Here is a comprehensive and detailed guide on the number of stocks Berkshire Hathaway holds, complete with a step-by-step breakdown and a helpful FAQ section.
How Many Stocks Does Berkshire Hathaway Have? A Deep Dive into Warren Buffett's Portfolio
Have you ever wondered what's inside the famous "Oracle of Omaha's" treasure chest? The investment portfolio of Berkshire Hathaway, led by the legendary Warren Buffett, is one of the most closely watched and influential in the world. It’s not just a collection of stocks; it's a living testament to a disciplined, long-term investment philosophy.
So, let’s pull back the curtain and explore the holdings of this financial giant.
Step 1: Get Ready to Uncover the Portfolio!
First, let's address the central question: how many stocks does Berkshire Hathaway have? The answer, as of the latest public filings (Q1 2025), is around 36 publicly listed US equities.
Isn't that a surprisingly small number for a company with a portfolio valued at over $258 billion? This is the first and most important lesson of the Berkshire Hathaway investment strategy: it's not about quantity, but about quality and a high degree of concentration.
Think about it: if you were to build a portfolio for the long term, would you rather own a tiny piece of hundreds of companies you don't fully understand, or a significant stake in a few exceptional businesses that you believe in for the long haul? Berkshire Hathaway opts for the latter.
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Step 2: Understanding the Primary Source of Information
How do we know what stocks Berkshire Hathaway owns? It's all thanks to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Every quarter, institutional investment managers with over $100 million in assets must file a Form 13F. This document provides a snapshot of their equity holdings at the end of the quarter.
Sub-heading: The 13F Filing: Your Window into Buffett's Mind
The 13F filing is a treasure trove of information for investors. It details the names of the stocks, the number of shares held, and the value of those holdings.
However, it’s important to note that the 13F only shows publicly traded US stocks. It does not include holdings in private companies, foreign stocks (like the Japanese trading companies they own), or other investments like bonds and cash.
The filings are released 45 days after the end of each quarter, so there is a slight lag. For instance, the Q1 2025 filing, which reflects the portfolio as of March 31, 2025, was released in mid-May 2025.
Step 3: Breaking Down the Concentration
While Berkshire Hathaway has holdings in dozens of companies, its portfolio is heavily concentrated in a few key names. This is a core tenet of Buffett's investment philosophy: when you find a great business, bet big on it.
Sub-heading: The Top 10 Holdings: The Core of the Portfolio
As of the Q1 2025 filing, the top five holdings alone accounted for over 70% of the total equity portfolio value. The top 10 holdings make up an even larger percentage, approximately 89%. This is a prime example of a non-diversified, high-conviction portfolio.
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Here are some of the largest holdings by value, based on the latest data:
Apple (AAPL): This has been Berkshire's largest holding for a while, though they have recently trimmed their stake. Despite the reduction, it still represents a significant portion of the portfolio.
American Express (AXP): A long-standing Buffett favorite, this financial services giant is a testament to his belief in strong brands and network effects.
Coca-Cola (KO): Another classic example of a "forever stock" for Berkshire. They have held a massive stake in Coca-Cola for decades, benefiting from its globally recognized brand and consistent dividends.
Bank of America (BAC): A major holding in the financial sector, showcasing Buffett's confidence in the banking industry.
Chevron (CVX): A significant position in the energy sector, reflecting a more recent but substantial investment.
Sub-heading: Beyond the Top 10: The Supporting Cast
While the top holdings grab the headlines, the rest of the portfolio is also fascinating. It includes a mix of businesses from different sectors, such as:
Occidental Petroleum (OXY): Another large energy play.
Moody's (MCO): A credit rating agency with a strong "economic moat."
Kraft Heinz (KHC): A food and beverage company.
Chubb (CB): A major insurance provider.
DaVita (DVA): A healthcare services company.
These holdings, while smaller in value, still represent multi-billion dollar investments and reflect the rigorous analysis that goes into every decision.
