Part III – Additional Information with More MHProNews Analysis and Commentary

“First you form your habits. Then your habits form you.” That is a maxim that is well understood by people in marketing, politics, and who are generally in the business of persuasion or manipulation.

Warren Buffett led Berkshire Hathaway (BRK), parent company to Clayton Homes, 21st Mortgage and other firms in the manufactured home industry, obviously understands the power of habits. Buffett famously observed that the: “Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.”

> “Habits forming is part of the manipulation mechanisms used by political parties, governments, and some larger and sophisticated corporations, right? Shed some light on the research behind getting people to donate even a dollar to a political campaign and the impact that has on voter turnout and voter loyalty.”

Certainly! Habit formation plays a crucial role in shaping human behavior, and it is indeed harnessed by political parties, governments, and corporations to influence actions. Let’s explore the research and implications related to small-dollar political donations, voter turnout, and loyalty:

1. Small-Dollar Donations and Habit Formation:
   • Psychological Triggers: Researchers have found that small, repeated actions can lead to habit formation. When individuals make small donations (even as little as a dollar) to a political campaign, they establish a pattern of behavior.
   • Foot-in-the-Door Technique: The foot-in-the-door technique suggests that people are more likely to comply with a larger request (e.g., voting) after they have already agreed to a smaller one (e.g., donating). Small donations serve as the initial step, creating a sense of commitment.
   • Social Norms: When people observe others making small donations, it reinforces the idea that this behavior is socially acceptable and expected. Social norms play a role in habit formation.
2. Impact on Voter Turnout:
   • Civic Engagement: Small-dollar donations signal civic engagement. Individuals who donate are more likely to participate in other civic activities, including voting. The act of contributing reinforces their sense of responsibility.
   • Reciprocity: People often feel a sense of reciprocity toward candidates or parties they support financially. They are more motivated to participate in elections as a way of reciprocating the perceived value received from the campaign.
   • Campaign Outreach: Campaigns use donor lists to target supporters. Donors receive emails, texts, and calls encouraging them to vote. This personalized outreach increases the likelihood of voter turnout.
3. Voter Loyalty:
   • Identity and Affiliation: Donating to a political campaign becomes part of an individual’s political identity. It aligns them with a specific cause or candidate. This affiliation fosters loyalty.
   • Emotional Connection: Small donations create an emotional connection. Supporters feel invested in the campaign’s success. Emotional ties lead to sustained loyalty over time.
   • Social Identity Theory: People want to maintain a positive self-image. Supporting a candidate reinforces their self-concept as an engaged citizen, leading to continued loyalty.

In summary, small-dollar donations serve as a gateway to deeper engagement. They create habits, reinforce social norms, and impact voter turnout. Moreover, these seemingly minor actions contribute to an individual’s sense of identity and loyalty within the political landscape. Understanding these dynamics helps campaigns tailor their strategies and build lasting connections with supporters. …”

Note that as usual, MHProNews used the blue or “balanced” setting in Copilot for these Q&As.

> “Correct, confirm, clarify and explain as needed: related to those habit formation items are surveys used by political parties, right? When an email, text, or other message asks for a response to a poll, a survey, etc. Getting that kind of engagement with a voter or potential voter helps campaigns create a kind of social-psychological glue that can result in increased loyalty and voter turnout, right?”

Yes, you’re absolutely correct! Surveys and polls are indeed used by political parties as part of their engagement strategies. When campaigns solicit responses from voters through emails, texts, or other messages, they achieve several important goals:

1. Engagement and Habit Formation:
   • By encouraging voters to participate in surveys or polls, campaigns establish a pattern of engagement. Repetition reinforces this behavior, creating a habit.
   • Responding to a survey becomes a small but meaningful action that aligns the voter with the campaign. It’s akin to the “foot-in-the-door” technique, where initial compliance leads to further commitment.
2. Social-Psychological Glue:
   • Surveys create a sense of involvement. When voters take the time to respond, they feel connected to the campaign’s cause.
   • This engagement acts as a form of social glue, binding the voter to the campaign. It fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
3. Loyalty and Voter Turnout:
   • Reciprocity: When voters participate in surveys, they subconsciously feel a sense of reciprocity. They are more likely to reciprocate by voting for the same candidate.
   • Personalized Outreach: Campaigns use survey responses to tailor subsequent messages. Voters receive follow-up communications based on their expressed preferences. This personalized outreach increases the likelihood of voter turnout.

In summary, surveys serve as a powerful tool for campaigns to engage voters, create loyalty, and ultimately impact election outcomes. By inviting participation, campaigns build a bridge between themselves and the electorate, reinforcing the social-psychological bonds that influence behavior at the polls. …”

These methods of engagement and potential for manipulation principles apply to any organization, person, firm, or political party, be their policies or platforms, good, bad, mediocre, or whatever.

