does warren buffett own apple stock

Does Warren Buffett own Apple stock? Yes — primarily through Berkshire Hathaway. This long-form guide explains how Berkshire acquired, built, and later trimmed its Apple position, how ownership is ...

2026-01-26 00:32:00

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Does Warren Buffett own Apple stock?

Yes — the exposure commonly associated with the question does warren buffett own apple stock comes mainly through Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate Warren Buffett leads. Berkshire first disclosed an Apple position in 2016 and built that holding into one of its largest equity stakes over the next several years. As of late 2023 Berkshire owned roughly nine hundred million shares of Apple; large-scale sales reported in 2024 and continued trims in 2025 reduced that position but left Apple as a major holding during the unwind. Major changes are documented in SEC filings and public reports (see sources with dates in each section).

This article answers the question "does warren buffett own apple stock" in depth: who holds the shares, when and why Berkshire bought and later sold, how to verify holdings, and a timeline of key public events. It is written for investors and researchers who want authoritative, source-linked background (not investment advice). You will learn where to find exact up-to-date figures, how filings work, and what commentators said when Berkshire accumulated and later trimmed Apple stock.

Background: Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, and how Berkshire holds stocks

Warren Buffett is the long-time chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, the publicly listed holding company that manages a large portfolio of public equities and wholly owned businesses. When people ask "does warren buffett own apple stock," they usually mean whether Berkshire Hathaway — under Buffett's leadership — owns Apple stock, because most notable investments attributed to Buffett are actually held in Berkshire’s name rather than in Buffett’s personal accounts.

Berkshire holds stocks in several ways:

Direct equity positions in publicly traded companies, disclosed by Berkshire in regulatory filings and in shareholder communications.
Whole-company ownership (e.g., wholly owned subsidiaries) where public-equity filings are not relevant.
Through portfolio managers and investment teams who make trading decisions consistent with Buffett’s long-term value-investing principles.

Important distinction: When we say Berkshire (or Buffett) owns Apple stock, the legal owner on public filings is Berkshire Hathaway (or a Berkshire-controlled entity). Warren Buffett may also hold personal investments, but his most visible exposure to Apple historically came through Berkshire’s portfolio.

History of Berkshire Hathaway’s investment in Apple

Initial purchases (2016)

Berkshire Hathaway first disclosed a position in Apple in its filings for the first quarter of 2016. The 2016 disclosure showed a modest initial stake relative to later holdings. Reporting at the time attributed the decision to Berkshire’s investment team — a move consistent with Buffett’s openness to buying large capital-light technology companies when the valuation and competitive placement satisfied his criteria.

Key points about the initial purchase:

The position first appeared in Berkshire’s regulatory disclosures for 2016 (first quarter).
Early reporting noted the buy was notable because Buffett historically avoided large exposures to technology names until that period.
The rationale reported then emphasized Apple’s brand strength, recurring customer demand, services growth, and cash generation.

Accumulation and growth (2016–2023)

Between 2016 and 2023 Berkshire steadily accumulated Apple shares. Over these years the stake was repeatedly increased and became one of Berkshire’s largest holdings by value. Accumulation was visible in quarterly and annual filings and drew substantial market attention because the position grew to a size that materially influenced Berkshire’s investment performance.

Illustrative, verifiable facts (each figure must be checked against the filing date):

By the end of 2023 Berkshire’s Apple position had grown into the high hundreds of millions of shares. Published reporting and Berkshire communications indicated holdings on the order of roughly 900 million shares (for example, many outlets reported approximately 905 million shares as a round figure at year-end 2023).
The stake’s dollar value varied with Apple’s share price; at times it represented well over a hundred billion dollars of market value and accounted for a very large percentage of Berkshire’s equity securities portfolio.

Note: Numbers above are illustrative summaries cited by financial press; always read the 13F and Berkshire’s investor releases "as of" the specific date for exact counts.

Peak holdings and portfolio weight

At its peak in late 2022–2023, Apple became Berkshire’s single largest equity holding by market value. The Apple stake represented a substantial share of Berkshire’s publicly disclosed equity portfolio, and its performance contributed materially to Berkshire’s overall investment returns in those years. Analysts frequently labeled Apple as a cornerstone of Berkshire’s equity allocation because of its size and consistent dividend and buyback programs.

Typical reporting highlights:

Apple was the largest equity holding in Berkshire’s publicly traded stock portfolio at certain points.
The stake sometimes accounted for double-digit percentages of Berkshire’s total equity securities market value (reporting varied by date and market prices).

Recent sales and trimming (2024–2025)

Beginning in 2024, news outlets reported that Berkshire undertook significant sales of Apple shares. Multiple sources described multi-hundred-million-share reductions across one or more quarters in 2024, with continued trimming reported into 2025. Those sales reduced Berkshire’s total Apple share count substantially compared with the late-2023 peak, although for a time Apple remained one of the larger positions during the sell-down.

