How Much Has Berkshire Hathaway Sold? A Comprehensive Guide to Warren Buffett's Recent Portfolio Moves
Hey there, fellow investor! Are you ready to dive deep into the fascinating world of Warren Buffett and his legendary company, Berkshire Hathaway? If you've been following the market, you've probably heard a lot of talk about Berkshire's massive cash pile and its recent stock sales. It's a topic that's been making headlines and sparking conversations among investors everywhere. So, let's pull back the curtain and get a clear, step-by-step understanding of what's been happening.
Step 1: Understanding the Big Picture – The Cash Conundrum
First things first, let's set the stage. Why is everyone so focused on Berkshire's sales? Because the company is sitting on a staggering, record-breaking amount of cash. As of the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire's cash and cash equivalents, primarily held in short-term U.S. Treasury bills, had reached an unprecedented $347.7 billion. This is a huge number, and it represents a massive portion of the company's total assets.
So, why is this a big deal?
Well, a company like Berkshire Hathaway is an investment machine. It's supposed to be putting its capital to work, buying businesses and stocks that will grow in value. When you see such a monumental cash hoard, it raises a key question: why isn't Warren Buffett finding attractive opportunities to invest?
Step 2: Unpacking the Sales: A Look at the Recent Quarters
To understand how much Berkshire has sold, we need to look at the numbers. The company's investment moves are disclosed through its quarterly 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These filings give us a snapshot of the portfolio at the end of each quarter.
Sub-heading: 2024: A Year of Aggressive Selling
The year 2024 was marked by a significant shift in Berkshire's investment strategy, with a clear trend of net selling.
Q1 2024: While specific net sales figures for Q1 2024 were not immediately available in the sources, the trend of selling was already in motion.
Q2 2024: This was a quarter that really got people's attention. Berkshire Hathaway sold a massive $75 billion worth of stock, bringing its total stock sales for the first half of 2024 to over $90 billion.
Q3 2024: The selling continued at a rapid pace. By the end of Q3 2024, Berkshire had unloaded a total of $133 billion worth of stocks through the first nine months of the year.
Q4 2024: The year ended with a net sale of $6.7 billion worth of shares in the fourth quarter. This brought the total stock sales for the entire year to a staggering $143.4 billion.
Sub-heading: 2025: The Trend Continues
The selling trend has extended into 2025.
Q1 2025: In the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire continued to be a net seller of equities, with $1.5 billion in net stock sales. This marked the tenth consecutive quarter where sales have outpaced purchases, further deepening the cash pile.
Step 3: What Did They Sell? The Major Divestments
So, where did all that money come from? Let's look at the key holdings Berkshire has been trimming.
Sub-heading: The Apple Cut
This is, without a doubt, the most talked-about sale. Apple has been a cornerstone of Berkshire's portfolio for years, at one point making up around half of its total equity value. However, in a surprising move, Berkshire has been significantly reducing its stake.
During 2024: Berkshire sold a substantial portion of its Apple holdings. By the end of 2024, the position had fallen from 789 million shares at the end of Q1 2024 to just 300 million shares, a reduction of over 60%. The value of the Apple stake in the portfolio dropped from $135.4 billion in Q2 2024 to $69.9 billion at the end of Q3 2024.
In 2025: While Apple remains Berkshire's largest holding, it has been further trimmed. The May 2025 13F filing revealed that the portfolio value of the Apple stake was around $60.27 billion.
Sub-heading: Financials on the Chopping Block
Berkshire has also been actively selling off its positions in major banks.
Bank of America (BAC): This had long been a favorite of Buffett, but Berkshire has been steadily trimming its stake. The company reduced its position to around $37 billion in Q2 2024 and further reduced it by about 15% in Q4 2024. As of Q1 2025, the value of this position had been cut by $2.1 billion.
Citigroup (C): A major move in Q1 2025 was the complete exit from the Citigroup position.
