Warren Buffett Stocks: What He’s Holding And Why
If you don't know who Warren Buffett is, and also don't know what stocks are, then perhaps you've been living on Seminal Island for the past 40 years, having absolutely no contact with the outside world. Known as the "Sage of Omaha", Warren Buffett is the most famous stock investor in the world and has a net worth to back it up. So what are Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway currently holding, and what are they planning for the future? Let's break it all down below.
What are Warren Buffett's stocks?
Warren Buffett stocks refer to the companies that Berkshire Hathaway invests in, often seen as a signal of long-term value and financial strength. The world of finance pays attention to these picks because Buffett is known for a disciplined approach that revolves around buying businesses with strong fundamentals, good management, and a competitive edge. These stocks matter because they often influence market trends and are used as a guide by many who follow a value investing strategy.
What are the top Warren Buffett stock holdings?
Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio is a masterclass in industry concentration and conviction. Unlike index funds that aim for broad exposure, Buffett holds a smaller basket of stocks, mostly U.S.-based companies with strong cash flows and dominant market positions. As of early 2025, these are his top five holdings:
Why does Warren Buffett own these stocks?
Apple (APPL)
Buffett began buying Apple in 2016, and it has since grown to represent nearly half of Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio. That being said, he doesn’t view it the way most analysts do, with a focus on tech. To Buffett, Apple isn’t a tech company; it’s a consumer brand with an incredibly loyal user base and a sticky ecosystem of products and services. iPhones, AirPods, iCloud, the App Store, they all lock in customers and generate recurring revenue. He’s praised Apple’s pricing power and customer satisfaction, calling it “probably the best business I know in the world.” Despite volatility in tech, Buffett hasn’t trimmed his position; he’s doubled down, letting Apple’s growth and buybacks organically increase its weight in his portfolio
American Express (AXP)
Buffett has long believed in traditional banks and financial institutions and has been a fan of those with strong consumer trust and brand equity. American Express is an old-school pick for Warren Buffett, as he has had it in his portfolio since the 1960s, when he scooped it up during the "salad oil scandal". While others panicked, Buffett recognized the strength of the brand and its relationship with affluent consumers. Decades later, it remains a core holding, delivering dividends and durable growth.
Bank of America (BAC)
Bank of America, his second-largest holding, offers something different: scale. With one of the largest retail banking networks in the U.S., BAC gives Buffett exposure to interest income, credit markets, and the financial infrastructure that everyday Americans rely on.
Coca-Cola (KO)
Buffett first bought Coca-Cola stock in 1988, shortly after the Black Monday crash, and has held it ever since. At the time, he saw a rare combination: a globally beloved brand, recession-proof demand, and a strong dividend yield. KO wasn’t just a stock; it was a cash machine. What’s more, Buffett famously drinks several Cokes a day and once joked that he gets a quarter of his daily calories from Coke. That level of personal conviction has translated into incredible long-term returns, and Berkshire’s position has grown massively in value, with the annual dividends now representing a double-digit yield on its original cost basis.
Chevron (CVX)
Chevron stands out in Buffett’s portfolio due to its practicality and his belief in the staying power of fossil fuels. In a world shifting toward ESG and renewables, Buffett’s investment in Chevron shows his realism, partially influenced by the war in Ukraine's disastrous effect on global energy prices. He believes fossil fuels will remain essential for decades, especially in infrastructure, manufacturing, and logistics. Chevron offers reliable cash flow, generous dividends, and geopolitical diversification.
Warren Buffett’s investing philosophy in 3 simple rules
Warren Buffett's investing philosophy is the antithesis of lazy investing, riding the market, and finding whatever shortcut you can. He believes in the fundamentalsand value investing over all else. His strategy is built on three guiding principles that every investor, beginner or seasoned, can apply. So what are the three guidelines? Let's break them down one by one below.
1. Buy what you understand
Buffett doesn't like to invest in things that he can't understand, and others fail at adequately explaining so that he might be able to. Buffett once said, “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.” This is why Buffett has been super slow to get on the cryptocurrency and digital asset train, preferring to stick with his tried and true method that netted him millions.
Real example: Buffet dodges the dot-com bust:
In the late 1990s, when tech stocks were booming, Buffett sat on the sidelines. When the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, many of those speculative companies went to zero, while Buffett’s portfolio barely flinched. He avoided the hype and stayed focused on long-term value even though people at the time referred to him as "out of touch" or "too old to understand".
2. Time in the market beats timing the market
Buffett’s famous for saying, “Our favorite holding period is forever.” He’s not looking for fast flips; he’s looking for compounding. His approach is built on staying invested through ups and downs and trusting the long arc of value creation.
Real example: Holding Coca-Cola
Buffett held Coca-Cola through recessions, inflation spikes, and shifting consumer preferences, and never let go. While others tried to trade in and out, he let dividends reinvest and value compound. His cost basis on Coke is so low that he earns a double-digit yield on his original investment today.
3. Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.
This quote is Buffett 101, and it's where value investing truly begins. The idea is simple: a great business isn’t necessarily a great investment if you overpay. Likewise, a less exciting company can be a fantastic opportunity if it’s trading below its true worth. Buffett is obsessed with intrinsic value, which is the concept that a business is actually worth based on its earnings, assets, and potential. He waits patiently for price and value to diverge, then pounces. That patience is what separates him from the average investor.Real example: Buying Apple at a low
Buffett started buying Apple when it was priced lower than many of its tech peers, with a P/E ratio in the teens. At the time, many thought Apple’s best growth days were behind it. Buffett saw pricing power, customer lock-in, and a global brand moat. That bet turned into over $100 billion in unrealized gains for Berkshire.