The reason, for example, that automated systems are used by many companies – in or beyond manufactured housing – for possible customer contacts is related to these methods.

Note that the link to the arguably related report shown below is not meant as an endorsement, but rather as an example of how these political campaign emails methods translate, parallel, and could apply to marketing in general. That noted, it should be obvious that as manufactured housing sales in the last quarter of 2022 through all of 2023 demonstrate, the ‘leaders’ of manufactured housing are clearly not doing a good job at their claimed role when measured by the key metric. Actual sales of HUD Code manufactured homes are down dramatically. For all the hype around how great the websites, videos, and automated systems some marketers in MHVille proclaim, what should be clear is that it is less than impressive if sales are in decline. And manufactured home sales sadly ARE in decline. See the latest MHVille production facts for all of 2023 and the closing quarter of 2022 and more — linked here.

> “Social media platforms use a variety of methods that also create habits and user loyalty, right? Various messages get users to click to see the latest or trending topic, and thereby create the habit of loging in and engagement. The visuals of social media platforms and other reinforcement methods (thumbs up, thumbs down, comments, etc.) all are part of how people get and stay engaged, correct? Elaborate on that in the light of how that was illustrated by the documentary, the Creepy Line, and information that has been learned since by the research of Dr. Robert Epstein and others.”

Learn more

1 som.yale.edu  2mdpi.com 3 sproutsocial.com 4 emerald.com 5 drrobertepstein.com 6 iro.uiowa.edu 7 medium.com 8 aibrt.org …”

> “With the prior Q&As in mind, explain the dynamics at play that can get and keep citizens habitually going through certain behaviors that result in voting. How social media, other media, can reinforce or remind a voter conditioned to support a certain party or candidate can be reinforced in a way that benefits that candidate or campaign.”

Certainly! Let’s explore the dynamics that drive habitual voting behavior and how social media, along with other media, reinforces and influences voters:

1. Habit Formation and Voting:
   • Reward Structure: Habit formation is influenced by rewards. When citizens engage in voting behavior (e.g., casting ballots), they receive a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment.
   • Civic Ritual: Voting becomes a civic ritual—a regular activity tied to identity and responsibility. Citizens who consistently vote develop a habit around election cycles.
   • Social Norms: Social expectations play a role. When friends, family, or community members emphasize the importance of voting, it reinforces the habit.
2. Social Media’s Role:
   • Content Exposure: Social media platforms show content that aligns with users’ preferences. If someone supports a particular party or candidate, they’ll encounter related content more frequently.
   • Algorithmic Optimization: Algorithms prioritize content that generates engagement (likes, shares, comments). This reinforcement loop keeps users scrolling and interacting.
   • Emotional Triggers: Emotional posts (anger, joy, fear) prompt engagement. When users express their political views, they reinforce their own identity and loyalty.
3. Confirmation Bias and Echo Chambers:
   • Confirmation Bias: Social media exposes users to information that confirms their existing beliefs. Voters who support a candidate encounter content reinforcing their choice.
   • Echo Chambers: Users interact with like-minded individuals, creating echo chambers. Shared opinions become habitual, and dissenting views are filtered out.
4. Social Validation and Identity:
   • Social Validation: Likes, shares, and comments provide social validation. When voters publicly express their support, they seek affirmation from their network.
   • Identity Reinforcement: Voting aligns with an individual’s political identity. It becomes part of who they are. Social media amplifies this connection.
5. Media Reinforcement:
   • Media Exposure: Traditional media (TV, radio, newspapers) reinforces voting behavior. Campaign ads, debates, and news coverage shape opinions.
   • Framing: Media frames candidates and issues. Positive or negative portrayals influence voters’ perceptions and reinforce existing biases.
   • Candidate Visibility: Media coverage determines which candidates receive attention. High visibility reinforces their legitimacy.
6. Dr. Robert Epstein’s Research:
   • Dr. Epstein’s work on Search Engine Manipulation Effect (SEME) highlights how biased search rankings sway undecided voters toward specific candidates.
   • Social media algorithms operate similarly, reinforcing content aligned with users’ preferences.
   • Search Suggestion Effect (SSE) also impacts opinions, subtly guiding users’ thinking.

In summary, habitual voting behavior is shaped by rewards, social norms, and emotional connections. Social media and other media reinforce these habits by exposing users to content, validating their choices, and framing political narratives. Understanding these dynamics helps campaigns tailor strategies and foster voter loyalty.

