According to regulatory filings, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway made some changes in its equity portfolio during the first quarter. This included adding a large stake in Citigroup. According to the filing, more than 55,000,000 shares were purchased by the conglomerate in order to create a $2.95 trillion stake. The long-term value investor also bought Ally Financial, which fell more than 18% in this year. At March’s end, his stake in the company was valued at $400 million. In addition to Celanese Corp, which is worth $1.1 billion, Markel (worth $62 million), McKesson ($900 million) as well as healthcare company McKesson ($900 million), the “Oracle of Omaha”, also bought media group Paramount Global (worth $22.6 billion). Buffett, a 91-year old investor, has been buying a lot lately because he saw value in an economy that is experiencing steep declines in face to rising inflation, geopolitical risk and rising rates. Berkshire was close to selling all Verizon stock that had been worth over $8 billion by 2021. After trimming its stake in Wells Fargo last year, the conglomerate has also sold off its smaller position. These are Berkshire’s 10 largest holdings at the end March. Berkshire previously reported that Chevron was significantly increased by the conglomerate during the first quarter. The stake now stands at $25.9billion. Meanwhile, Buffett told CNBC’s Becky Quick last month that he scooped up $600 million worth of Apple shares following a three-day decline in the stock last quarter. Apple holds 40% of the equity portfolio and is therefore the conglomerate’s largest stockholding, accounting for $159.1 trillion at March’s end. Also, it was previously reported that Buffett increased his Occidental investments. Buffett explained how he used the trading mania and snatched 14% of Occidental within two weeks at the annual shareholder meeting.
