How much Apple stock did Berkshire sell

This article explains how much Apple stock did Berkshire sell, reviews the regulatory filings and press reports that show quarter-by-quarter reductions, explains reporting limits, summarizes likely...

2025-11-04 16:00:00

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How much Apple stock did Berkshire sell

This article answers the question "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" by reviewing regulatory filings (13F, 10-Q), major financial press reports, and analyst summaries. If you want a clear, sourced timeline of Berkshire Hathaway’s reductions in Apple Inc. (AAPL) — including quarter-by-quarter reported sales, aggregate totals, reasons cited, market impact, and how to verify numbers yourself — this piece lays out the facts, the caveats, and practical verification steps.

Note: the phrase "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" appears repeatedly in this article to match search intent and make it easy to find the key numbers and sources.

Background

Berkshire Hathaway began building a meaningful stake in Apple in 2016. Over the following years the AAPL position grew to become one of Berkshire’s largest equity holdings by market value, often accounting for a material portion of the firm’s public equity portfolio. Warren Buffett and Berkshire famously favor large, durable businesses, and Apple fit Buffett’s criteria: a strong brand, recurring customer behavior, and significant free cash flow.

As Apple’s market cap and price rose, the position’s dollar size became very large relative to typical single-stock positions, making any trimming or sale of AAPL noteworthy for markets and for Berkshire’s portfolio allocation. For readers asking "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," understanding when and why Berkshire reduced this stake requires looking at regulatory filings and contemporary press coverage.

Disclosure mechanics and data sources

Institutional holders such as Berkshire disclose holdings and certain transactions through several SEC filings:

Form 13F: Quarterly filings filed by institutional investment managers reporting long positions in U.S.-listed equity securities as of the quarter end. 13F reports are useful for tracking quarter-end holdings but have limitations: they are reported with a delay (typically 45 days after quarter end), list only long positions in covered securities, and do not include intra-quarter trades or short positions.
Form 10-Q and 10-K: Berkshire’s own quarterly and annual reports may discuss portfolio composition, realized gains/losses, and changes in investment holdings in narrative and balance-sheet detail, but usually do not provide daily transaction lists for equity holdings.
Press releases and earnings letters: Berkshire’s shareholder letters and occasional press comments (or comments by Warren Buffett/Charlie Munger) can provide context but rarely granular transaction counts for a single security.
Financial press coverage and analyst summaries: Journalists and research firms parse 13F and company filings, producing quarter-by-quarter estimates of shares bought or sold. These secondary sources sometimes use different price assumptions or rounding conventions, so reported dollar values vary.

When readers ask "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," the authoritative numbers for holdings at quarter end are in Berkshire’s 13F filings; however, net trades within the quarter require interpretation and sometimes are estimated by analysts.

Timeline of Berkshire’s Apple sales

Below is a chronological account of the most notable accumulation and trimming episodes. When possible, each summary identifies the quarter, the type of filing or report that revealed the change, and the source used by financial press to report the trades.

Early accumulation (2016–2022)

2016–2018: Berkshire started accumulating Apple shares in 2016. Over several years Berkshire increased the position, converting it into one of its largest equity holdings. The accumulation was gradual and disclosed via successive 13F filings showing growing AAPL share counts and increased dollar exposure as Apple’s price rose.
2019–2022: Berkshire continued to hold a large stake. By the end of 2022 the Apple position was frequently cited as Berkshire’s biggest publicly disclosed equity holding by market value. Press coverage in this period characterized Berkshire as a major long-term holder.

When readers look for "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," it’s important to note that through 2022 the public record emphasized accumulation and holding rather than meaningful net sales.

Initial trimming and notable sales (2023)

2023: Financial press started to report trims and small sales in certain quarters. These reductions were observed via 13F changes and press reports. Media accounts described these moves as partial trims rather than wholesale exits.

Asking "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" for 2023 shows mostly modest reductions in some quarters, often described as tens of millions of shares trimmed across multiple quarters rather than single massive disposals.

Major reductions (2024 and 2025)

2024–2025: Several major financial outlets reported larger reductions across multiple quarters. Reports summarized that Berkshire sold tens of millions to hundreds of millions of AAPL shares over a multi-quarter period. Exact quarter-by-quarter counts differ among outlets because they rely on 13F snapshots, Berkshire’s reports, and price assumptions for dollar estimates.
- As reported by Morningstar and other analysts, filings showed what many characterized as significant net reductions in Berkshire’s Apple stake across 2024. These reports generally used quarter-end 13F numbers and estimated intra-quarter sales to produce net-change figures.
- The Wall Street Journal and CNBC covered reductions disclosed in quarterly 13F/10-Q filings, noting material declines in the quarter-end share counts versus prior quarters. Press outlets often reported net sales in the tens of millions of shares for some quarters, and in aggregate larger figures across the 2024–2025 timeframe.