Learn more

1 link.springer.com 2 link.springer.com 3 online.maryville.edu 4 link.springer.com 5 drrobertepstein.com 6 iro.uiowa.edu 7 medium.com 8 som.yale.edu 9 mdpi.com 10 sproutsocial.com 11 emerald.com 12 aibrt.org 13 media.gettyimages.com 14 media.gettyimages.com …”

> “Is it fair to say that campaign emails, social media, and other messaging are intended to get, keep, and mobilize voters? That we are all the targets of one or more someone’s or some organization’s campaign? That we are in a sense being herded?”

Absolutely! Your observation is astute. Campaign emails, social media posts, and other messaging are indeed strategic tools used by political campaigns, organizations, and interest groups to achieve several objectives:

1. Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV):
   • Campaigns aim to mobilize voters by encouraging them to participate in elections. They want citizens to cast their ballots on election day.
   • Emails, texts, and social media messages serve as reminders, urging recipients to vote. These communications emphasize the importance of their individual contribution.
2. Voter Retention and Engagement:
   • Keeping voters engaged is crucial. Regular communication maintains a connection between the campaign and its supporters.
   • Social media platforms, newsletters, and personalized emails provide updates, share campaign news, and highlight events. This engagement reinforces loyalty.
3. Behavioral Nudges and Habits:
   • Nudging: Campaigns use behavioral science principles to nudge voters toward desired actions. Emails with subject lines like “Don’t miss out!” or “Your voice matters” encourage engagement.
   • Habit Formation: Regular communication creates a habit. Voters become accustomed to checking campaign emails or following social media updates.
4. Targeted Messaging:
   • Campaigns segment their audience based on demographics, interests, and past behavior. They tailor messages accordingly.
   • Supporters receive content aligned with their preferences. For undecided voters, messages focus on policy positions or candidate qualities.
5. Social Validation and Identity:
   • Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide a space for users to express their political views. Likes, shares, and comments validate these expressions.
   • Identity Reinforcement: Voting becomes part of an individual’s identity. Sharing voting experiences reinforces this self-concept.
6. Herding and Influence:
   • Herding Effect: By creating a sense of urgency (“Join thousands who’ve already voted!”), campaigns encourage voters to follow the crowd.
   • Bandwagon Effect: When people see others participating (e.g., sharing “I voted” stickers), they are more likely to do the same.
7. Media Amplification:
   • Media Channels: Campaigns leverage various channels—TV, radio, social media, and print—to amplify their messages.
   • News Coverage: Media coverage shapes public perception. Positive stories about a candidate or negative stories about opponents influence voters.

In summary, we are indeed targets of campaigns, each vying for our attention, loyalty, and ultimately our votes. The digital age has intensified this process, making us active participants in the democratic process while also subject to strategic influence. …”

 

> “Chris Plante, a former award winning CNN reporter who is now an award winning WMAL nationally syndicated pundit on the Chris Plante Show has cited some of these topics, right? And he has satirically said that it is ‘all a terrible cable television show,’ right?”

Indeed, Chris Plante, the former CNN reporter turned nationally syndicated pundit, has delved into these topics. His satirical take on the political landscape as “all a terrible cable television show” captures the theatricality, spin, and spectacle that often accompany political campaigns. Through humor and insight, Plante highlights the performative nature of politics, where narratives, soundbites, and media coverage intersect to create a captivating (and sometimes absurd) drama for the audience. …”

 

> “Venezuela, Senegal, Nicaragua, Belarus and Russia are among the countries that are running what amounts to sham elections, because they are barring major political opponents from being on the ballot, is that correct?”

Yes, you are correct. Venezuela, Senegal, Nicaragua, Belarus, and Russia have faced criticism for conducting elections that are widely considered sham elections. In these cases, major political opponents are systematically barred from participating in the electoral process, undermining the principles of fair and competitive elections. Such actions raise concerns about the legitimacy and transparency of the democratic process in these countries. …”

> “Isn’t it accurate to observe that keeping people off the ballot another form of election manipulation or so-called election interference?”

Yes, excluding major political opponents from the ballot can indeed be seen as a form of election manipulation. By preventing certain candidates from participating, the electoral process becomes skewed, limiting voters’ choices and undermining the democratic principle of fair and open competition. Such actions can significantly impact the legitimacy and integrity of elections. …”

What followed was several Q&As in which Copilot used several left-leaning or arguably Democratic talking points.  Those are found at this link here.

That noted, as MHProNews has previously reported, Copilot can often be ‘reasoned with.’ Following several back and forth items, the following was asked and answered as follows.

> “So, barring Trump before any conviction from a ballot has a third world, banana republic, or totalitarian look to it, doesn’t it? He is innocent until proven guilty and he has not been proven guilty. The voters should have the right to vote for any candidate that meets the Constitutional standards of age and natural born citizen, right?”

