Skip to content

Sign Up

or

By submitting my information, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Already have an account?

Warren Buffett’s OXY stock bet is down this much

Warren Buffett’s OXY stock bet is down this much
Aneena Alex

Warren Buffett’s high-conviction bet on Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) is facing one of its toughest tests yet.

OXY shares have plunged to their lowest level since February 2022, trading at $36.26 at press time on April 11. 

The stock is down 26% year-to-date, marking a sharp reversal from earlier 2025 highs above $50. It has also significantly underperformed the broader energy sector, which is down about 12% over the same period.

OXY year-to-date price chart. Source: Finbold

The slide has dealt a significant blow to Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A), which owns nearly 265 million shares of Occidental at an average cost of $54.20. 

That translates to an estimated paper loss of $4.7 billion, making it one of the most challenged equity holdings in Buffett’s portfolio. Berkshire’s stake represents a commanding 28% ownership in the oil and gas company.

Why Occidental Petroleum is falling

The latest downturn in OXY comes as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude falls below $60 per barrel, driven by growing fears of a global recession and fresh trade tensions following the U.S. administration’s latest round of tariffs on China. 

This broader macro pressure has soured investor sentiment toward oil producers, and Occidental with its relatively higher debt load is bearing the brunt of it.

Interestingly, the company reported stronger pricing in Q1. Occidental realized $71.07 per barrel for oil, slightly higher than the $69.73 recorded in Q4 2024, while natural gas prices surged 92% to $2.42 per Mcf. Natural gas liquids (NGLs) also rose nearly 19% from the prior quarter. 

However, these sequential gains have done little to offset market concerns.

Despite the pricing tailwinds, analysts remain cautious. According to Roth MKM, Occidental continues to trail behind industry peers on several key fronts. 

The company still carries a heavier debt burden, is growing production more slowly, and is spending heavily on carbon-capture technology, a long-term but capital-intensive strategy.

That being said, for now, Occidental Petroleum remains one of the most visible pressure points in Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio, and investors will be watching closely as the company prepares to report earnings on May 8.

Featured image via Shutterstock

Best Crypto Exchange for Intermediate Traders and Investors

  • Invest in cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ other assets including stocks and precious metals.

  • 0% commission on stocks - buy in bulk or just a fraction from as little as $10. Other fees apply. For more information, visit etoro.com/trading/fees.

  • Copy top-performing traders in real time, automatically.

  • eToro USA is registered with FINRA for securities trading.

30+ million Users worldwide
Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Finbold.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD

Latest posts

Finance Digest

By subscribing you agree with Finbold T&C’s & Privacy Policy

Related posts

Stocks

Trade, Swap & Stake Crypto on Uphold

Buy, sell, and swap crypto. Stake crypto, earn rewards and securely manage 300+ assets—all in one trusted platform. Terms apply. Capital at risk.

Get Started

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Finbold is a news and information website. This Site may contain sponsored content, advertisements, and third-party materials, for which Finbold expressly disclaims any liability.

RISK WARNING: Cryptocurrencies are high-risk investments and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. (Click here to learn more about cryptocurrency risks.)

By accessing this Site, you acknowledge that you understand these risks and that Finbold bears no responsibility for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from your use of the Site or reliance on its content. Click here to learn more.