Berkshire B Stock Holdings: What Most People Get Wrong

You’ve probably heard the news by now: Warren Buffett officially retired on January 1, 2026. After sixty years of turning a failing textile mill into a trillion-dollar juggernaut, the "Oracle of Omaha" has handed the keys to Greg Abel. But if you’re looking at berkshire b stock holdings to figure out what happens next, you need to look past the headlines.

Honestly, the portfolio looks a lot different than it did even eighteen months ago. We aren't just talking about a few trades here and there. It’s a massive structural shift.

The $400 Billion Elephant in the Room

Before we even talk about Apple or Coke, we have to talk about the cash. It’s literally a mountain. As of early 2026, Berkshire is sitting on an estimated cash pile pushing $400 billion.

Most of that is parked in U.S. Treasuries. Why? Because Buffett—and now Abel—basically think the stock market is too expensive. When the "risk-free" rate on government debt is paying more than what they expect to make in overvalued stocks, they sit on their hands. It's a loud, silent warning to everyone else.

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The Big Five: The Core of Berkshire B Stock Holdings

Despite the selling spree, Berkshire still has its favorites. These five stocks make up about 70% of the entire equity portfolio. If you own BRK.B, you basically own these companies.

1. Apple (AAPL)
This is the one that shocks people. Berkshire has sold off roughly 74% of its Apple stake over the last two years. That’s hundreds of millions of shares gone. Yet, because the position was so gargantuan to begin with, it’s still the largest holding at roughly 20-22% of the portfolio.

2. American Express (AXP)
Buffett has owned this since 1991. He calls it "indefinite." In fact, many analysts believe Amex might actually overtake Apple as the #1 holding by market value sometime this year if Apple’s growth continues to level off.

3. Bank of America (BAC)
This one is complicated. They’ve been trimming it for five straight quarters. Even so, it still accounts for about 10% of the invested assets. It's a classic "toll bridge" business that Buffett loves, even if he’s less "in love" with the banking sector as a whole lately.

4. Coca-Cola (KO)
The ultimate "buy and hold" story. Berkshire hasn't sold a share in decades. Because their cost basis is so low—around $3.25 a share—they are basically getting a 60%+ dividend yield on their original investment every single year. You don't sell a cash cow like that.

5. Chevron (CVX)
A newer addition compared to the others, but it’s the energy anchor. Along with Occidental Petroleum (OXY), where Berkshire owns a massive chunk, it shows that the Omaha team is still betting big on traditional fossil fuels and domestic energy production.

The Surprise Move into Big Tech

For years, Buffett famously avoided tech because he didn't "understand" it. That changed with Apple, and now it’s evolving again.

Late in 2025, Berkshire revealed a new, multi-billion dollar stake in Alphabet (GOOGL). It turns out the team—likely influenced by Ted Weschler and Todd Combs—decided that Google’s AI chips and Gemini 3 model were the real deal. By early 2026, Alphabet has already climbed into the top ten holdings.

They also hold a significant slice of Amazon (AMZN). It's not the "old man's portfolio" anymore. It’s a mix of 19th-century railroad logic and 21st-century cloud computing.

What Changes with Greg Abel?

People are nervous. Naturally. Greg Abel has a different vibe than Buffett. He’s an operations guy. He built Berkshire Hathaway Energy into a beast.

But don't expect him to go out and buy a bunch of speculative crypto or high-flyer tech stocks just because Buffett is gone. The culture in Omaha is thick. Abel has already signaled that the "Value" philosophy is staying. The biggest difference? We might see Berkshire become more aggressive with acquisitions rather than just buying 5% of other people's stocks. With $400 billion, they could buy almost any company on the S&P 500 outright.

Notable Mid-Cap and "Hidden" Holdings

While everyone watches the top five, the "tail" of the berkshire b stock holdings tells a story of specific industry bets:

• Chubb (CB): A massive insurance stake that has been growing quietly.
• Moody’s (MCO): The credit rating giant that has a virtual duopoly.
• Occidental Petroleum (OXY): They have regulatory approval to buy up to 50% of the company, and they keep inching closer.
• Sirius XM (SIRI): A position that was actually increased in the most recent filings.

Why the "B" Shares Matter for This Portfolio

If you're looking at these holdings, you're probably looking at the Class B shares (BRK.B). The Class A shares are currently trading for more than $700,000 each. Not exactly "retail friendly."

The B shares give you the exact same economic interest in this portfolio but at a fraction of the price (around $500 as of January 2026). It’s essentially the world’s most successful "mutual fund" without the high management fees. You're paying for Greg Abel and Ted Weschler to manage your money for you.

Actionable Insights for Investors

If you're trying to mirror the Berkshire strategy or deciding whether to hold the stock in 2026, here is the playbook:

1. Watch the 13F Filings: These come out 45 days after the end of each quarter. They are the only way to see what Greg Abel is actually buying. The next one is due in mid-February.
2. Focus on "The Gap": Berkshire is trading at a premium to its book value right now. Historically, Buffett liked to buy back shares when they were "cheap." If the stock price dips, look for the company to start buying its own shares again—that's the ultimate vote of confidence.
3. Don't Fear the Cash: A lot of people see $400 billion in cash as a "drag" on returns. Don't. See it as a "loaded weapon." When the market eventually has a bad week (or year), Berkshire will be the only one in the room with a checkbook.
4. Evaluate the Tech Shift: If you’re heavy on tech already, realize that Berkshire is no longer a "hedge" against tech. With Apple, Amazon, and Alphabet, they are deeply tied to the Nasdaq's performance.

Keep an eye on the upcoming annual shareholder letter in February 2026. It will be the first one written entirely by Greg Abel, and it’ll set the tone for the next decade of Berkshire's history.