Step 4: Distinguishing Between Stocks and Wholly Owned Businesses
It's crucial to understand that the number of stocks Berkshire Hathaway owns is different from the number of businesses it wholly owns. Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate that owns a wide array of subsidiaries outright. These are not publicly traded stocks within the portfolio; they are the private companies that form the foundation of the Berkshire empire.
Sub-heading: The Power of the Conglomerate Model
Think of Berkshire Hathaway as a giant company with two main parts:
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The Investment Portfolio: This is the publicly traded stocks we've been discussing, managed by Buffett and his team.
The Operating Businesses: This is a diverse collection of companies that Berkshire Hathaway owns 100%. These include household names like GEICO (insurance), BNSF Railway (rail transportation), Duracell (batteries), Dairy Queen (fast food), and many more.
The profits from these operating businesses provide a steady stream of cash flow that Buffett can then use to acquire more companies or add to the investment portfolio. It's a powerful and self-sustaining engine.
Step 5: How You Can Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock
If you're inspired by this investment approach, you can become a part-owner of Berkshire Hathaway yourself. You have two main options:
BRK.A (Class A shares): These are the original shares, famous for their extremely high price tag (often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per share). They offer more voting rights.
BRK.B (Class B shares): These are the more accessible shares, created to allow smaller investors to own a piece of the company. The price per share is significantly lower, and they have fewer voting rights.
Sub-heading: A Step-by-Step Guide to Buying BRK.B
Open a brokerage account: You need a brokerage account to buy stocks. You can open one with an online broker like Zerodha, Upstox, or international brokers like Interactive Brokers or Charles Schwab if you're in India.
Fund your account: Transfer money from your bank account to your brokerage account.
Search for the ticker: In your brokerage platform, search for BRK.B.
Place your order: You can place a market order (buy at the current market price) or a limit order (set a maximum price you are willing to pay).
Consider fractional shares: If the share price is still too high, some brokers allow you to buy fractional shares, which means you can invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., ₹1,000) and own a fraction of a share.
Remember: This is not financial advice. Always do your own research and consider your own financial situation and risk tolerance before investing.
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| How Many Stocks Does Berkshire Hathaway Have |
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find Berkshire Hathaway's latest stock holdings? You can find Berkshire Hathaway's latest stock holdings by checking their quarterly 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These filings are typically released 45 days after the end of each quarter.
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How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway? You can invest in Berkshire Hathaway by purchasing its Class B shares (ticker: BRK.B) through a brokerage account. You'll need to open and fund a brokerage account and then place a buy order for the stock.
How to calculate the value of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio? The value of Berkshire Hathaway's equity portfolio is calculated by summing the market value of all the publicly listed stocks they hold, based on the share price at the end of the reporting period.
How to understand Warren Buffett's investment strategy? Warren Buffett's investment strategy focuses on value investing, which involves buying shares of high-quality businesses with strong competitive advantages ("economic moats") at a fair price and holding them for the long term.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway? Many modern brokerage platforms offer the option to buy fractional shares. You can invest a specific dollar amount in BRK.B, and the broker will purchase a fraction of a share for you, allowing you to invest with less capital.
How to read a 13F filing? A 13F filing lists the name of the company, the ticker symbol, the number of shares held, and the market value of the holding at the end of the quarter. It's a straightforward table that provides a snapshot of the portfolio.
How to differentiate between BRK.A and BRK.B shares? BRK.A shares have a much higher price and more voting rights, while BRK.B shares are more affordable and have fewer voting rights. BRK.A shares can be converted to BRK.B, but not the other way around.
How to know which stocks Buffett is buying and selling? The 13F filing also shows changes in holdings from the previous quarter, allowing you to see which positions Berkshire Hathaway has added to, reduced, or sold out of.
How to see Berkshire Hathaway's wholly owned companies? The wholly owned subsidiaries are not listed in the 13F filing. You can find information about them in Berkshire Hathaway's annual reports and on their official website.
How to learn from Warren Buffett's investment principles? To learn from Buffett, you can read his annual letters to shareholders, which are full of timeless wisdom, and study the principles of value investing, focusing on long-term thinking, understanding the business, and patience.
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