does berkshire hathaway own tesla stock? Quick answer

Does Berkshire Hathaway Own Tesla Stock?

Short summary: As of the latest public filings, Berkshire Hathaway does not own a direct, reportable position in Tesla, Inc. (TSLA). This matters because Warren Buffett’s investment choices are widely followed and because a Berkshire stake would signal a meaningful vote of confidence from one of the world’s largest, longest-term institutional investors.

Short answer / Executive summary

Does Berkshire Hathaway own Tesla stock? No — Berkshire Hathaway has not reported a direct, material TSLA stake in its SEC 13F disclosures. The absence of Tesla from Berkshire’s 13F filings and the company’s public comments, combined with Berkshire’s known EV exposure through a long-standing BYD holding and auto-related businesses, are the primary evidence behind that answer.

As of June 30, 2024, Berkshire’s most recent 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission did not list Tesla as a reportable holding. (Source: Berkshire Hathaway SEC Form 13F quarterly filing.)

Background

<h3>Berkshire Hathaway — investment approach and scale</h3> <p>Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified holding company led by Warren Buffett and a group of investment managers. The business owns operating companies (insurance, railroads, energy, manufacturing) and a large public-equity portfolio managed in part by Buffett and his team.</p> <p>Berkshire’s typical investment style emphasizes high-quality businesses, durable competitive advantages (“economic moats”), predictable earnings, and long holding periods. The company often concentrates capital in a relatively small number of large positions when it finds an attractive opportunity.</p> <p>Public disclosures of Berkshire’s public-equity holdings appear in periodic SEC filings (notably Form 13F for institutional holdings) and in Berkshire’s shareholder communications, such as annual letters and comments at the company’s annual meeting.</p> <h3>Tesla — company profile and investor interest</h3> <p>Tesla, Inc. (ticker: TSLA) is a U.S.-headquartered electric vehicle (EV) maker and energy solutions company that has become one of the most high-profile and highest-market-capitalization automakers in modern markets.</p> <p>Tesla’s blend of software, battery technology, manufacturing scale, and charismatic leadership has made its stock a focal point for institutional and retail investors. Whether major value investors like Berkshire own Tesla attracts attention because it suggests alignment (or divergence) of investment philosophies.</p>

Ownership history and public filings

<h3>Berkshire’s publicly reported equity holdings (13F evidence)</h3> <p>Institutional asset managers with at least $100 million in qualifying assets are required to file Form 13F quarterly with the U.S. SEC to report long U.S.-listed equity positions.</p> <p>Does Berkshire Hathaway own Tesla stock according to these filings? The straightforward check is to review Berkshire’s most recent Form 13F. As of the quarter ending June 30, 2024, Berkshire’s public 13F did not include a position in TSLA. Therefore, there is no reported, direct, long position in Tesla to Berkshire’s 13F as of that filing date. (Source: Berkshire Hathaway SEC Form 13F — quarter ended 2024-06-30.)</p> <p>Note: Form 13F only shows long U.S.-listed equity positions above certain thresholds and excludes private holdings, most derivative exposures, short positions, and non-U.S. securities held outside the filing requirements. Still, a material long stake in Tesla held publicly would normally appear on Berkshire’s 13F.</p> <h3>Known related investments (e.g., BYD, dealer businesses)</h3> <p>Berkshire’s primary, well-known exposure to the electric vehicle and broader auto space is its stake in BYD Co. Ltd., a China-based EV and battery maker. Berkshire acquired an interest in BYD in 2008 and that investment has been widely reported as Berkshire’s direct EV exposure.</p> <p>In addition, Berkshire owns businesses related to the car industry, such as auto insurers and auto parts or dealership businesses at various times through its operating subsidiaries. These direct operating exposures differ from owning shares of Tesla itself.</p>

Buffett’s and Berkshire leadership’s public statements on Tesla and the auto industry

<h3>Buffett and Munger’s stated views</h3> <p>Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger have repeatedly expressed caution toward automobile manufacturers as typical long-term value investments.</p> <p>Their documented concerns include intense competition, capital intensity, low incremental margins in parts of the auto industry, and the difficulty of forecasting long-term, predictable returns. These themes help explain why Buffett historically has steered Berkshire away from substantial ownership of carmakers, Tesla included.</p> <h3>Public interactions with Elon Musk</h3> <p>Elon Musk has publicly invited Berkshire and Warren Buffett to buy Tesla shares at various times. Berkshire has not accepted the invitation. Public comments and exchanges between Musk and Buffett attracted media attention, but they did not result in a disclosed Berkshire ownership stake in Tesla.</p>

Reasons Berkshire historically has not owned Tesla (analysis)

<h3>Investment criteria and valuation</h3> <p>Berkshire’s investment framework weighs predictable, durable free cash flow and strong, sustainable competitive advantages, priced at a level that allows for satisfactory returns over decades.</p> <p>Tesla’s valuation has often reflected high investor expectations for long-term growth and technological leadership. High market prices relative to conservative earnings estimates can make a stock inconsistent with Berkshire’s margin-of-safety approach.</p> <h3>Industry characteristics and capital intensity</h3> <p>The auto industry is capital- and manufacturing-intensive, with fierce competition and cyclical demand. Buffett has historically favored businesses where returns on invested capital are easier to forecast and more stable.</p> <h3>Corporate governance and management fit</h3> <p>Berkshire assesses both business quality and management fit when making investments. Management style, succession dynamics, and the ability to run a business independently of its founder are practical considerations for long-term ownership.</p>

Market and analyst perspectives

Financial press and analysts have offered three general takes on Berkshire’s absence from Tesla:

• Out-of-character explanation: Some analysts view Tesla as a potential long-term winner that does not fit Buffett’s typical value mold, and they argue Berkshire might be missing a major secular growth story.
• Prudent discipline: Others argue Berkshire’s avoidance of Tesla reflects discipline — don’t overpay for future growth and stick to businesses you can confidently value.
• Alternative exposure: Commentators highlight Berkshire’s BYD stake as an indirect exposure to EV growth, balancing the argument that Berkshire does have some EV industry exposure even without Tesla.

