has warren buffett bought any stocks — a clear guide

has warren buffett bought any stocks — a clear guide

Quick answer: has warren buffett bought any stocks? Yes — Warren Buffett, primarily through Berkshire Hathaway, regularly buys and sells publicly traded U.S. stocks. His trades are disclosed via regulatory filings (notably SEC Form 13F) and described in Berkshire reports and financial press. This article explains what those filings show, Buffett’s long‑term approach, notable holdings, recent activity (including Q3 2025 filings), how to track changes yourself, and the limitations of public disclosures.

Background: Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway

Warren Buffett is the long‑time chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, an insurance‑centric conglomerate that Buffett transformed into a major investment vehicle. Berkshire owns operating businesses (insurance, utilities, manufacturing) and holds a large portfolio of publicly traded U.S. equities.

Buffett’s trades attract outsized attention because Berkshire is large: its equity portfolio can represent tens of billions of dollars in single positions. Media, investors and academics closely follow filings and Buffett’s annual letters for insights into what a multi‑decade, highly respected investor is buying and selling.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? The short historical answer is that Buffett has bought many stocks across decades — some held for the very long term, others bought or trimmed opportunistically.

How Buffett’s Stock Purchases Are Disclosed

• SEC Form 13F: U.S. institutional managers who exceed $100 million in qualifying securities must file Form 13F quarterly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Berkshire’s 13F lists long U.S. exchange‑listed equity positions and is the primary public source for tracking Berkshire’s visible stock holdings.

• Timing and limits: 13F filings are submitted with a delay (within 45 days after quarter end). They show end‑of‑quarter holdings and do not show intraday trading, exact execution dates, or derivatives/short positions. 13F only covers long U.S. equities and certain ADRs, not private holdings or many cash positions.

• Berkshire’s own disclosures: Buffett’s annual shareholder letters, Berkshire Hathaway’s press releases and quarterly reports provide additional context, though they do not list every trade. For major acquisitions or business purchases, Berkshire issues direct statements.

• Public trackers: Financial outlets and portfolio trackers (for example, major financial news sites and institutional trackers) consolidate 13F data and provide summaries. These sources are commonly cited when media report on what Buffett/Berkshire bought or sold in a given quarter.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Yes — and 13F filings are how the market finds much of that answer, subject to the filing’s timing and scope constraints.

Historical Buying Philosophy and Approach

Warren Buffett’s public investing philosophy centers on long‑term, value‑oriented ownership. Key elements include:

• Durable competitive advantages ("moats"): Brands, network effects, distribution advantages or regulatory protections.
• Predictable cash flows and high returns on capital.
• Strong management teams and straightforward businesses that are understandable.
• A preference for concentrated positions in high‑conviction ideas rather than broad diversification.

Over recent years, Buffett delegated portions of the public equity portfolio to co‑managers (notably Ted Weschler and Todd Combs), who run subportfolios inside Berkshire. Succession planning (including executives such as Greg Abel) also shapes how decisions are made and how future trades may be attributed.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Historically yes, especially when valuations and business quality aligned with this philosophy. That same philosophy helps explain why Buffett was cautious on high‑growth, early‑stage tech for many years and later took large positions in more mature technology exposures like Apple.

Typical Characteristics of Buffett Buys

• Large, established companies with strong cash generation.
• Brands or market positions that provide some pricing power.
• Understandable business models.
• Sometimes opportunistic purchases in beaten‑down cyclical names when assessed value increases.

These patterns are visible across Berkshire’s long‑standing stakes and newer initiatives.

Notable Long‑Term Holdings

Berkshire’s portfolio has included several large, well‑known positions that have been staples across years. Common examples include:

• Apple Inc.: A top‑weighted position for several years, representing a major portion of Berkshire’s equity market exposure.
• American Express: A long‑held financial services stake reflecting Buffett’s affinity for strong brands and consumer finance economics.
• Bank of America: A major bank holding representing Berkshire’s exposure to large U.S. financial institutions.
• Coca‑Cola: A classic Buffett holding, held for decades as a stable consumer brand.
• Chevron and Occidental: Energy positions Berkshire has added to and adjusted across recent years.

These holdings illustrate Buffett’s tilt toward quality franchises and, in some cases, financials and energy when valuations or strategic opportunities arose.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Many of these holdings were bought and later increased at different times; they are visible in 13F snapshots and Berkshire communications.

Recent Purchase Activity (examples from 2024–2026 reporting)

In recent quarters Berkshire’s reported activity has mixed periods of selective buying with broader reductions. Media outlets and filings show that Berkshire sometimes sells more than it buys overall, while still initiating or adding to individual positions.

As of November 2025, according to media coverage of Berkshire Hathaway’s Q3 2025 Form 13F and other filings, Berkshire reported new or enlarged positions in a number of names. Reporting from financial press (consolidating 13F data) flagged specific 2025 activity described below.

