose steadily to 30,382 units in the month, up 222.7% year-over-year.

According to the data of EV Sales, in July 2021, BYD returned to the top of the global NEV sales in a single month after 26 months, surpassing Volkswagen to claim third place in terms of cumulative sales from January to July.

BYD Han, the flagship model of the Dynasty series, sold 9,035 units in August.

BYD views safety as the biggest luxury of electric vehicles. This has allowed the BYD Han to increase safety performance to the highest level in the segment while allowing for optimal performance at the same time. In late July, BYD officially launched the DiLink 4.0 (5G) and the 5G Dynaudio Smart Music Cockpit upgrade package, which was developed for the Han EV all-wheel-drive high-performance flagship model, at the 2021 Chengdu Auto Show, bringing users more intelligent and efficient connectivity experiences.

The Qin PLUS DM-i set another sales record, as it sold 13,043 units in August, becoming the leader among DM models. With the powerful duo Qin PLUS DM-i and Qin PLUS EV, the Qin PLUS sold 20,676 units in August.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million has grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD has unveiled two battery-electric heavy-duty trucks, the Gen3 8TT and 6F, vehicles that combine performance, reliability, and driver comfort into stylish designs.

Unveiled at the ACT Expo in Long Beach, Calif., the Gen 3 8TT and 6F feature cabs styled by Wolfgang Josef Egger, the renowned former Audi chief designer. The stylish cabs offer improved aerodynamics and energy efficiency.

The trucks come standard with Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), making driving easier and safer.

The trucks are equipped with an Electronic Parking Brake system, offer keyless entry and push to start functions, and have up to 185kW CCS1 charging capability. The extended range version of the 8TT and 6F offer a range of up to 200 miles on a charge.

Gen 3 8TT is a versatile vehicle, capable of performing drayage, regional haul, and distribution work. The 6F can perform regional haul and distribution work. It can also be equipped with a body for refuse collection.

“We listen to our customers and their drivers to ensure we provide the features and performance they need to get a job done,” said Stella Li, President of BYD North America. “With our next generation 6F and 8TT, we’re making history by setting a new standard for driver comfort and safety in an electric vehicle.”

BYD Electric Trucks operate clean and quiet, and have significantly fewer moving parts than carbon-burning trucks. With less noise and vibration than conventional vehicles, BYD trucks provide the operator with an improved driving experience and safer work environment.

BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, is the leader in battery-electric truck deployments with more than 8,000 trucks in service around the world and over 200 in service across the United States.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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BYD’s China headquarters has officially launched its “Zero Carbon Industrial Campus” in Pingshan, which will become the first zero-carbon headquarters of Chinese automobile brands.

Founded in September 2006, BYD Pingshan Industrial Campus covers an approximate area of 7.6 million square feet, employing approximately 50,000 people.

The Pingshan Industrial Campus brings all of BYD’s green solutions such as photovoltaics, energy storage, new energy vehicles, the SkyRail monorail, and SkyShuttle to all aspects of production and life in the campus.

For example, BYD has built an intelligent green multi-level rail transit system, new energy vehicles, energy storage systems, and new energy vehicle charging stations on the campus. BYD has now expanded its emission reduction efforts to the daily production and operation of the company. BYD strives to create a green ecological environment for the entire campus through its internal green recycling system.

One of BYD’s representatives stated that “Pingshan’s first ‘Zero Carbon Industrial Campus’ project will become an important case study with rich experience accumulated, paving the way for BYD’s company-wide carbon emission reduction and carbon neutrality.”

In the construction of the “Zero Carbon Industrial Campus,” BYD has strengthened its carbon emission reduction actions concerning the energy structure, industrial structure, transportation, procurement, production, and operation of the campus. Concurrently, based on environmental technologies, BYD can achieve energy conservation and emission reduction products and solutions.

