How Many Stocks Are in the Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio? A Comprehensive Guide to Investing Like the Oracle of Omaha
Ever wondered what it's like to peer into the mind of one of the greatest investors of all time, Warren Buffett? You're not alone! The Berkshire Hathaway portfolio is a treasure trove of insights, a living testament to the power of value investing. But how many stocks does this legendary conglomerate actually hold? The answer is a bit more nuanced than a single number, and understanding it is the first step on a journey to appreciating the Oracle of Omaha's unique investment philosophy.
This guide will take you on a detailed journey through the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio, from the handful of stocks that form the backbone of the entire operation to the lesser-known holdings. We'll explore where to find the official information, how to interpret it, and what it all means for your own investment journey.
Let's dive in and uncover the secrets of the Berkshire Hathaway stock portfolio!
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| How Many Stocks In Berkshire Hathaway Portfolio |
Step 1: Discovering the Official Count
The number of stocks in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio isn't a fixed, static figure. It changes every quarter as Warren Buffett and his investment lieutenants, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, buy and sell stocks. The most reliable source of this information is the 13F filing, a report that institutional investment managers must file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) every quarter.
So, how many stocks are we talking about?
Based on the latest 13F filing for the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway holds 36 publicly listed U.S. equities. This is a slight decrease from previous quarters, reflecting Buffett's recent selling activity. However, it's important to remember that this number only accounts for publicly traded U.S. stocks. Berkshire Hathaway also owns a vast portfolio of wholly-owned businesses, such as Geico, BNSF Railway, and Dairy Queen, which aren't listed in the 13F filing.
Step 2: Unpacking the "Concentrated" Portfolio
Tip: Make mental notes as you go.
While 36 might seem like a decent number of stocks, the key to understanding the Berkshire portfolio is realizing that it is highly concentrated. A few select companies make up the vast majority of the portfolio's value. This is a core tenet of Buffett's investment philosophy: diversification is for those who don't know what they are doing. Instead, he prefers to make large, conviction-based bets on businesses he understands and believes in for the long term.
Sub-heading: The Power of the Top 5
As of the Q1 2025 filing, Berkshire Hathaway's top five holdings account for a staggering 70% of the company's listed equity portfolio value. These are the stocks that truly drive the performance of the portfolio. They are:
Apple (AAPL): Remains the undisputed champion, representing over a quarter of the portfolio's value. Despite some recent sales, this holding demonstrates Buffett's strong conviction in the tech giant.
American Express (AXP): A long-standing Buffett favorite, this financial services powerhouse is a testament to the enduring power of brand and a strong business moat.
Coca-Cola (KO): Another classic holding, proving that a simple, durable business with a strong brand can be a fantastic long-term investment.
Bank of America (BAC): A significant stake in one of the largest U.S. banks, reflecting Buffett's continued trust in the financial sector.
Chevron (CVX): A major energy play, showcasing Berkshire's willingness to invest in a sector that is critical to the global economy.
Sub-heading: The Rest of the Roster
Beyond the top five, the portfolio is filled with a variety of other companies, ranging from energy and consumer goods to technology and financial services. These include well-known names like Occidental Petroleum (OXY), Moody's (MCO), and Kraft Heinz (KHC), as well as smaller positions in companies like Domino's Pizza (DPZ) and POOLCORP (POOL). These holdings, while smaller in value, still represent Buffett's and his team's disciplined approach to identifying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals.
Step 3: Accessing the Latest Information
Now that you know the importance of the 13F filing, you might be wondering where you can find it. Here's a step-by-step guide to tracking the portfolio yourself.
Visit the SEC EDGAR Database: The SEC's EDGAR database is the official source for all public company filings. You can search for Berkshire Hathaway's filings directly on the SEC website.
Look for Form 13F-HR: The specific form you want to look for is the "13F-HR," which stands for "Quarterly Report filed by Institutional Managers, Holdings."
Check the Filing Date: These reports are due 45 days after the end of each quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31). The latest filing, as of June 2025, would be for the quarter ending March 31, 2025.
Analyze the Data: The filing will show a list of all the holdings, the number of shares held, and their market value as of the end of the quarter. This is where you can see the precise number of stocks and the size of each position.
Pro-Tip: Many financial websites and data providers also analyze and summarize these filings, making it easier to track changes and visualize the portfolio's composition. Websites like Fintel, Valuesider, and Nasdaq provide user-friendly interfaces to view the data.
QuickTip: Pause when something clicks.
Step 4: The Takeaway for Your Investing
So, what can we learn from the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio? It's not just about the number of stocks, but the philosophy behind the holdings. Here are some key takeaways:
Long-Term Horizon: Buffett's approach is not about short-term trading. He buys companies to hold them for decades, focusing on their long-term earnings power.
Focus on Quality: The companies in the portfolio are generally well-established, profitable businesses with durable competitive advantages (what Buffett calls a "moat").
Conviction Over Diversification: Instead of spreading money across hundreds of stocks, Buffett concentrates his investments in a few high-conviction ideas.
Value Investing Principles: The core of the strategy is to buy businesses for less than their intrinsic value, seeking a "margin of safety."
10 Related FAQs: Quick Answers
How to find the latest Berkshire Hathaway 13F filing?
You can find the latest 13F filing on the SEC's EDGAR database by searching for "Berkshire Hathaway Inc" and filtering for the "13F-HR" form.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock (ticker symbols BRK.A or BRK.B) through a brokerage account. The Class B shares (BRK.B) are much more affordable and accessible to individual investors.
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How to analyze a company like Warren Buffett?
Buffett's analysis focuses on a company's performance (like return on equity), debt levels, profit margins, and whether it has a sustainable competitive advantage or "moat."
How to understand the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B?
BRK.A are the original, very expensive Class A shares, while BRK.B are the more affordable Class B shares. BRK.A shares have more voting rights and can be converted into BRK.B shares.
How to know if a company is a good investment?
A good investment, according to Buffett, is a company with a strong, predictable business model, a durable competitive advantage, competent management, and a reasonable valuation.
How to calculate a company's debt-to-equity ratio?
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
The debt-to-equity ratio is calculated by dividing total liabilities by shareholders' equity. A lower ratio is generally preferred, indicating less reliance on debt.
How to interpret a company's profit margin?
Profit margin indicates how much profit a company makes for every dollar of sales. A high and consistently increasing profit margin is a sign of an efficient and well-managed business.
How to invest in a portfolio like Berkshire Hathaway's?
You can either buy shares of Berkshire Hathaway directly or invest in index funds or ETFs that hold Berkshire Hathaway stock as part of their portfolio, such as an S&P 500 index fund.
How to calculate the return on equity (ROE)?
ROE is calculated by dividing net income by shareholders' equity. It shows how efficiently a company is using shareholder funds to generate profits.
How to find out what stocks Warren Buffett is buying or selling?
The 13F filing is the primary source for this information, as it discloses the number of shares bought or sold during the quarter. However, some active trades can be kept confidential with SEC permission.
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