We typically don’t find out about the stocks Berkshire Hathaway bought and sold until the company files its 13-F with the SEC. For the first quarter of 2023, 13-F filings aren’t due until May 15.
However, at Berkshire’s widely followed annual meeting, Warren Buffett and his team revealed two stocks the company sold during the first quarter. This was a big contributing factor to the conglomerate’s stockpile of cash growing to an all-time high of nearly $189 billion.
The two stocks were sold for very different reasons and had very different outcomes for Berkshire during their time in its massive stock portfolio. Here’s what they were, and why Berkshire sold each of them.
Two Different Tales: Paramount and Apple
During Berkshire’s Q&A session at the meeting, Buffett revealed that Berkshire had sold its entire stake in Paramount. Since early 2022, when Berkshire bought Paramount stock, it has fallen by 57%.
Buffett revealed that the sale was “100% my decision,” and since Berkshire invested, Paramount has faced challenges. In response, Buffett chose to cut the losses and move on.
The other stock Berkshire sold, and by far the larger of the two sales, is Apple. The tech giant has been Berkshire’s largest stock position for several years, and to be perfectly clear, that is still the case. In the third quarter, Berkshire sold about 13% of its stake in Apple, about 116 million shares.
However, unlike with Paramount, Buffett made it clear that Apple is still one of his favorite businesses and the sale was primarily for tax reasons. He could fear higher tax rates in the future, so selling some now could lock in today’s rates.
Buffett specifically named Apple as a stock that will probably remain a top holding of Berkshire in the future, even after he’s no longer running the investment portfolio. He called Apple an “even better business” than two of his longtime favorites.
Implications and Insights
Berkshire Hathaway has been a net seller of stocks in most quarters in recent history, reflecting Buffett’s changing views on certain companies and industries. These recent moves in the first quarter continue this trend.
As Berkshire’s 13-F is filed later this month, more details about the company’s stock activities will be revealed, shedding light on any potential buying activity within the portfolio.
These strategic sales provide valuable insights into Berkshire Hathaway’s investment strategy under Warren Buffett’s guidance. Despite selling certain stocks, the conglomerate’s financial decisions are rooted in a long-term perspective that aims to maximize returns for its shareholders.