Promoting carbon emission reduction and achieve carbon neutrality requires an accurate understanding of where carbon emission comes from, knowing how to compile emission data, applying green energy more efficiently, and devising efficient industry strategies. To this end, BYD has invited SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification company, to provide consulting, certification, and technical support for the project.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million has grown in value over thirty-fold.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD UK through its partnership with Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) jointly announced the delivery of the first three-axle BYD ADL Enviro200EV XLB in New Zealand.

Built in New Zealand by ADL’s partner Kiwi Bus Builders on a BYD chassis, the delivery fully supports New Zealand’s transition to a decarbonized bus fleet by 2035. Joining the Auckland Transport fleet, the zero-emission bus will be evaluated in New Zealand’s largest city on trials sponsored by Mercury Energy.

To meet the requirements of local transport authorities and operators, the Enviro200EV XLB is a new step in the evolution of the successful combination of BYD’s battery technology and ADL’s expertise in tailoring buses. This 41-foot-long electric bus has three axles and provides a total passenger capacity of 78 ensuring operational flexibility. Additionally, 36 passengers can be seated, and two wheelchair spaces are provided which are accessed via a manual ramp at the front door.

ADL’s General Manager in New Zealand, Tony Moore, said: “The launch of our extra-large electric bus marks an exciting new chapter in our partnership with Auckland Transport. After bringing the first electric buses to the city in 2018, we now have a zero-emission bus that is fully designed to New Zealand requirements – and is made locally, boosting the economy and supporting skilled jobs.”

Auckland Transport Metro Decarbonization Manager, Darek Koper said: “This trial fleet provides a range of options for New Zealand bus operators and it will build operator confidence in new technology. It will also allow them to understand operational requirements and costs to inform future procurement decisions, while supporting the accelerated transition to zero-emission buses in Auckland.”

The launch vehicle has been wrapped in an advertisement for energy supplier Mercury Energy, which will support the trial of the electric bus.

“We have delivered a lot of BYD/ADL electric buses to several cities in New Zealand together with ADL,” said Wing You, BYD’s General Manager for Australia and New Zealand. “This is a great privilege for BYD to work together with local manufacturers to help the local government speed up the transition to zero-emission electric buses by 2035, and so far we have completed over 600,000 miles in operation, helping to cut more than 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions.”

At present, BYD is successfully serving markets in many other countries across the Asia-Pacific, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia, India, etc. Globally, the brand’s pure electric vehicles cover over 300 cities, operating in more than 50 countries and regions.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Ten of Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD Motors’ heavy-duty zero-emission battery electric yard tractors are now in service at Red Hook Container Terminals container terminal in Port Newark, New Jersey.

The Red Hook fleet represents the single largest deployment of zero-emission battery electric trucks in the eastern United States and the first at a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey marine terminal.

The heavy-duty zero emission battery electric yard tractors are being used to move cargo containers at the Red Hook Marine Terminal in Port Newark and are also being used for making runs to the other terminals at Port Newark and Port Elizabeth and runs to the Millennium Marine Rail yard.

Red Hook operates the cross-harbor barging operation that eliminates tens of thousands of truck trips per year off the roads of New Jersey and New York and so the deployment represents the most recent example of Red Hook’s continuing leading role in the fields of port-related environmental stewardship and global sustainability.

The Red Hook zero-emission battery electric truck fleet project was developed and managed by Climate Change Mitigation Technologies LLC, the leading New Jersey-based developer and manager of zero-emission truck and bus projects for public and private fleets.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection funded a portion of the project using Volkswagen Mitigation Trust funds and Red Hook funded the balance of vehicle and project costs.

CCMT is partnered with Hudson County Motors, Inc. in Secaucus, New Jersey, one of the largest truck dealers in northern New Jersey, and the first BYD Motors truck dealer in the nation.

