Categories
Acquisitions Marmon Group

Marmon Retail Solutions Acquires Two Companies

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Marmon Retail Solutions has acquired Big Red Rooster Flow and Project CSI, effective November 18, 2021. The acquisitions were just announced and the terms were not disclosed.

Together, BRRF and Project CSI are one of the largest providers of end-to-end program management and construction services to the retail fuel, retail drug and quick-serve restaurant channels. Their services include retail site surveys, site branding and remodeling, procurement of all necessary materials for project execution, and overall management of strategic brand programs.

Based in Northfield, Illinois, BRRF uses a proprietary software program that integrates with its customers’ systems to help retailers track programs and manage their brands. Based in Fishers, Indiana, Project CSI manages installation of interior and exterior branding and remodeling programs at retail sites throughout the U.S. using contracted crews. The company also provides ongoing audit services to ensure brand accuracy and overall program execution.

Rob Mead at BRRF and Chris Pratt at Project CSI will continue to lead their respective companies.

“We are excited to have BRRF and Project CSI join our group of companies,” said Jason MacGregor, Group President of Marmon Retail Solutions. “Both have earned outstanding reputations for providing innovative and dependable services. Together, they will significantly bolster the offerings of Marmon Retail Solutions and help us continue to grow in service to our valued customers.”

Marmon Retail Solutions provides retailers and brand marketers worldwide with comprehensive products and services for an array of retail environments. The group includes L.A. Darling, DCI Marketing, Trade Fixtures, Eden, Retail Space Solutions, Commercial Zone, Store Opening Solutions, Unarco Industries, Artform Creative, and Cannon Equipment.

Marmon Retail Solutions is part of Berkshire’s Marmon Holdings, Inc., which comprises 11 groups and more than 100 autonomous businesses with total annual revenue of $10 billion. Marmon’s 20,000-plus team members serve diverse industries and markets worldwide.

© 2022 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
Berkshire Hathaway Energy

MidAmerican Energy Announces “Wind PRIME” $3.9 Billion Renewable Energy Project

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s MidAmerican Energy is planning a $3.9 billion renewable energy project in Iowa, including wind and solar generation, and the exploration of new technologies to advance the company’s transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

In a filing with the Iowa Utilities Board, MidAmerican’s proposed project, called Wind PRIME, would add 2,042 megawatts of wind generation and 50 megawatts of solar generation.

The company also proposed conducting feasibility studies focused on other clean generation technologies, including carbon capture, energy storage and small modular nuclear reactors.

Wind PRIME will continue MidAmerican’s long history of supporting Iowa communities and advancing the state’s position as a leader in renewable energy. Since 2004, the company has invested approximately $14 billion in renewable energy projects across Iowa.

“Iowa is a renewable energy leader, thanks in large part to MidAmerican Energy’s proven track record of clean energy commitments and investments that are a true competitive advantage for our state,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said. “MidAmerican’s Wind PRIME is a commitment and investment on a whole new level, cementing Iowa’s clean energy leadership for many years to come. Beyond that, though, the company’s commitment to study and pursue emerging clean energy technologies will help Iowa meet the growing demand for a sustainable economy that manages our carbon footprint.”

Wind PRIME, MidAmerican’s 13th renewable energy generation development, is aptly named to both convey that now is the prime time to embark on this opportunity, and to reflect that although wind is an essential component, the project also includes solar energy generation and the examination of new clean energy technologies that will be an important part of the net-zero transition.

“As MidAmerican continues to progress toward delivering 100% renewable energy to our customers, we are also preparing to meet an important milestone of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Kelcey Brown, president and CEO of MidAmerican, said. “The Wind PRIME project will position us and our customers for a sustainable future, while ensuring we continue to deliver affordable and reliable energy.”

Wind PRIME would result in significant benefits for the environment and MidAmerican’s customers:

• Deliver 100% renewable energy to customers – In 2021, MidAmerican estimates that it delivered 88% renewable energy on an annual basis to customers across the state. When combined with MidAmerican’s other projects, the 2,092-megawatt Wind PRIME project would allow MidAmerican to provide renewable energy equal to its Iowa customers’ annual usage.