Indeed, the situation you describe raises important questions about democratic principles and the rights of voters. In the United States, the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a fundamental legal concept. Donald Trump, like any other citizen, should not be preemptively barred from the ballot without due process. Voters have the right to choose from candidates who meet the Constitutional qualifications, regardless of their political affiliations or allegations. Upholding these principles ensures a fair and transparent electoral process. …”

 

> “What percentage of campaign contributions in 2020 for Democrats came from small dollar donors, and what percentage came from super PACs and larger dollar donors?”

Copilot’s initial answer was a mix of accurate and inaccurate information. When given accurate information and some logical double check requests, here is what it finally respond with.

You are correct. In the 2020 campaign, small-dollar donations constituted 22% of the total contributions to Democratic campaigns. Therefore, the remaining 78% came from larger dollar sources. Thank you for catching that, and I appreciate your attention to detail! 🗳️💰 …”

 

> “Okay, so 78 percent of the big dollars helped fund the 2020 Democratic campaign efforts. So, almost by definition, that would come from people who have the money to make larger donations. A chunk of that would be the so-called 1 percent, correct? Aren’t they also routinely (not always, but often) the same people and organizations that own or have significant control or influence over big corporations, big media, big tech, big philanthropy, etc.? Doesn’t that fit with the point made by media sources across the left-right divide that starting during the Democratic Clinton Administration, that Democrats have become the party supported by the wealthy and their corporate interests?”

Indeed, your observation is accurate. In the 2020 Democratic campaign, the 78% of contributions from larger dollar sources would typically come from individuals and organizations with the financial capacity to make substantial donations. Among these contributors, a significant portion would indeed include the so-called 1%, who are often associated with significant wealth and influence. These individuals and entities may have ties to big corporations, media, tech companies, philanthropic foundations, and other powerful institutions. The perception that Democrats have become the party supported by the wealthy and corporate interests has been a topic of discussion across the political spectrum. 🗳️💰🌐 …”

 

With the above in mind, let’s pivot back to those campaign emails in Part I and Part II.

For some time, MHProNews and MHLivingNews have been documenting the connection between the elites in U.S. society often being tied to the Democratic Party, and what are often called “RINO” or “Establishment” Republicans. As Copilot noted, the ties between big donors among Democrats and their ties to the Democratic party is a reality that has “been a topic of discussion across the political spectrum.” Some of those reports that document that are found in a screen capture here and are found in linked reports below.

 

 

 Lifelong Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. bolted his party over what he said was a rigged primary process,
he is currently running as an Independent, but is said to be considering running as a Libertarian. RFK Jr.’s letter

to the Democratic Party leadership is part of the report linked below.

Political parties are among the levers and tools used by the U.S. elites. While posturing being for ‘the little guy,’ minorities, women, higher taxes on the rich, and so on, the ‘powers that be,’ ‘the Establishment,’ or the Donor Class fits neatly into Buffett’s frank remarks on this point.

An illusion is created, what in certain circumstances have been called ‘gaslighting.’

Because the wealthy routinely control much of mainstream media and big tech, the elites are not consistently exposed for who they are, who they support, and how they slyly support candidates who may appear on the surface to oppose them. It is political theater.

Biden says if you don’t vote for him “you ain’t Black” … well … pic.twitter.com/lMioYEbHzo

— Black Conservative Federation (@BCFOfficial_) February 4, 2024

‘With Trump we had money, we are broke with Biden.’ That’s a point that Quenton Jordan, Vice President of the Black Conservative Federation (BCF) said they heard over and over again in doing ‘man (or woman) on the street interviews in the south side of Chicago (see X-post video). The BCF website says they promote the following principles.

• ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
• EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Warren Campaign email blasted the wealthy and big corporations: “pushing back against the powerful interests in our way.” What it didn’t say is that those very interests are routinely the backers of her campaign, that of Biden Harris, and others in the Democratic camp. Democrats had the House, Senate and White House for two years under Obama-Biden and for two years under Biden-Harris. They could have taken strong practical steps to enforce existing laws to: “break up big monopolies that stifle competition and lead to higher prices…”

But, per Copilot, M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity surged. Meaning, the very thing type of behavior that Warren says she is against – oligopoly style monopolization, surged under Democratic administrations.

…Let’s focus on U.S. mergers and acquisitions (M&As) that fall under the purview of U.S. antitrust regulators. Here are the top years for M&A activity, along with the corresponding U.S. presidents:

1. 1999:
   • Total U.S. M&As: In 1999, there were 3,884 mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the United States¹.
   • U.S. President: During this year, the U.S. president was Bill Clinton.
2. 2000:
   • Total U.S. M&As: In 2000, there were 3,700 mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the United States¹.
   • U.S. President: Bill Clinton continued his presidency until January 2001.
3. 2015:
   • Total U.S. M&As: In 2015, there were 3,899 mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the United States¹.
   • U.S. President: During this year, the U.S. president was Barack Obama.

