Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway disclosed its Q2 holdings report, revealing a reduction in Apple and Bank of America shares, while also unveiling new investments in healthcare, steel, and real estate sectors [2][5]. Group 1: New Investments - Berkshire initiated positions in six new stocks during Q2, including UnitedHealth (UNH), Nucor Steel (NUE), Lennar (LEN), D.R. Horton (DHI), Lamar Advertising (LAMR), and Allegion (ALLE) [2][6]. - The total market value of these new positions at the end of Q2 was approximately $3.65 billion [6]. Group 2: Reduction in Holdings - In Q2, Berkshire reduced its stake in Apple by 20 million shares, a decrease of about 6.67%, while still maintaining it as the largest holding [9]. - Additionally, Berkshire sold over 26.3 million shares of Bank of America, representing a reduction of approximately 4.17% [9]. Group 3: Market Reaction - Following the announcement of new positions, stocks like UnitedHealth and Nucor Steel saw significant after-hours gains, with increases exceeding 8% [3]. Group 4: Investment Strategy - The new investments are viewed as defensive positions with potential for valuation recovery, aligning with Buffett's investment philosophy of seeking companies with a "moat" [7].

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has resumed selling its major holdings in Apple and reduced its stake in Bank of America while making significant investments in UnitedHealth and revealing new positions in Nucor and two real estate stocks [1][7][10][13]. Group 1: Changes in Holdings - Berkshire sold 20 million shares of Apple, reducing its stake by 6.67%, with the market value decreasing by $4.1 billion, bringing the total shares held to approximately 280 million [7][9]. - The stake in Bank of America was reduced by about 26.3 million shares, a decrease of 4.71%, with a market value drop of $1.24 billion, while the holding percentage slightly increased to 11.12% [10][11]. - Berkshire completely exited its position in T-Mobile, selling 3.88 million shares [12]. Group 2: New Investments - Berkshire made a significant investment in UnitedHealth, acquiring approximately 5.04 million shares valued at about $1.57 billion, making it the 18th largest holding [13][14]. - The company also initiated positions in Nucor, purchasing 6.61 million shares valued at approximately $857 million, and in Lennar, acquiring about 7.05 million shares valued at around $780 million [2][3][4]. - Additionally, Berkshire bought over 1.48 million shares of D.R. Horton, valued at approximately $191 million [5]. Group 3: Portfolio Overview - Among the top ten holdings, Chevron was the only stock that saw an increase, with Berkshire adding 3.45 million shares, although its holding percentage decreased to 6.79% due to a drop in stock price [17]. - The top ten holdings remained largely unchanged, with Apple, American Express, and Bank of America being the top three [18][22].

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, reported its Q2 holdings as of June 30, revealing new positions in six stocks, including over 5 million shares of UnitedHealth (UNH.N) and over 6.6 million shares of Nucor Steel (NUE.N) [2] - The company reduced its stake in Apple (AAPL.O) by 20 million shares and in Bank of America (BAC.N) by 26.31 million shares [2] - Berkshire increased its position in Chevron (CVX.N) by over 3.45 million shares and completely exited its investment in T-Mobile US (TMUS.O) [2]

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has resumed selling its largest holding, Apple, and has further reduced its stake in Bank of America while making significant investments in UnitedHealth and revealing new positions in Nucor and two real estate stocks [1][8][12]. Investment Actions - In Q2, Berkshire purchased approximately 5.04 million shares of UnitedHealth, with a market value of about $1.57 billion, making it the 18th largest holding [2][15]. - The "mystery" holding Nucor Steel was revealed, with Berkshire acquiring 6.61 million shares valued at over $857 million, ranking as the 25th largest holding [3][5]. - Berkshire also bought around 7.05 million shares of Lennar, valued at approximately $780 million, and over 1.48 million shares of D.R. Horton, valued at about $191 million [6][7]. Reductions in Holdings - Berkshire reduced its Apple holdings by 20 million shares, a decrease of 6.67%, bringing its total to approximately 280 million shares, with a market value reduction of $4.1 billion [8][10]. - The stake in Bank of America was cut by about 26.31 million shares, a 4.71% decrease, with a market value reduction of $1.24 billion [11][12]. - Berkshire completely exited its position in T-Mobile, selling 3.88 million shares [13]. Portfolio Composition - By the end of Q2, Apple's holding represented 22.31% of Berkshire's portfolio, while Bank of America accounted for 11.12% [10][11]. - Chevron was the only stock among the top ten holdings to see an increase, with Berkshire adding 3.45 million shares, although its percentage of the portfolio decreased from 7.69% to 6.79% due to a decline in stock price [19]. Market Reactions - Following the disclosure of Berkshire's investment in UnitedHealth, the stock price surged over 9% in after-hours trading [16].