Examples of media-reported milestones (date-qualified):

As of April 25, 2024, Reuters reported that Berkshire had trimmed its Apple stake significantly during the first quarter of 2024 (Reuters, April 25, 2024).
CNBC and other outlets provided contemporaneous coverage in April–May 2024 documenting material reductions and discussing the size and potential motivations behind the sales (CNBC, April–May 2024 reporting).
Continued small-to-moderate reductions were reported by several outlets in 2025, indicating an ongoing rebalancing (reporting in 2025 noted continued trims; see the timeline and references below).

Important: Every reported sale should be reconciled with the underlying SEC filings (Berkshire’s 13F and public statements) to confirm the timing and magnitude of trades because press reports summarize filings and may present rounded figures.

Ownership details and public filings

How Berkshire’s Apple position is disclosed and where to verify:

SEC Form 13F: Institutional investment managers with over $100 million in qualifying assets must file Form 13F with the SEC each quarter, listing equity positions held at quarter end. Berkshire’s reported holdings of Apple are visible in its 13F submissions. Keep in mind 13F shows positions as of the quarter-end date and is filed with a reporting lag.
Berkshire Hathaway’s quarterly and annual reports and shareholder letters: Berkshire’s investor communications sometimes discuss major holdings and strategy context, and the company provides periodic updates on its balance sheet and cash position.
SEC EDGAR and SEC databases: The filings themselves (13F, company annual reports) are the primary source for exact share counts and dates.

Limitations and practical points:

13F timing: 13F filings reflect positions at quarter end; trades during the quarter are not visible until the next report. Therefore, if Berkshire sold Apple during a quarter, the 13F for the preceding quarter may show the larger pre-sale position and the sale will be visible only after the quarter-end reporting date.
Rounding and reporting differences: Press coverage frequently rounds share counts and values; always consult the filing for precise numbers.
Legal ownership: The 13F lists the institutional owner (Berkshire); that is the correct legal holder for the large Apple exposure commonly associated with Buffett.

Quantities, percentages, and value (examples from reporting)

When evaluating reports about Berkshire’s Apple position, you will typically see the following figures:

Number of shares: the absolute count of Apple shares held by Berkshire as reported in the 13F or other filings. Reporting often cites round figures (e.g., ~905 million shares as of end-2023) — always check the filing date.
Percent of outstanding shares: a measure of Berkshire’s stake versus total Apple shares outstanding. Berkshire’s position historically represented a minority of Apple’s total shares outstanding but was still a significant institutional stake.
Percent of Berkshire’s portfolio: the stake’s share of Berkshire’s publicly traded equity portfolio (the percentage of the portfolio’s market value allocated to Apple). During peak years this figure was notably large and drove much of Berkshire’s headline investment performance.
Market value: the dollar value calculated by multiplying Berkshire’s reported share count by Apple’s market price on the filing date or report date. Press summaries often provide a market-value figure (for example, many outlets estimated Berkshire’s Apple stake value at over $150 billion at certain points in 2023, depending on Apple’s market price then).

Illustrative (dated) references:

As of the end of 2023, multiple reports summarized Berkshire’s Apple holdings at roughly 900–915 million shares with a market value in the low hundreds of billions of dollars (reported in late 2023 coverage; verify exact numbers against Berkshire’s filings for that quarter).
As of April 2024, major outlets reported that Berkshire sold several hundred million Apple shares during the first quarter of 2024; these reductions lowered Berkshire’s share count materially relative to the 2023 peak (Reuters, April 25, 2024; CNBC, April 2024). Exact share counts and market values depend on the filing date used for the calculation.

Remember: attach an "as of [date]" qualifier to any number you cite and include a reference to the filing or reputable report for verification.

Reasons cited for buying, holding, and selling Apple stock

Reported rationales for the original purchase and later sales of Apple by Berkshire include several recurring themes. These explanations come from Berkshire’s public communications, Warren Buffett’s public comments, and analyst interpretations reported by trusted financial outlets.

Reasons cited for buying and holding Apple (reported during 2016–2023):

Strong brand and ecosystem: Apple’s loyal customer base and integrated hardware-software-services ecosystem were frequently cited as competitive advantages.
Recurring revenue and services growth: Analysts and Berkshire observers emphasized Apple’s increasing services revenue (App Store, subscriptions, services) as a higher-margin, recurring revenue component.
Cash generation and capital return programs: Apple’s strong free cash flow, dividends, and share buybacks were noted as attractive for an income-focused, long-term investor.
Valuation and investor returns: Berkshire’s team judged Apple’s valuation and long-term earnings potential to fit its investment framework during the accumulation phase.