The BYD model 8Y yard tractors being deployed by Red Hook Container Terminals LLC are third-generation equipment that come with 217 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs that have 241 horsepower and are capable of pulling loads of up to 102,000 lbs GVWR. They can operate continuously for up to 12 hours or more before recharging or can operate 24/7 with opportunity charging during shifts. AC and DC charging is available. DC fast charging takes approximately 2 hours from a 20% state of charge. Early operational results indicate that the yard tractor can operate two whole shifts before needing re-charging.

In Long Beach, California, BYD’s yard tractors are just finishing up a one-year demonstration test at International Transportation Service terminal at the Port’s Pier G to test the readiness of the equipment to handle the workload at a busy seaport.

BYD Motors is the leading electric truck and bus manufacturer in the world, with over 14,000 battery electric trucks and 65,000 electric buses deployed worldwide. BYD has US factory operations in Lancaster, CA, and a regional service and parts center in Lodi, New Jersey.

“These zero-emission electric yard tractors do not represent the finish line as far as meeting the seaport’s goal to reduce emissions. But it’s a major step forward,” said Sam Ruda, director of the Port Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “It affirms both that the technology is developing rapidly and is applicable to container terminals, and it underscores the role the public and private sectors are playing in making it a reality. Electrifying these yard tractors is strong evidence of how the Port Authority and its partners are moving forward to reduce emissions impacts from cargo operations.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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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Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) and BYD UK jointly announced that their electric vehicle partnership, the UK’s leading electric bus producer, has signed a framework agreement with the National Transport Authority of Ireland (NTA) for the delivery of up to 200 BYD ADL Enviro200EV zero emission battery-electric buses.

The first 45 buses have been firmly ordered and are expected to commence delivery in 2022 for services in Athlone and the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

All will be built in ADL’s factories in the United Kingdom in the proven combination of BYD electric technology and batteries with stylish bodywork and passenger-centric interior by ADL.

ADL is a subsidiary of leading independent global bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. (NFI), while BYD is a global leader in batteries, energy management and electric mobility.

The single supplier framework agreement with the NTA will run for up to five years and covers the delivery of single-deck battery-electric buses. The BYD ADL partnership, represented by ADL as primary contractor, was selected in a comprehensive and rigorous procurement process in which the company provided the strongest offer. It is the BYD ADL partnership’s first contract in Ireland as well as the largest order for zero emission buses in the country to date.

ADL’s body engineers have worked with their colleagues at BYD to tailor the BYD ADL Enviro200EV to the specific needs of the NTA and its operators. This has resulted in a vehicle that will be 40-foot long and can be specified in several configurations to suit different operational requirements, including a version with two doorways, a wheelchair space and a dedicated area for the accommodation of at least one unfolded pram, pushchair or buggy.

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said: “The contract signed for the supply of these battery electric buses highlights the NTA’s commitment to a sustainable and accessible transport network. Over the next five years we are planning a major increase in the number of low- and zero-emission urban buses in operation on the Transport For Ireland (TFI) network across the country. The fleet ordered today represents the best mix of cutting-edge electric technology, proven reliability, accessibility and comfort for all passengers who use TFI bus services. I look forward to working with our bus operator partners, as well as ADL, in ensuring that the first of these buses are delivered and ready to operate in 2022.”

Paul Davies, ADL President and Managing Director, said: “This new agreement for up to 200 zero emission buses is further testament to our customer focus which is exemplified in our ability to tailor vehicle specifications to operational requirements. Together with our existing agreement for up to 600 zero emission capable Enviro400ER plug-in hybrid buses, we are honoured to be playing a key role in the roll-out of zero emission mobility in Ireland.”

“This agreement with Ireland’s NTA is one of the most significant commitments to eMobility we have ever seen in Europe,” said BYD UK Managing Director, Frank Thorpe, “and it is the BYD ADL partnership that appears increasingly to be the preferred choice for Local Authorities and public transport operators. This framework agreement is a pledge to bringing about a sustainable future for public transport in Ireland and we are delighted to join the NTA for Ireland on its journey.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $5.897 billion as of December 31, 2020.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, 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.