• Carbon reduction – While thermal generation will remain a necessary part of the portfolio to ensure reliability for customers, the completion of Wind PRIME, in conjunction with existing noncarbon resources, is projected to result in an overall reduction of CO2 by nearly 14 million metric tons, or approximately 75%, from 2005 levels.

• Striving to reach net zero – Wind PRIME also proposes the study of emerging technologies, including energy storage, carbon capture and small modular nuclear generation, that will help expand MidAmerican’s ability to meet its customers’ demand for renewable generation as well as lower-carbon and noncarbon generation.

MidAmerican estimates that the Wind PRIME project will create more than 1,100 full-time jobs during the construction phase and another 125 full-time positions for ongoing operations and maintenance.

In addition, Wind PRIME will provide an average of $24 million-plus per year in local property tax payments on wind turbines and solar facilities, as well as more than $21 million in annual landowner easement payments.

If approved, the company plans to complete construction in late 2024.

© 2022 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 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.

Categories
Acquisitions Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz Finalizes Acquisition of Just Spices

The Kraft Heinz Company has completed its acquisition of an 85% stake in Germany-based Just Spices GmbH.

The remaining 15% ownership stake has been retained by Just Spices’ three founders, who will continue on with the company and focus on driving the business and its international growth.

The proposed deal was first announced on Dec. 10, 2021.

Launched in 2014, Just Spices is an innovative start-up, trailblazing the high-growth taste elevation category with annual sales of approximately €60 million. Its 170-plus product portfolio includes spice blends, salad dressings, easy-to-prepare “In Minutes” blends, and organic offerings for diverse meal occasions ranging from breakfast and light snacks to salads and baking, with a broad range of savory, sweet, classic, and exotic flavors. Just Spices’ growing business sells approximately 70% of its ready-made and one-step spice blends directly to consumers, with its remaining sales through major grocery retailers both in-store and online in Germany, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland.

“In 2021, we announced four acquisitions to further accelerate our growth agenda and our ambition to be No. 1 in taste elevation around the world,” said Rafael Oliveira, EVP & President, International Markets at Kraft Heinz. “These include our acquisition of a majority stake in Just Spices, along with our intention to acquire a majority stake of the outstanding equity interests in Brazilian food company Hemmer, our investment in BR Spices in Brazil, and our acquisition of Assan Foods in Turkey. With Just Spices, we will leverage Kraft Heinz’s scale and agility to accelerate the business in the fast-growing taste elevation market beyond the company’s current German base and its recent market entries in Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. We also see tremendous potential to further strengthen and enhance Kraft Heinz’s own direct-to-consumer operations and go-to-market expansion.”

“We are extremely excited by the expansion opportunity that comes from combining Just Spices’ innovation and brand power with the Kraft Heinz team and the scale and knowledge of international markets they bring to the table,” said Florian Falk, Just Spices CEO and one of the company’s three founders.

© 2022 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
Lubrizol

Lubrizol Life Science Health Expands U.S. Medical Device Design Center

BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Lubrizol Life Science Health has completed a major expansion of its U.S. Medical Device Design Center in Corona, California, to enhance collaboration with customers across the full product lifecycle.

This significant investment adds a dedicated development cell with test lab and pilot lines, including an additional 2,600 square feet of ISO-7 cleanroom space. The expansion also includes additional square footage for future development and manufacturing cleanroom space. To promote collaboration, the expanded site now includes areas accessible to customers who are working with the Lubrizol design team.

The U.S. Medical Device Design Center team is led by Eric Mabry, Senior Manager of Device Design, who brings more than 35 years of experience in medical device design and engineering, including balloon development expertise, to the role. The device design team functions as an extension of customer research and development teams by providing innovative designs of catheters and delivery systems in structural heart, electrophysiology, cardiovascular, neurovascular, and peripheral vascular markets.

Strategically located in the heart of Southern California’s medical device industry, the 53,000 square-foot facility is equipped with test laboratories for device testing and benchmarking, prototyping and development, and cleanrooms for volume production.