Group 1 - Berkshire reduced its holdings in Apple by 20 million shares in the second quarter, yet Apple remains its largest position [1] - Berkshire also sold over 26 million shares of Bank of America [1] - The company completely exited its position in T-Mobile during the second quarter [1] Group 2 - Berkshire initiated a new position in health insurance giant UnitedHealth, purchasing approximately 5.04 million shares with a market value of nearly $1.6 billion [1] - Additionally, Berkshire entered positions in the largest steel producer Nucor, valued at over $800 million, and homebuilder Lennar, valued at nearly $800 million [1] Group 3 - Among the top ten holdings, Chevron was the only stock that Berkshire increased, adding 3.45 million shares [1]

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway disclosed its Q2 holdings report, revealing a reduction in Apple and Bank of America shares, while introducing new positions in healthcare, steel, and real estate sectors [1][4][6]. Group 1: New Positions - Berkshire initiated new positions in six stocks: UnitedHealth (UNH), Nucor Steel (NUE), Lennar (LEN), D.R. Horton (DHI), Lamar Advertising (LAMR), and Allege (ALLE) [1][6]. - The total market value of these new positions at the end of Q2 was approximately $3.65 billion [6][8]. - Specific share purchases included over 5 million shares of UnitedHealth valued at about $1.57 billion, over 6.6 million shares of Nucor Steel valued at approximately $860 million, and over 7 million shares of Lennar valued at around $780 million [6][8]. Group 2: Reductions in Holdings - In Q2, Berkshire reduced its stake in Apple by 20 million shares, a decrease of approximately 6.67%, while still maintaining it as the largest holding [11][12]. - The company also sold over 26 million shares of Bank of America, representing a reduction of about 4.17% [11][12]. - Other notable reductions included selling shares in Charter Communications and completely exiting T-Mobile US [11][14]. Group 3: Market Reaction - Following the announcement of new positions, stocks like UnitedHealth and Nucor Steel saw significant after-hours gains, with increases exceeding 8% [2].

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market faced challenges as inflation concerns emerged due to tariffs, leading to a struggle among major indices, with the S&P 500 closing at a record high but in a subdued manner [1] - The S&P 500 index rose by 0.03% to 6468.54 points, while the Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.01% to 21710.67 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 0.02% to 44911.26 points [1] Economic Indicators - The Producer Price Index (PPI) for July surged by 0.9% month-on-month, marking the largest increase since June 2022, significantly exceeding the market expectation of 0.2% [3] - Year-on-year, the PPI growth reached 3.3%, surpassing the anticipated 2.5% [3] - Analysts suggest that the PPI report may indicate future consumer price pressures in the U.S. [3] Interest Rate Expectations - Market sentiment shifted as traders reduced the probability of a 25 basis point rate cut in September from 100% to 92% following the PPI report [4] Corporate Performance - Major tech stocks showed mixed performance, with Apple down 0.24%, Microsoft up 0.36%, and Amazon rising 2.86% [7] - Intel shares surged by 7.38% amid rumors of potential government investment to support domestic semiconductor manufacturing [8] - Tapestry, the parent company of Coach, experienced a significant drop of 15.71% due to tariff impacts and a write-down of $855 million related to Kate Spade [12] - Application Materials saw a decline of over 13% in after-hours trading due to lower-than-expected revenue and profit guidance [11] Notable Developments - Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a new position in UnitedHealth worth $1.57 billion, contributing to a post-earnings surge of 9% in the stock [8] - Eli Lilly announced a price increase of up to 170% for its weight loss drug Mounjaro in the UK, responding to U.S. complaints about high drug prices [9] - Apple plans to reintroduce blood oxygen monitoring features for the Apple Watch in the U.S. through a software update [10] - MIAX, a group operating multiple exchanges, saw a 33.66% increase on its first day of trading on the NYSE [13]

