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Commentary

Commentary: What Does Sale of DaVita Medical Group Mean for Berkshire Hathaway?

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The news that health services company Optum is purchasing DaVita Medical Group, a subsidiary of DaVita Inc., for $4.9 billion may bring a windfall for Berkshire Hathaway.

Berkshire has a $2.27 billion stake in DaVita Inc., which works out to roughly 22.03% of the company’s market cap and approximately 23.57% of the institutional ownership, and news of the sale gave Berkshire an immediate paper profit boost of $230 million.

The longer term prospect is good for Berkshire, as well.

According to DaVita, the company plans to use the proceeds from the transaction for significant stock repurchases over the one to two years following the closing of the transaction, as well as to repay debt and for general corporate purposes.

“Following this transaction, DaVita will continue to be a leader in population health management, with a focus on our U.S. and international kidney care businesses,” DaVita CEO Kent Thiry said. “We also expect to pursue other investments in health care services outside of kidney care.

Berkshire has long been rumored to be interested in acquiring DaVita, and entered into a standstill agreement with Davita in May 2014, pledging not purchase more than 25% of the company.

And while Berkshire doesn’t reveal whether Warren Buffett, or his portfolio managers Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, purchased or sold a particular security, the push to acquire shares in DaVita is generally credited to Ted Weschler.

It looks like he was right on this one.

© 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 Energy

Berkshire Hathaway Orders More Vestas Wind Turbines

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Berkshire Hathaway’s MidAmerican Energy has placed orders for 70 MW of V110-2.0 MW turbines for its the Wind XI wind farm in Iowa.

The turbines will be manufactured at Vestas’ four Colorado factories with expected delivery in the second quarter of 2018.

In August 2016, The Iowa Utilities Board approved MidAmerican’s request to invest $3.6 billion to install additional wind turbines in Iowa by year-end 2019.

The project – Wind XI – is the largest economic development project in Iowa’s history.

When the 2,000-megawatt Wind XI project is completed, MidAmerican’s annual renewable energy generation is expected to reach a level that’s equivalent to 89% of our Iowa retail customers’ annual use.

Wind XI will generate an average of approximately $12.5 million per year in property tax payments, $18 million per year in landowner payments, and $48 million per year in state and local expenditures associated with the project.

© 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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Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD Pure Electric Buses Now in Okinawa

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A fleet of 10 pure electric buses manufactured by Chinese new energy technology company BYD is now in service on the Japanese island of Okinawa, marking the beginning of the island’s electrified public transportation initiative.

A total of 10 BYD K9 buses now run a shuttle service to and from the Okinawa Naha Port. BYD is the only Chinese automaker to enter the Japanese market, and only with pure electric vehicles.

This is not the first time BYD has delivered its e-buses to Japan. In 2015, five BYD K9 buses started running in the city of Kyoto. This time, Japan placed the additional order to operate the K9 fleet in the historic city of Okinawa, which hosts millions of visitors each year.

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 is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 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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Berkadia

Berkadia Arranges Nearly $1 billion in Financing

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Berkadia, Berkshire Hathaway’s joint venture with Leucadia National Corporation, has arranged financing totaling nearly $1 billion for the acquisition of the Beacon multifamily property portfolio.

Managing Directors Laura Cathlina and Sharon Plattner of Berkadia’s Chicago office secured the Freddie Mac loan on behalf of affiliates of Harbor Group International. The deal closed on November 30.

“Our team was pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist Harbor Group International with the financing of this exclusive portfolio that supports their diversified investment strategy,” said Cathlina. “The end result was a creative multi-faceted loan structure which will provide Harbor a significant amount of flexibility for future decision making. Our partners at Freddie Mac did an outstanding job in working with us to structure this transaction.”

The Freddie Mac financing encompasses 16 properties located in Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, which are part of an overall 25 property portfolio. Eleven of the properties were financed with a fixed rate vehicle for over $789 million. The remaining five properties were financed with a floating rate vehicle for over $138 million.

“The acquisition of the Beacon portfolio represents a milestone transaction for Harbor Group International (HGI) as we continue to grow our investment portfolio,” commented T. Richard Litton, Jr., HGI president. “We are very appreciative of Berkadia’s work on our behalf to structure almost $1 billion of Freddie Mac fixed and floating rate debt.”

Since the beginning of 2017, Berkadia’s mortgage banking team has closed over $19 billion in production volume – an increase of 22 percent compared to the previous year. In 2016, Berkadia’s loan origination volume was $20 billion, ranking first with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, second with Freddie Mac and fourth with Fannie Mae in delivered loan volume.

About Berkadia

Founded in 2009 as a 50/50 joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, Berkadia is a third-party commercial mortgage servicer, as well as an approved lender for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA.