Third‑quarter 2025 and surrounding quarters — Alphabet and others

As of November 2025, news outlets summarized Q3 2025 13F data and reported that Berkshire had initiated or added to positions including:

• Alphabet (GOOGL): A new or increased position reported in Q3 2025 filings, drawing attention because it represents added exposure to large‑cap technology and advertising/search platforms.
• Chubb (CB): An insurance company fitting Berkshire’s insurance expertise and capital allocation interests.
• Domino’s Pizza (DPZ): A consumer brand acquisition consistent with Buffett‑style bets on durable franchises.
• Lamar Advertising (LAMR): A media/advertising company with real‑estate‑like cash flow characteristics.
• Lennar (LEN): A homebuilder exposure reported in filings, reflecting activity in housing‑related equities.
• Sirius XM (SIRI): A position that aligns with investments in media and subscription cash flows.

Sources that reported these items include major financial outlets which consolidated Berkshire’s 13F filings and provided context for investors. (Reporting date: November 2025, per consolidated 13F coverage in financial press.)

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Yes — the Q3 2025 filings show Berkshire added a mix of legacy‑style positions and select new names like Alphabet.

Other notable recent moves

• Apple adjustments: Several recent quarters included partial sales of Apple shares in different tranches; those reductions were widely reported while Apple remained a sizable position.
• Energy adds: Berkshire has adjusted stakes in energy names (Occidental, Chevron), sometimes increasing exposure when management judged valuations attractive.
• Net selling quarters: Across 2024–2025 Berkshire sometimes reported net sales (selling more equity value than bought) while still initiating targeted positions.

These patterns underscore that Berkshire’s activity is not a simple “buy all the time” signal — rather, the firm manages capital across operating businesses and the public equity portfolio.

Trend: Net Buying vs. Net Selling

In some periods Berkshire has been a net seller overall even while initiating or adding positions to select names. This reflects several forces:

• Cash uses: Large buybacks of Berkshire‑owned companies, capital allocation to operating businesses, or insurance float management.
• Rebalancing: Trimming concentration in big winners (e.g., partial Apple sales) while redeploying capital selectively.
• Risk management: Maintaining ample liquid resources for large private purchases or opportunistic deals.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? The answer is nuanced: Berkshire both buys and sells; media summaries of 13F data show quarters of net selling even alongside headline new holdings.

Who Actually Makes the Trades?

• Warren Buffett: As chairman and long‑time CEO, Buffett sets portfolio philosophy and personally oversees large strategic allocations.
• Co‑managers: Ted Weschler and Todd Combs run meaningful portions of the equity portfolio and execute many public‑market trades. Their activity appears in 13F filings as Berkshire positions.
• Succession and senior management: Berkshire’s broader executive team (including Greg Abel in operational leadership) shapes capital allocation and may influence trade decisions indirectly.

Attribution of a specific trade to Buffett personally is not always public. 13F filings show the portfolio position at quarter end, not the trader.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Sometimes yes, sometimes the co‑managers initiate trades — 13F data alone cannot definitively assign authorship of each transaction.

Market and Media Reaction to Buffett’s Buys

Large Berkshire purchases or sales often attract market attention. Reasons include:

• Scale: A single large trade can represent billions of dollars and affect share prices, at least temporarily.
• Signaling: The market reads Berkshire moves as a signal about valuation or business quality.
• Media coverage: Major outlets dissect filings and speculate about strategic rationale.

For example, Berkshire’s reported 2025 move into Alphabet generated headlines because it represented a notable exposure to a major technology company. Media and analysts discussed the implications for Berkshire’s stance on large‑cap tech and AI exposure.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Yes — and such purchases can prompt both short‑term market moves and extended debate about strategy.

How to Track Buffett’s Current Holdings Yourself

If you want to follow Berkshire’s purchases and holdings:

1. Read Berkshire Hathaway’s Form 13F on the SEC’s EDGAR system. These filings provide the official list of long U.S. equity holdings reported by Berkshire at quarter end.
2. Monitor Berkshire’s annual shareholder letter and company filings for official context and major announcements.
3. Follow reputable financial media and consolidated trackers that parse 13F data and summarize changes (e.g., major national business outlets and portfolio tracking services).
4. Use institutional portfolio aggregation services (which compile 13F data) to get quick snapshots of holdings and quarter‑to‑quarter changes.

Note: If you wish to trade the same stocks yourself, consider liquidity and execution. For trading and custody services, Bitget is recommended here as a platform option, and the Bitget Wallet is suggested for web3 assets and self‑custody needs.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? You can verify each reported buy by checking Berkshire’s official 13F filings and contemporaneous media coverage.

Limitations and Caveats

When interpreting Berkshire’s reported buys and sells via 13F and media summaries, keep these caveats in mind:

• Time lag: 13F filings are delayed and show end‑of‑quarter holdings; they do not reveal the exact date of purchases or intraday trading.
• Coverage scope: 13F covers long positions in many U.S. exchange‑listed equities but excludes short positions, most derivatives, private investments and non‑U.S. holdings.
• Attribution: A listed position could have been opened by a co‑manager rather than Buffett himself. 13F does not identify traders.
• Size thresholds: 13F rules mean some smaller positions may not appear, and the filing reflects holdings by the reporting manager category.

