Throughout 2024, Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway as a whole acted as sellers, reducing key positions and accumulating a record cash reserve of $334 billion, although they made several new investments.
Among the stocks in the legendary investor's portfolio, three companies stand out as his unequivocal favorites — Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and American Express (NYSE: AXP).
Together, they account for 56.15% of Berkshire's total portfolio, valued at $272 billion, reinforcing Buffett's long-term confidence in their worth.
Given the mixed signals from the market at the beginning of 2025, here's how an investment in Buffett's top assets would have looked at the start of the year.
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Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)
Apple remains one of Warren Buffett's most significant investments due to its global importance and substantial share in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio. After reducing his stake in previous quarters, Buffett held approximately 300 million shares worth $74.1 billion in Q4 2024.
As of February 25, 2025, Apple shares are trading at $247, representing a decline of 1.35% since the beginning of the year. Investors who invested $1,000 in AAPL at the start of this year would now have $986.60.
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC)
Buffett's position on Bank of America has changed, and Berkshire has gradually reduced its stake over the past year.
In Q4 2024, the company decreased its ownership of BAC shares by another 14%, with a total reduction over two quarters reaching 23.7%. This decline, which began in mid-July 2024, brought Buffett's ownership level below 10%. Despite this, Bank of America remains Berkshire's third-largest investment, accounting for 11% of the portfolio.
As of February 25, 2025, BAC shares closed at $43.94, indicating a decrease of 0.79% since the beginning of the year. Investors who invested $1,000 in BAC at the start of 2025 would now have $992.10.