Apple Shares Slip to 4th in Trading Volume as Berkshire's 11th Straight Quarter of Sales Cuts Stake to 280M Shares

Apple (AAPL) fell 0.24% on August 14, with a trading volume of $12.08 billion, a 25.71% decline from the prior day. The stock ranked fourth in trading activity. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway continued its strategic reduction in Apple shares, selling 20 million shares in Q2 2025, bringing the remaining stake to 280 million shares. This marked the 11th consecutive quarter of sales since 2023, though Apple still accounted for 22% of Berkshire's equity portfolio as of June 30. The move reflects Buffett's long-standing focus on capital preservation and cash accumulation, with Apple's stake having peaked at 915 million shares in 2023. Analysts note that while the sales signal a shift in portfolio strategy, Apple remains a core holding, underscoring confidence in its long-term growth potential despite recent underperformance in Berkshire's portfolio.

Berkshire's decision to pare Apple shares aligns with Buffett's historical caution toward technology stocks, despite Apple's exception as his largest holding since 2017. The sales have generated significant gains, contributing to Berkshire's cash reserves exceeding $340 billion. While some observers speculate about tax optimization or diversification motives, Buffett has not publicly explained the rationale. The reduced stake does not diminish Apple's strategic importance for Berkshire, which has consistently viewed the stock as a high-quality, cash-generative asset. However, the shift highlights a broader portfolio rebalancing, with Berkshire increasing positions in energy, housing, and industrials while trimming banking and telecom holdings.

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