Berkshire Hathaway Unloads $1.21 Billion of VeriSign Shares

Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, sold $1.21 billion worth of VeriSign shares, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The sale includes 8.02 million shares owned by a subsidiary of Berkshire and 972,947 shares held in pension plans of Berkshire's subsidiaries. VeriSign shares have fallen 8.2% in the past month.

Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has sold $1.21 billion worth of VeriSign shares, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The sale includes 8.02 million shares owned by a subsidiary of Berkshire and 972,947 shares held in pension plans of Berkshire's subsidiaries [1]. This transaction aims to reduce Berkshire Hathaway's beneficial ownership of VeriSign below the 10% threshold, which would trigger additional regulatory obligations [2].

VeriSign shares have fallen 8.2% in the past month, reflecting market reactions to the sale and broader market conditions. The sale price of $285 per share is slightly below the current market price, indicating a discount of around 7% [3]. The transaction is part of a broader strategy by Berkshire to diversify its portfolio and manage regulatory risks.

Following the completion of the transaction, Berkshire Hathaway and its affiliates have agreed to a 365-day lock-up on their remaining shares in VeriSign. This lock-up period prevents further sales or transactions during this time, ensuring stability in the market [2].

VeriSign, a Virginia-based company best known for operating registries for top-level domains like .com and .net, has seen its share price rise significantly since Berkshire's initial investment in 2012. The company's stock has risen nearly 700 percent, and the recent sale is being seen as a strategic move by Buffett to manage his portfolio and comply with regulatory requirements [3].

Berkshire's portfolio comprises a blend of technology companies, financial services, energy, automotive, and food and drink sectors. The company's well-balanced portfolio has been praised by industry experts, with Adam Patti, CEO of VistaShares, describing it as "really well-balanced" [3].

Investors seeking detailed valuation metrics and comprehensive analysis can access the full VeriSign research report on InvestingPro, which includes over 30 key financial metrics and expert insights [2].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-01/verisign-insiders-report-stock-transaction
[2] https://www.investing.com/news/sec-filings/berkshire-hathaway-to-reduce-verisign-stake-through-123-billion-stock-offering-93CH-4160400
[3] https://www.newsweek.com/warren-buffett-makes-major-sale-verisign-2105518