The U.S. Medical Device Design Center’s capabilities include:

  • Precision extrusion
  • Braid- and coil-reinforced catheter designs
  • Catheter reflow and assembly
  • Catheter and delivery system handle design
  • Balloon design, bonding, pleating and folding
  • Catheter and device performance testing (including burst and leak testing)
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Laser welding, cutting, and drilling
  • Final device packaging

Lubrizol Life Science Health capabilities at the U.S. Medical Device Design Center are complemented by a similar integrated design and development center near Munich, Germany. The full device design team across the U.S. and Europe includes more than 35 engineers and technicians with a combined total of over 425 years of experience and more than 85 patents. There are 110 employees at the U.S. Medical Device Design Center across all phases of design and manufacturing.

© 2022 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.

Categories
Minority Stock Positions Stock Portfolio

BYD Wins Contract to Extract up to 80,000 Tons of Metallic Lithium in Chile

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway-backed BYD has been awarded a contract to extract up to 80,000 tons of metallic lithium in Chile.

Chile’s Ministry of Mining awarded BYD the contract to extract up to 80,000 tons of metallic lithium after the company won the contract with an offer of $61 million.

BYD is the second largest EV battery manufacturer in China.

“BYD always had a global and sustainable view of technological development, aiming to expand our business worldwide,” said Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and President of BYD North America. “Chile has become the best example of adaptation and vision for the future, demonstrating that its stability and commitment to innovation have positioned it as a leader in Latin America. BYD has been part of these processes, focusing on innovation and bringing to Chile the technology that will help build a sustainable ecosystem in the country. We started with electromobility, and today we will add value to lithium extraction and production.”

Tamara Berríos, Country Manager of BYD Chile, said Chile, one of the countries with the largest lithium resources globally, plans to meet the increased global demand for lithium. Chile’s lithium production will help future growth of clean transportation technology and fight climate change.

“We have promoted clean public transportation with electromobility for years and have introduced the first pure electric bus fleet with lithium batteries in Chile to achieve its zero-emission goals,” Berrios said. “We hope to contribute to the local lithium market with 27 years of experience in battery technology. Our R&D in the battery industry will strengthen Chile’s sustainable and innovative development, both for its national mining industry and the different communities in the country.”

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.

© 2022 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.

Categories
Lessons From Warren Buffett

Lessons From Warren Buffett: Look to Value, Not Headlines

The news is full of headlines. On any given day the Federal Reserve is taking an action (or indicating that it won’t take any), trade relations are going well or going badly, or the IMF is making a prediction on economic growth. So, does any of this plethora of news matter to Warren Buffett when he makes an investment decision? Not in the slightest. “There’s always going to be good and bad news out there,” Buffett notes.

“We look to value, and we don’t look to headlines at all,” Warren Buffett said at the 2012 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting. “If we find a business that we think we understand, and we like the price at which it’s being offered, we buy it. And it doesn’t make any difference what the headlines are. It doesn’t make any difference what the Federal Reserve is doing, and it doesn’t make any difference what is going on in Europe. We buy it.”

See Buffett’s full explanation

See the complete Lessons From Warren Buffett series

© 2022 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
Lubrizol

Lubrizol’s New Foresee Lab Anticipates Future Beauty Trends

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Lubrizol Life Science – Beauty (LLS Beauty) has created Foresee Lab, a program which combines science, future thinking and consumer and market insights to give brands a clear picture of the future of beauty. This allows clients to anticipate and benefit from new developments while giving their customers what they desire as soon as they want it.

In partnership with LLS Consumer and Market Insights team, Foresee Lab collects key market and consumer insights locally and globally to identify growth opportunities. For example, an online product review analysis tool uses AI to identify millions of consumer reviews across different beauty segments while agile video analysis captures consumer behavior for quick feedback on ideas and concepts.

Finally, Foresee Lab connects these trends and consumer insights with the LLS Beauty portfolio of active and functional ingredients and expert formulation capabilities. The results are new market concepts and product line opportunities for clients, as well as new formulations that enhance performance, deliver esthetic benefits, and provide a superior sensory experience for consumers.

LLS Beauty clients don’t need not worry about the future of the industry. With Foresee Lab, they can make decisions today to shape the future of beauty that they envision.

© 2022 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 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.

Categories
Acquisitions HomeServices of America

HomeServices of America Acquires 5 Companies

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathway’s HomeServices of America, Inc., the nation’s largest homeownership company, has announced that it closed 2021 with simultaneous acquisitions of five companies.