These perspectives appear across outlets including Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Nasdaq/The Motley Fool, Fortune, Investors Business Daily, Barron’s, and others that have discussed Buffett’s decisions and Tesla’s dynamics.

Could Berkshire buy Tesla in the future? Conditions that might change the decision

While Berkshire does not own Tesla today (per public 13F filings), the possibility of a future purchase depends on several changes that could alter the investment case:

1. Valuation compresses to a level Berkshire’s managers deem reasonable versus conservative future-earnings estimates.
2. Tesla’s long-term competitive advantages become clearer and more predictable.
3. Management succession and governance concerns are resolved to Berkshire’s satisfaction.
4. Berkshire’s internal allocation decisions and capital availability align with a desire to take a large, concentrated position.

Historically, Berkshire has adapted: it took a very large and eventually highly successful position in Apple years after initially not owning it. That precedent shows Berkshire can change course when its assessment of value and business quality evolves.

How to verify current ownership yourself

If you want to confirm whether Berkshire Hathaway owns Tesla stock now, follow these practical steps:

• Check Berkshire Hathaway’s latest SEC Form 13F (filed quarterly). The 13F lists long U.S.-listed equity holdings above reporting thresholds.
• Review Berkshire’s shareholder letters and annual meeting transcripts for direct commentary from Buffett or other executives about major portfolio moves.
• Consult reliable financial news coverage for reports of new filings or notable trades; look for confirmations that cite SEC data.

As a reminder, 13F filings have a reporting lag: they disclose holdings as of the quarter-end and are filed up to 45 days later. For intraday or very recent trades, 13F won’t show immediate changes.

Implications for investors

Does Berkshire Hathaway own Tesla stock? The practical implications of Berkshire owning—or not owning—Tesla include:

• Signal versus strategy: A Berkshire purchase would be a high-profile endorsement, but the absence of a stake does not imply Tesla is a bad company; it reflects differences in investment style and time horizon.
• Do not follow blindly: Investors should not treat Berkshire’s portfolio as a direct buy list. Each investor’s goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, and due diligence matter more than simply mimicking one investor.
• Diversification: Berkshire’s lack of TSLA ownership is balanced by other EV exposure (BYD) and broad diversification across industries, which may be relevant for portfolio construction decisions.

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Timeline of notable public events and coverage

Below are chronological highlights that help place Berkshire’s non-ownership of Tesla in context:

• 2008 — Berkshire invested in BYD, marking a long-term exposure to a major EV manufacturer in China.
• 2010s–2020s — Tesla’s rapid growth and rising valuation made it a focal point for many investors; Berkshire did not record a material TSLA position in 13F filings during this period.
• Multiple years — Elon Musk publicly invited Berkshire to buy Tesla shares; these invitations received media coverage but did not lead to a Berkshire stake.
• 2024-06-30 — Berkshire’s Form 13F for the quarter ended 2024-06-30 did not list Tesla among its reportable holdings. (Source: Berkshire Hathaway SEC Form 13F — quarter ended 2024-06-30.)

See also

• Berkshire Hathaway holdings
• Tesla investor profile
• SEC Form 13F: what it shows and what it doesn’t
• Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy
• BYD and EV industry comparisons

References and sources

The following reporting and filings informed this article. For definitive, primary evidence about Berkshire’s current holdings, consult Berkshire’s SEC filings.

• As of 2024-06-30, Berkshire Hathaway SEC Form 13F (quarterly filing) — primary evidence that Tesla was not a reported holding in that quarter.
• "3 Reasons Warren Buffett Doesn't Own Tesla Stock" — Yahoo Finance. (Article cited for commentary; consult the outlet for its publication date.)
• "Sorry, Elon: Warren Buffett won’t be buying Tesla stock" — MarketWatch. (Article cited for market commentary.)
• "Why Warren Buffett Isn't Likely to Buy Tesla Stock -- Ever" — Nasdaq / The Motley Fool. (Analysis piece cited for Buffett’s investing framework.)
• "Now we know why Warren Buffett has steered clear of Tesla, to Elon ..." — Fortune. (Coverage of Buffett’s stance.)
• "Warren Buffett And Cathie Wood Both Own These Two Hot Stocks" — Investors Business Daily. (Context on BYD and other holdings.)
• "How Berkshire Overtook Tesla in Market Cap" — Barron’s. (Context on relative market capitalizations and investor perception.)
• Additional analysis and historical coverage from The Motley Fool and other outlets discussing Buffett, Tesla, and the auto industry.

Primary-source verification: for the most up-to-date ownership data, always consult Berkshire Hathaway’s filings on the SEC’s EDGAR system and Berkshire’s own investor communications.

Next steps and resources

Want to track institutional holdings or confirm whether Berkshire Hathaway owns Tesla stock in future quarters?

1. Check the latest SEC Form 13F filings for Berkshire Hathaway.
2. Follow Berkshire’s shareholder letter and annual meeting commentary.
3. Use reputable market data and brokerage tools to monitor TSLA ownership changes over time.

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