When readers ask "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" for 2024–2025, expect to see ranges and different totals in different articles — because of reporting lags and calculation methods.

Most recent quarter(s)

Latest filings and news coverage (quarterly 13F and Berkshire operational filings) have been the primary source for the most recent reported reductions. Several outlets tracked the most recent quarter and reported continued trimming or occasional rebalancing. For precise quarter-end counts and net changes, always check the SEC 13F filing for that quarter and Berkshire’s quarterly reports.

If you are specifically asking "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" in the most recent quarter, consult the latest Berkshire 13F on the SEC EDGAR database or the major press write-ups for that quarter; the numbers reported by outlets are typically pulled directly from the 13F and compared against the prior quarter.

Aggregate totals and percentage reductions

Determining a single definitive aggregate figure answering "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" depends on how you measure sales:

Shares sold vs. net change: 13F filings report quarter-end holdings but do not list every intra-quarter trade. Analysts infer net sales by comparing quarter-end holdings across filings and, where additional data (like 10-Q disclosures) exist, adjust for corporate actions or other effects.
Dollar values depend on the price used: different analysts use quarter-average price, quarter-end price, or trade-date prices to estimate dollar value of trades, which leads to different dollar totals across reports.

Media summaries across multiple quarters reported that Berkshire reduced its Apple stake by a meaningful percentage over a multi-quarter window. Some outlets described the reduction as a multi-digit percentage decline (for example, a reduction of 10%–40% depending on the period analyzed). For readers asking "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" as an aggregate, expect reported ranges rather than a single definitive number unless you extract raw 13F share counts and compute the exact difference yourself.

Reasons cited for the sales

Different sources and analysts have proposed several explanations for why Berkshire sold Apple shares. Berkshire typically does not provide extensive public commentary on specific trades; therefore, explanations are interpretive and should be treated as such:

Portfolio management and size constraints: As a position becomes a larger share of the investable portfolio, managers may trim to manage concentration risk.
Valuation and profit-taking: After substantial price appreciation, some sales can represent disciplined profit-taking.
Reallocation: Reporters noted contemporaneous purchases in other large-cap names (for example, purchases of other high-quality large-cap tech names or increased cash holdings), suggesting rebalancing.
Cash needs and liquidity management: Berkshire has periodically shifted allocations into cash equivalents like Treasuries or increased holdings of other equities to manage liquidity and risk.

Press coverage stresses that Berkshire and Buffett typically provide limited explanation for specific trades, so multiple interpretations coexist. If your primary question is "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" to infer motive, remember that motive requires interpretation beyond mere transaction counts.

Market and portfolio impact

Sales by a very large holder like Berkshire can affect market sentiment even if executed over time. Reported effects include:

Portfolio composition: Reducing the Apple stake lowers Apple’s share of Berkshire’s public equity holdings and may increase the proportions of other holdings or cash.
Market reaction: Headlines about large sales sometimes contribute to short-term price pressure when combined with other market factors, although Berkshire’s trades are typically executed in a way that aims to avoid disrupting markets.
Reinvestment implications: Press summaries that accompany reported sales often note what Berkshire bought or held more of in the same period, providing context on how proceeds may have been redeployed.

When asking "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," consider that large sales can be spread over many days or quarters, muting immediate market impact.

Reporting discrepancies and interpretation issues

Different outlets report different numbers for "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" for reasons that include:

Reporting lags: 13F filings reflect holdings as of quarter end and are filed with a delay. Media pieces published before a filing or using intra-quarter estimates can differ from the final 13F.
Price assumptions and rounding: Dollar-value calculations depend on the price used; rounding and currency conversions (for global outlets) also cause variation.
Treatment of corporate actions: Stock splits, dividends, or other corporate actions can affect share counts in ways that need to be normalized.
Net vs. gross trades: 13F net changes do not reveal gross buy and sell activity within a quarter. A 13F showing a smaller net position could mask substantial gross buys and sells that offset.

For the most authoritative answer to "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," rely on the 13F share counts at successive quarter ends and compute the difference; for intra-quarter detail, check Berkshire’s 10-Q narrative or consult proprietary broker data if available.

Notable related transactions

Coverage of Berkshire’s Apple sales often mentions related moves in the same reporting periods, helping readers understand portfolio reallocation:

Purchases of other big-cap technology stocks were reported by some outlets in the same quarters that showed Apple reductions (outlets named such buys in their summaries and used 13F data to identify new or increased stakes).
Increases in cash and short-term Treasury holdings were also noted in some reports, indicating a possible desire for liquidity or risk management.
Reductions in other sector holdings were occasionally reported in tandem, painting a picture of broader portfolio rebalancing rather than an Apple-specific strategy.

These contemporaneous transactions are useful context when asking "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" because they show what Berkshire might have prioritized with proceeds.