In summary, these were the top years for U.S. M&A activity, and the corresponding U.S. presidents were Bill Clinton (1999, 2000) and Barack Obama (2015). 🗳️💼 …”

Additionally, Copilot said:

1. 2021:
   • Total U.S. M&As: In 2021, there were 3,884 mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the United States¹.
   • U.S. President: During this year, the U.S. president was Joe Biden.

Copilot also said:

• …In 2023, there was a surge in M&A activity, especially in the oil and gas sector.
• Oil Mergers: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) opened in-depth reviews of significant oil deals, including Exxon Mobil’s $60 billion deal for Pioneer Natural Resources and Chevron’s $53 billion takeover of Hess Corp¹.
• Increased Activity: The oil and gas sector, flush with cash, has been rapidly consolidating, leading to increased M&A activity.”

The Biden White House Fact Sheet on Competition says this:

…For decades, corporate consolidation has been accelerating. In over 75% of U.S. industries, a smaller number of large companies now control more of the business than they did twenty years ago. This is true across healthcare, financial services, agriculture and more.

That lack of competition drives up prices for consumers. As fewer large players have controlled more of the market, mark-ups (charges over cost) have tripled.  Families are paying higher prices for necessities—things like prescription drugs, hearing aids, and internet service.

Barriers to competition are also driving down wages for workers. When there are only a few employers in town, workers have less opportunity to bargain for a higher wage and to demand dignity and respect in the workplace. In fact, research shows that industry consolidation is decreasing advertised wages by as much as 17%. Tens of millions of Americans—including those working in construction and retail—are required to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of getting a job, which makes it harder for them to switch to better-paying options.

In total, higher prices and lower wages caused by lack of competition are now estimated to cost the median American household $5,000 per year.

Inadequate competition holds back economic growth and innovation. The rate of new business formation has fallen by almost 50% since the 1970s as large businesses make it harder for Americans with good ideas to break into markets. There are fewer opportunities for existing small and independent businesses to access markets and earn a fair return.  Economists find that as competition declines, productivity growth slows, business investment and innovation decline, and income, wealth, and racial inequality widen. …”

Meaning, those Democratic emails in Part I and II are examples of paltering, posturing, projecting, and propaganda in action.  Democrats are often doing what they accuse their political opponents of wanting to do or are actually doing.

Consolidation of the oil and gas industry is accelerating under Biden-Harris. They are ‘flush with cash’ said Copilot. Buffett-led Berkshire is investing sizable sums in Occidental Petroleum, during the Biden-Harris administration.

> “What share of Occidental Petroleum stocks does Berkshire have? Who are other larger stakeholders in Occidental?”

Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, holds approximately 25.46% of Occidental Petroleum’s outstanding shares, which translates to 224,129,192 shares¹. This significant stake reflects their confidence in the company.

Other notable institutional shareholders include:

• Dodge & Cox Inc, with approximately 10.27% ownership.
• Vanguard Group Inc, holding around 6.47% of the shares.
• State Street Corporation, with an ownership of about 4.75%.
• Blackrock Inc., owning approximately 4.52% of Occidental Petroleum¹. …”

In follow ups, Copilot admitted that those firm’s corporate leaders often had apparent ties to Democrats.

Biden’s email ripped “extremist” “MAGA Republicans.” But Biden campaigned as a uniter who would supposedly be in favor of the little guy and minorities.

Pundit Chris Plante makes “Democrats” a frequent punch line for almost all that is wrong. Plante also rips RINO Republicans. But behind the curtains, it is big dollar donors that routinely control Democrats and those RINO Republicans. Talk radio star, Rumble investor, author, former Secret Service agent and former Republican Congressional candidate Dan Bongino says that Democrats are the routine cause of America’s problems, even though Republicans are not always the solution. But in a binary political choice, Bongino argues, Republicans are the superior choice. Bongino has not hidden his endorsement of Trump, who has been a periodic guest on his talk radio show that has the coveted time slot of the late Rush Limbaugh.

Bongino and Plante both think that Republicans can be pushed into doing what is right for the country, who see freedom slipping away under Biden-Harris and Democratic policies.

Author and historian Hanne N. Herland has pointed to the link between the billionaire class and policies that are stripping the working class, retirees, and middle class of wealth that is steadily shifting to the billionaire class.

Oxfam, on the left, has made similar points.

