Berkshire Hathaway A's 1.27% Surge Sparks 319th Ranking in $310M Trading Volume Surge as Portfolio Shifts Highlight Strategic Exits and AI-Linked Bets

On August 19, 2025, Berkshire Hathaway A (BRK.A) rose 1.27% with a trading volume of $0.31 billion, marking a 36.36% increase from the previous day's volume and ranking 319th in market activity. Recent portfolio adjustments by the conglomerate have drawn investor attention following its 13F filing with the SEC, revealing strategic exits and new positions in the second quarter.

Berkshire fully exited its stake in T-Mobile, a position initiated in late 2020, despite the carrier's strong performance in 2025 and a 120% total return over five years. The decision aligns with the company's broader trend of accumulating cash while selectively divesting mature positions. T-Mobile's recent 16.5% annualized gain and forward P/E ratio above 23 suggest the move may reflect a strategic shift to lock in gains amid a high-valuation environment.

A notable addition to the portfolio is Nucor, a steel producer positioned as an indirect AI infrastructure play due to its data center components. Berkshire acquired a $850 million position in the first quarter, disclosing it in the second-quarter filing. While Nucor faces near-term margin pressures, its exposure to AI-driven demand and potential tailwinds from U.S. steel tariffs underpin long-term appeal. The stock has surged 215% over five years, reflecting its dual role as a traditional commodity and a beneficiary of tech sector growth.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day resulted in a moderate return. The total profit from December 2022 to August 2025 was $2,940, with a maximum drawdown of $-1,960 during the same period. This indicates a volatile but ultimately positive performance, with the highest peak-to-trough decline being 19.6%.