As of Q3 2024, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway portfolio highlights strategic shifts across various key holdings. Below is a detailed overview of the top 10 positions:

AAPL – Apple Inc.
Portfolio Allocation: 26.24%
Recent Activity: Reduced 25.00%
Shares Held: 300,000,000
Reported Price: $233.00 per share
Value at Reported Price: $69,900,000,000

Apple remains the largest holding in Buffett’s portfolio, despite a substantial reduction in shares. This reduction may indicate profit-taking or a desire to rebalance the portfolio. Apple continues to be a dominant force in consumer electronics and services, with its vast ecosystem of products and loyal customer base.

AXP – American Express
Portfolio Allocation: 15.44%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 151,610,700
Reported Price: $271.20 per share
Value at Reported Price: $41,116,821,000

American Express maintains a stable position, reflecting Buffett’s long-standing confidence in the financial services company. Known for its premium brand and customer loyalty, American Express is well-positioned to benefit from consumer spending, especially among affluent customers.

BAC – Bank of America Corp.
Portfolio Allocation: 11.88%
Recent Activity: Reduced 22.77%
Shares Held: 797,683,307
Reported Price: $39.68 per share
Value at Reported Price: $31,652,074,000

Bank of America remains a core financial holding, although reduced significantly in Q3. This cutback might reflect strategic rebalancing amid market conditions or interest rate concerns. As a leading bank in the U.S., Bank of America is a strong performer in retail and commercial banking.

KO – Coca-Cola Co.
Portfolio Allocation: 10.79%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 400,000,000
Reported Price: $71.86 per share
Value at Reported Price: $28,744,001,000

Coca-Cola’s unchanged position underlines Buffett’s confidence in this iconic brand. Coca-Cola, with its global footprint and diverse beverage portfolio, is a reliable player in the consumer staples sector and offers stability and steady dividends.

CVX – Chevron Corp.
Portfolio Allocation: 6.56%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 118,610,534
Reported Price: $147.27 per share
Value at Reported Price: $17,467,773,000

Chevron’s stable position reflects a long-term bet on the energy sector. As one of the world’s largest oil companies, Chevron provides diversification for the portfolio and potential for high returns as energy demand persists globally.

OXY – Occidental Petroleum
Portfolio Allocation: 4.94%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 255,281,524
Reported Price: $51.54 per share
Value at Reported Price: $13,157,210,000

Occidental Petroleum remains an important energy holding, illustrating Buffett’s increased focus on the sector. Occidental’s strength in oil and gas production provides exposure to potential gains as energy prices fluctuate.

MCO – Moody’s Corp.
Portfolio Allocation: 4.4%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 24,669,778
Reported Price: $474.59 per share
Value at Reported Price: $11,708,030,000

Moody’s continues to be a strategic holding, benefiting from its dominant position in credit ratings and financial analytics. Its stable cash flows and growth potential make it a valuable asset in the portfolio, especially as demand for credit assessments remains strong.

KHC – Kraft Heinz Co.
Portfolio Allocation: 4.29%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 325,634,818
Reported Price: $35.11 per share
Value at Reported Price: $11,433,038,000

Kraft Heinz remains a key holding in the consumer staples sector. Known for its well-established food brands, Kraft Heinz is focused on streamlining operations and adapting to changing consumer tastes, which aligns with Buffett’s value-investing philosophy.

CB – Chubb Limited
Portfolio Allocation: 2.93%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 27,033,784
Reported Price: $288.39 per share
Value at Reported Price: $7,796,273,000

Chubb, a leader in insurance, provides diversification and stability within the portfolio. The company’s robust risk management and financial performance make it an attractive holding, especially amid potential market uncertainties.

DVA – DaVita HealthCare Partners
Portfolio Allocation: 2.22%
Recent Activity: No change reported
Shares Held: 36,095,570
Reported Price: $163.93 per share
Value at Reported Price: $5,917,147,000

DaVita, a healthcare provider specializing in kidney dialysis, remains in the portfolio, reflecting Buffett’s interest in the healthcare sector. With a steady demand for dialysis services, DaVita serves as a defensive holding that provides resilience against economic fluctuations.

Analysis of Buffett’s Q3 2024 Portfolio Strategy

1. Focus on Core Holdings
Apple continues to lead the portfolio, albeit with a reduced allocation. This reduction may signal profit-taking, as Apple has grown significantly in recent years. Core holdings like American Express, Coca-Cola, and Bank of America remain relatively stable, underscoring Buffett’s preference for financially strong companies with established brands.

2. Energy Sector Bet
The continued investment in Chevron and Occidental Petroleum suggests a positive outlook on energy. As the world balances energy needs with sustainable goals, these companies are positioned to benefit from sustained oil and gas demand in the near term.

3. Diversification and Stability
Buffett’s portfolio balances high-growth tech and finance stocks with stable, defensive holdings in consumer staples (Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz) and healthcare (DaVita). This approach provides resilience against market volatility while positioning for potential growth.

4. Strategic Rebalancing
The reductions in Apple and Bank of America indicate a cautious approach toward concentrated positions, freeing up capital that could be redeployed or kept liquid for future opportunities.

Conclusion

Warren Buffett’s Q3 2024 portfolio exemplifies a blend of core, high-confidence investments and defensive holdings. His commitment to iconic brands and high-quality companies demonstrates a long-term investment strategy that balances growth with stability. The stable positions in financial and consumer sectors, combined with a modest reduction in certain high-value stocks, reflect a cautious yet optimistic view of future market opportunities.

Disclaimer:

This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.