Berkshire Hathaway became a net buyer of stocks for the first time in 14 quarters, purchasing $19.8 billion more than it sold.
Berkshire Hathaway shifted its capital allocation strategy in the second quarter, buying $23.5 billion in stocks while selling $3.7 billion and repurchasing $4.5 billion of its own shares. The net $19.8 billion in stock purchases marked the end of 14 consecutive quarters of net selling by the conglomerate.
The company’s cash reserves declined modestly, from $380.2 billion to $364.7 billion, a 4.1% drop. Berkshire also increased its stake in Alphabet by 83%, making it the third-largest listed holding. Despite the activity, leadership roles in specific trades remain unclear, with Warren Buffett noting Alphabet was his idea.
The filing reflects a measured approach rather than an aggressive market bet, signaling confidence in select opportunities while maintaining a substantial cash buffer.