what stocks does warren buffet own 2026

What stocks does Warren Buffett own

This article answers the question "what stocks does warren buffet own" by summarizing the publicly disclosed equity holdings associated with Warren Buffett’s investment vehicle, Berkshire Hathaway. In plain language you will learn how Buffett’s public equity portfolio is disclosed and tracked, which positions traditionally make up the largest stakes, notable long‑term holdings and case studies, recent moves, and practical steps to verify current holdings. If you want to follow or compare these positions, this guide also points to reliable trackers and explains limitations of the data.

Note: this guide focuses on publicly traded equity positions disclosed by Berkshire Hathaway and other reported stakes. It does not treat Berkshire’s wholly owned businesses (for example, BNSF or GEICO) as part of the public‑equity list, though those businesses are central to Berkshire’s value.

Overview of Berkshire Hathaway’s public‑equity portfolio

When people ask "what stocks does warren buffet own" they generally mean the large, publicly traded equity positions held by Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire’s public‑equity portfolio typically consists of a relatively concentrated set of large positions in blue‑chip companies and financial institutions. The portfolio size and composition change with trades and market moves; holdings are publicly reported on a quarterly basis via SEC Form 13F and summarized in Berkshire’s disclosures and media coverage.

• Portfolio scope: public U.S. and selected foreign equities disclosed in 13F filings.
• Typical concentration: a handful of very large positions represent a large portion of the public‑equity market value; many smaller positions form the remainder.
• Reporting frequency: SEC Form 13F filings are submitted quarterly; Berkshire also discloses some stakes in company filings and in press coverage or its shareholder letters.

Because Berkshire owns both publicly traded positions and wholly owned private businesses, readers should keep in mind the difference between "stocks Warren Buffett owns" (public equities) and Berkshire’s privately held operating businesses and debt holdings.

How holdings are disclosed and tracked

Understanding "what stocks does warren buffet own" requires familiarity with disclosure mechanics and popular trackers.

• SEC Form 13F: Institutional investment managers with over $100 million in qualifying assets (including Berkshire Hathaway) must file Form 13F quarterly with the SEC. Each 13F lists long equity positions (issuer name, ticker, shares, market value as of the reporting quarter‑end). Files are publicly available on the SEC EDGAR system.

• Timing and limitation: 13F filings show positions as of the quarter‑end and are filed up to 45 days after quarter close. They do not show intraday trades, short positions, option notional exposures fully, or cash. Positions can change significantly between filings.

• Third‑party trackers and press: Financial news and trackers such as HedgeFollow, CNBC, Morningstar, Motley Fool, Kiplinger, buffett.online, BuffetBuys and NerdWallet compile and interpret 13F data and company disclosures to present readable lists of holdings, approximate shares and portfolio weights. These sources also report on newer disclosures (company filings, Berkshire commentary) and contextualize large moves.

As of the latest quarterly 13F available at the time of writing (quarter ended March 31, 2024; filings typically posted in May 2024), major media trackers and portfolio services reported consistent top positions for Berkshire. For precise, up‑to‑date figures always consult the latest 13F on SEC EDGAR or reputable portfolio trackers.

Top holdings (typical/current large positions)

This section answers "what stocks does warren buffet own" by listing the largest publicly reported positions that historically appear near the top of Berkshire Hathaway’s public‑equity portfolio. Exact relative sizes change with market moves and trading; the date of the 13F or company disclosure should always be noted when quoting numbers.

As of the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (per Berkshire’s 13F filings and portfolio trackers reported in May 2024):

Apple Inc. (AAPL)

• Why it matters: Historically Berkshire’s single largest public‑equity holding by market value.
• Position rationale: Buffett has described Apple more as a consumer franchise with strong recurring revenue and a loyal installed base than a traditional tech investment—he values its free cash flow, brand, and shareholder returns.
• Typical stake info: Apple has represented a sizable percentage of Berkshire’s public‑equity market value in recent filings.

