Berkshire's Q2 Portfolio Rebalancing Drives 0.28% Rally as $1.87B Volume Ranks 29th

On August 18, 2025, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) closed 0.28% higher, with a trading volume of $1.87 billion, ranking 29th in market activity. The stock's performance followed key portfolio adjustments revealed in the firm's Q2 2025 13F filing, highlighting strategic shifts in sector exposure.

Berkshire expanded its holdings in UnitedHealth Group (UNH) by acquiring over 5 million shares, a move analysts interpret as opportunistic given UNH's 48% decline between March and June. Simultaneously, the company reduced its stake in Apple (AAPL) by 7%, marking its first reduction since Q3 2024, and fully exited its $1 billion position in T-Mobile US (TMUS), a telecom stock that had delivered 114% returns since 2020. The portfolio also saw new positions in industrials and homebuilding sectors, including Lennar (LEN), D.R. Horton (DHI), and Nucor (NUE), reflecting a shift toward inflation-resistant industries.

Buffett's team also increased its position in Pool (POOL) by 137%, capitalizing on a 10% Q2 price decline in the swimming pool equipment distributor. Meanwhile, the firm trimmed its exposure to Charter Communications (CHTR) by 46%, aligning with a broader trend of reducing underperforming holdings. These moves underscore a disciplined approach to portfolio rebalancing, balancing defensive healthcare and industrial plays with selective exits from overvalued tech assets.

Berkshire's $344 billion cash reserve remains a focal point for investors, with management maintaining a cautious stance on repurchases despite the stock trading near its 50-day moving average. The company's strategic accumulation in UNH and energy stocks like Chevron (CVX) suggests a focus on long-term value, while reduced stakes in Apple and Bank of America highlight a recalibration of risk exposure in a high-valuation market environment.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day resulted in a total profit of $2,340 between 2022 and the present. This generated a 23.4% cumulative return on the initial investment, reflecting modest gains amid significant market volatility and a conservative holding approach.