Is Warren Buffett loading up on or selling off KO?
7/31/2024 09:30am
Warren Buffett's investment activity in The Coca-Cola Company (KO) has been mixed recently, reflecting his approach to managing investments in individual companies.
1. **Reduced Stake in Apple (AAPL)**: In the first quarter of 2024, Berkshire Hathaway sold about 116 million shares of Apple, reducing its stake by 12.83%. This sale brought the total number of shares held by Berkshire to approximately 789.4 million, valued at over $135 billion as of March 31, 2024.
2. **New Positions and Increased Shares**: Berkshire Hathaway has taken new positions in companies such as Chubb Limited (CB), Liberty Media Corporation (LSXMA and LSXMK), and Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY), indicating a strategic allocation of capital into these sectors.
3. **Long-Term Perspective**: Despite the sale of a portion of its Apple shares, Berkshire Hathaway's overall investment in the technology giant remains significant, with Apple remaining the largest holding in Berkshire's portfolio, accounting for 40.81% of the portfolio's value.
4. **Historical Investment in Coca-Cola**: Berkshire Hathaway has been a long-term investor in Coca-Cola, with a history of significant investments dating back to 1988. Coca-Cola is Berkshire's fourth-largest holding in terms of portfolio percentage, with a 7.14% stake worth approximately $25.4 billion.
5. **Recent Developments**: In May 2024, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a new $6.7 billion position in Chubb, which was initially established in the third quarter of 2023 and maintained in confidence until the first quarter of 2024. This move suggests that Buffett is actively managing his portfolio and allocating capital into sectors that he believes have attractive long-term prospects.
In conclusion, while Warren Buffett has reduced his stake in Apple, his investment activity in Coca-Cola has been less clear. It's important to note that Berkshire Hathaway's overall investment in Coca-Cola remains significant, and any changes in their relationship are likely to be part of a broader strategic approach to managing Berkshire's portfolio.