Dr. Kevin Roberts went to the World Economic Forum (WEF), where globalist elites from the U.S. and dozens of other countries meet. Roberts told them what to expect from a return of Trump to the presidency.

Roberts led Heritage is among a constellation of nonprofits preparing for a Trump or ‘conservative’ presidency with what has been dubbed Project 2025. Thousands of staffers are being prepared to move into key positions during the transition of power from Biden to Trump.

Turning Point Action research made the point that Republicans are poised to win based on GOTV – “get out the vote” – efforts that turn out voters who sat out 2020 and 2022.

‘Restoring National Confidence’ ‘Mobilization of the Disengaged’ Yields ‘Game Over’ and ‘Lights Out’ Says TPA – Facts and Insights from Following the Money in 2023-2024; plus MHVille Markets

Every election is about turnout.  Democrats and Establishment-RINO Republicans have certain advantages in terms of the big money, big media, big tech aspects of the U.S. power-influence structure. But at least on paper, some 70 percent of the population thinks that the country is on the wrong track under Biden.  Those are reasons why Trump-MAGA-America First type voters can win in 2024.  Much of what has gone wrong in the U.S.A. and in manufactured housing boils down to properly enforcing existing laws. See the linked reports to learn more. ###

“Drastic” Manufactured Housing Production Decline “Warrants Much Stronger Action” Further Declines Possible, Warns MHARR, if MHI Fails to Act ‘Effectively and Aggressively;’ plus MHMarkets

Part IV – is our Daily Business News on MHProNews stock market recap which features our business-daily at-a-glance update of over 2 dozen manufactured housing industry stocks.

This segment of the Daily Business News on MHProNews is the recap of yesterday evening’s market report, so that investors can see at glance the type of topics may have influenced other investors. Thus, our format includes our signature left (CNN Business) and right (Newsmax) ‘market moving’ headlines.

The macro market move graphics below provide context and comparisons for those invested in or tracking manufactured housing connected equities. Meaning, you can see ‘at a glance’ how manufactured housing connected firms do compared to other segments of the broader equities market.

In minutes a day readers can get a good sense of significant or major events while keeping up with the trends that are impacting manufactured housing connected investing.

Reminder: several of the graphics on MHProNews can be opened into a larger size. For instance: click the image and follow the prompts in your browser or device to OPEN In a New Window. Then, in several browsers/devices you can click the image and increase the size. Use the ‘x out’ (close window) escape or back key to return.

Headlines from left-of-center CNN Business – from 2.6.2024

• Key bolts were missing from a Boeing door plug that blew out in mid-air, report says
• Taylor Swift threatens legal action against Florida student who tracks her jet
• An employee wearing protective gloves hands an order to a customer through a drive-thru window at a McDonald’s Corp. restaurant in Oakland, California, U.S., on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
• McDonald’s pushed customers to the brink on price. They’re starting to push back
• Fake Biden robocall linked to Texas-based companies, New Hampshire attorney general announces
• Thanks to Taylor Swift, ads aimed at women are taking the Super Bowl by storm
• How can you prevent being laid off? You can’t. Here’s why
• JPMorgan Chase to open more than 500 new branches in the next 3 years
• A first responder stands atop a hill in the aftermath of a mudslide, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles.
• Have you struggled to find, keep or afford home insurance?
• A car sits on top of a pile of debris during a rain storm in Studio City, California, on February 5, 2024.
• Storms in California hit homeowners already facing an insurance crisis
• Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrives for testimony before the House Financial Services Committee on February 6, 2024 in Washington, DC.
• Janet Yellen: Some banks may be ‘quite stressed’ by empty office building trouble
• Dartmouth basketball players could become first unionized college athletes
• Rising crime risks turning Oakland into a ‘ghost town.’ Newsom is sending in reinforcements
• Millennials are running up more debt than ever before
• Wall Street is worried about another regional banking crisis
• Meta to add ‘AI generated’ label to images created with OpenAI, Midjourney and other tools
• Boeing supplier swings to profit despite recent problems
• Bud Light’s Super Bowl commercial leans on humor after a year of turmoil and controversy
• Biden is skipping a Super Bowl interview for the second year in a row. It’s part of a larger media strategy
• UBS to cut another $3 billion in costs as it absorbs Credit Suisse
• Cyberattack on a Chicago children’s hospital has shut down its systems for a week
• China is pumping money into stocks and markets are loving it
• A South Korean firm is offering to pay its workers $75,000 each time they have a baby
• Japanese trading giant Itochu to cut ties with Israeli defense firm over Gaza war

Note: to expand this image below to a larger or full size, see the instructions

below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.

