MarketMoodz
Berkshire trims Apple stake, buys NYTimes stock in Buffett's last moves as CEO
Berkshire Hathaway trimmed its Apple stake by 4.3%, bringing the position to about $61.96 billion, and disclosed a new NYTimes stake worth roughly $351.7 million in its fourth-quarter filings. The moves come amid reports that Greg Abel would assume CEO duties in 2026, with Buffett remaining chairman, though independent confirmation is limited.
Key Takeaways
- Berkshire trimmed its Apple stake by 4.3%, bringing the position to about $61.96 billion.
- Berkshire disclosed a new stake in The New York Times, worth roughly $351.7 million and ranking 29th of 41 holdings.
- The moves appear in Berkshire's Q4 filings and reflect an ongoing capital-allocation shift.
- Leadership-transition claims—Buffett stepping aside as CEO with Greg Abel succeeding in 2026—are unverified at this time.
- Top holdings remain Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and Alphabet, per 13F data.
People Involved
- Warren E. Buffett Chairman and former CEO, Berkshire Hathaway
- Gregory B. Abel CEO-designate / CEO, Berkshire Hathaway (from 2026)
- Todd Combs Berkshire investor (left December)
- Ted Weschler Berkshire investor
Entities Involved
- Apple Inc. (AAPL) Largest Berkshire equity holding (trimmed)
- The New York Times Company New Berkshire stake (~$351.7M)
- Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Parent company and portfolio manager
- Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) Top holding context as Berkshire's portfolio mix evolves
MarketMoodz Analysis
The Apple trim signals a recalibration of Berkshire's capital-allocation approach under new leadership, balancing a cash-generative tech behemoth with a smaller media asset that offers brand value and potential diversification. The NYT stake introduces a macro non-technology exposure that could appeal to a broader investor base while keeping Berkshire’s characteristic focus on durable cash flows.
Historically, Berkshire built its reputation on a handful of dominant positions, with Apple acting as a cornerstone for years. Rotations around Apple, along with prior moves such as Alphabet additions, illustrate a measured, interference-free approach to rebalancing rather than wild churn. The leadership transition context adds a layer of uncertainty about how the portfolio will be managed going forward, making this a key data point for investors watching succession planning and cadence of capital allocation.
What to watch next: the remaining 13F data for Q4 to confirm the full holdings mix, any further Apple adjustments, and Berkshire's approach to integrating the NYT stake into its long-run strategy under Abel. The trajectory of Apple’s stock, the NYT’s performance, and feedback from Berkshire’s investor base will influence sentiment on the new allocation.
Source: Original Article
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