Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is building a significant, confidential stake in a major industrial stock, with WarrenAI suggesting Caterpillar as the most fitting choice based on Buffett's investment style, while Deere & Company is also considered a strong contender depending on revenue stability.
The stock market saw mixed movements midday, with the S&P 500 slightly down and the Nasdaq slightly up. Notable stock movers included Nvidia, which rose 1.9% after news of its upcoming addition to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, replacing Intel. Constellation Energy dropped 10.6% following a regulatory rejection of a power plan. Berkshire Hathaway fell 2.5% after reporting Q3 earnings, despite record cash reserves. Nvidia's stock has surged 178% this year, driven by high demand for its Blackwell chips.
In his annual letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett credits Charlie Munger for Berkshire Hathaway's success, warns against listening to Wall Street pundits, and reports a 28% jump in operating earnings to $5,878.21 per Class A share. Despite a profit of $37.57 billion in the fourth quarter, Buffett advises investors to focus on operating earnings rather than the paper value of investments. Berkshire also repurchased $9.2 billion of its own shares in 2021.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reduced its stake in Paramount Global by 32%, selling about 30.4 million shares, valued at $936.5 million. This move comes amidst reports of National Amusements CEO Shari Redstone struggling to unload her stake in Paramount's holding company. Berkshire Hathaway also made changes to its investments in HP Inc., Apple, Chevron, and Occidental Petroleum Corp, with the conglomerate selling some shares and acquiring more of others. Despite the reduction in its Paramount stake, Berkshire Hathaway's stakes in various companies were worth nearly $347.4 billion combined, nearly 11% higher than in the third quarter.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway trimmed its stake in Apple by 1% in Q4, while also reducing positions in Paramount Global and HP. The conglomerate added 15.8 million shares of Chevron and 30.6 million shares of Sirius XM to its portfolio, but appeared to avoid new purchases despite its large cash reserves. Apple remains the second-largest holding in Berkshire's portfolio, comprising over 50% of its stock investments, while Chevron and Occidental Petroleum are also among the top positions.
Despite Berkshire Hathaway's record $150 billion cash hoard, it doesn't necessarily indicate that Warren Buffett views the stock market as overvalued. Financial advisers suggesting this overlook the context that as Berkshire has grown, its cash allocation has naturally increased. The fluctuation in cash levels is not inversely correlated with the market's ups and downs, and changes are largely due to factors unrelated to market timing, such as acquisitions. Therefore, it's not accurate to conclude Buffett's view on market valuation based solely on Berkshire's cash allocation.
The trial to determine if Berkshire Hathaway used an accounting method that undervalued the Haslam family's minority stake in Pilot Travel Centers has been unexpectedly canceled. The reasons for the cancellation are unclear, and it is unknown if a settlement has been reached or how this will affect other claims, including those of illicit payments by Jimmy Haslam. The outcome of the trial could have required Berkshire to pay up to $1.2 billion more for the Haslam's stake. The dispute centers around the use of "pushdown accounting," which the Haslams claim was unauthorized and reduced the value of their stake.
A Delaware court canceled a billion-dollar trial between Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and the Haslam family over the valuation of the Haslam's 20% stake in Pilot Travel Centers. The trial was set to resolve a dispute involving accounting methods that affected the stake's value, with accusations of accounting tricks from both parties. The outcome hinged on whether Berkshire was required to obtain the Haslams' consent for an accounting change. The trial's cancellation occurred shortly after the death of Charlie Munger, Buffett's long-term confidante, and was to feature testimony from Buffett's designated successor, Greg Abel.
Warren Buffett led the biggest charitable donations of 2023 with a gift of 1.5 million Berkshire Hathaway Class "B" shares valued at $541.5 million to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. The Chronicle of Philanthropy's annual list included over $3.5 billion in donations, with significant contributions also made by Phil Knight, James Simons, Ken Griffin, and others to various universities, scientific research institutes, and health-care systems. The list reflects the philanthropic commitments of some of the world's wealthiest individuals, with eight multibillionaires contributing to causes ranging from women's reproductive health and education to scientific research and racial justice.
Warren Buffett's investment strategy includes a focus on dividend growth stocks, which have historically outperformed non-dividend-paying stocks. Three such stocks in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio recommended for long-term investment are Apple, Visa, and T-Mobile. Apple is praised for its cash generation and share repurchase program, Visa for its competitive advantage in the payment network space and consistent dividend increases, and T-Mobile for its free cash flow growth and promising future in 5G network leadership. These stocks are seen as valuable additions to a dividend growth investor's portfolio, with the potential for continued returns and dividend increases.
Nearly half of Berkshire Hathaway's $370 billion equity portfolio, led by Warren Buffett, is invested in Apple, a decision that has paid off handsomely since 2016 with a 638% increase in share value. Buffett was attracted to Apple's strong brand, financial health, and low valuation at the time of purchase. However, with Apple's current limited growth prospects, a recent revenue decline, and a high price-to-earnings ratio, the article suggests that now may not be the best time to buy Apple stock unless its valuation significantly drops.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway owns a small but potentially promising stake in StoneCo, a Brazil-based fintech company that has seen its stock price plummet by 80% since its peak. Despite past issues with its credit business, StoneCo is showing strong financial performance and growth prospects, particularly in Brazil's large economy. With a current valuation that appears cheap relative to its business momentum and a strong balance sheet, StoneCo is suggested as a growth stock to buy in 2024 and hold for the long term, with the potential for significant returns.
A Motley Fool contributor recommends a dividend stock from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway portfolio as a strong buy for passive income investors in 2024. The specific stock is not mentioned in the excerpt provided, but the article suggests that it aligns with Buffett's preference for companies with reliable income streams capable of supporting consistent dividend payments. The Motley Fool also discloses an option recommendation and its affiliate relationship with the contributor.
Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, experienced a year of significant events in 2023, including the acquisition of a major stake in Pilot Travel Centers, a business trip to Tokyo, insights shared in his annual shareholder letter, and discussions at the company's annual meeting. He also donated $6 billion to charity, invested in a mystery stock, and mourned the loss of his long-time friend and business partner, Charlie Munger. Despite challenges, such as a legal dispute with the Haslam family over Pilot's valuation, Buffett's year was marked by strategic business moves and personal reflection.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway enters 2024 with a $371 billion portfolio, heavily concentrated in just eight companies, including Apple, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola, which together make up 85% of the portfolio's value. The portfolio also includes significant investments in financials and cyclical businesses, with a recent focus on energy stocks like Chevron and Occidental Petroleum, reflecting expectations of high crude oil prices. Additionally, Berkshire's portfolio features over $1 billion investments in 20 other companies and smaller holdings that could be influenced by Buffett's investment lieutenants, highlighting a diverse yet strategic approach to investing.