Of course! Here is a very lengthy and detailed post about Berkshire Hathaway's stock portfolio, designed to be engaging and informative.
How Many Stocks Are in Berkshire Hathaway's Portfolio? A Deep Dive into Warren Buffett's Holdings
Have you ever wondered what's inside the famous stock portfolio of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway? It's like peeking into a treasure chest, but instead of gold and jewels, you find a collection of some of the world's most successful and enduring companies. As of the latest available filings, understanding the exact number of stocks and the strategy behind them is key to appreciating the "Oracle of Omaha's" investment philosophy.
Let's embark on this journey to unravel the secrets of Berkshire Hathaway's holdings, with a step-by-step guide on how to understand this powerful portfolio.
Step 1: Get Ready to Dive into the Details of a Billion-Dollar Portfolio!
Are you excited to learn about the companies that make up one of the most celebrated investment portfolios in the world? It's a fascinating look into the mind of a legendary investor, and it can teach us a lot about long-term value investing. Let's begin by understanding how we can even know what stocks Berkshire Hathaway owns.
Step 2: Understanding the Source - The 13F Filing
The number of stocks Berkshire Hathaway holds isn't a static figure. It changes every quarter as Warren Buffett and his team, including his investment deputies Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, buy and sell shares. The primary source for this information is a quarterly report called a 13F filing.
What is a 13F filing?
A 13F filing is a quarterly report that institutional investment managers with over $100 million in assets under management are required to submit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This report provides a snapshot of their holdings as of the last day of the quarter. Think of it as a mandatory disclosure form that provides transparency to the public about what the big players in the market are doing. Berkshire Hathaway's filing is one of the most anticipated every quarter.
When is the information released?
Berkshire Hathaway files its 13F report within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. So, for the first quarter of 2025, which ended on March 31, the filing would be made on or before May 15, 2025. This lag time is a crucial detail for investors to remember.
Step 3: Counting the Stocks - The Latest Figures (As of Q1 2025)
Based on the latest available 13F filing for the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway holds a portfolio of 36 publicly listed U.S. equities. However, it's important to note that this number can fluctuate slightly with each new filing.
A concentrated portfolio, not a diversified one
While 36 stocks might seem like a decent number, it's essential to look beyond the count. What truly defines the portfolio is its concentration. Warren Buffett is a firm believer in a focused portfolio, where a few top holdings make up the vast majority of the total value.
Step 4: The Top Holdings - The "Big Five" (and others)
The value of Berkshire's portfolio is heavily concentrated in a handful of companies that Buffett considers to be "forever holdings." These are businesses with strong economic moats, predictable earnings, and excellent management. As of the Q1 2025 filing, the top five holdings alone accounted for a staggering proportion of the total portfolio value.
Here's a breakdown of the top holdings as of the Q1 2025 report:
Apple Inc. (AAPL): This technology giant remains Berkshire's largest holding by a significant margin. While Berkshire has been trimming its position, it still represents a massive portion of the portfolio.
American Express Co. (AXP): A long-standing holding that embodies Buffett's love for strong brands and durable business models.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO): A true "forever holding," Buffett has not sold a single share of Coca-Cola since he began acquiring it decades ago.
Bank of America Corp. (BAC): A significant stake in one of the largest banks in the U.S.
Chevron Corp. (CVX): An energy play that has become a major holding in recent years, reflecting Buffett's interest in cash-generative businesses.
Beyond these five, the portfolio also includes other notable investments in a variety of sectors, such as Occidental Petroleum (OXY), Moody's Corporation (MCO), and Kraft Heinz (KHC).
Step 5: Analyzing the Portfolio Changes - What's Been Bought and Sold?
Berkshire's portfolio is dynamic. The Q1 2025 filing revealed some significant changes that shed light on the company's current strategy.
Significant Sells:
Citigroup (C) and Nu Holdings (NU): Berkshire Hathaway completely exited its positions in these financial stocks, suggesting a cautious approach towards certain areas of the banking and fintech sectors.
