Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 1
Berkshire Holds $397.4 Billion Cash as Buffett, Abel Wait for Cheaper Stocks
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 1

Berkshire Holds $397.4 Billion Cash as Buffett, Abel Wait for Cheaper Stocks

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Finance · Aug 1

Summary

  • $397.4 billion sat on Berkshire Hathaway's balance sheet at the end of the first quarter, leaving the company waiting rather than chasing deals at current prices.
  • Historically expensive stocks are the main reason: Buffett has said Berkshire would rather put the money to work, but only when external conditions produce attractive valuations.
  • Greg Abel echoed that stance in a February shareholder letter, saying the cash hoard does not signal a retreat from investing and that Berkshire remains patient and disciplined.
  • The scale of that war chest is unusual even for Berkshire — only about two dozen S&P 500 companies are worth more than its cash pile — underscoring how selective the company has become.

Insights

Why is Berkshire Hathaway sitting on $397 billion in cash when it could buy almost any S&P 500 company?
What would have to happen before Berkshire finally deploys up to $100 billion instead of parking money in Treasury bills?