Warren Buffett’s 2025 Portfolio: What Berkshire Is Buying, Selling, and Holding

In 2025, the legendary investor is continuing to favor high-quality, cash-generating businesses, while quietly shifting exposure across sectors like financials, consumer staples, and international holdings. Let’s break down the key trends in his latest portfolio.

1. Still Heavy on U.S. Blue Chips – Especially Apple

Buffett’s top holdings remain largely unchanged, dominated by long-standing U.S. giants:

• Apple (AAPL) – Still the largest position, accounting for over 25% of the portfolio.

• American Express (AXP) – Around 16%, reflecting Buffett’s faith in brand-driven financials.

• Coca-Cola (KO) and Chevron (CVX) – Core holdings focused on consumer defensiveness and energy.

• Bank of America (BAC) – Still sizeable, but recently trimmed.

Together, these top five make up over 50% of Berkshire’s equity portfolio, reflecting Buffett’s concentrated approach and preference for durable U.S. businesses.

2. Reducing Exposure to Banks

Buffett has been gradually pulling back from the banking sector:

• Bank of America stake reduced by ~40% since 2023.

• Citigroup position fully exited.

• Smaller trims in Capital One, while Ally Financial remains unchanged.

This reflects increasing caution around credit risk and the U.S. regional banking landscape.

3. New Bets in Consumer Brands and Technology Themes

Berkshire has quietly increased positions in companies aligned with long-term consumer demand:

• Constellation Brands (alcohol and beverages) stake doubled in late 2024, now valued at over $1 billion.

• New exposure to Alphabet and Microsoft, seen as a backdoor bet on AI and quantum computing themes—despite Buffett’s usual tech skepticism.

This marks a subtle shift: staying defensive with consumer brands, while cautiously exploring tech’s future.

4. Kraft Heinz Remains a Legacy Drag

Berkshire still owns a ~27.5% stake in Kraft Heinz, a long-term holding that has underperformed. With Buffett allies stepping down from the board and pressure to restructure mounting, many analysts believe a partial or full sale may be coming.

5. Doubling Down on Japan’s Trading Houses

Buffett remains bullish on Japan’s "sogo shosha"—the trading conglomerates that dominate the country’s industrial landscape:

• Holdings in Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Itochu, Marubeni, and Sumitomo now exceed $23 billion in value.

• Buffett has suggested these stakes could grow further, calling them well-managed, cash-rich, and undervalued by Western investors.

Final Thoughts

Buffett’s 2025 portfolio is a mix of legacy conviction, strategic caution, and quiet adaptation. While his largest positions remain largely unchanged, the portfolio reflects a subtle rebalancing:

• Lower confidence in U.S. banks

• Increased focus on global diversification

• Quiet bets on next-gen tech, paired with consumer staples

For investors inspired by Buffett’s strategy, the key takeaway is this: Stay patient, focus on quality, and adapt cautiously when the macro shifts.