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Berkshire Becomes Net Buyer Again With $23.5B Equity Purchases

8/24/2026

46 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Berkshire Hathaway spent $23.5 billion on marketable equity purchases in Q2, becoming a net buyer first time since 2022.
Alphabet was the largest purchase, receiving a $10 billion private placement in June.
Berkshire added another $5 billion-$7 billion of Alphabet shares during the quarter.
Warren Buffett transferred executive duties to Greg Abel at the start of 2026, remaining chairman and approving Abel’s capital-allocation decisions.

History

Historical Context

In September 2008 Berkshire deployed $5 billion of cash to buy preferred stock in Goldman Sachs, its first major crisis-era liquidity injection. By 2026 Berkshire shifted to buying equities, making large purchases and approving a $10 billion private-placement in Alphabet under Greg Abel’s oversight. That shows a shift from crisis-era liquidity provision to aggressive growth-stock allocation.

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Story summary

Berkshire Hathaway spent $23.5 billion on marketable equity purchases in Q2, becoming a net buyer first time since 2022.
Alphabet was the largest purchase, receiving a $10 billion private placement in June.
Berkshire added another $5 billion-$7 billion of Alphabet shares during the quarter.
Warren Buffett transferred executive duties to Greg Abel at the start of 2026, remaining chairman and approving Abel’s capital-allocation decisions.

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