Along with being the most rapidly available version for investors to copy in 2026, the fourth-quarter (Q4) 2025 Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B) portfolio was significant for being the last balance of the portfolio while Warren Buffett was still CEO.
At the time – relevant for December 31 but also January 1 given the market is closed on New Year’s Day – just three companies accounted for more than 50% of the total value of the holdings.
How top 3 Berkshire Hathaway stocks performed in 2026
Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) represented the biggest position at $62 billion – 23%. At the start of the year, AAPL shares were changing hands at $271.86, while, at press time, they are trading at $283.78. Thus, a $1,000 Apple stock investment made at the start of the year would have risen 4.38% to $1,043.80 for a profit of $43.80.
American Express (NYSE: AXP) – 21% of the portfolio at $56 billion – ended 2025 changing hands at $369.95 and has fallen 8% to $340.36 by press time on June 29. A $1,000 investment in AXP shares would have, therefore, resulted in a position worth $920: a loss of $80.
Finally, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) represented a significantly smaller part of the holdings at 10% – $28.5 billion – and was priced at $55 at the time of the 13-F filing. At press time on June 29, BAC shares are at $57.88, meaning a $1,000 investment would have risen 5.24% to $1,052.40 for $52.40 in profits.
$1,000 invested in Warren Buffett portfolio at the start of 2026 is now worth
Elsewhere, an investor seeking to divide the total $1,000 investment to match the overall balance between the top 3 stocks in Warren Buffett’s last portfolio as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway would have purchased $425.90 of AAPL stock, $388.90 of AXP shares, and $185.20 of BAC equity.
Given the performance of the three companies in 2026, such an approach would have led to a $2.75 loss and a position worth $997.25.
Berkshire Hathaway stock price performance in 2026
Regardless of the performance of the top three Berkshire Hathaway holdings at the very start of the calendar year, BRK.B equity itself has been suffering from a subpar 2026 during its first half (H1).
Specifically, Berkshire stock fell 0.79% to its press-time price of $498.66 year-to-date (YTD) while the benchmark S&P 500 index rallied 7.43%.
Though some have linked the underperformance to Warren Buffett’s decision to step down as CEO on January 1, the company has been lagging relative to the market for years, likely due to refraining from making significant investments under the conditions prevailing in the post-COVID era.
Featured image via Shutterstock