The acquisitions add 1,400 sales associates, 15,000 transactions, and nearly $8 billion in closed sales volume to HomeServices’ 2021 portfolio and strengthen its commitment to fulfilling a “customer-for-life” business model. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisitions included four brokerage companies and a moving company:

  • Bennion Deville Homes
  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alliance Real Estate and Alliance Title Group
  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida
  • Hegg Realtors®
  • Joe Moholland Moving

“Since HomeServices was founded in 1998, our growth strategy has focused on acquiring market-leading companies with strong brands and experienced leaders,” said Gino Blefari, CEO of HomeServices. “Our newest family members fit these exacting standards and we proudly welcome them to HomeServices today. Each company brings a sterling reputation and is led by proven leaders. who have built extraordinary organizations with their team of managers, sales associates, and employees. We look forward to working with each company and are committed to supporting their continued growth and success,” said Blefari.

The companies joining the HomeServices family are:

Bennion Deville Homes. Founded in 2001 by Bob Bennion and Bob Deville, Bennion Deville Homes is the top-ranking real estate brokerage based on units and sales volume in California’s Coachella Valley (Greater Palm Springs Area). Led by industry veterans Bob Deville, CEO, and Chris Anderson, General Manager, Bennion Deville Homes has experienced year-over-year market-share growth and is widely recognized for its collaborative culture, client-first approach, and top-producing agents. States Deville, “By joining HomeServices of America, we are ensuring the legacy of Bennion Deville Homes continues for generations to come. We are honored to join HomeServices and excited about bringing the strengths from each of our respective companies together to serve our clients and our agents. This allows us to build upon what makes Bennion Deville Homes unique in the industry in new and exciting ways.”

In 2021 Bennion Deville Homes closed nearly 4,400 transactions and $3.1 billion in sales volume.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alliance Real Estate and Alliance Title Group. Founded by Andrea Lawrence and led by President Kevin Goffstein and general manager Bob Bax, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alliance Real Estate and Alliance Title Group has provided quality, service, and state-of-the-art technology to the St. Louis area and surrounding communities for more than 40 years. “HomeServices of America is known for its strength and stability, and we are honored to become a part of their family,” said Kevin Goffstein, president of Alliance Real Estate. “By aligning ourselves with ReeceNichols and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kansas City Realty we now have access to greater resources and services which will be a tremendous benefit to all of our associates as they better serve the real estate needs of their clients.”

In 2021, Alliance Real Estate’s sales associates closed nearly 4,000 transactions and $1.3 billion in sales volume. The company will join HomeServices’ Kansas City-based brokerages — ReeceNichols and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kansas City Realty — in serving clients in Missouri.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida. Headquartered in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Beach Properties began in 2007 as a boutique real estate brokerage serving the towns and communities along northwest Florida’s scenic Gulf Coast. Under the leadership of broker and owner Hunter Harman, and owners, Price Ranier, John David Sullivan and Jimmy Burgess, who is assuming the role of CEO, Beach Properties of Florida has experienced exponential, organic growth and has tripled its number of sales associates since 2017. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with HomeServices of America and offer even greater opportunity and access for our agents and their clients to what we believe is the best real estate network in the country. This acquisition is much more than a transaction – it represents a new season of growth and prosperity for Beach Properties of Florida,” said Harman.

In 2021, the company’s agents closed more than 2,700 transactions and $2.1 billion in sales volume.

Hegg Realtors®. Founded in 1945, Hegg Realtors® is the largest real estate brokerage in South Dakota, and proudly serves the real estate needs of buyers and sellers throughout South Dakota. Under the leadership of Bill Hegg, its chairman, and Gregg Gohl, its chief executive officer, the company’s 200-plus agents closed nearly 4,000 transactions and $1.2 billion in sales volume. “We’re eager to leverage Edina Realty’s unbelievable resources to offer leading-edge technology, tools, security and support to our agents,” said Gregg Gohl, CEO. “And the opportunity to expand our network and business opportunities for our agents in a way that maintains our local brand and legacy is really exciting.” Hegg Realtors® will join the Edina Realty family of brands, significantly expanding Edina Realty’s footprint in the Midwest and making it HomeServices’ first wholly-owned brokerage located in South Dakota. It will operate as Hegg Realtors, an Edina Realty company.