Bank of America (BAC)

• Why it matters: One of Berkshire’s major banking stakes and a large financial position.
• Position rationale: Exposure to the U.S. banking sector and an influential long‑term relationship.
• Typical stake info: Bank of America often appears among top holdings by value.

American Express (AXP)

• Why it matters: One of Buffett’s longest‑held positions, often held for decades.
• Position rationale: Strong brand, network effects in payments and charge‑card economics, durable franchise.

Coca‑Cola (KO)

• Why it matters: A signature long‑term holding dating back to the 1980s.
• Position rationale: Predictable consumer demand, strong brand, and steady dividends.

Chevron Corporation (CVX)

• Why it matters: Energy sector exposure; in recent years Berkshire added sizeable energy positions.
• Position rationale: High free cash flow in cycles and dividend income; exposure to energy producers.

Occidental Petroleum (OXY)

• Why it matters: A large energy sector stake that has appeared prominently in recent years.
• Position rationale: Strategic exposure to oil production and value opportunities in energy.

Moody’s Corporation (MCO)

• Why it matters: Exposure to information services and credit rating franchise.
• Position rationale: High margins and recurring revenues in an oligopolistic market.

Other notable public positions often reported

• Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA): payments exposure (these, when held, often occupy meaningful but smaller percentages).
• Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOGL), and select technology or consumer names: occasional stakes reported depending on the period.

Important: The exact number of shares and percent of portfolio change between quarters. When answering "what stocks does warren buffet own" for a specific date, cite the quarter‑end and source. For example, "As of March 31, 2024, per Berkshire’s 13F filed in May 2024 and summarized by HedgeFollow and CNBC, Apple was Berkshire’s largest public‑equity position by market value."

Notable long‑term holdings and their histories

A core part of answering "what stocks does warren buffet own" is recognizing which stakes are longstanding and why Buffett has kept them.

• Coca‑Cola (KO): Buffett began buying Coca‑Cola shares in the late 1980s. The investment is a classic example of Buffett’s preference for consumer franchises with predictable demand and strong brands.

• American Express (AXP): Berkshire’s relationship with American Express goes back decades. Buffett has emphasized the card network’s brand and economic moat as central to the investment thesis.

• Wells Fargo (historical): Wells Fargo was a large, long‑held banking stake for Berkshire for many years, though its weighting changed after bank‑specific challenges. This illustrates that even long‑held positions can be trimmed or sold.

• See case studies below for short synopses of a few signature holdings.

Case study: Apple as a franchise

Apple became Berkshire’s largest public‑equity holding in the 2010s. Buffett’s investment thesis emphasized the company’s strong ecosystem, recurring hardware upgrade cycles, growing services business with high margins, and significant share repurchase programs. Apple’s combination of cash flows and brand loyalty fit Buffett’s preference for predictable, cash generative businesses.

Case study: American Express and franchise economics

American Express’s long history in Berkshire’s portfolio reflects Buffett’s focus on companies with network effects and durable competitive advantages. The AmEx brand and charge‑card economics produce steady fee income and customer loyalty, aligning with Buffett’s preference for long duration cash flows.

Case study: Energy positions (Chevron, Occidental)

In recent years, Berkshire increased exposure to large energy producers. Those positions reflect an allocation to cyclically attractive commodity producers with the potential for strong free cash generation in high price environments. These holdings illustrate Buffett’s pragmatic willingness to own commodity producers when valuations or return potential are attractive.

Recent changes and notable trades

When readers ask "what stocks does warren buffet own" they often mean "what has changed recently in the Berkshire portfolio." Berkshire’s filings and financial press summarize buys, sells and new positions.

• 13F timing: Because 13F reports positions at quarter‑end, the market reaction to trades can precede or follow the published filing date.

• How news outlets report moves: CNBC, The Motley Fool, Kiplinger and HedgeFollow often publish lists and commentary after filings, highlighting increased or reduced stakes and new positions.

• Example themes (recent quarters through early 2024): strategic increases in energy stocks, adjustments in bank exposures, and continued concentration in large cap leaders such as Apple. Specific buy/sell quantities should be verified in the latest 13F for the quarter you are researching.

