is warren buffett selling stock

is warren buffett selling stock

Short answer: The question “is warren buffett selling stock” has been answered by recent public filings and reporting: Berkshire Hathaway has been a net seller of many marketable equities across multiple quarters, materially increasing its cash and short-term Treasury holdings while trimming several large positions. This article explains what was sold, what was bought or held, why analysts interpret these moves the way they do, how to verify activity, and what the disclosures show as of the latest public reports.

Why the question “is warren buffett selling stock” matters

Investors, journalists, and market watchers often ask “is warren buffett selling stock” because Warren Buffett’s actions at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A / BRK.B) carry informational weight. Berkshire runs one of the largest public-equity portfolios in the world; changes in that portfolio (large sales, big buys, or a growing cash position) are visible signals that many interpret for valuation, macro, or tactical lessons. Yet it’s important to treat those signals carefully: Berkshire is a giant conglomerate with unique capital structure, multiple portfolio managers, and other business lines (insurance float, energy, railroads) that skew decision-making compared with a retail investor.

(Keyword presence: “is warren buffett selling stock” appears in this article repeatedly to reflect the search query and to help readers find updates and verification steps.)

Background — Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, and why filings matter

Warren Buffett has led Berkshire Hathaway since 1965 and built a reputation as a long-term value investor. Berkshire’s marketable-equity portfolio is managed chiefly by Buffett and two long-time deputies (Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, though management responsibilities have evolved). Berkshire’s balance sheet also includes large operating businesses (insurance, BHE energy, BNSF railroad) and a sizable cash and short-duration fixed-income position.

Because Berkshire files public reports and institutional filings (SEC Form 13F, quarterly shareholder reports, annual letters), its buys and sells are visible to the market. Questions like “is warren buffett selling stock” are answered by collating those filings with contemporaneous press reporting from outlets that track 13F filings and company disclosures.

Overall selling trend (recent years)

As of late 2025, major financial outlets reported that Berkshire Hathaway had been a net seller of equities across many consecutive quarters. For example, several sources summarized multi-year net selling and a large buildup in cash and short-dated Treasuries:

• As of December 31, 2025, according to reporting by The Motley Fool and others, Berkshire had been a net seller across multiple consecutive quarters and had materially reduced the size of some large positions while increasing cash holdings. (Source reporting date: December 31, 2025.)
• Media summaries through 2025 highlighted net sales of roughly $184 billion across a multi-year span ending in late 2025 (reported in aggregated press accounts during 2025). These numbers came from combining figures disclosed in Berkshire’s regulatory filings and company reports.

In short: when people ask “is warren buffett selling stock,” the empirical answer for the recent multi-quarter period is yes — Berkshire has sold more marketable equities than it purchased and held elevated cash.

Timeline of notable net-selling periods

Below is a concise chronological list of notable net-selling milestones compiled from public reporting and filings:

• Q4 2023–Q4 2024: Beginning in late 2023, press coverage documented increased sales of large positions (Apple being the most visible example). Berkshire’s quarterly 13F/portfolio disclosures showed increased trimming of several large holdings.

• 2024 (full year) and 2025 (through late 2025): Multiple outlets (Motley Fool, Nasdaq summaries, CNBC coverage) reported consecutive quarters of net selling, with Berkshire reducing stakes in Apple, Bank of America, Chevron, and others while increasing cash and short-term Treasuries.

• Over the three-year window ending in late 2025: Aggregated press accounts reported nearly $184 billion in net sales of marketable equities. (Reported by major outlets during 2025 — use primary filings for verification.)

Note: reporting and rounding differ by outlet; always verify figures from Berkshire’s filings and SEC EDGAR for quarter-by-quarter detail.

Cash hoard and asset-allocation shift

A central feature of Berkshire’s recent activity is a large increase in cash and equivalents. Key reporting points include:

• As of late 2025, press coverage cited Berkshire’s cash and short-term investments approaching or near $400 billion, up materially from roughly $100 billion a few years earlier. (As reported in 2025 by major financial outlets.)

