Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, revealed their first-quarter 2024 figures, showing that the conglomerate’s stock portfolio is heavily concentrated in just five stocks. Despite the stock market hitting record levels at the beginning of a new bull run, Berkshire maintained the same top five holdings as the previous quarter. However, the company did reduce its stake in Apple by 13%, making it the second consecutive quarter in which Berkshire decreased its investment in the tech giant. At the end of the first quarter, Berkshire owned $135.4 billion worth of Apple shares, making it the largest holding in their portfolio.
Even though Apple has struggled this year, experiencing a decrease of over 4%, Berkshire Hathaway’s other major holdings have remained strong. The conglomerate holds a $34.5 billion position in American Express, a $39.2 billion stake in Bank of America, $24.5 billion in Coca-Cola stock – a longtime favorite of Buffett’s, and $19.4 billion in Chevron shares. These five positions collectively accounted for about 75% of Berkshire Hathaway’s stock portfolio. While Apple’s performance has been lackluster compared to the S&P 500, which has risen 7.5% to record levels, Berkshire’s other holdings have been relatively stable.
Despite the reduction in its Apple investment, Berkshire Hathaway remains heavily invested in the tech company, with it continuing to be their largest holding by a significant margin. At the end of the first quarter, the conglomerate owned approximately 790 million shares of Apple, valued at $135.4 billion. Berkshire has a history of holding onto its investments for the long term, and it will be interesting to see how their stance on Apple evolves in the coming quarters. The company’s concentration in just a few key stocks reflects Buffett’s strategy of investing in high-quality companies that he believes will provide long-term value.
Berkshire Hathaway has a long history of successful investments, with Warren Buffett known for his value investing approach. The company’s top five holdings in Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and Chevron demonstrate their focus on established, blue-chip companies that have a track record of delivering strong returns. While the company did reduce its stake in Apple during the first quarter, it still remains their largest holding by a significant margin. Berkshire’s strategy of maintaining a concentrated portfolio has served them well over the years, and it will be worth watching how their investments perform in the future.
The first-quarter 2024 figures from Berkshire Hathaway highlight the conglomerate’s continued focus on a small number of high-quality stocks. Despite trimming its Apple investment, Berkshire’s top five holdings remain unchanged from the previous quarter, with Apple still holding the top spot. As the stock market continues its record-breaking run, Berkshire’s investments in companies like American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and Chevron have provided stability to their portfolio. Warren Buffett’s investing philosophy of buying and holding onto companies with strong fundamentals has been a key driver of Berkshire’s success, and their current stock positions reflect this long-term approach.
Overall, Berkshire Hathaway’s first-quarter 2024 figures reveal a continued emphasis on a small number of key holdings, with Apple remaining the largest position in their portfolio. The conglomerate’s concentration in just five stocks – Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and Chevron – reflects Buffett’s strategy of investing in companies with enduring value. While Apple has struggled this year compared to the broader market, Berkshire’s other holdings have remained relatively stable. As Berkshire Hathaway navigates the ever-changing market environment, their commitment to long-term investments in quality companies will likely continue to be a key driver of their success in the years ahead.