As of May 2024 reporting on the quarter ended March 31, 2024, trackers noted that Berkshire continued to hold large positions in Apple, Bank of America and American Express while maintaining meaningful energy sector exposure. For the most current view of "what stocks does warren buffet own," consult the latest 13F filing for the quarter you care about and cross‑reference with major financial news outlets.

International and non‑U.S. public holdings

Berkshire’s public‑equity portfolio has historically included some foreign holdings. For example, Berkshire disclosed sizable stakes in certain Japanese trading houses in prior years. International positions are included in 13F filings when they are U.S.‑listed or otherwise reportable under 13F rules.

Reporting of foreign positions follows the same quarter‑end reporting process. When researching "what stocks does warren buffet own" across borders, verify whether positions are reported in U.S. tickers or via ADRs and check company filings for cross‑confirmation.

Investments outside the public‑equity portfolio

To fully answer "what stocks does warren buffet own" one must clarify that Berkshire’s overall value is derived from both its publicly traded securities and its wholly owned operating companies, which are not listed stocks but are very substantial:

• Wholly owned businesses: BNSF Railway, GEICO, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and dozens of insurance, manufacturing, retail and service companies make up a large portion of Berkshire’s intrinsic value.

• Fixed income and cash: Berkshire holds significant cash and marketable debt securities. These are not always the focus when people ask about stocks, but they influence Berkshire’s ability to transact and deploy capital.

• Private investments and preferred stakes: Berkshire has made large private investments and preferred stock purchases that are material to its financials but not part of the 13F public‑equity tally.

Because many of Berkshire’s most valuable assets are private or wholly owned, the list of publicly traded "stocks Warren Buffett owns" is only one part of Berkshire’s financial picture.

Buffett’s investment philosophy and how it shapes stock selection

Understanding "what stocks does warren buffet own" benefits from a short primer on Buffett’s guiding principles, which inform why Berkshire holds certain stocks:

• Economic moat: Prefer companies with durable competitive advantages (brands, network effects, regulatory advantages).
• Predictable earnings: Favor businesses with stable and demonstrable cash generation.
• Strong management: Emphasize capable, shareholder‑oriented management teams.
• Intrinsic value and margin of safety: Purchase securities when price reflects value with upside or acceptable risk.
• Long holding periods: Many of Berkshire’s positions reflect a long‑term buy‑and‑hold orientation rather than short‑term trading.

These principles help explain the prevalence of consumer brands, financial institutions, and high‑quality service companies in Berkshire’s public‑equity list.

How to track and verify current holdings

If you want to confirm "what stocks does warren buffet own" for a current quarter, follow these practical steps:

1. Watch the SEC 13F: Retrieve Berkshire Hathaway’s most recent Form 13F from the SEC EDGAR database to see quarter‑end positions (issuer name, ticker, shares, market value as reported).
2. Read Berkshire communications: Berkshire’s annual shareholder letter and earnings reports provide context and occasional disclosure for certain positions.
3. Use reputable trackers: Platforms and analysts such as HedgeFollow, CNBC, Morningstar, Motley Fool, Kiplinger, buffett.online and BuffetBuys compile 13F data and highlight major moves. These make it easier to read reported shares and portfolio weights at a glance.
4. Cross‑check with company filings: For very large stakes, the investee company often files Section 13D/13G or other disclosure documents confirming ownership percentages.
5. Consider timing: Remember 13F lag. For intraday or recent trades, look to newswire coverage and company filings that may disclose larger stakes more quickly.

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Limitations, caveats and common misunderstandings

Common misunderstandings when asking "what stocks does warren buffet own" include over‑reliance on 13F data and assuming Berkshire’s portfolio is static.

• 13F lag: Filings are delayed and show holdings as of quarter‑end. Positions may have changed since the filing date.
• Incomplete exposures: 13F does not disclose short positions, options or derivative exposures comprehensively.
• Aggregation and timing: Share counts are reported for quarter‑end and do not show intraday trading; aggregated values may be affected by market price movements after quarter‑end.
• Not an endorsement: Large ownership does not automatically mean the position is appropriate for other investors; Berkshire’s scale, time horizon, and tax considerations differ from individual investors.

