At Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholders meeting, legendary investor Warren Buffett expressed heartfelt thanks to Apple CEO Tim Cook, crediting him for Apple’s extraordinary growth over the past decade. Buffett told shareholders that Berkshire’s $35 billion investment in Apple has grown to nearly $185 billion pre-tax, largely due to Cook’s leadership. “Apple would not be the Apple of today without Tim Cook. What he has done with Apple could not be done by anybody I’ve known,” Buffett said.
He praised Cook’s ability to manage global relationships, deliver for customers, and create value for shareholders, calling him “one of a kind.” Buffett explained that Berkshire committed about 10% of its resources to Apple, letting the company’s management “do the heavy lifting.” Today, Apple remains Berkshire’s largest holding, underscoring Cook’s impact on shareholder returns.
What Buffett Said on Cook Stepping Down
Warren Buffett told CNBC’s Becky Quick that “Apple would not be the Apple of today without Tim Cook.” “What he has done with Apple could not be done by anybody I’ve known,” Buffett said. Apple is Berkshire Hathaway’s largest shareholding. “Covering the world and getting along with countries with all kinds of histories and doing right by the customer, people who worked for him, certainly the shareholders, which we were lucky enough to be one of... he’s one of a kind,” Buffett added.
Cook has announced plans to step down later this year, with longtime Apple executive John Ternus set to succeed him. Apple is also shifting its financial strategy — reducing buybacks, increasing research spending, and signaling a stronger focus on innovation, including artificial intelligence.
Two Tech Stocks Buffett Sold
Warren Buffett reportedly sold two major technology stocks in his final quarter at Berkshire Hathaway before retiring as chief executive on December 31, 2025. According to an AOL report, in Berkshire Hathaway’s latest Form 13F filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Buffett reported selling shares of Amazon and Apple during the fourth quarter of 2025. As per the filing, Berkshire sold 7,724,000 shares of Amazon during the said quarter, cutting its holding in the e-commerce and cloud company by about 77%.