The company is among the top Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae multifamily lenders. In 2016, Berkadia’s loan origination volume was $20 billion, ranking first with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, second with Freddie Mac and fourth with Fannie Mae in delivered loan volume—the only lender in the top four for all three organizations.

Berkadia owes its origins to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation, which was acquired in 2009 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. Christened Capmark Financial, the company had $10 billion of originations in 2008 and a servicing portfolio of more than $360 billion before running into bankruptcy in October 2009.

In a deal approved by the bankruptcy court, Capmark sold its mortgage loan and servicing to the newly formed Berkadia in a deal worth $515 million.

The deal brought Berkshire into the heart of the commercial loan serving business, and the company has one of the largest commercial real estate servicing portfolios.

© 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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Brooks

Brooks Uses 3D Foot Scanning, Biometric Data to Create Uniquely Personalized Running Shoes

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Brooks Running Company is partnering with HP Inc. and Superfeet to deliver the most personalized running footwear.

Leveraging FitStation powered by HP and Brooks Run Signature, Brooks will introduce the first performance running shoe created based on an individual’s unique biomechanics which will be available via special order through select retail partners beginning June 2018.

FitStation is pioneering hardware and software that combines 3D foot scanning with dynamic gait analysis and foot pressure measurements. Fully aligned with principles from Brooks Run Signature, FitStation offers customers in-depth analysis including key motion zones to identify the unique motion path of the runner’s body and information about the desired running experience. FitStation creates a one-of-a-kind holistic digital profile of an individual that combines personalized fit, biomechanics and experience.

With a singular focus on running, Brooks has a deep understanding of runners’ unique biomechanics and is committed to providing personalized experiences that enhance the run for every individual. Based on years of research, the company developed its Run Signature philosophy rooted in the belief that the best way to enhance comfort and improve performance is not to fix a runner’s “flaws” but to instead create running footwear that works with the runner’s natural motion path of his or her body. Through its partnership with HP and Superfeet, Brooks takes Run Signature to the next level and delivers the most personalized running footwear.

“Brooks is committed to providing the fit, feel and ride each runner wants. The ability to give an individual a personalized shoe based on his or her unique biomechanics is a game changer. It is a compelling offering for the runner who is interested in tip-of-the-spear technology and a totally tuned experience,” said Brooks CEO Jim Weber. “As part of our focus on reinventing performance running, we will continue to push the envelope to bring runners innovations that help them uniquely tailor their run.”

“FitStation by HP is changing what personalization means—from the in-store experience to the final product. In collaboration with Brooks and Superfeet, we are delivering truly made-to-measure footwear with a lot size of one,” said Ed Ponomarev, general manager of FitStation and business development HP Inc. “Digitalization of biometric data opens an opportunity to ultimate individualization with the speed and cost efficiency of mass production. HP brings deep experience in computing, scanning and technology integration at scale to deliver a revolutionary digital manufacturing platform, creating individualized products that are available to anyone—from casual runners to elite athletes.”

The FitStation analysis translates into specific requirements for each shoe, and is then produced by Superfeet on a state-of-the-art DESMA polyurethane injection-molding machine. The system uses the 3D foot scans to determine the proper lasts which the shoes are built around, ensuring each shoe is tailored to the specific shape of the runner’s foot. Then, using a combination of variable PU injection with direct attach capabilities, the foot pressure measurements, movement analysis of the runner’s joints, and their personal experience preferences are combined to create personalized midsole requirements with multiple tuned zones—all ensuring the runner stays in their preferred motion path and receives the running experience they desire. All personalized footwear will be manufactured in the U.S. at Superfeet’s world headquarters in Ferndale, Washington.

“Having the leader in running footwear leverage FitStation and our U.S. manufacturing facilities to create the most individualized running shoe on the market is momentous,” said John Rauvola, president and CEO of Superfeet. “Not only will it change what people expect from their running experience, it is also an important step in making a positive difference in people’s lives by delivering the best underfoot support possible. This is the beginning of the individualized fit revolution.”

© 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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Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD Wins Innovation Award

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China’s BYD Co. Ltd., the world’s leading supplier of rechargeable lithium batteries, has received an industry award for its high voltage lithium storage system B-Box HV. The versatile concept and its features for high efficiency have been recognized by the industry experts on a jury panel from pv magazine award 2017 for top innovation.

BYD’s B-Box HV drives progress in three categories: with the modularity, the charging and discharging performance and the efficiency. The efficiency had also been tested in a recent storage system performance test and could show impressive results, surpassing the competition.

