Warren Buffett sold over $24 billion worth of stocks in the first nine months of 2025, including significant sales of Apple and Bank of America shares, as he adopts a more conservative stance amid concerns of market overvaluation and prepares for his upcoming retirement, possibly building cash reserves for his successor.
Berkshire Hathaway continued to sell stocks and increase its cash reserves, which now exceed $380 billion, while avoiding share buybacks for the fifth consecutive quarter. The company's earnings improved, driven by strong insurance underwriting profits, but its stock performance has lagged the broader market. This marks Warren Buffett's final earnings report before his planned retirement at the end of the year.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reported a strong quarter with a 34% increase in operating income to $13.5 billion and a record cash reserve of over $350 billion, despite selling $12.5 billion worth of stocks and not buying back shares for the fifth consecutive quarter, indicating a cautious approach to investments as Buffett prepares to step down as CEO.
Warren Buffett has sold $122 billion of Apple stock while investing around $4 billion in out-of-favor stocks like UnitedHealth and Constellation Brands, indicating a strategic shift towards undervalued opportunities amid market uncertainties.
Warren Buffett is reportedly selling stocks in anticipation of a market downturn, building up a record cash reserve, and may buy back shares like Apple at lower prices once valuations decline, following his historical pattern of preparing for recessions.
A Tesla investor, Michael Perry, has filed a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court accusing Elon Musk of insider trading by selling $7.5 billion worth of Tesla stock in late 2022, allegedly using non-public information about the company's expected poor fourth-quarter performance. The lawsuit claims Musk's trades netted him approximately $3 billion more than if he had sold the stock after the financial report was released. This case is reminiscent of a similar lawsuit against Oracle's Larry Ellison in 2001.
American billionaires including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Jamie Dimon, Leon Black, and the Walton family have been selling off massive amounts of their own stocks, sparking fears of an impending financial disaster. Experts speculate that the sales could be due to the looming 2024 election and potential market volatility, as well as taking advantage of current tax breaks before they are potentially eliminated under a new administration. Some suggest that the stock sales may be a sign of a still-to-come economic downturn, while others point to the CEOs' different perspective on the economy and their desire to diversify their holdings.
High-profile CEOs, founders, and heirs, including Jeff Bezos, Leon Black, Jamie Dimon, Mark Zuckerberg, and the Walton family, have collectively sold $11 billion in company stock this month, with share prices trading near all-time highs. Many of the sales were made through 10b5-1 trading plans, while some were outside of these plans. The sales are speculated to be a result of potential political changes and tax breaks, with experts suggesting that the executives are diversifying their holdings and taking advantage of the current market conditions.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. executives, including CEO Jamie Dimon, offloaded approximately $169 million in stock, with Dimon leading the way by selling $150 million worth of shares at a price of $182.73 each. The sales were made under 10b5-1 plans, providing a safe harbor defense against insider trading charges. Dimon's sale coincided with the stock hitting a new high, and he still holds 7.7 million shares. Other high-ranking leaders at the bank also sold portions of their holdings this month.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and his family sold $150 million worth of the bank's stock, marking his first sale since taking the helm 18 years ago. The stock, which has outperformed the market and peers, is trading at a record high. Dimon continues to hold about 7.7 million shares after the sales and believes in the company's strong prospects. Analysts are bullish on JPMorgan shares, with the stock rallying 27% last year and gaining 0.5% on Friday.
Jeff Bezos has sold over 14 million shares of Amazon stock, totaling around $2.4 billion, bringing his recent sales to 50 million shares. These sales were part of a prearranged trading plan allowing him to sell up to 50 million shares before Jan. 31, 2025. Bezos' stock sales have increased since announcing his move to Miami, enabling him to be closer to family and Blue Origin's operations.
Jeff Bezos has sold nearly 36 million shares of Amazon stock worth $6.15 billion in three separate sales this month, part of a trading plan allowing for the sale of up to 50 million shares by January 2023. The sales come amid Bezos' busy year, including plans to relocate to Miami with fiancée Lauren Sanchez and potential tax savings on stock sales in Florida compared to Washington.
Warren Buffett, known for his investment in Apple, sold nearly $2 billion worth of Apple shares at the end of last year, likely for tax purposes. This move is part of a larger pattern of stock sales by Berkshire Hathaway, with Buffett aiming to offset losses from other positions. While he has admitted to making mistakes in the past by selling Apple shares, he continues to believe in the company's long-term potential and may have an opportunity to buy back shares at a lower price. This highlights the complexity of investment strategies and the various reasons behind stock sales.
Warren Buffett sold nearly $2 billion worth of Apple shares at the end of last year, likely for tax purposes and to offset losses from other stock sales. This isn't the first time he's sold Apple shares for tax reasons, and he has admitted in the past that it may have been a mistake. However, the sale represents only about 1% of Berkshire's total position in Apple, and the company's stock currently offers good value, trading at a premium due to its capital return program and free cash flow generation. Ultimately, Buffett's investment decisions demonstrate that there are various reasons for selling stocks, and it doesn't necessarily reflect a lack of confidence in the company.
Jeff Bezos has sold an additional $2 billion in Amazon.com Inc. shares, bringing his total in stock sales this month to about $6 billion. The founder and executive chairman sold about 12 million Amazon shares on Tuesday and Wednesday, at prices ranging from $166.50 to $170.92 a share, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.