On November 14, 2025, at precisely 21:48:40 UTC, Business Insider released an exclusive story accessible only to its subscribers, detailing a significant and unexpected strategic maneuver by Warren Buffett’s investment powerhouse, Berkshire Hathaway. According to newly filed regulatory documents published that Friday, the renowned conglomerate disclosed that it had quietly accumulated a substantial position in Alphabet, the parent company of Google, during the third quarter of the year. Specifically, Berkshire acquired an impressive 17.8 million shares, a holding valued at approximately $4.3 billion as of September 30.
This revelation carries particular symbolic weight, given that Warren Buffett, one of the most celebrated investors of all time, is preparing to step down from his long-held role as Berkshire’s Chief Executive Officer before the turn of the new year. For decades, Buffett has cultivated a reputation for his disciplined, value-oriented approach and his famous reluctance to invest in high-technology enterprises that fall outside what he calls his “circle of competence.” Yet this bold foray into a leading technology titan may be a sign that Berkshire Hathaway is already in the early stages of a new, forward-looking era—one that may unfold even before Buffett formally vacates his seat at the helm.
The company’s third-quarter financial report offered subtle hints of this strategic evolution. While Berkshire’s results confirmed that Buffett and his team spent approximately $6.4 billion on new equity positions, they simultaneously divested $12.5 billion in other holdings—marking the twelfth consecutive quarter during which the firm acted as a net seller of stocks. This pattern underscores Buffett’s disciplined caution amid increasingly expensive markets, where asset prices have remained elevated, dealmaking has become fiercely competitive, and opportunities for value investments have grown scarcer.
Despite those challenges, Berkshire’s resources have expanded enormously. After accounting for Treasury payables, the company’s cash reserves surged to a record-high total of $358 billion at the end of the quarter. This enormous liquidity—often referred to as Buffett’s “war chest”—provides vast potential for future acquisitions or investments once compelling opportunities emerge. The responsibility of deploying this capital efficiently will soon pass to Greg Abel, Buffett’s designated successor, whose stewardship will mark a new chapter in Berkshire Hathaway’s storied history. Effectively managing such a monumental cash position will test Abel’s strategic acumen and define his early legacy as leader of the trillion-dollar conglomerate.
For Buffett himself, the twilight of his tenure has arrived during one of the most complex financial climates of his career. Once celebrated as the world’s foremost bargain hunter, he faces an environment in which traditional bargains have become increasingly elusive. Stock valuations are near record highs, acquisition targets command steep premiums, and Berkshire’s own shares sit near their all-time peak—making company buybacks less appealing. Nonetheless, Buffett has continued to express confidence in the long-term resilience of his firm. In his most recent letter to shareholders, shared during the Thanksgiving season, the 94-year-old investor struck an optimistic tone, acknowledging that while opportunities are rarer, they do still appear from time to time. He assured shareholders that Berkshire’s enduring principles—patience, prudence, and a commitment to long-term value—will continue to guide its success well into the coming decades.
Taken together, Berkshire Hathaway’s unexpected move into one of the world’s most influential technology companies marks more than a simple portfolio adjustment. It hints at the evolution of an investment philosophy shaped by six decades of unparalleled achievement, from Buffett’s transformation of a struggling textile mill into a global powerhouse with subsidiaries such as GEICO and Dairy Queen, and major equity stakes in Coca-Cola and American Express. As Buffett prepares to pass the torch, this striking pivot toward Alphabet may serve as both a symbolic and practical bridge between the legacy of the past and the promise of Berkshire’s future.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-alphabet-google-stock-portfolio-ceo-retirement-2025-11