The B-Box HV lithium storage system was launched in spring 2017 and employs the successful modular design of the B-Box series with battery capacities ranging from 6.4 to 11.5 kWh, providing more than enough energy for the average household and can be scaled up to 57.5kWh for light commercial. The B-Box features excellent efficiency, delivering higher capacity for the best return on investment. The system supports constant 1C and 2C peak charge and discharge rates, and provides best in class useable capacity ratios. As a result it can support household electric devices longer with more power. An innovative connection system allows for an extremely easy plug-and-play installation without the need to connect cables.

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 is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 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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Berkadia

Berkadia Names New Head of Mortgage Banking

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Berkadia, Berkshire Hathaway’s joint venture with Leucadia National Corporation, has announced the addition of prominent industry veteran Hilary Provinse as Executive Vice President and Head of Mortgage Banking. She will oversee a team of 130 experienced mortgage bankers located in 31 offices across the country. Ms. Provinse will be a member of Berkadia’s Management Committee and report to Ernie Katai, Executive Vice President and Head of Production. She joins Berkadia from Fannie Mae after a 15-year career, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President and Head of Multifamily Customer Engagement.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Hilary join the Berkadia team,” said Berkadia CEO Justin Wheeler. “With more than 20 years of experience and leadership in CRE capital markets, she is a dynamic leader and forward thinker. Her positive energy and relentless drive to perfect the customer experience will continue to push our platform to new levels. A talent of her caliber is an incredible addition.”

Most recently at Fannie Mae, Provinse led a team of 85 professionals in offices across the country, overseeing all of Fannie Mae’s multifamily debt lending activities and customer engagement. She oversaw Fannie Mae’s transformation to a relationship-based, customer-centric sales organization and led the multifamily production team to double their production volume over a four-year period.

“I could not be more excited to join Berkadia, a client-first organization that provides holistic commercial real estate solutions through its integrated mortgage banking, investment sales and servicing platform,” said Ms. Provinse. “While at Fannie Mae, I saw Berkadia investing in its people and culture and focusing on innovation, process and technology to grow its mortgage banking footprint exponentially to better serve customers, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to build upon that success.”

Prior to her tenure at Fannie Mae, Ms. Provinse spent nearly a decade on Wall Street in investment banking and fixed income trading at Goldman Sachs and Bear Stearns. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

About Berkadia

Founded in 2009 as a 50/50 joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, Berkadia is a third-party commercial mortgage servicer, as well as an approved lender for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA.

The company is among the top Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae multifamily lenders. In 2016, Berkadia’s loan origination volume was $20 billion, ranking first with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, second with Freddie Mac and fourth with Fannie Mae in delivered loan volume—the only lender in the top four for all three organizations.

Berkadia owes its origins to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation, which was acquired in 2009 by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Five Mile Capital Partners LLC, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. Christened Capmark Financial, the company had $10 billion of originations in 2008 and a servicing portfolio of more than $360 billion before running into bankruptcy in October 2009.

In a deal approved by the bankruptcy court, Capmark sold its mortgage loan and servicing to the newly formed Berkadia in a deal worth $515 million.

The deal brought Berkshire into the heart of the commercial loan serving business, and the company has one of the largest commercial real estate servicing portfolios.

© 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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LiquidPower

LiquidPower Specialty Products Opens New Manufacturing Plant

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Berkshire Hathaway’s LiquidPower Specialty Products Inc. (LSPI), has opened a new drag reducing agent (DRA) manufacturing plant.

Berkshire Hathaway acquired the company in 2014, and it was previously known as ConocoPhilips Specialty Products.

The second facility, located within LSPI’s manufacturing complex in Bryan, Texas, doubles LSPI’s capacity and ensures that LSPI continues to meet growing global demand and maintain its global leadership position.

“With this significant expansion, LSPI is well-positioned to continue its strong history of growth, supply reliability and quality manufacturing. We are fortunate to have long-term commercial relationships with industry leaders and we are confident that our expanded capabilities will allow us to continue to meet the needs of our customers and remain the global leader in the DRA market,” said Mike Brown, CEO and President of LSPI.

LSPI’s two independent manufacturing facilities on the same complex offer production-supply reliability through redundancy and significant economies of scale. Each facility will maintain its own day-to-day operational staff, producing DRA from raw material to finished product. While quality control labs are located within each manufacturing plant, the same quality management team will oversee both facilities to ensure consistently high quality. Both manufacturing plants will also be managed under LSPI’s rigorous HSE programs. The new facility will be supported by our existing robust global supply chain network, providing supply flexibility and agility for delivery for our customers around the world.

LSPI specializes in maximizing the flow potential of hydrocarbon pipelines by increasing operational flexibility and throughput capacity while substantially increasing bottom-line profit for its customers. LSPI’s technology, developed in the 1970s, uses DRA to lower frictional energy loss by reducing turbulence in the pipeline. This technology allows pipeline operators to increase throughput and reduce energy costs while limiting capital investment.