Sub-heading: Other Notable Sales
Other notable reductions have included:
Chevron (CVX): While it remains a top holding, Berkshire has trimmed its position.
DaVita (DVA): The May 2025 13F filing showed a notable reduction in this holding.
Liberty Media, Capital One, and T-Mobile: These positions also saw significant reductions in Q1 2025.
Step 4: Decoding the "Why" – The Oracle's Rationale
So, why is Warren Buffett selling so much and sitting on a pile of cash? It's a question that has everyone from seasoned analysts to new investors scratching their heads.
High Market Valuations: One of the primary reasons is that Buffett and his team believe the market is simply too expensive right now. The S&P 500's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has been historically high, and Buffett is known for his discipline of only buying when he finds a "fat pitch" – a great company trading at a sensible price.
Lack of Opportunities: Buffett has stated that he is ready to deploy capital when he finds opportunities that align with his risk-reward profile, but the lack of such compelling opportunities has forced Berkshire to stay on the sidelines.
A "Sell" Signal? Many investors see Berkshire's massive sales as a potential warning sign that the market is overvalued. While Buffett has refrained from making direct market forecasts, his actions speak volumes.
Focus on Core Holdings: Despite the sales, Berkshire is still holding strong to some of its core, long-term holdings like Coca-Cola and American Express, which he hasn't sold a single share of in decades. This highlights his belief in the enduring competitive advantages of these businesses.
Step 5: Looking Ahead – What’s Next for the Cash Pile?
The big question now is what will happen with that record-breaking cash hoard. Will Buffett finally find a major acquisition? Or will the trend of selling continue? The upcoming quarterly filings will be crucial to see how the portfolio evolves. As of late 2025, Buffett is also preparing to step down from his CEO role, and the future of Berkshire will rest with his successor, Greg Abel, and the investment team.
10 Related FAQs: Quick Answers to Your Questions
How to track Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio?
You can track Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio by reviewing its quarterly 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These filings are made available within 45 days after the end of each quarter.
How to find the value of Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio?
The value of Berkshire Hathaway's public equity portfolio is disclosed in its 13F filings. As of the end of Q1 2025, the portfolio was valued at approximately $258 billion.
How to interpret Berkshire Hathaway's cash pile?
A growing cash pile at Berkshire Hathaway is often interpreted as a sign that Warren Buffett believes the market is overvalued and he is waiting for more attractive investment opportunities to arise.
How to know which stocks Berkshire Hathaway is selling?
The specific stocks Berkshire Hathaway has sold are disclosed in the 13F filings, which show the holdings at the end of each quarter and any changes from the previous quarter.
How to understand why Warren Buffett is selling Apple stock?
While Buffett hasn't given a precise reason, the sale of Apple stock is widely believed to be related to its high valuation and the concentration of the stock within the Berkshire portfolio. He has noted that it had grown to be an extremely large portion of their holdings.
How to find Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder letter?
The annual shareholder letter, written by Warren Buffett, is released each year and can be found on the official Berkshire Hathaway website. It provides valuable insights into the company's performance and investment philosophy.
How to invest like Warren Buffett?
Investing like Warren Buffett involves a few key principles: value investing (buying quality businesses at a good price), having a long-term perspective, and focusing on companies with strong competitive advantages (a "moat").
How to understand the 13F filing?
A 13F filing is a quarterly report that institutional investment managers with over $100 million in assets must file with the SEC, disclosing their equity holdings.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway is buying or selling its own stock?
Berkshire Hathaway's share buybacks are disclosed in its quarterly earnings reports and annual report. Buffett has historically bought back shares when he believes they are trading below their intrinsic value.
How to determine the "intrinsic value" of a stock?
Determining the intrinsic value of a stock is a complex process that involves fundamental analysis, such as evaluating a company's financial health, cash flow, and future earnings potential. It's an art, not a science, and a core tenet of value investing.
