Berkshire Hathaway's Cash Hoard Hits Record $325.2 Billion, 28% of Assets, Amid Apple Stock Sales

Nov 11, 2024, 10:31 AM

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has been significantly increasing its cash reserves, reaching a record $325.2 billion in Q3 2024, which now constitutes 28% of its total assets, the highest level since at least 1990. This marks the highest cash position relative to assets in at least 34 years. Over the past two years, Berkshire Hathaway has sold $34.6 billion worth of stocks in Q3 2024 alone, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of net selling. Notably, Buffett did not buy back any of Berkshire's shares for the first time since 2018. Additionally, Berkshire has completed $133 billion in stock sales in 2024 through the end of September, compared to only $6 billion in purchases. This strategic move includes selling a portion of its Apple holdings, generating billions in gains. Analysts speculate that Buffett's actions may indicate caution about the stock market's current valuation, reminiscent of patterns seen before the financial crisis.