Berkshire Hathaway has increased its stake in Alphabet, making the Google parent company the third-largest stock holding in its portfolio [1].
This move signals a strategic pivot toward increased technology sector exposure. By concentrating more capital into a few dominant tech firms, Berkshire is betting on the long-term growth prospects of artificial intelligence and digital advertising infrastructure.
Reports indicate that Berkshire increased its Alphabet stake by 83% [2] during the second quarter of 2024. There are conflicting reports regarding the exact amount of cash deployed for this acquisition; one source states $17 billion was added [1], while another reports that Greg Abel poured $23 billion into the stock [3].
Warren Buffett said the investment was his idea. The move was supported by Greg Abel, who has played a key role in managing the firm's equity holdings. Together, Apple and Alphabet now account for nearly 30% of Berkshire's total stock portfolio, which is valued at approximately $348 billion [4].
Despite the surge in Alphabet holdings, Apple remains the largest single stock investment for the firm, with a valuation of $66 billion [5]. This concentration in big tech marks a departure from the more diversified value-investing approach traditionally associated with the company.
The reporting of this shift occurred in August 2024, though some records indicate the status was solidified as recently as August 15, 2026 [6]. The increased position allows Berkshire to capitalize on Alphabet's market dominance while maintaining a massive cash reserve for future acquisitions.
“Alphabet is now Berkshire Hathaway's third-largest position in its portfolio.”
The concentration of nearly 30% of a $348 billion portfolio into just two companies—Apple and Alphabet—indicates a high-conviction strategy. By shifting away from broad diversification toward a few 'mega-cap' tech leaders, Berkshire is prioritizing the scalability of digital ecosystems over traditional industrial or consumer staples. This suggests the firm views the current tech landscape as a safe harbor for massive capital deployment despite regulatory scrutiny facing big tech.
