Alphabet shares hit record after Berkshire makes rare tech bet with $4.9 billion stake
Yahoo Finance·2025-11-17 09:52

Core Insights - Alphabet's shares increased by 5.2% following Berkshire Hathaway's disclosure of a stake in the company, potentially marking one of the last significant investments by Warren Buffett's leadership [1][2] - Berkshire Hathaway acquired 17.85 million shares of Alphabet, valued at approximately $4.93 billion based on the last closing price, indicating a rare investment in technology amidst concerns over high AI spending [2][5] - The investment in Alphabet is seen as a strategic move, as the company is priced more modestly compared to its AI peers like Nvidia and Microsoft, trading at 25.01 times expected earnings [5] Berkshire Hathaway's Investment Strategy - Buffett is set to retire as CEO at the end of 2025, with Greg Abel as his successor, raising questions about the future direction of Berkshire's investment strategy [3] - Berkshire has reduced its stake in Apple, which remains its largest holding at $64.9 billion, and has also trimmed its position in Bank of America, indicating a selective approach to investments [6] - The increase in Berkshire's cash reserves has raised concerns among investors, but the investment in Alphabet suggests a balance between caution and opportunism, targeting resilient companies [7] Market Context - Alphabet's shares have risen 46% this year, outperforming the S&P 500 index, reflecting strong market performance despite broader concerns about technology spending [7]