Berkshire Hathaway's Q1 2025: Strategic Shifts and Leadership Transition
In the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway, under the stewardship of Warren Buffett, implemented notable changes to its investment portfolio and announced a significant leadership transition.
Portfolio Adjustments:
- Exited Positions: Berkshire completely divested its holdings in Citigroup (14.6 million shares) and Brazilian fintech Nu Holdings (40 million shares), signaling a strategic retreat from certain financial sectors.
- Reduced Stakes: The conglomerate reduced its stake in Bank of America by 48.6 million shares, bringing the total to 631 million shares. It also trimmed holdings in Capital One Financial by 300,000 shares.
- Increased Investments: Berkshire nearly doubled its investment in Constellation Brands to 12 million shares. It also increased stakes in Pool Corporation, Domino’s Pizza, Heico, VeriSign, Sirius XM, and Occidental Petroleum.
- Maintained Holdings: The company held steady on its 300 million-share stake in Apple, worth approximately $66.6 billion as of March 31, 2025.
- Cash Reserves: Berkshire's cash and Treasury bill holdings reached a record $348 billion, underscoring a cautious investment strategy.
Leadership Transition:
In a historic announcement, Warren Buffett confirmed he will retire as CEO by the end of 2025. Greg Abel, currently Vice Chairman, will assume the CEO role. Buffett will remain as Chairman of the Board. Abel, known for his leadership at Berkshire Hathaway Energy, is seen as a natural cultural and strategic successor.
Conclusion:
Berkshire Hathaway's Q1 2025 actions reflect both strategic portfolio realignments and a monumental leadership transition. Investors will be closely watching as Greg Abel takes the helm and guides the firm into a new era while honoring Buffett’s enduring legacy.
View Berkshire Hathaway’s full 13F filings here
This article is based on publicly available data and filings as of May 16, 2025.