Gold and silver have long served as classic hedges against inflation. Unlike fiat currency, precious metals can’t be created at will by central banks. And because their value isn’t tied to any single country, currency, or economy, investors often turn to them during periods of market turbulence and geopolitical uncertainty.The record performance of gold in 2025 is one sign that the wealthy are bracing for a rocky stock market.If you’re concerned about where markets might head, here are three potential ports ...

[Music] Good Tuesday morning. I'm Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sazy and this is opening bid. What's on my investing mind today.You're wondering is it Meta's $2 billion deal for Chinese AI company called Madis made during a slow week. Nope. Or how about the Fed minutes out later today.Definitely not those Fed minutes. It will never be VIP to me. It will it just vote.I just I'm not a fan of Fed minutes. What's on my mind is one mythical investing creature. Actually, that creature is the oracle of Omah ...

One final check in with the investing GOAT's favorite stock market indicator before he rides off into the sunset. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) CEO Warren Buffett, 95, will hand over the reigns to his hand-picked successor Greg Abel on Wednesday. The official passing of the torch caps a storied career for Buffett, which included buying a major US railroad (Burlington Northern), striking up a friendship with Microsoft (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates, and offering up scores of pithy comments in annual shareholde ...

Key Points Metrics like the CAPE Ratio and Buffett Indicator point to stocks being very overvalued. However, history also shows stocks performing well after mid-term elections and bull markets last a long time. Whether the current AI infrastructure trend is cyclical or secular will play a big role in where stocks head over the next few years. 10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index › With the current bull market having entered its fourth year, there is growing chatter of an artificial intell ...

Market Sentiment - Legendary investor Jim Rogers has sold all his U.S. stocks, indicating a bearish outlook, while Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has been selling large quantities of stock each quarter since 2024, raising concerns among investors [1][2][6] - A Bank of America survey reveals that 91% of fund managers believe U.S. stocks are overvalued, the highest level since 2001, suggesting a potential downshift in returns over the next decade [2][4] Stock Ownership Trends - Record levels of stock ownership in the U.S. coincide with increased risk of a market downturn, with 45% of Americans' household financial assets now in stocks, an all-time high [3][4] - Stock ownership has surpassed levels seen in the late 1990s, prior to the dot-com bust, raising alarm among economists [4][5] Market Performance Indicators - The "Buffett Indicator," which compares stock market performance to GDP, indicates that the market was at 230% of GDP in September 2025, suggesting potential overvaluation [6] - The S&P 500 has returned over 230% in the past decade, while the Nasdaq Composite has surged about 430% as of December 2025, reflecting a strong but potentially unsustainable market trend [3] Alternative Investment Strategies - Gold has gained 60% year over year and reached a record high of over $4,500 per ounce, with experts recommending it as a hedge against market downturns [10][9] - Real estate is highlighted as a productive asset class that can generate passive income even during market downturns, with platforms allowing investments in rental properties with minimal capital [12][14]

Core Insights - The significant difference between the amounts bought and sold in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is attributed to rising market valuations, especially among large-cap stocks [1] - Warren Buffett has been a net seller of stocks for 12 consecutive quarters, resulting in nearly $184 billion in net sales over the past three years [3] - Buffett's actions and comments indicate a cautious approach to the stock market as he prepares for retirement, emphasizing the importance of valuation awareness [5][6] Portfolio Management - Additions to the portfolio have been modest, primarily involving a few hundred million dollars to existing positions, with notable new investments in Chubb, Alphabet, and Sirius XM [2] - Berkshire Hathaway's stock portfolio is currently valued at approximately $315 billion, but it could exceed $500 billion if not for the significant stock sales over the last three years [4] Market Valuation Trends - Apple trades at 33 times forward earnings, a significant increase from when Buffett initially purchased it at around 10 times forward earnings [7] - The S&P 500 index is trading at roughly 22 times forward earnings, a level rarely seen since the early 2000s, with the CAPE ratio reaching 40 for only the second time in history [8] Investment Strategies - Investors are advised to take gains when appropriate, as holding onto high-valuation stocks can be risky, exemplified by Berkshire's heavy reliance on Apple [11][12] - Maintaining a cash position is recommended as valuations rise, allowing for downside protection and opportunities during market corrections [14][15] - Holding high-conviction stocks is crucial, as demonstrated by Buffett's long-term investments in American Express and Coca-Cola, which he has held for over 30 years [16][17]