Bank of America (BAC) and Capital One (COF): The company also trimmed its stakes in these major financial institutions.
T-Mobile US (TMUS) and Charter Communications (CHTR): Holdings in these telecommunications companies were also reduced.
Significant Buys:
Constellation Brands (STZ): Berkshire significantly increased its holding in the alcoholic beverage company, making a sizable foray into the sector.
Domino's Pizza (DPZ): The company doubled its position in the restaurant chain, highlighting a focus on consumer staples with strong brand power.
Occidental Petroleum (OXY): Berkshire continued to increase its stake in the oil and gas company, reinforcing its position in the energy sector.
Pool Corporation (POOL): A new and notable increase in this consumer products company.
These moves demonstrate a clear shift in strategy, moving away from some financial stocks and rotating into consumer and energy plays that demonstrate resilience and growth potential.
Step 6: Beyond the Public Stocks - The "Real" Berkshire Hathaway
While the 13F filing gives us a great view of the public stock portfolio, it's crucial to remember that this is only one part of Berkshire Hathaway's total value. The conglomerate owns a vast number of private companies outright, which are not listed in the 13F filing.
Examples of wholly-owned subsidiaries include:
GEICO: One of the largest auto insurers in the U.S.
BNSF Railway: A major North American freight railroad network.
Berkshire Hathaway Energy: A massive utility and energy company.
Dairy Queen: The well-known ice cream and fast-food chain.
Duracell: The iconic battery manufacturer.
These operating businesses generate substantial cash flow and are the foundation of Berkshire Hathaway's massive size and financial strength. So, while we can count the publicly traded stocks, the "total" number of businesses owned by Berkshire is far, far greater.
10 Related FAQs About Berkshire Hathaway's Stocks
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Berkshire Hathaway's stock portfolio.
How to track Berkshire Hathaway's stock holdings?
You can track Berkshire Hathaway's public stock holdings by reviewing their quarterly 13F filings, which are publicly available on the SEC's EDGAR database. Financial news websites and investment platforms also summarize this data.
How to find the latest 13F filing for Berkshire Hathaway?
You can find the latest filing directly on the SEC website by searching for "Berkshire Hathaway" in the EDGAR database. The filing will be labeled "FORM 13F."
How to interpret the changes in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio?
Analyzing the changes helps you understand the investment team's current thinking. Increases in a position often signal conviction, while decreases or complete sales can indicate a loss of confidence in a company's prospects or a reallocation of capital to more attractive opportunities.
How to understand the top 5 holdings in the portfolio?
The top 5 holdings represent the highest conviction bets and often a significant portion of the total portfolio value. They are generally companies with strong competitive advantages and long-term growth potential.
How to invest like Warren Buffett?
While you can't replicate the portfolio exactly, you can adopt Buffett's core principles:
Invest in companies you understand.
Look for businesses with durable competitive advantages (economic moats).
Focus on long-term holding periods.
Buy stocks at a reasonable price, not just because they are popular.
How to determine the total value of the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio?
The total value of the public stock portfolio is disclosed in the 13F filing, which for Q1 2025 was approximately $258 billion. This figure does not include the value of the wholly-owned subsidiaries.
How to know if a stock is a "Buffett stock"?
A stock is considered a "Buffett stock" if it is held in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio. These are often large, stable, and well-known companies.
How to understand why Berkshire Hathaway sells a stock?
Buffett and his team rarely sell a stock completely. When they do, it can be for a variety of reasons, including a change in the company's fundamentals, a better investment opportunity presenting itself, or simply a need for cash for other operations.
How to buy shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can buy shares of Berkshire Hathaway through any brokerage account. The company has two classes of stock: Class A (BRK.A), which is very expensive, and Class B (BRK.B), which is a much more affordable option.
How to find out about Berkshire Hathaway's private company holdings?
Information about Berkshire Hathaway's wholly-owned private companies is available in the company's annual reports, SEC filings, and investor relations materials on their official website.
