Warren Buffett has stepped down as Berkshire chairman; Greg Abel is CEO, and Buffett’s son Howard is set to chair the board. The Motley Fool expects Berkshire’s Apple, American Express and Coca-Cola stakes to remain in its portfolio for decades.
The article describes Berkshire’s equity portfolio as nearly $360 billion and lists Apple at 21.8%, American Express at 12.9% and Coca-Cola at 9.8%. Berkshire began buying Apple in 2016; it completed its initial $1.3 billion American Express purchase in 1995 and has not sold any shares since. It began buying Coca-Cola in the 1980s and has held its 400 million-share position since completing that purchase.
The article points to the companies’ brands and business models, including Apple’s loyal customer base and American Express’s combination of card services and a global payments network. It also notes Coca-Cola has adapted its beverage portfolio to changing consumer preferences and raised its annual dividend for 64 consecutive years.
