A Deep Dive into Berkshire Hathaway's Amazon Holdings: A Step-by-Step Guide
Welcome, aspiring investors and curious minds! Have you ever wondered about the investment choices of the legendary Warren Buffett and his company, Berkshire Hathaway? It's a fascinating subject, and today, we're going to unravel one of their more intriguing holdings: Amazon. You might be surprised to learn how and why this tech giant found a place in the portfolio of a value-investing powerhouse. So, let's get started on this journey of financial discovery together!
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| How Many Shares Of Amazon Does Berkshire Hathaway Own |
Step 1: Discovering the Publicly Disclosed Holdings
The first and most crucial step in determining how many shares of any public company Berkshire Hathaway owns is to look at their official filings. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires institutional investment managers with over $100 million in assets to file a Form 13F every quarter. This form provides a snapshot of their equity holdings at the end of the quarter.
So, what does the latest 13F filing tell us?
As of the filing on May 15, 2025, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed ownership of 10,000,000 shares of Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN). This is a significant position, though it's important to understand the context of Berkshire's massive portfolio.
Step 2: Understanding the Historical Context of the Investment
This wasn't a sudden, massive purchase. The investment in Amazon has a history, and it's a prime example of how Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio management works.
Sub-heading: The 2019 Initiation of the Position
Berkshire Hathaway first began building its position in Amazon in the first quarter of 2019. This was a notable move because, for a long time, Warren Buffett had publicly expressed that he had missed the opportunity to invest in Amazon, praising Jeff Bezos but admitting he didn't fully understand the business model.
Tip: Stop when confused — clarity comes with patience.
Interestingly, the initial investment was not even a decision made by Buffett himself! It was revealed that one of his two investment deputies, either Todd Combs or Ted Weschler, was responsible for the purchase. This highlights a key aspect of Berkshire's investment strategy: a team approach.
Sub-heading: The Post-Split Share Count
You might see older reports mentioning a much smaller share count. That's because Amazon underwent a 20-for-1 stock split in June 2022. This means for every share held, shareholders received 19 additional shares. The share count was adjusted accordingly, so the number you see now reflects the post-split amount. The value of the holding is what truly matters, and that fluctuates with the market price of Amazon's stock.
Step 3: Analyzing the Value and Portfolio Allocation
Owning 10 million shares is a lot, but what does that mean in dollar terms, and how does it fit into the overall Berkshire Hathaway portfolio?
Sub-heading: The Fluctuating Value of the Holding
The value of the 10 million shares changes constantly with Amazon's stock price. As of the March 31, 2025, filing, the value was reported to be around $1,902,600,000 USD. However, it's crucial to note that this value is a snapshot in time. The current value of the position can be much higher or lower, depending on the market. For instance, as of the latest data, the value is around $2.1 billion.
Sub-heading: A Small but Significant Portion of the Portfolio
While a multi-billion dollar holding sounds huge, it's important to remember the sheer size of Berkshire Hathaway's equity portfolio, which is in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The Amazon stake typically represents less than 1% of the total portfolio's value. In the March 2025 filing, it was only about 0.74%. This makes it a relatively small position compared to their massive holdings in companies like Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
Step 4: Decoding the "Why" Behind the Investment
Why would a value investor like Berkshire Hathaway, known for its focus on dividend-paying companies and "old-economy" stocks, invest in a tech giant like Amazon?
Sub-heading: The Power of Amazon Web Services (AWS)
While Amazon is famous for its e-commerce business, a major part of its success and profitability comes from Amazon Web Services (AWS), its cloud computing division. AWS is a dominant force in the cloud market and is a huge cash-flow generator. This aligns with Berkshire's philosophy of investing in businesses with durable competitive advantages and strong cash flow.
Sub-heading: A "Durable Competitive Advantage"
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Buffett often talks about a company's "moat," or its sustainable competitive advantage. Amazon has built an incredibly strong moat in both e-commerce and cloud computing through its brand, logistics network, and massive scale. These are characteristics that Berkshire values. While Buffett may have been an "idiot" for not buying sooner, as he once joked, the company's investment managers recognized the enduring strength of the business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to find out Berkshire Hathaway's latest stock holdings?
Tip: Compare what you read here with other sources.
You can find Berkshire Hathaway's latest stock holdings by checking their quarterly 13F filings on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website. These filings are released within 45 days of the end of each quarter.
How to interpret a 13F filing?
A 13F filing lists the long equity holdings of an institutional investment manager. It shows the number of shares and the value of each holding as of the end of the quarter. It's a snapshot, and the value can change significantly after the filing date.
How to know if Warren Buffett personally made the Amazon investment?
Public statements and news reports indicate that the initial investment in Amazon was made by one of Warren Buffett's two investment deputies, Todd Combs or Ted Weschler, not Buffett himself.
How to understand the impact of the Amazon stock split on Berkshire's holdings?
The 2022 stock split simply increased the number of shares Berkshire Hathaway held by 20 times. The overall value of their position remained the same at the time of the split. For example, if they held 500,000 shares at $100 per share, the value was $50 million. After the split, they would hold 10 million shares at $5 per share, and the value would still be $50 million.
How to see the value of Berkshire's Amazon stake today?
You can calculate the current value of Berkshire's Amazon stake by multiplying the number of shares they own (10,000,000) by the current market price of Amazon stock.
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
How to compare Berkshire's Amazon holding to its other investments?
To compare, you can look at the "Allocation (%)" column in the 13F filing or on financial data websites. This shows the percentage of the total portfolio that each stock represents. You'll see that Apple, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola are much larger positions.
How to understand Berkshire Hathaway's investment philosophy?
Berkshire Hathaway's investment philosophy, largely driven by Warren Buffett, is rooted in "value investing." They look for companies with strong fundamentals, durable competitive advantages (moats), and a track record of profitability, and they aim to hold them for the long term.
How to know which Berkshire Hathaway manager is responsible for a stock?
While it's often speculated, it's not always publicly disclosed which of the deputies, Todd Combs or Ted Weschler, is responsible for a specific purchase. Sometimes, like with Amazon, Buffett himself will clarify that it was not his decision.
How to know if Berkshire has sold any Amazon shares?
You can track changes in their holdings by comparing the share counts from one quarterly 13F filing to the next. If the number decreases, it indicates a sale, and if it increases, it indicates a purchase.
How to buy Amazon shares like Berkshire Hathaway?
You can purchase Amazon shares through a brokerage account. While you can't buy the exact same number of shares as Berkshire Hathaway, you can invest in the company and hold it for the long term, which aligns with their investment strategy.
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