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Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Quick Read Warren Buffett has been a net seller of stocks for 12 straight quarters. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) now holds a record $382B in cash. Berkshire reduced its Apple stake from 50% of the portfolio to 20% over the past year. The Buffett Indicator sits at 223%, signaling extreme overvaluation at 77% above trend line. If you’re thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retir ...

Core Viewpoint - The stock market is perceived as generally overvalued, yet there are still investment opportunities available for those willing to explore beyond traditional avenues [2][3][20]. Investment Activity - Berkshire Hathaway has been a net seller of stocks for 12 consecutive quarters, selling over $24 billion worth of equities in the first nine months of 2025, resulting in a cash position of $354 billion [2][3]. - Buffett's recent investments total approximately $14 billion, indicating a strategic approach to investing in the current market [4][6]. Notable Purchases - Significant investments include $4 billion in Alphabet, the entirety of OxyChem from Occidental Petroleum, and increased stakes in Japanese trading houses Mitsubishi and Mitsui [7][10][18]. - The purchase of OxyChem was particularly strategic, as it allowed Berkshire to acquire a subsidiary at a compelling value, while maintaining a position in Occidental's preferred shares that yield an 8% dividend [14][15]. Market Valuation Insights - The "Buffett Indicator" suggests that U.S. stocks are expensive, with the current level around 225%, indicating potential risks for investors [8]. - The S&P 500's price-earnings ratios are at levels comparable to the peak of the dot-com bubble, reinforcing the notion of overvaluation in the market [8]. Investment Strategy - Buffett's recent purchases reflect a shift towards identifying value in sectors and companies that may not be on the radar of typical investors, such as the chemicals industry and international stocks [9][21]. - The focus on Japanese trading houses highlights a broader strategy of seeking value outside the U.S. market, as these stocks appear more attractive from a valuation perspective [18][21]. Conclusion - Despite the overall market being expensive, there are still opportunities for significant returns if investors are willing to expand their search beyond conventional investments [20][22].

Core Insights - Warren Buffett has been a net seller of stocks for 12 consecutive quarters, indicating a cautious approach to the current market environment [1][6][7] - Berkshire Hathaway has sold $183.53 billion more in stocks than it has purchased over the last three years, reflecting a strategic shift in investment philosophy [7][8] - The Buffett Indicator, a measure of market valuation, has reached an all-time high of 223%, suggesting that the stock market is historically overpriced [10][11] Investment Philosophy - Buffett's famous quote, "be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful," encapsulates his investment strategy, emphasizing caution in a high-valuation environment [5][6] - Despite selling stocks, Buffett maintains a long-term optimistic view on the U.S. economy and stock market, indicating that his selling may be more about strategic profit-taking rather than outright pessimism [5][9] Market Conditions - The current stock market is characterized by high valuations, making it increasingly difficult to find value, which has led to Buffett's persistent selling activity [8][13] - Specific stocks, such as Apple, have seen significant increases in their price-to-earnings ratios, further complicating the search for attractive investment opportunities [12][13] Historical Context - Buffett's track record shows a cumulative gain of over 6,107,000% in Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares, highlighting the effectiveness of his patient investment approach [17][18] - Historical examples, such as Buffett's investment in Bank of America during the financial crisis, illustrate the potential for significant returns when capitalizing on price dislocations [18][20] Future Outlook - Berkshire Hathaway holds nearly $382 billion in cash and equivalents, positioning the company to take advantage of future investment opportunities when valuations become more favorable [21]