Berkshire Hathaway is realigning its investment portfolio, putting more money into Google parent Alphabet and US homebuilders while cutting some of its holdings in financial companies and other stocks.The Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate bought roughly 48.1 million additional Alphabet shares during the second quarter, taking its total holding to about 106 million shares, valued at approximately $37.76 billion as of June 30. At the end of December, Berkshire held just 17.8 million Alphabet shares, then worth $5.6 billion.CEO Greg Abel, who succeeded Warren Buffett at the start of the year, had agreed in June to make a $10 billion stock investment in Alphabet, adding to the stake Berkshire began building last autumn.Alphabet has said it plans to raise $80 billion to fund the computing infrastructure required to power its artificial intelligence offerings.
What changed in Berkshire’s portfolio
Berkshire also continued to increase its investments in the US homebuilding sector. Its holding in Lennar rose by nearly 30% during the second quarter, while the company also established a small new position in DR Horton. The DR Horton stake was worth $580,504 at the end of June.The moves come after Berkshire completed its $6.8 billion acquisition of homebuilder Taylor Morrison in July.Elsewhere in the portfolio, Berkshire sharply increased its holdings in Delta Air Lines and Macy’s. The two stakes were worth about $5.37 billion and $173 million, respectively, at the end of June.At the same time, Berkshire reduced several positions during the quarter. Its holdings in supermarket operator Kroger, steel manufacturer Nucor and dialysis company DaVita were among those trimmed.The conglomerate also exited Constellation Brands entirely, selling all 632,890 shares it held in the beverage company.Berkshire reduced several financial holdings as well. Its stakes in Bank of America and Ally Financial fell by around 6% and 6.9%, respectively, while its holding in Capital One Financial was cut by 58%.