How to use a Warren Buffett stock strategy
You don’t need a Wall Street Background, billions, millions, or even tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest like Buffett. His principles are simple, accessible, and even more effective when applied through a community lens. Here’s how to bring Buffett’s mindset into your trading
Start with what you know:
Love a brand? Use its products? Talk about said brands' products with all of your friends? That’s a great place to begin, as the most reliable consumer taste if your own! Buffett invests in companies he understands inside and out, from how they earn money to why customers stay loyal.
Join or follow investment hubs:
Buffett studies industries deeply, and knowledge is power, especially when it comes to stock trading. Luckily, we offer a wealth of community-based knowledge via MarketPlays' market hubs. Whether you're drawn to fintech, consumer goods, AI, or energy, our sector-specific hubs offer real community insights to help sharpen your thesis.
Think long-term, even on red days:
Buffett has held Coca-Cola through recessions, inflation, and shifting consumer trends. Heck, even if there was an Alien invasino coming on their way from the Andromeda Galaxy to end the world, Buffet would still hold Coca Cola. Why? Because time in the market builds wealth. When your portfolio drops 5%, don’t panic; ask if your conviction has changed, and if not, stay the course.
Reinvest your gains:
Dividends and profits shouldn’t just sit idle. Reinvesting them into your top conviction picks accelerates compounding, otherwise known as Buffett’s favorite investing superpower. Whether it’s $50 or $5,000, consistency matters more than size.
Don’t overtrade:
Buffett’s portfolio turnover is famously low. Every time you buy or sell, you risk acting on emotion and triggering unnecessary fees. Fewer, better decisions win the long game. In Buffett’s world, boredom is profitable.
Use volatility to your advantage:
Market drops scare most people. Buffett sees them as buying opportunities. When others panic, that’s your moment to lean in and find value, as the best investments often come wrapped in short-term fear.
Buffett stocks vs. MarketPlays community picks
At MarketPlays, we crowdsource our insights, and it shows in what the community buys. While Warren Buffett’s portfolio represents decades of compounding and conservatism, the MarketPlays community gravitates toward innovation, disruption, and future-forward growth. Here’s a side-by-side of how they compare:| Buffett Holdings | Top Picks in MarketPlays Hubs |
|---|---|
| Apple (AAPL) | Nvidia (NVDA) |
| Chevron (CVX) | ExxonMobil (XOM) |
| Bank of America (BAC) | SoFi (SOFI) |
| Coca-Cola (KO) | PepsiCo (PEP) |
Buffett’s edge:
Profitability, predictability, and patience. He’s built his empire on companies with consistent earnings, strong brand moats, and proven durability. His biggest bets, Apple, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola, aren’t necessarily flashy, but they’re entrenched and resilient. It’s a “slow and steady wins the race” approach.
The MarketPlays crowd, on the other hand, tends to skew younger and more future-oriented. Our community is hungry for exponential growth, investing in companies like Nvidia, SoFi, and other high-momentum plays. These stocks represent belief in transformation: AI disrupting infrastructure, fintech upending banking, and clean energy replacing oil.
MarketPlays’ mindset:
Innovation, disruption, and conviction. Our community tends to skew younger and more future-oriented. Investors are hungry for exponential growth, betting on companies like Nvidia and SoFi that represent belief in transformation: AI disrupting infrastructure, fintech upending banking, and clean energy replacing oil.
And that’s exactly the point. Buffett focuses on what’s proven. Our community is betting on what’s next.
The takeaway: Learn from the legend, grow with the community
Look, if Warren Buffett didn't know what he was doing, then he would not have a net worth in the hundreds of billions and still be one of the richest men on the planet. Remember, Warren Buffett has been, or has been hovering among the wealthiest people in the world for the better part of 5 decades. This means in terms of knowledge, he has a ton to offer, and people who follow him understand that over the long term, his stocks will most likely produce. That being said, many investors are looking for the next thing. That next thing to pop off that's going to change the world and ideally change your portfolio significantly for the better. In this case, Warren Buffett's value investing strategy, coupled with intense due diligence, might not be the best fit for this type of investor. Either way you shake it, Warren Buffett is a god among the Wall Street faithful and his teachings nd experience should always be taken to heart.FAQ
Is Warren Buffett still actively investing?
Yep! Even though he's in his 90s, Buffett remains Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, though investment decisions are increasingly shared with his successors, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler. Buffett continues to influence major moves, especially in sectors he knows best. His long-term philosophy remains the guiding force behind Berkshire’s portfolio strategy.
Does Warren Buffett invest in international stocks?
Buffett mostly focuses on U.S. companies, but he has made international plays in the past, such as a significant stake in BYD, a Chinese EV manufacturer. Still, his comfort zone is American businesses with global reach, like Apple and Coca-Cola. He prefers companies operating in legal and regulatory environments that he deeply understands.
What would Buffett think about investing in ETFs or index funds?
Buffett has famously recommended that the average investor put their money in low-cost S&P 500 index funds. In fact, he plans to allocate 90% of his own estate to index funds for his wife. While he prefers individual stocks himself, he believes ETFs are a smart, low-fee choice for most people, especially those without the time or interest to research individual companies.