Warren Buffett's Final Stock Moves Before Retirement
Legendary investor Warren Buffett reportedly divested from two major technology holdings in his last quarter as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, prior to his retirement on December 31, 2025. According to an AOL report based on Berkshire Hathaway's latest Form 13F filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Buffett executed significant sales of Amazon and Apple shares during the fourth quarter of 2025.
Details of the Stock Sales
The filing revealed that Berkshire sold 7,724,000 shares of Amazon, reducing its stake in the e-commerce and cloud giant by approximately 77%. Additionally, the company sold 10,294,956 shares of Apple, continuing a steady drawdown of its largest equity position. Since September 2023, Berkshire has cut its Apple holding by around 75%.
Beyond these tech giants, Buffett also sold 50,774,078 shares of Bank of America, further emphasizing a trend of net selling. This quarter marked the 13th consecutive period in which Berkshire sold more shares than it purchased, extending a pattern that began in late 2022.
Historical Context and Portfolio Impact
Apple and Amazon have been cornerstone investments in Berkshire's portfolio for years. Apple was first added in 2016 and grew to become the conglomerate's single largest holding, while Amazon represented a smaller but notable later addition. These sales reflect Buffett's strategic adjustments as he prepared to step down from his CEO role after six decades of leadership.
Under Buffett's guidance, Berkshire Hathaway transformed from a struggling textile maker into a financial powerhouse. Today, it ranks as the ninth-most-valuable company in the United States, the country's second-largest property and casualty insurer, and a sprawling conglomerate with nearly $700 billion in tradable assets, including stocks, bonds, and cash, alongside ownership of roughly 200 operating businesses.
Summary of Stocks Sold
Here is a brief overview of the key stocks Warren Buffett sold before his retirement:
- Amazon: 7,724,000 shares
- Apple: 10,294,956 shares
- Bank of America: 50,774,078 shares
Despite retiring as CEO, Buffett continues to serve as the company's chairman, ensuring his influence remains in place. This move underscores a significant shift in Berkshire's investment strategy as it enters a new era without Buffett at the helm of daily operations.