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway reduced its holdings in Apple and Bank of America during the second quarter, while initiating positions in UnitedHealth, Nucor Steel, as well as real estate stock Lennar and outdoor advertising company Lamar Advertising Company [1] Group 1 - Berkshire Hathaway's divestment included significant stakes in Apple and Bank of America [1] - New investments were made in UnitedHealth and Nucor Steel, indicating a shift in investment strategy [1] - The company also entered positions in Lennar and Lamar Advertising Company, diversifying its portfolio further [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nucor generated EBITDA of approximately $1.3 billion and earned $2.6 per diluted share in the second quarter, representing a significant improvement over the first quarter results driven by higher average selling prices in the steel mill segment [6][16] - Year-to-date adjusted earnings were $782 million or $3.37 per share, with second quarter results including pre-operating and startup costs of approximately $136 million or $0.45 per share [16][17] - Total capital return to shareholders for the first half of the year reached $758 million, with $329 million returned in the second quarter through dividends and buybacks [6][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The steel mills segment generated pre-tax earnings of $843 million, more than triple that of the prior quarter, driven by higher average selling prices, particularly in sheet and plate operations [17][19] - The steel products segment saw pre-tax earnings of $392 million, a 28% increase over the prior quarter, with stable realized pricing and higher volumes contributing to the best earnings quarter since 2024 [11][19] - The raw materials segment realized pre-tax earnings of approximately $57 million for the quarter, an increase of approximately 95% over the first quarter [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The steel mills backlog at the end of the second quarter was up nearly 30% compared to the same time last year, indicating solid and steady booking rates [17] - The sheet backlog at the end of the second quarter was 15% higher than the same time last year, reflecting strong demand [18] - Nucor's bar shipments were 13% higher in the first half of the year, while plate shipments to the bridge market hit a record in the second quarter, rising 35% for 2025 [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Nucor is focused on executing its growth strategy and creating value for shareholders, customers, and communities while maintaining a strong safety record [5][10] - The company is well-positioned to support growth in steel-intensive projects and promote reshoring of vital manufacturing, leveraging its diverse capabilities in the North American steel market [15][27] - Nucor anticipates domestic steel demand will be higher in 2025 compared to 2024, with confidence in capturing a healthy share of that demand [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management described the pricing environment as broadly stable, with expectations of modest margin compression in the steel mill segment despite resilient backlogs and stable demand [18][26] - The company is optimistic about the impact of recent trade policies and tariffs, which are expected to curb unfairly traded imports and protect national security [12][14] - Management highlighted strong demand drivers in technology, infrastructure, energy, and data centers, which are expected to continue driving demand for steel and steel products [22][24][25] Other Important Information - Nucor's credit ratings are the highest among North American steel producers, with a total debt to capital ratio of approximately 24% and cash of approximately $2.5 billion [21] - The company is on track to deploy approximately $3 billion in capital expenditures for the year, with significant progress on several important capital projects [7][10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break down the margin compression in the steel products segment? - Management indicated that the margin compression is not due to weak demand drivers but rather a lag effect from orders taken in late Q4 and early Q1, with recent price increases announced [29][33] Question: What are the biggest opportunities to displace imports in the second half of the year? - Management noted that opportunities exist across various product lines, with an 85% utilization rate across the steel mill segment and a focus on meeting demand where it exists [37][39] Question: Can you speak to the pre-operating startup costs and outlook for new assets? - Management expects pre-operating startup costs to be in the range of $140 million to $150 million per quarter for the back half of the year, with significant contributions to EBITDA anticipated as new assets ramp up [48][49] Question: What is driving the expected margin