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 Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3% as Intel's stock declined following the CEO's exit, while the Nasdaq hit a record high with a 1% gain. Tesla surged on self-driving advancements, and Warren Buffett's Apple stock cleared a buy point. Super Micro Computer soared after a probe found no misconduct, and U.S. construction spending rose 0.4% in October. Meanwhile, Trump threatened tariffs on BRICS nations, and Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares resigned amid falling sales.
Despite the tech sector's dominance in recent market rallies, investors are advised to consider consumer goods stocks like Domino's Pizza, which has shown strong profitability and growth potential. While Domino's stock is down 15% from its 2021 high, its solid margins and strategic growth initiatives suggest it could rebound and reach new highs. Inspired by Warren Buffett's investment moves, Domino's is highlighted as a smart buy for its underappreciated potential, including leveraging technology trends.
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 scheduled trial between Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and billionaire Warren Buffett over the value of the remaining 20 percent of Pilot Corporation has been canceled, suggesting an informal resolution to their legal dispute. Accusations had been made against Haslam regarding promised bribes to inflate the company's value, which he denied. Details of the settlement are not disclosed, but it implies that the parties involved have managed to resolve the conflict without going to court.
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.
Warren Buffett advises investors not to purchase any stock in 2024 unless it can pass a two-step test: sensibly estimating a company's earnings range for five years or more, and ensuring the stock price is reasonable compared to the lower end of that range. Despite economic or political uncertainties, Buffett emphasizes the importance of this approach, which has guided his decisions alongside Charlie Munger. The article suggests that D.R. Horton and Meta Platforms may pass Buffett's test, but also highlights Buffett's simpler alternative for most investors: putting money in low-cost S&P 500 index funds for satisfactory long-term results.
Warren Buffett advises investors not to buy any stock in 2024 unless it passes a two-step test: sensibly estimating a company's earnings range for five years or more and ensuring the stock price is reasonable compared to the lower end of that range. Despite the challenge of this approach, some stocks like D.R. Horton are considered to pass this test. Buffett also suggests that those uncomfortable with estimating earnings should consider investing in low-cost S&P 500 index funds for satisfactory long-term results.
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.