Warren Buffett’s 10 Biggest Stock Buys and Sells So Far in 2024

Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett and his corresponding investment portfolio adjustments offer valuable insight into his market perspective and may inspire investors to refine their strategies. 

Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, made significant stock buys and sells in 2024, which reflects his focus on resilience and long-term stability and offers clues for investors who value a long-term approach.

Whether you’re a pro or are just starting to invest, here’s a look at 10 stocks he bought or sold this year and the strategic considerations that might have influenced these moves.

Buffett’s largest sale this year was in Apple, trimming his biggest holding by nearly half. In Q2, Berkshire sold around 389 million shares, significantly reducing its previous stake.

This cut lowered its holding to 400 million shares, but Apple remains Berkshire’s largest position with an estimated value of $90.6 billion. While Buffett hasn’t commented on this sale, the sheer scale suggests a cautious approach, possibly balancing Apple’s gains with portfolio diversification.

Ulta Beauty’s inclusion in Berkshire’s portfolio demonstrates Buffett’s attention to consumer trends. This year, Berkshire initiated a stake in the beauty retailer, purchasing 690,000 shares valued at approximately $266 million.

Ulta’s strong brand presence and expanding market share in the beauty industry make it an attractive investment, appealing to Buffett’s interest in companies with strong consumer loyalty.

Floor & Decor Holdings is another stock Berkshire partially divested from, cutting its position by nearly 17% to under 4 million shares. This stake, worth about $395 million as of mid-year, reflects Buffett’s awareness of the housing sector’s fluctuations.

The partial sale could signal cautious positioning within specialty retail amid changing economic trends in consumer spending and home improvement.

Berkshire also scaled back its position in Chevron, a major energy holding, by approximately 3.6%. This adjustment reduced Berkshire’s holdings to 119 million shares, valued at $18.6 billion by the second quarter.

The move suggests Buffett’s balanced view on the energy sector, possibly maintaining Chevron as a reliable asset while managing exposure as global energy market dynamics shift.

Berkshire closed out its Paramount Global position after significantly reducing it earlier in the year. Initially added in Q1 2022, the stake had since shrunk considerably, and Buffett acknowledged Paramount as a misstep. 

By fully divesting, he likely accepted the loss to refocus on areas with better risk-reward potential, demonstrating his willingness to reassess and move on from underperforming stocks.

Buffett trimmed Berkshire’s investment in Capital One Financial by about 21%, bringing the holding to approximately 9.8 million shares. This reduction represents an adjustment worth over $1.3 billion as of mid-2024.

As banking industry dynamics continue to evolve, the decision to reduce Capital One may reflect a cautious stance on credit and banking stocks amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

Another significant change in 2024 involved Bank of America, where Buffett has reduced his position by about 100 million shares. Despite the sell-off, Berkshire still holds over 928 million shares, valued at nearly $36.9 billion as of August.

This sale aligns with Buffett’s cautious diversification, reflecting his careful recalibration within a core banking holding without fully stepping away from Bank of America’s stable growth prospects.

Buffett made a notable addition to his insurance investments with Chubb Ltd., expanding the position significantly in Q1 and adding 1.1 million shares in Q2. The current stake sits at over 27 million shares, valued at around $7.4 billion, giving Berkshire a 6.5% ownership stake.

Chubb aligns well with Buffett’s preference for financially stable companies in the insurance sector, offering consistent returns and long-term stability.

Berkshire trimmed its stake in the telecom space this year, selling off around 11% of its T-Mobile US stake. The company now holds around 4.7 million shares.

This position, valued at more than $823 million, shows Buffett’s balanced approach within a sector experiencing rapid technology and regulatory changes. Adjusting this position may reflect efforts to manage telecom exposure while capitalizing on T-Mobile’s growth potential.

Berkshire fully exited its position in Snowflake, selling off over 6.1 million shares in the second quarter. The departure from Snowflake, a cloud-based data storage and AI company, signals Buffett’s caution toward high-growth tech companies with relatively high valuations.

His exit could suggest a preference for more stable, cash-generating businesses over technology companies with high volatility.

Buffett’s stock moves this year illustrate a balanced strategy, mixing growth potential with careful risk management.

With significant adjustments in long-standing positions like Apple and Bank of America and exits from newer investments such as Snowflake, Buffett builds wealth by adapting to changing market conditions. Could your portfolio benefit from similar flexibility?

Understanding these moves may inspire investors like you to make informed choices about balancing growth and stability for your long-term financial goals.