Berkshire Trades at a Discount to 52-Week High: Time to Buy the Stock?

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B) stock is currently trading at approximately a 10% discount to its 52-week high of $542.07, closing at $476.56 after a 1.1% decline in the latest trading session [1] - The company has underperformed compared to the industry, the Finance sector, and the Zacks S&P 500 composite index year to date [1][9] - Berkshire Hathaway operates as a conglomerate with over 90 subsidiaries, providing stability across various economic cycles [1][14] Stock Performance - BRK.B is trending below its 50-day simple moving average (SMA), indicating potential downside risk [2] - The stock is considered overvalued with a price-to-book multiple of 1.57, higher than the industry average of 1.53 [8] - Year to date, BRK.B shares are down 10% from their 52-week high and lag behind the industry, sector, and S&P 500 [9] Financial Metrics - The average target price for BRK.B, based on short-term price targets from four analysts, is $538.75 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 13.1% from the last closing price [11] - Return on equity (ROE) for BRK.B in the trailing 12 months was 7.2%, below the industry average of 7.8%, while return on invested capital (ROIC) was 5.7%, also lower than the industry average of 6% [20][21] Business Segments - Berkshire Hathaway's insurance operations contribute approximately 25% of total revenues and are a key driver of long-term growth, supported by disciplined pricing and solid underwriting performance [14] - The company's diversified structure, including Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE), provides stability and aligns with the global shift towards renewable energy [15] - The Utilities and Energy segment, including Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), is expected to benefit from increasing demand for utility services despite current challenges [16] Analyst Sentiment - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings indicates a 6.7% year-over-year decrease, while a 5% increase is expected for 2026, with long-term earnings growth projected at 7% [22] - Analyst sentiment has remained muted, with no changes in earnings estimates over the past 30 days [22] Leadership Transition - The focus will shift to the performance of Berkshire Hathaway under Greg Abel, who will succeed Warren Buffett as CEO on January 1, 2026, while Buffett will remain as executive chairman [26]