• Much of the cash accumulation came concomitant with sales of long-held public equities; proceeds were parked largely in U.S. Treasury bills and short-duration securities.

• Strategically, Berkshire’s decision to hold large cash balances has been framed by analysts as a response to stretched valuations in major sectors and as optional dry powder for potential large acquisitions or opportunistic purchases.

When you ask “is warren buffett selling stock” in order to gauge allocation, the answer also includes: yes — selling has helped fund a much larger cash position.

Major stocks sold (representative examples)

Reporting through late 2025 highlights several high-profile reductions and sales. Representative items that often appear in coverage include:

• Apple Inc. (AAPL): As of late 2025 reporting, Berkshire had dramatically trimmed its Apple stake relative to peak holdings. Coverage noted reductions of roughly three-quarters of the original stake over the multi-year selling period (reported as a ~70–73% reduction across filings and press summaries). Apple remains one of the largest remaining marketable positions by dollar value but at a much smaller share than its peak.

• Bank of America (BAC): Press reports indicated substantial trims (examples cited include a roughly 44% reduction across reporting windows). Exact percentages and timing are available in Berkshire’s filings for each quarter.

• Chevron and other energy/financial names: Media coverage documented partial sales such as a ~26% reduction in Chevron and other portfolio adjustments.

• Numerous smaller holdings: Many smaller positions were pared back or eliminated entirely over time as part of the net-selling trend.

Caveat: the exact sold amounts and timing should be verified against Berkshire’s quarterly 13F and other regulatory filings, which list share counts and market values on the SEC-recorded dates.

Major buys and exceptions to net selling

Although Berkshire was a net seller overall in recent periods, the firm did make selective purchases and increases that analysts flagged as important exceptions:

• Alphabet (GOOGL / GOOG): Reported as a new material addition in Q3 of a recent year (Motley Fool reported an acquisition of ~17.8 million shares during Q3 — press accounts in 2025). Alphabet was described as a modest but notable new position given Berkshire’s general aversion to chasing hottest trends.

• Amazon (AMZN): Berkshire retained or modestly extended a position originally accumulated in 2019. It remained a small percentage of the portfolio compared with mega-holdings like Apple.

• Energy and insurance-related increases: In some reports Berkshire increased its stake in certain energy or insurance-related holdings (Occidental Petroleum and Chubb were discussed in press coverage), though these were often smaller relative to the large sales of major holdings.

• Homebuilders and other targeted buys: Coverage cited occasional increased exposure to certain homebuilders (e.g., Lennar, D.R. Horton) where Berkshire saw opportunity.

These buys demonstrate that while answering “is warren buffett selling stock” with “yes” is accurate for net flows, Berkshire’s portfolio management included targeted additions and opportunistic purchases.

Notable one-off transactions and strategic moves

Beyond common buy/sell activity, Berkshire’s capital decisions sometimes include large one-off or strategic moves that interact with portfolio sales:

• Major acquisitions of operating businesses (historical examples include BNSF and Berkshire Hathaway Energy) are funded by corporate cashflows and, when needed, by marketable security sales.

• Changes in stake thresholds or exits from certain ETFs: Berkshire’s reported exit from some S&P 500-themed ETFs in a late-quarter 13F was widely noted by press outlets as an example of rebalancing away from passive index positions.

• Large repurchases and internal corporate actions at Berkshire subsidiaries are financed from the conglomerate’s broader balance sheet and sometimes coincide with marketable-equity sales.

When readers ask “is warren buffett selling stock” they should also consider that some sales are made to fund other corporate priorities beyond simple reallocation.

Reasons and interpretations offered by analysts

Analysts and reporters have advanced several, non-mutually-exclusive explanations for the selling and cash accumulation pattern:

• Valuation discipline: Many outlets noted Buffett’s preference for buying businesses at prices well below intrinsic value; when valuations are rich (for example, forward P/E multiples for some megacap tech names), Berkshire chose to take gains rather than add exposure.

• Tax timing and capital-gains considerations: Some reported disclosures cited tax planning as one factor in the timing of sales (e.g., taking gains while certain tax rates are favorable).

