Warren Buffett Unloads 69% of Berkshire's Stake in Apple, Loads Up on Another Industry-Leading Stock

Warren Buffett has sold 69% of Berkshire Hathaway's stake in Apple and has loaded up on an industry-leading stock for 4 straight quarters. The billionaire CEO has sold over 635 million shares of Apple since mid-2023, but has continued to buy into a different stock for four consecutive quarters. Buffett's moves are closely watched by investors due to his long-term outperformance of the S&P 500, with Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares delivering a cumulative return of nearly 5,800,000% over six decades.

In the second quarter of 2025, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway made significant adjustments to its portfolio, reflecting a strategic approach to managing risk and positioning for long-term growth. The company sold 7% of its Apple (AAPL) shares and 4% of its Bank of America (BAC) shares, while simultaneously initiating a $1.57 billion position in UnitedHealth Group (UNH), one of the largest healthcare insurers in the United States [1].

Berkshire reduced its Apple holding by 20 million shares, a decrease of approximately 6.67%, despite Apple remaining the largest holding in the portfolio. Additionally, Berkshire sold 26 million shares of Bank of America, bringing its holding down to roughly 8% [1]. These moves highlight Berkshire's cautious positioning in the banking sector.

In contrast, Berkshire made a substantial investment in UnitedHealth Group, acquiring 5.0 million shares for an estimated $2.1 billion. UnitedHealth Group has faced significant challenges this year, with shares declining by 46% due to rising medical costs, disappointing earnings, and investigations into its billing practices [1]. Despite these challenges, Berkshire's investment in UnitedHealth Group reflects its long-term focus on defensive value-recovery stocks.

Berkshire's portfolio shifts also included new investments in other sectors. The company built a new position in steelmaker Nucor (NUE) and bought shares in Lennar (LEN), one of the largest U.S. homebuilders [1]. These moves reflect Berkshire's renewed exposure to the industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as its continued interest in the real estate sector.

Overall, Berkshire's Q2 portfolio shifts indicate a strategic approach to managing risk and positioning the portfolio for long-term growth. The company's focus on defensive stocks and its continued investment in established companies with strong fundamentals underscore its commitment to long-term value creation. As Buffett prepares for his eventual transition as CEO, these moves may also reflect Berkshire's efforts to maintain a balanced and diversified portfolio.

References:
[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-trims-apple-bank-america-stakes-invests-struggling-healthcare-stock-unitedhealth-group-2508/