Reasons cited for selling and trimming (reported during 2024–2025):

Portfolio rebalancing and concentration management: Given the size of the Apple stake, Berkshire may have chosen to reduce concentration risk and redeploy capital elsewhere or hold more cash.
Cash and liquidity needs: Reporting in 2024 linked part of the selling to a desire to increase Berkshire’s cash position (Reuters reported on Berkshire building cash balances during 2024).
Valuation and opportunistic trimming: Some analysts suggested Berkshire sold at times of high valuations to lock in gains and to manage risk exposure.
Tax and operational considerations: Large institutional sellers sometimes manage tax implications and corporate bookkeeping when reducing positions; press accounts often include these as possible factors.

Caveat: Berkshire itself does not always provide a detailed public explanation for each trade; media coverage blends direct statements, shareholder meeting commentary, interviews, and analyst interpretation. Always attribute reasons reported to the speaker or outlet and avoid assuming a single definitive motive unless Berkshire states it explicitly.

Impact on Berkshire’s portfolio, performance, and cash position

Apple’s strong performance from 2016 through 2023 materially boosted Berkshire’s investment returns because the position grew both in share count and in market value. Brokerage and news coverage highlighted the following impacts:

Performance contribution: Apple’s appreciation and buybacks meaningfully contributed to Berkshire’s public-equity gains for several years.
Portfolio concentration: The large Apple stake made Berkshire more exposed to a single company’s performance than is typical for many diversified investors; this heightened the importance of Berkshire’s decisions about when to trim.
Cash reserves: Sales of Apple shares in 2024 and 2025, as reported by major outlets, increased Berkshire’s cash holdings and provided liquidity for other investments or to add buffer against market volatility (Reuters reporting in April 2024 highlighted Berkshire’s rising cash position following sales).

All statements about impact should be checked against Berkshire’s quarterly statements and shareholder letters for precise figures and management commentary.

Public statements and commentary

Warren Buffett and other Berkshire representatives have occasionally commented publicly on Apple. Sources for these statements include Berkshire shareholder meetings, Warren Buffett’s interviews, Berkshire’s annual shareholder letters, and public appearances. Notable public remarks often referenced Apple’s franchise value, leadership, and capital-return programs.

In addition, analysts and commentators at major financial publications discussed Berkshire’s Apple moves. A recorded video interview and public appearances where Buffett addressed Apple later appeared in mainstream coverage (for example, a video with Buffett discussing sales and strategy circulated in 2024 and was reported by outlets at that time).

Where to find these remarks:

Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting transcripts and videos.
Warren Buffett’s interviews and public speeches.
Berkshire’s shareholder letters and investor communications.

When quoting or summarizing statements, always attribute the quote (who said it), the venue (shareholder meeting, interview), and the date.

How to verify current ownership (where to look)

To confirm whether Berkshire (and thus Warren Buffett by association) currently owns Apple stock and to see how many shares are held, use primary and reputable secondary sources:

SEC Form 13F filings: Check Berkshire’s most recent 13F filing for the exact number of Apple shares held as of the quarter-end date. Remember the filing lag.
Berkshire Hathaway investor communications: Quarterly reports, 10-Q/10-K filings, and the annual shareholder letter may discuss large holdings and the company’s cash position.
SEC EDGAR database: The filings are public and searchable.
Reputable financial news outlets and data providers: Outlets such as Reuters, CNBC, and The Motley Fool provide summaries and context; they also report on large changes when 13F filings or Berkshire disclosures are released. When you rely on them, use their reporting date and cross-check with the original filing where possible.

Timing notes:

If you want "real-time" confirmation of a Berkshire trade, recognize there is a delay: institutions report holdings quarterly, so intraperiod trades are not visible until the subsequent 13F.
For the most accurate official numbers, consult the relevant 13F and Berkshire’s SEC filings and add the appropriate "as of" date to any figure you cite.

Timeline of major events (chronological)

Below is a concise, date-qualified timeline of publicly reported milestones connected to the question does warren buffett own apple stock. Each item references general reporting; for exact share counts and wording, consult the cited filings and articles "as of" the listed dates.