• Portfolio concentration management: Large winners can over-concentrate a portfolio (Apple once represented a very high share). Selling reduces concentration risk.

• Holding cash for optionality: A large cash hoard preserves the ability to act on large acquisition opportunities or to purchase equities at significantly lower prices during market stress.

• Delegated portfolio decisions: Not all buys/sells are attributable to Buffett personally; deputy portfolio managers (Ted Weschler, Todd Combs) have autonomy over portions of the portfolio, which can produce trading activity reflecting different styles.

These interpretations are reported by financial media rather than authoritative proclamations from Berkshire; they are plausible explanations consistent with Berkshire’s public statements and filings.

How the sales are disclosed and tracked

Market participants and journalists rely on several public documents to determine whether “is warren buffett selling stock” at a given time:

• SEC Form 13F (quarterly): Institutional investment managers with over $100 million in qualifying assets file a 13F each quarter listing long equity positions as of the quarter’s end. Analysts aggregate 13F filings to detect buys, sells, and position sizes.

• Berkshire quarterly and annual reports and shareholder letters: Berkshire’s own shareholder letter (authored historically by Buffett) and quarterly commentary provide context on operating results, cash, and occasionally strategic rationale.

• Form 4 (insider transactions): When Berkshire insiders or executives trade, Form 4 filings report those transactions; most large portfolio moves show up first in 13F.

• Press aggregation and financial-data vendors: Media outlets (Motley Fool, CNBC, Nasdaq summaries, Kiplinger, etc.) and data services compile filings into dollar-denominated, human-readable summaries.

For anyone investigating “is warren buffett selling stock,” start with the latest 13F on SEC EDGAR and Berkshire’s own shareholder filings for the most authoritative, verifiable data.

Market and investor reactions

Press coverage combined direct price reactions with broader commentary on signaling:

• Short-term price effects: Disclosures of large sales sometimes lead to modest immediate price pressure on the specific security, though markets often look through a single institutional sale given the size and scope of global liquidity.

• Signaling debate: Some commentators treat Berkshire’s selling as a warning about market valuations (Buffett historically warns about valuation excesses), while others stress that Berkshire’s unique constraints (size, capital needs, tax posture) make it a poor template for retail investors.

• Retail response: Media often caution retail investors not to mechanically copy Berkshire’s trades; differences in time horizon, liquidity needs, tax treatment, and ability to hold concentrated stakes make direct imitation risky.

Again: public reporting remains neutral about investment prescriptions; it documents activity and reports analysts’ views.

Data and reported figures (examples)

Below is an annotated, text-style summary of representative figures drawn from press compilations and filings through late 2025. Use these as examples that must be verified against primary filings for precise quarter-by-quarter accounting.

• Net sales (multi-year aggregate): Press aggregations reported nearly $184 billion in net marketable-equity sales for Berkshire across roughly three years leading into late 2025. (Reported in 2025 by multiple outlets.)

• Cash balance: Berkshire’s cash and short-term investments were reported by major outlets as approaching ~$400 billion as of late 2025, up from about $100 billion a few years earlier.

• Apple stake reduction: Coverage reported that Berkshire sold roughly 70–73% of its Apple holdings from the peak position accumulated 2016–2018; Apple still represented a large single-stock exposure by dollar value after the trims.

• Bank of America: Reported reductions of roughly 44% across observed reporting windows.

• Chevron: Reported partial sales amounting to roughly 26% of the position in a documented window.

Caveat: different media sources calculate totals slightly differently (market-value basis vs. share-count changes vs. timing of filings). For precise totals, consult SEC filings, Berkshire’s quarter-end schedules, and consolidated 13F data.

Criticisms and alternative views

Press and analysts have offered alternative perspectives about what Berkshire’s selling means:

• Tactical vs. strategic: Some argue sales are tactical rebalancing or tax-driven moves rather than a repudiation of the underlying businesses.

• Manager-level decisions: Since Weschler and Combs manage segments of the portfolio, some purchases and sales reflect the deputies’ choices rather than Buffett’s direct, sole decision.