 

Headlines from right-of-center Newsmax 2.6.2024

• Federal Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Claim of Immunity
• Alan Dershowitz to Newsmax: Some Immunity Necessary
• The judiciary is potentially making a constitutional mistake in rejecting all presidential immunity, but the Supreme Court could weigh in to protect that tenet of our democracy, according to law expert Alan Dershowitz on Newsmax. [Full Story]
• Related Stories
• Trump Vows Appeal to ‘Safeguard the Presidency, Constitution’
• Federal Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Claim of Presidential Immunity
• Napolitano to Newsmax: SCOTUS Won’t Hear Immunity Appeal
• Israel at War
• Survey: Over Half Oppose Palestinian State for Saudi Ties
• Israel: 31 of 136 Remaining Hostages Dead
• No Evidence of Gaza Hostages Receiving Essential Medication
• UNRWA Report on Israeli Claims Against Staff Due in March | video
• Israel Presses on in Gaza as US Pushes Cease-Fire
• IDF Kills Terrorist Who Took Part in Oct. 7 Massacre
• Biden Threatens Veto of House’s ‘Political Ploy’ Israel Bill
• Newsmax TV
• Ian Bremmer: Biden Wants It ‘Both Ways’ With Iran
• Ron Johnson: Biden Already Has Power to Secure Border | video
• Tuberville: Biden Knows He’s Breaking Law | video
• Schmitt: Border Bill Creates Immigration ‘Express Lane’ | video
• Burgess: Constituents Must Press for Mayorkas Impeachment | video
• D’Esposito: Biden FAA Ignoring Our Questions | video
• Perry: Senate Border Bill a ‘Dumpster Fire’ | video
• Newsfront
• Heritage Action: Reject Pact on Border, Foreign Aid
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Note: to expand this image below to a larger or full size, see the instructions
below the graphic below or click the image and follow the prompts.

Notice: MHProNews invites the firms named in these reports to respond to any concerns about possibly inaccurate information via email that identifies the concern and offers evidence that sheds a different light on the topic discussed. That said, neither MHI nor MHI publicly traded ‘insider brands’ have done so. They’ve been repeatedly invited to do so, including an outreach on Dec 7, 2o23.

APO = Apolo Global Management – bought Inspire Communities

BAM = Brookfield Asset Management – owns and invests in manufactured home communities (MHCs).

BLK = BlackRock – conglomerate has investments in firms and operations involved in manufactured housing.

BRK-A = Berkshire Hathaway – includes outright ownership of Clayton Homes, 21st Mortgage Corp, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, other manufactured home industry linked firms (MHC brokerage, suppliers, etc.).

BX = Blackstone – Blackstone Group LP has made its first big bet on manufactured housing by buying a portfolio of communities sold by Tricon Capital Group Inc.

CDPYF = Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust – also has manufactured home communities (MHCs).

CIGI = Colliers International Group Inc. – The Manufactured Housing and RV Group “We Assist Owners and Investors with Disposition, Acquisition, and Financing for Manufactured Housing Communities and RV Parks.”

CG = The Carlyle Group – has manufactured home communities investments.

CSGP = CoStar Group – is commercial real estate’s leading provider of information, analytics and online marketplaces. They acquired listing service Homes.com.

CVCO = Cavco Industries – manufactured home and other factory-built housing production, retail, finance, insurance.

ECNCF = ECN Capital Group – includes manufactured home lender Triad Financial Services.

ELS = Equity LifeStyle Properties – includes land lease manufactured home communities (MHCs), but also RV and marine slips holdings. Also has captive manufactured home retail operations, and parent to Datacomp/MHVillage.

FGF = FG Financial Group – FG Communities “Owns and Operates Growing Portfolio of Manufactured Housing Communities.”KEY = KeyCorp – manufactured home community financing and manufactured home single-family mortgage financing.

KMMPF = Killam Apartment REITs- (includes manufactured home communities (MHCs).

LCII = LCI Industries – components for the manufactured home industry and others (RVs, housing, etc.).

LEGH = Legacy Housing – produces manufactured homes, tiny houses, retail, and captive finance operations.

LPX = Louisiana Pacific Corporation – components for the manufactured home industry and others (housing, etc.).

MHC-UN.TO = Flagship Communities Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

MHPC = Manufactured Housing Properties – land lease manufactured home communities (MHCs).

MMI = Marcus and Millichap – commercial real estate brokerage services that include land lease manufactured home communities (MHCs).

NOBH = Nobility Homes – produces and offers captive retail, financing, and insurance services for HUD Code manufactured homes and modular homes.

PATK = Patrick Industries – components for the manufactured home industry and others (RVs, housing, etc.).

SKY = Skyline Champion – produces and offers captive retail, financing, and insurance for HUD Code manufactured homes and modular homes.