Because of these limitations, always verify the date of the 13F or disclosure when citing specific holdings and avoid copying trades without independent research and consideration of personal circumstances.

Market impact and public perception

Berkshire’s large purchases or sales often attract market attention. When media outlets report "what stocks does warren buffet own," markets sometimes react for psychological reasons:

• Perceived endorsement: Large buys by Berkshire can be seen as a vote of confidence, influencing retail and institutional sentiment.
• Liquidity effects: In smaller stocks, Berkshire‑sized trades could move prices; for the typical blue‑chip names Berkshire holds, market impact is more modest.
• Media amplification: Outlets such as CNBC, Motley Fool, Kiplinger and Morningstar highlight big moves, which can increase investor focus on those companies.

However, causation between Berkshire’s ownership and future stock performance is not guaranteed. Reporting should be treated as factual disclosure rather than predictive guidance.

Historical evolution of Berkshire’s stock portfolio

Answering "what stocks does warren buffet own" across decades shows a shift in style and scale:

• Early era: After selling the failing textile operations, Berkshire invested in a mix of public equities and private businesses; early public stakes included names that fit Buffett’s then‑emerging value philosophy.
• 1980s–1990s: A collection of iconic consumer and financial names (Coca‑Cola, American Express) became cornerstones.
• 2000s–2010s: Greater allocation to large cap technology was slower but eventually included positions like Apple; concentration increased in very large positions.
• Recent years: More capital allocated to energy and financials at times, with opportunistic moves into industrials, services and selective tech names.

The overall theme: disciplined focus on high‑quality businesses, but with flexibility to allocate large sums where Buffett and his team see value.

See also

• Berkshire Hathaway
• Warren Buffett (biography and investing letters)
• SEC Form 13F
• Berkshire Hathaway subsidiaries list
• Major Berkshire annual shareholder letters

References and further reading

When referencing "what stocks does warren buffet own," consult primary filings and reputable trackers. Examples of sources commonly used to validate holdings and dates include:

• Berkshire Hathaway Form 13F on the SEC EDGAR system (quarter‑end filing dates and content)
• HedgeFollow — Berkshire Hathaway portfolio tracker and historical snapshots
• CNBC — portfolio summaries and reporting around 13F filings
• The Motley Fool and Kiplinger — explanatory articles and breakdowns of top holdings
• Morningstar and NerdWallet — analytical overviews and context
• buffett.online and BuffetBuys — crowd‑compiled lists and trackers

As of March 31, 2024, per Berkshire Hathaway’s 13F filings and reporting summarized by HedgeFollow, CNBC and Motley Fool in May 2024, the positions described earlier (Apple, Bank of America, American Express, Coca‑Cola, Chevron, Occidental, Moody’s) were among the largest public‑equity holdings reported. For more recent quarters, consult the next available 13F filing and reputable trackers for updated numbers.

Appendix — How to read a 13F and interpret holdings data

Key fields in a 13F and practical interpretation guidance:

• Issuer name / Ticker: Identifies the company; cross‑check tickers for accuracy.
• Shares owned: Number of shares reported as of quarter‑end.
• Market value: Reported market value of the position at quarter‑end (often in thousands USD); divide by total to estimate percent of the public‑equity portfolio.
• Filing date: Date the 13F was submitted to the SEC—use this to track reporting lag.

Practical tips:

• Convert market values to percentages to understand concentration.
• Compare filings across quarters to see trendlines (buys, sells, new positions).
• Cross‑check unusually large moves with company 13D/13G filings for confirmation of ownership changes.

Final notes and user actions

If you are tracking "what stocks does warren buffet own" for research or learning:

• Verify dates: Always cite the quarter‑end and filing date when quoting holdings.
• Use primary sources: For the most accurate numbers consult the SEC 13F and company filings.
• Follow reputable trackers: HedgeFollow, CNBC, Morningstar, Motley Fool, Kiplinger, buffett.online and BuffetBuys simplify comparison across quarters.

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