• Opportunities vs. risks: Others see the cash buildup as defensive prudence rather than a signal of imminent market collapse; it preserves optionality rather than forcefully predicting a downturn.

• Timing risk: Critics note that holding huge cash positions can be costly if markets continue to rise; Berkshire’s cumulative sales may have reduced long-term upside compared with holding through a rally.

Implications for investors (neutral, non-advisory)

When evaluating whether “is warren buffett selling stock” should change your strategy, consider the following neutral points (not investment advice):

• Context matters: Berkshire’s scale, insurance float, and corporate needs differ from individual investors’. A large institutional sale can reflect priorities that don’t apply to retail accounts.

• Verify primary sources: Always consult Berkshire’s filings (13F, shareholder letters) for exact trade dates and position sizes rather than relying solely on press summaries.

• Time horizon and diversification: Individual investors’ time horizons, liquidity needs, and diversification goals may differ; a trade appropriate for Berkshire might be inappropriate for a retail portfolio.

• Use reliable tools: For crypto and Web3-connected investors, use secure wallets (Bitget Wallet is recommended for secure custody of digital assets) and a reputable platform (Bitget is available for exchange services) for trading and custody needs. Note: this is a product mention, not investment advice.

See also

• Berkshire Hathaway (company profile)
• Warren Buffett (biography and investing philosophy)
• SEC Form 13F (how institutional holdings are reported)
• Ted Weschler and Todd Combs (portfolio manager roles)
• Apple, Bank of America, Chevron (examples of large holdings in Berkshire’s portfolio)
• Corporate cash management and Treasury bill investments

References and sources (selected)

• The Motley Fool — (reporting on Berkshire’s portfolio activity and cash balance; reporting dates through 2025). As of December 31, 2025, Motley Fool reported on Berkshire’s sales and cash buildup.
• CNBC — (coverage of filings and commentary through 2025). Reported in 2025 on consecutive quarters of net selling and notable position trims.
• Nasdaq summary and press compendia — (stock-specific details and market-data context, reported in 2025).
• Fortune, 24/7 Wall St., Newsweek, Kiplinger — (various articles in 2024–2025 summarizing Berkshire’s buys, sells, and strategic posture).

Note on dates: where the text references "as of late 2025" or specific year-end statements, those reflect the contemporaneous reporting windows in which the listed outlets published their summaries. For the most authoritative, up-to-date figures, consult Berkshire’s SEC filings and its official shareholder communications.

Appendix A — How to verify current activity yourself

To confirm whether “is warren buffett selling stock” right now, use these primary sources and steps:

1. SEC EDGAR: Search for Berkshire Hathaway’s most recent Form 13F filings (quarterly). 13F filings list long equity holdings as of the quarter-end date. Compare successive 13Fs to see increases or decreases in share counts and market values.

2. Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters and quarterly reports: Berkshire’s own reports discuss cash, float, and occasionally provide contextual commentary that complements 13F data.

3. Insider transaction filings (Form 4): Useful if you want to check trades by officers or other insiders.

4. Reputable financial-news summaries: Use trusted outlets to get rapid aggregation of filings; then verify critical figures in primary filings.

5. For crypto-related custody or trading linked to portfolio analysis: use secure custody (e.g., Bitget Wallet) and a trusted exchange platform for execution (Bitget recommended). This is a product suggestion for platform/infrastructure, not investment advice.

Notes and caveats

• Reporting differences: Media outlets may calculate net sales or cash totals with slight methodological differences; cross-check primary filings.

• Timing and disclosure windows: 13F filings are quarterly and report positions as of the quarter’s end; intra-quarter trades may not be visible until the next 13F.

• Attribution: Some trades are executed by Berkshire’s portfolio managers (Combs, Weschler) and not exclusively by Buffett.

• No investment advice: This article documents public reporting and common analyses; it does not provide investment recommendations.

Further exploration: if you want, I can expand any timeline entries with exact filing references (specific 13F filing dates and line items) or produce a quarter-by-quarter table of buys/sells derived from SEC EDGAR extracts.