compression in the steel mills segment? - Management highlighted the impact of tariffs on raw materials and a lag effect in pricing as key drivers of the expected margin compression [56][105] Question: Have you seen any tariff-led costs in Q2? - Management confirmed that there were no tariff-led costs observed in Q2 [71] Question: What is the outlook for working capital in H2? - Management indicated that a large working capital build in H1 set up a constructive pivot for free cash flow in the second half of the year [79][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nucor generated EBITDA of approximately $1.3 billion and earned $2.6 per diluted share in Q2 2025, representing a significant improvement over Q1 results driven by higher average selling prices in the steel mill segment and stable pricing with higher volumes in the steel products segment [5][14] - Year-to-date adjusted earnings were $782 million or $3.37 per share, with Q2 results including pre-operating and startup costs of approximately $136 million or $0.45 per share [14][15] - Total capital return to shareholders for the first half of the year reached $758 million, with $329 million returned in Q2 alone [5][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The steel mills segment generated pre-tax earnings of $843 million, more than triple that of the prior quarter, driven by higher average selling prices, particularly in sheet and plate operations [15][17] - The steel products segment achieved pre-tax earnings of $392 million, a 28% increase over the prior quarter, supported by stable pricing and higher volumes [9][17] - The raw materials segment realized pre-tax earnings of approximately $57 million, an increase of about 95% over Q1 [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nucor's steel mills backlog at the end of Q2 was up nearly 30% compared to the same time last year, indicating strong demand [15][16] - The pricing environment for HRC has remained stable, with spot prices within a 5% band around $900 per ton for the past 16 weeks [16] - Bar shipments were 13% higher in the first half of the year, while plate shipments to the bridge market rose 35% for 2025 [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Nucor is focused on executing its growth strategy and creating value for shareholders, customers, and communities while maintaining a strong safety record [4][5] - The company is expanding its capabilities with new projects, including a rebar micro mill in Lexington, North Carolina, and a melt shop in Kingman, Arizona, which are expected to ramp up production in the coming quarters [7][8][44] - Nucor supports the administration's actions to strengthen tariffs and trade laws to protect domestic steel producers from unfair imports [10][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the demand for steel driven by technology and advanced manufacturing projects, infrastructure spending, energy sector growth, and data center construction [20][21][22][24] - The outlook for Q3 indicates nominally lower consolidated earnings compared to Q2, with expectations of modest margin compression in the steel mill segment [25][26] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet and investment-grade credit profile, with a total debt to capital ratio of approximately 24% [19] Other Important Information - Nucor's capital expenditures for the quarter totaled $954 million, with plans to deploy approximately $3 billion in CapEx for the year [5] - The company has a diverse raw material supply chain, allowing it to optimize costs and adapt to changing market conditions [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break down the margin compression in steel products? - Management indicated that margin compression is not due to weak demand but rather a lag effect from orders taken in late Q4 and early Q1, with recent price increases announced [28][31][34] Question: What are the biggest opportunities to displace imports? - Management noted that opportunities exist across various product lines, with utilization rates around 85% and a focus on meeting demand without stockpiling [35][37] Question: Can you discuss the ramp-up of the Lexington and Kingman facilities? - Management expressed excitement about the ramp-up of these facilities, with expectations for positive contributions to EBITDA in Q3 and Q4 [43][44][47] Question: What is driving the expected margin compression in the steel mills segment? - Management cited the impact of tariffs on raw materials and a lag effect in pricing as key drivers of the expected margin compression [55][56] Question: Have you seen any tariff-led costs in Q2? - Management confirmed that there were no tariff-led costs impacting Q2 results [69] Question: What is the outlook for working capital in H2? - Management indicated that a significant build in working capital in H1 is expected to pivot positively in H2, leading to improved free cash flow [78]