2016 (Q1): Berkshire first disclosed a position in Apple in its filings for the first quarter of 2016. The initial stake marked Buffett’s notable entry into a major technology-related holding.
2016–2023: Berkshire accumulated Apple shares across multiple periods. By the end of 2023 Berkshire’s Apple holding had grown to roughly the high hundreds of millions of shares (press reporting cited figures around ~900–915 million shares as an illustrative round figure; confirm with filing dates).
Late 2022–2023: Apple became Berkshire’s largest publicly traded equity holding by market value at certain points, and its contribution to Berkshire’s returns was frequently highlighted in shareholder communications and news coverage.
April 2024: Multiple outlets — including Reuters (April 25, 2024) and CNBC (April 2024) — reported that Berkshire had sold a large number of Apple shares during the first quarter of 2024, reducing its position by several hundred million shares. These reports cited 13F filings and other regulatory disclosures.
2024–2025: Continued trimming of Berkshire’s Apple stake was reported by several outlets. Coverage in 2025 indicated smaller ongoing reductions and continued portfolio rebalancing.
Ongoing: Quarterly 13F filings and Berkshire’s investor statements remain the authoritative sources for up-to-date share counts and positions. Always check the filing "as of" date when comparing numbers.

Analysis and market reaction

How the market and analysts reacted to Berkshire’s Apple actions varied by timing:

Accumulation era reaction (2016–2023): Analysts and investors viewed Berkshire’s growing Apple position as an endorsement of Apple’s long-term economics and a signal that long-term, value-oriented investors could consider large-cap technology names when fundamentals were compelling.
Sale and trim reaction (2024–2025): The large-scale sales reported in 2024 prompted debate among commentators. Some framed the sales as pragmatic risk management and de-risking of an outsized position; others interpreted them as Berkshire taking profits into cash amid macro uncertainties or to fund other opportunities. Coverage frequently emphasized that large institutional sales do not necessarily mean a fundamental loss of confidence in the underlying company — organizations rebalance for multiple reasons.
Market moves: Apple’s share price movements reflect many factors beyond one institutional holder; while Berkshire’s holdings are sizable, Apple has many institutional and retail owners. Analysts cautioned against reading Berkshire’s trades as the sole signal for Apple’s outlook.

Neutral takeaway: Berkshire’s decisions to buy, hold, and sell Apple were important market signals but must be interpreted alongside broader data: Apple’s fundamentals, macroeconomic conditions, and Berkshire’s strategic needs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Does Warren Buffett personally own Apple shares? A: The most prominent Apple exposure associated with Warren Buffett is held in Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett’s personal holdings are private relative to Berkshire’s public filings; public reporting and filings attribute the large Apple stake to Berkshire rather than to Buffett’s personal brokerage accounts.

Q: How often does Berkshire report its Apple holdings? A: Berkshire’s institutional equity holdings are reported quarterly via SEC Form 13F (subject to the filing lag). Berkshire also provides other investor disclosures (quarterly and annual reports) that discuss capital allocation and cash positions.

Q: Where can I find the exact number of Apple shares Berkshire holds now? A: Check Berkshire Hathaway’s most recent Form 13F filed with the SEC (searchable in the SEC EDGAR database) and reference the filing’s quarter-end date. Reputable financial news outlets publish summaries after filings are released.

Q: Are the numbers reported in press coverage exact? A: Press outlets often round figures for readability. For precise counts and legal reporting, use the 13F filing and Berkshire’s SEC submissions and note the exact "as of" date.

Q: Did Berkshire sell all of its Apple stock? A: No. Reporting in 2024 and 2025 documented significant reductions, not an absolute and permanent divestment in all cases. Use the latest 13F and Berkshire statements to see the current status as of the filing date.

References and sources

This article is based on primary filings and reputable media reporting. For numbers and exact wording, consult the primary sources listed below (date-qualified reporting included where applicable):

Berkshire Hathaway SEC filings and Form 13F submissions (quarterly). (Use SEC EDGAR to view the filings "as of" the relevant quarter-end date.)
As of April 25, 2024, Reuters reported sizable reductions in Berkshire’s Apple stake during the first quarter of 2024 (Reuters, April 25, 2024).
CNBC provided contemporaneous reporting on Berkshire’s Apple sales and portfolio changes in April–May 2024 (CNBC, April–May 2024).
The Motley Fool published analysis and timeline coverage on Berkshire’s Apple transactions across multiple articles through 2023–2025 (The Motley Fool, various dates).
Additional reporting and commentary from outlets such as TheStreet, TheMaven, and other financial news sources provided context and summarized filings across 2024–2025.
Warren Buffett’s public appearances, Berkshire shareholder meetings, and investor communications (shareholder letters) for direct statements attributed to Berkshire leadership.

Editors: attach the specific filing URLs and exact 13F filing dates when updating numbers. All numeric claims in the article should be followed by an "as of [date]" note and a citation to the filing or report.

Notes for editors

Update this article each quarter after Berkshire’s Form 13F is filed to keep share counts and market-value calculations current.
Always include "as of [date]" qualifiers for share counts, percentages, and market values and cite the precise filing.
Avoid using rounded figures without noting the rounding and the source.
This article is informational and does not constitute investment advice.