Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway was a net seller of stocks in his final quarter as CEO. This happened in the last three months of 2025. The company sold more equities than it bought. It kept cutting its large stakes in Apple and Bank of America. Berkshire also slashed its Amazon holding. All this as Buffett hands over to Greg Abel.
Key Takeaways
- Berkshire sold $5 billion more in stocks than it bought in Q4 2025.
- Apple stake trimmed further; now down from peak.
- Amazon position cut by 75%, after gains matching S&P 500.
- Cash pile hits $180 billion, with net selling for 13 straight quarters.
Background
Warren Buffett built Berkshire Hathaway into a giant over decades. He started as CEO in 1965. At 95 years old now, he's stepping down. Greg Abel takes over soon. Buffett's style? Buy great companies. Hold them forever. But lately, that's changed.
For 13 quarters running, Berkshire's been a net seller. Not small trades. Big ones. They sold billions each time. Cash keeps piling up. It's at $180 billion. Some say $380 billion if you count short-term investments. That's huge. Enough to buy whole companies.
Buffett loves value. He picks firms with strong moats. Think insurance, rails, energy. Apple fit that once. Berkshire poured in over $100 billion at peak. Now? Much less. Bank of America too. Started big in 2011. Now trimming back. Amazon? Smaller bet. Held a few years. Gained 130-140%. But sold most anyway.
This shift started years ago. Market highs. Valuations stretched. Buffett waits. He's famous for sitting on cash. 'Be fearful when others are greedy.' That's his line. Markets hit records in 2025. Tech led the way. Berkshire pulled back.
And insurance plays a role. Berkshire's core. They own Geico, others. Cash from premiums funds stocks. But lately, buying less. Building stakes elsewhere. Like energy. Chevron up. Chubb too. Steady earners.
Newspapers? Buffett's soft spot. He built a chain once. Now buying New York Times stock. Shares hit all-time highs after. Small position. But telling.
Key Details
Let's break down the trades. Q4 2025 filings show it clear. Berkshire sold $5 billion net in stocks. Apple led the cuts. Stake now $20 billion or so. Still top holding. But down from highs.
Bank of America next. Sold chunks over quarters. More in Q4. Buffett praised the bank for years. CEO Brian Moynihan runs it tight. But shares climbed. Berkshire cashed in.
Amazon Slash
Amazon got hit hard. Berkshire cut 75%. Sold $1.7 billion worth. Held since a few years back. Gains solid. Up 130-140%. Matched S&P 500. Not bad. But why sell? Maybe too tech-heavy. Or retail play, not pure tech. Buffett skipped most tech. This one didn't stick.
Buys? Fewer. Chevron stake grew. Energy bet. Timing odd. Before big U.S. policy shifts. Chubb insurance up too. Top 10 holding now. Fits Berkshire's roots.
New York Times. Building there. Non-U.S. holding? No, domestic. Shares jumped on news. Buffett likes papers. Always has.
Cash rules. $180 billion liquid. More if broader count. Net selling 13 quarters. Buffett's bearish? Or just patient?
"People love to look at the cash holdings that Berkshire Hathaway has as a sign of being on the sidelines, waiting for an opportunity." – Insurance analyst on Bloomberg
Trades fit pattern. No panic. Methodical. Abel watched close. He's ready.
Key Details on Holdings
Apple: Still huge. $20 billion. Down big from peak.
Bank of America: Trimmed steady.
Amazon: 75% gone.
Chevron: Added to.
Chubb: Boosted.
NYT: New stake growing.
Total portfolio? Steady. But cash king.
What This Means
Markets watch Berkshire close. It's a signal. Net selling says caution. Stocks high. Valuations full. Tech frothy. Buffett's out like a bear, some say.
Cash hoard massive. $180 billion. Buys? Whole firms. Chubb talk floats. $29 billion market cap. Fits insurance. Cash covers it. But culture clashes? Antitrust? Maybe.
Abel era starts. Style same? Berkshire buys and holds. Changes slow. But he's different. More operations guy. Less stock picker pure.
Investors eye 13F filings. New ones out soon. Watch Apple, banks, energy. Cash use key. Deals coming?
Broader market. Tech dips on news? No frenzy. But Berkshire sways funds. Copycats sell too.
Buffett's exit marks end. Era closes. Legacy? Unmatched. $5 billion sell in last quarter. Fitting. Patient. Ready for dips.
And cash waits. Opportunities brew. Economy wobbles. Rates shift. Berkshire poised.
For finance watchers, this is Buffett Watch at peak. Final moves. History.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Berkshire sell so much Apple stock?
Berkshire trimmed Apple over time as the stake grew huge. Shares rose a lot. They took profits while keeping a big position. Still top holding at $20 billion.
What happens to Berkshire after Buffett?
Greg Abel steps in as CEO. He knows the business inside out. Style likely stays buy-and-hold. But more focus on operations.
Is Berkshire's cash pile too big?
At $180 billion, it's record. Lets them buy big if prices drop. They've been net sellers 13 quarters. Waiting game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Berkshire sell Apple stock?
Berkshire trimmed its huge Apple stake to take profits as shares rose sharply. It remains their largest holding at around $20 billion.
Who replaces Warren Buffett as CEO?
Greg Abel will take over from Buffett. He’s been groomed for years and oversees key operations.
What is Berkshire’s cash position now?
Berkshire holds $180 billion in cash, built from 13 straight quarters of net stock selling.