Since inception, LSPI has continued to develop innovative solutions, working with customers in over 40 countries on 6 continents, and treating tens of millions of barrels of hydrocarbon liquids per day. LSPI has the most extensive DRA patent portfolio in the world with 57 granted US patents, numerous patents pending, as well as a significant international patent portfolio. LSPI’s portfolio of application-specific flow improvers offers reliable DRA performance and maximum profitability.

LSPI’s DRA offering is part of a comprehensive, full-service solution that encompasses industry-leading technology, quality manufacturing, experienced technical support and consulting, reliable supply chain, and injection equipment and field service. The new facility is one of many efforts undertaken by LSPI to ensure that our customers continue to receive best-in-class DRA service.

© 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 Specialty Insurance Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Adds to Marine Capabilities Coverage in Australia

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Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) has introduced a new Contractors Plant & Equipment (CP&E) Policy for customers in Australia.

“We are pleased to bring to market a considered solution for Contractors Plant & Equipment, backed by BHSI’s financial strength and responsive service,” said Dimitry Zilberud, Head of Marine, BHSI Australasia. “With this new policy, contractors can easily and efficiently address their property damage and liability exposures, including road risk, in a single policy. This new product is an excellent complement to our existing capabilities in Property, Construction, Mining and Casualty.”

BHSI’s CP&E policy wording combines the breadth of coverage required in today’s marketplace with the flexibility to respond to the specific needs of customers across a multitude of industries. Our new single package policy includes numerous coverages including;

• Material damage (with a range of automatic benefits)
• Hired in plant
• Financial protection for plant and interruption
• Road risk
• General liability
• Replacement value for plant (up to 36 months old) after total loss

Strong property and liability cover offers far-reaching coverage for a wide range of sectors, including earthmoving and excavation contractors, road works, builders/construction, plant hire companies, farming and agriculture.

© 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.

Categories
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD Electric Buses Rolling in Santiago, Chile

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The first two BYD 100% electric buses are operating in Santiago, Chile. With the debut of the buses, Santiago moves forward as one of the pioneers in the field of electromobility in Latin America, consolidating the new requirements included in Transantiago’s bidding basis.

The electric buses will be operated permanently by Metbus on route 516 and their routes will include the most important arteries of 8 districts of the city. According to the information available, the operational costs will be reduced by 70% compared to conventional diesel buses, reaching a value of 70 Chilean pesos per kilometer, against 300 Chilean pesos for diesel. The full charge of the vehicle has a cost of 19,500 Chilean pesos. BYD’s new energy vehicle footprint currently covers over 200 cities in 50 countries and regions.

Secretary of State, Paola Tapia, stated that “Electromobility is not the future; it is the present we are living today in the capital’s transportation system. We are moving forward in providing quality for users by incorporating the electric buses today, fulfilling the commitment to offer more comfort, greater service efficiency and care for the environment. In 2018 we will have another 90 of these buses circulating; making us electrified public transportation pioneers in Latin America. Our embrace of this technology prioritizes passengers, which forms the basis of the bidding process.” Additionally, Paola said that this strategy highlights the importance of electric vehicles, for their significant contribution to the reduction of pollutants and noise levels in areas of high exposure.”

The Minister of Environment, Jorge Canals, said that “the metropolitan region suffers increased pollution problems during winter, largely by emissions from mobile sources. Therefore, the incorporation of these electric buses comes as a cleaner alternative in urban transport. It is important to emphasize that a vehicle during traffic congestion contaminates 4 times more than one circulating normally.”

The Minister of Energy, Andrés Rebolledo, explained that “the entry of these first two electric buses are great news for a country like Chile, since the transport sector represents one third of the energy consumption, and it imports practically all the fuel used for transportation.”

The General Manager of E-Solutions of Enel Chile, Simone Tripepi, commented that “at Enel we want to be part of the solution of important issues such as the decontamination of cities. Therefore, we have strongly promoted electric mobility in Chile, based on clean energy and lower prices as compared to other fuels. We have the capacity to provide the necessary electrical infrastructure to facilitate the dissemination of electrified public transportation in Santiago and regions.”

Tamara Berríos, BYD’s Country Manager in Chile explained that “One single electric bus prevents the equivalent to the emissions and pollution from 33 gasoline vehicles. So far, BYD has supplied 27 thousand pure electric buses to over 200 cities worldwide, so we are confident that our experience and maturity in this sector will ensure we can successfully deliver a high quality service that will set a new standard of comfort for users and city dwellers in Chile.”

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 is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 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.