Warren Buffett's Pre-Retirement Strategy: Turning to Alphabet

Warren Buffett and Retirement Plans

One of the world's most recognized investors, Warren Buffett, announced plans to retire at the end of the year. In this process, Berkshire Hathaway has begun to show significant changes in its portfolio.

Sale of Apple Shares and Investment in Alphabet

Under Buffett's management, Berkshire Hathaway sold 42 million shares of Apple, which it had held as its largest position for a long time, generating approximately $11 billion in revenue. Thus, the value of the Apple position decreased to $61 billion, while still remaining the largest investment item in the portfolio.

On the other hand, Buffett's management made a striking move in the technology sector by acquiring $4.3 billion worth of shares in Alphabet. This strategic move placed Alphabet among Berkshire Hathaway's top ten investments.

Buffett's Strategic Shift

The investment in Alphabet is interpreted as an unusual move for Buffett, who generally keeps a distance from high-growth-focused companies. While Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio has long lacked a technology focus, the presence of Apple and the new Alphabet position shows a remarkable change in this direction.

The Importance of Traditional Investments

Despite the move towards Alphabet, Berkshire Hathaway’s core investment strategy is not showing significant changes. Traditional companies such as American Express, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola still remain prominent in the portfolio. The company managed to sell more than $6 billion in stocks during the third quarter, increasing the total sales amount over the last three years to $184 billion.

Performance Analysis and the Importance of the Move

Looking at the performance for the year 2025, Apple shares gained approximately 12%, while Alphabet shares gained 45%. This highlights how critical the timing is for Berkshire Hathaway's investment in Alphabet.