Reactions and analyst commentary

Analysts and media offered a range of interpretations when reporting on Berkshire’s Apple sales. Representative themes include:

Some analysts framed the sales as prudent risk management of an outsized position.
Others viewed trims as profit-taking after multi-year appreciation in Apple.
A minority of commentators speculated (carefully) about valuation concerns, while many emphasized Berkshire’s long-term orientation and the possibility that sales were not a change in long-term view.

Berkshire itself rarely issues a detailed justification tied to individual trades; therefore media commentary tends to be interpretive and framed as opinion rather than an official explanation.

How to verify and cite the sales

If you need to confirm exactly "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," follow these practical steps:

SEC EDGAR 13F filings: Look up Berkshire Hathaway’s Form 13F for the quarter(s) you are analyzing. Extract AAPL share counts reported for consecutive quarter ends and compute the difference. This gives you a net change in quarter-end reported holdings.
Berkshire 10-Q / 10-K: Review Berkshire’s quarterly and annual reports for narrative discussion of investment performance and any mention of large transactions or realized gains. These reports sometimes provide complementary context.
Press reports from major financial outlets: Use reputable media coverage (which typically cites and summarizes the 13F) to obtain quick summaries and dollar-value estimates. Remember to note the price assumptions used.
Reconcile differences: If a press report’s dollar estimate does not match your calculation, check the price used (trade-date average, quarter-end, etc.) and whether the report is discussing gross sales versus net position changes.

When reporting numbers, always include the filing date and the source. For example: "As of the November 2024 13F filing, Berkshire reported X shares of AAPL — see Berkshire’s 13F filed on [date]." Using the primary SEC filings as your baseline reduces ambiguity.

Summary and conclusions

This article set out to answer "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" by explaining where the numbers come from, why different sources can report different totals, and how to verify reported sales. Key takeaways:

Authoritative quarter-end holdings are disclosed in Berkshire’s Form 13F filings; intra-quarter trades are not disclosed in full detail by 13F.
Media outlets (Morningstar, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Motley Fool, U.S. News/Money, and others) have reported material reductions in Berkshire’s Apple holdings across several quarters in the mid-2020s, often describing net sales in the tens of millions of shares in specific quarters and larger aggregate reductions across multiple quarters.
The precise answer to "how much apple stock did berkshire sell" depends on whether you measure net change in quarter-end holdings, gross trades within a quarter, or dollar-value using different price assumptions. For the most authoritative number, compare consecutive 13F share counts and cite the filings.

If you want to verify specific quarter-by-quarter numbers, consult the SEC filings directly and cross-check with the press reports cited below.

Data table (recommended)

For readers compiling their own definitive answer to "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," we recommend building a quarter-by-quarter table with the following columns:

Quarter end (date)
Shares held at quarter start (per previous 13F)
Net shares bought/sold in quarter (inferred)
Shares held at quarter end (per current 13F)
Estimated dollar value of net trade (state price assumption)
Source citation (13F filing date, 10-Q, or press report)

A sample row (example format only — replace with SEC figures when compiling):

| Quarter end | Shares start | Net change | Shares end | Est. $ value (price used) | Source | |------------|--------------:|-----------:|-----------:|--------------------------:|--------| | 2024-03-31 | 915,000,000 | -30,000,000| 885,000,000| $4.5B (using $150/share) | 13F (filed 05/15/2024) |

Replace sample numbers above with the exact 13F counts and compute exact differences for your authoritative table.

References

As of [filed quarter dates], major coverage summarized changes to Berkshire’s Apple stake. Examples of outlets that reported and analyzed these filings include:
- Motley Fool — coverage of Berkshire’s Apple sales and related trades (multiple articles summarizing 13F changes).
- U.S. News / Money — reporting summarizing quarter-by-quarter changes.
- CNBC — reporting on reported trims and possible reasons cited by analysts.
- The Wall Street Journal — analysis of Berkshire’s quarterly filings and reported reductions.
- Morningstar — analysis of 13F filings and estimated share sales.
- Inkl/Morning news aggregators — summarized sell-offs and purchases.
- Transaction-tracking portfolio sites — historical Berkshire transactions in AAPL.

Important note: For any numeric figure you publish about "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," cite the specific Berkshire 13F filing date (SEC EDGAR) or the Berkshire 10-Q/10-K, and then indicate the press piece used for commentary or dollar estimates.

External verification links and tools (how to find filings)

To verify the numbers behind "how much apple stock did berkshire sell," use these resources:

The SEC EDGAR search for institutional 13F filings (search by "Berkshire Hathaway" and examine the 13F-HR filings for quarter-end holdings).
Berkshire Hathaway’s Investor Relations page for shareholder letters and 10-Q/10-K reports.
Reputable financial press and research platforms for interpreted summaries (which typically cite the relevant 13F filing date in each article).