Core Insights - Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has not purchased any shares of his company for the first time in 25 quarters, marking a significant shift in his investment strategy [12][13] - This change is attributed to high valuations, with Berkshire Hathaway stock trading at a 60% to 75% premium to its book value, compared to a 30% to 50% premium during the previous 24 quarters of buybacks [14][15] - The "Buffett Indicator," which measures market-cap-to-GDP ratio, has reached an all-time high of over 210%, indicating that the stock market is historically expensive [15][16] Investment Activity - Buffett has historically favored share buybacks, spending nearly $78 billion to repurchase approximately 12.5% of Berkshire's outstanding shares over a six-year period [10] - The buyback policy was amended in July 2018, allowing for more flexibility in repurchases without a ceiling, provided the company maintains at least $30 billion in cash and believes its stock is undervalued [9][10] - Despite the lack of buybacks, Berkshire Hathaway holds over $344 billion in cash and equivalents, positioning the company to act aggressively when market conditions improve [17] Market Context - Buffett's recent selling activity reflects a broader trend, with the company being a net seller of stocks for 11 consecutive quarters, totaling $177.4 billion [16] - The current market environment offers few attractive investment opportunities, leading to a cautious approach from Buffett and his team [16][17]
Warren Buffett Spent $78 Billion Buying This Stock Over 6 Years -- but He's Now Gone 12 Straight Months Without Purchasing a Single Share