Joe Moholland Moving. Founded in 1987, Joe Moholland Moving predominantly serves northern Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington D.C. area, and provides its customers with national and international relocation services. The company has strong hauling capacity, top-ranking customer satisfaction scores, and supports residential household goods moving for local, national, and international moves. Joe Moholland Moving will operate within Tailored Move, a Long & Foster company. “We are thrilled to join forces with Tailored Move and become part of the broader Long & Foster and HomeServices of America families,” said Rob Garr, president of Joe Moholland Moving. “The values and cultures of our two companies perfectly align: We both believe in delivering the highest level of customer service while removing any stress and worry from the moving process. Our partnership will allow us to expand our services across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and we are eager to get started.”

These new acquisitions exemplify HomeServices’ mission to growing its national footprint with distinguished real estate companies and establish it as the undisputed premier provider of homeownership services in the United States. After these acquisitions, HomeServices will have more nearly 46,000 sales associates operating in 33 states and the District of Columbia. For 2021, HomeServices sales associates facilitated nearly $203 billion in residential real estate sales, nearly 395,000 home sale transactions, and more than 253,000 mortgage, title and escrow and insurance transactions.

© 2022 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 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.

Categories
Acquisitions BNSF

BNSF Taking Over Montana Rail Link

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

BNSF Railway Company is taking over the route served by Montana Rail Link. MRL has had a lease on the track from BNSF since 1987.

Based in Missoula, Montana, Montana Rail Link (MRL) is a Class II regional railroad that operates over 900 route miles of track in Montana and Idaho and has nearly 1,200 employees.

MRL President Derek Ollmann announced the change in a memo to his employees where he detailed that BNSF will resume operation and maintenance of MRL, and will provide for the continued employment of all MRL employees.

“BNSF operating the line as part of their network will ensure competitive access to global markets while continuing to provide the consistent and reliable service for our customers,” Ollmann wrote in his letter to employees.

Ollmann noted that 90% of the volume on MRL was BNSF trains.

The transfer is subject to government approval.

© 2022 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
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Adds 11th Location in South Carolina

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, a global residential real estate brokerage franchise network, has added a franchise in the coastal Southeastern region with the addition of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coastal Real Estate.

This marks the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand’s continued growth with its 11th location in the state of South Carolina.

Jim Parker and John Jobson, real estate entrepreneurs, local influencers, and community differentiators, have taken the next step in their careers as broker-owners of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coastal Real Estate. “The relationship-driven approach and laser-like focus on quality service and industry ratings align perfectly with our culture,” said Jim. “Building memorable experiences that help make the comprehensive process of buying and selling real estate an invaluable journey worth celebrating.”

“Jim and John have a long history of making an impact on the lives of the people and families they work with, and their local philanthropic work is unmatched,” said Christy Budnick, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “We are thrilled to welcome them to our global network. This is wonderful news for us but more importantly, it’s even better news for the clients and customers they serve in eastern South Carolina.”

By joining the network, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Coastal Real Estate’s agents gain access to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ active referral and relocation networks, and its “FOREVER Cloud” technology suite, a powerful source for lead generation, marketing support, social media, video production/distribution and more.

The brand also provides an exclusive Luxury Collection marketing program for premier listings. Its Prestige Magazine showcases network members’ premium listings with a strong lineup of feature stories covering topics that appeal to high-end real estate clients.

Gino Blefari, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, also welcomed the company to the network, “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Jim and his extraordinary team of agents to our global network. We look forward to supporting them in their mission of continued growth and expansion.”

Jim’s commitment to the community began over 43 years ago when Jim was stationed at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base from 1978-1983. After leaving the USAF in 1983, he remained in the area, understanding the significance of being embedded in the community. John came to Myrtle Beach during the golf development boom in 1988 as a new golf course development project coordinator. Jim and John began their partnership in their commercial and land sales efforts in 1993. “Real estate has been at the center of our success, and our desire has always been to connect, promote and support local businesses, consumers, and heroes. The company plans to continue giving back to the community under the new brand,” Jim added.

© 2022 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 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.