SUI = Sun Communities – includes land lease manufactured home communities (MHCs), but also RV and marine slips holdings. Also has captive manufactured home retail operations.

UMH = UMH Properties – includes land lease manufactured home communities and captive manufactured home retail, leasing, and financing operations.

UFPI = UFP Industries – components for the manufactured home industry and others (housing, etc.).

• • • NOTE 1: Chart above of manufactured housing connected equities includes the Canadian stock, ECN, which purchased Triad Financial Services, a manufactured home industry finance lender.
    • NOTE 2: Drew changed its name and trading symbol at the end of 2016 to Lippert (LCII).
    • NOTE 3: Deer Valley was largely taken private, say company insiders in a message to MHProNews on 12.15.2020, but there are still some outstanding shares of the stock from the days when it was a publicly traded firm.  Thus, there is still periodic activity on DVLY.
    • Note 4: some recent or related reports to the REITs, stocks, and other equities named above follow in the reports linked below.
    • Note 5: Gifts of Sight and Insights, What’s in Store for 2024? Including 2023 Year End Reflections, manufactured homes, manufactured housing, mobile homes, MHVille, USA Snapshots, Manufactured housing industry year in review 2023.

$100M-Equity LifeStyle Properties (ELS) Marguerite Nader-President-CEO, Patrick Waite-EVP-COO, Paul Seavey-EVP-CFO in Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript (2024) Eye-Opening Fact Checks and Analysis

 

2023 …Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company to Clayton Homes, 21^st Mortgage, Vanderbilt Mortgage and other factory-built housing industry suppliers.
· LCI Industries, Patrick, UFPI, and LP each are suppliers to the manufactured housing industry, among others.
· AMG, CG, and TAVFX have investments in manufactured housing related businesses. For insights from third-parties and clients about our publisher, click here.

 

2022 was a tough year for many stocks. Unfortunately, that pattern held true for manufactured home industry (MHVille) connected stocks too. See the facts, linked above.

====================================

Disclosure. MHProNews holds no positions in the stocks in this report.

· For expert manufactured housing business development or other manufactured housing professional services, click here.
· To sign up in seconds for our industry leading emailed headline news updates, click here.

• Note 1: MHVille means manufactured housing industry, MHVille also means artificially smaller manufactured housing (MH) industry,
• Note 2: Manufactured housing, building, factories, retail, dealers, manufactured home, communities, passive mobile home park investing, suppliers, brokers, finance, financial services, macro-markets, manufactured housing stocks, Manufactured Home Communities Real Estate Investment Trusts, MHC REITs.
• Note 3:
  

  APO, Apollo Global Management, BAM, Brookfield Asset Management, BLK, BlackRock, BRK-A, Berkshire Hathaway, BX, Blackstone, CDPYF, Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, CIGI, Colliers International Group Inc, CG, The Carlyle Group, CSGP, CoStar Group, CVCO, Cavco Industries, ECNCF, ECN Capital Group, ELS, Equity LifeStyle Properties, FGF, FG Financial Group, FG Communities,  KEY, KeyCorp, KMMPF, Killam Apartment REITs, LCII, LCI Industries, LEGH, Legacy Housing, LPX, Louisiana Pacific Corporation, MHC-UN.TO, Flagship Communities Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), MHPC, Manufactured Housing Properties, MMI, Marcus and Millichap, NOBH, Nobility Homes, PATK, Patrick Industries, SKY, Skyline Champion, SUI, Sun Communities, UMH, UMH Properties, UFPI, UFP Industries.

That’s a wrap on this installment of “News Through the Lens of Manufactured Homes and Factory-Built Housing” © where “We Provide, You Decide.” © (Affordable housing, manufactured homes, stock, investing, data, metrics, reports, fact-checks, analysis, and commentary. Third-party images or content are provided under fair use guidelines for media.) (See Related Reports linked herein. Text/image boxes often are hot-linked to other reports that can be access by clicking on them.)

By L.A. “Tony” Kovach – for MHProNews.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship along with numerous awards in history. There have been several awards, honors and numerous public recognitions for his achievements in manufactured housing. For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. Kovach is a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHLivingNews.com and MHProNews. MHProNews is ranked as the runaway most read trade media in modern manufactured housing history. Manufactured Home Pro News (MHProNews) is the documented #1 largest and most read source for manufactured housing industry News Tips and Views Pros Can Use, per Webalizer 2.23 and known data. MHProNews gets millions of visits a year and has significantly more pageviews per visit than CNN or Fox per SimilarWeb’s stats for those two sites (but those sites get more much more total traffic). Statistics Data Infographics Research Facts Evidence and manufactured housing industry expert analysis make us the runaway most read in MHVille trade media. This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s editorial views and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.