Therefore, while 13F and press reports are useful, they are not a full, real‑time ledger of Berkshire’s trading activity.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Public filings confirm that Berkshire buys and sells, but the filings should be read with these limits in mind.

Impact on Individual Investors

Retail investors often ask whether they should copy Berkshire’s trades. Considerations:

• Time horizon and goals: Berkshire’s large, concentrated positions may suit long‑term investors comfortable with the company’s approach, but each investor has unique risk tolerance and liquidity needs.
• Scale differences: Individual investors cannot always replicate large institutional executions or negotiate the same transaction costs.
• Taxes and timing: Replicating trades across taxable accounts raises tax considerations that differ from Berkshire’s institutional structure.
• Research duty: Rather than blindly copying trades, investors should evaluate fundamentals, valuation and fit with their personal portfolios.

This article does not provide investment advice. It lays out facts about Berkshire’s public filings and how to track them.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Understanding the context and limits of filings helps investors decide how (or whether) to incorporate that information into their own decisions.

Market Context and Related Industry Coverage

Large institutional trades are often discussed in the broader context of market themes. For example, commentary on technology and AI adoption by major companies influences how the market interprets Berkshire’s moves into technology names. Separately, coverage of other large industry figures and their strategies can provide contrasting perspectives on what institutional investors value.

• As of January 2026, coverage of Elon Musk and vertically integrated AI strategies highlighted how other large capital allocators view exposure to AI and infrastructure (reporting by major outlets discussed Musk’s companies and their rapid deployment of AI compute resources, citing interviews from October 2024 and updates through 2025). These pieces underscore how an investor’s thesis about technology execution (not only balance‑sheet size) affects where large portfolios allocate capital.

• Reporting date note: specific stories on Musk’s AI infrastructure and execution were published or updated across late 2024 and 2025; readers should check original articles for timing and detail when comparing to Berkshire’s own moves.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Berkshire’s technology exposure can be viewed against larger market narratives about AI, data and execution — but intricate comparisons require careful, dated source checks.

See Also

• Berkshire Hathaway
• Warren Buffett
• SEC Form 13F
• List of Berkshire Hathaway holdings
• Value investing

References and Further Reading

• Berkshire Hathaway’s Form 13F filings (SEC EDGAR) — primary source for quarter‑end long U.S. equity holdings.
• Reporting and summaries by major financial press (Motley Fool, CNBC, Kiplinger, Fortune, U.S. News) that consolidated and analyzed 13F data for Q3 2025 and nearby quarters. Reporting date examples: coverage of Q3 2025 filings published in November 2025 summarized new positions including Alphabet, Chubb, Domino’s Pizza, Lamar Advertising, Lennar, and Sirius XM.
• Market analysis pieces on broader industry trends (for context), including coverage of Elon Musk’s companies and AI infrastructure. Reporting on Musk’s AI and infrastructure execution appeared across October 2024 and was discussed in industry updates through 2025; readers should consult those dated articles for precise timelines and reported metrics.

Sources and reporting dates matter when evaluating trades. As of November 2025, 13F‑based summaries from financial press were the basis for the recent Q3 2025 buy lists described above.

Practical Checklist: If You Want to Follow Buffett’s Trades

• Step 1: Check Berkshire’s 13F on SEC EDGAR after quarter end (13F due within 45 days).
• Step 2: Read headlines from reputable financial outlets that consolidate and interpret 13F changes.
• Step 3: Review Berkshire’s shareholder letter and annual reports for managerial commentary and major transactions.
• Step 4: Use institutional trackers for historical comparison across quarters.
• Step 5: If considering trades, account for taxes, execution, and fit with your portfolio. For execution needs, consider Bitget as a trading venue and Bitget Wallet for custody options for web3 assets.

has warren buffett bought any stocks? Use primary filings plus respected consolidation sources to verify any reported buys before acting on the information for your own portfolio.

Limitations on This Article and Next Steps

This article summarizes public filings and press coverage through late 2025. For precise, up‑to‑date confirmation of specific buys or sells after Q3 2025, consult Berkshire Hathaway’s latest filings on the SEC EDGAR system and contemporaneous reporting by major business media.

Want to dig deeper? Explore Berkshire’s 13F filings directly and sign up for alerts from reputable financial news services. If you trade publicly listed equities, consider using a regulated platform such as Bitget and secure custody via Bitget Wallet for digital asset needs.

Further exploration and recurring checks of filings will give the most accurate picture of whether and which stocks Berkshire (and by extension Buffett’s team) has bought.

Read more on how public filings work and how to interpret 13F data — and explore Bitget’s resources to support your market research and trading needs.