Buffett's Cash Fortress Encounters Market Downturn, Executive Changes, and Gates Investigation

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) announced that its cash holdings reached an unprecedented $381.67 billion as of September 30, 2025, according to its

. The Omaha-based conglomerate saw its cash reserves rise from $347.7 billion at the start of the year, marking a notable achievement in its ongoing financial approach. Operating profits for the quarter totaled $13.49 billion, representing a 33.6% increase from the previous year, largely fueled by strong results in its insurance underwriting division, as reported by . Quarterly revenue came in at $94.97 billion, a 2.1% rise compared to the same period in 2024, according to Seeking Alpha.

The expansion of Berkshire’s cash position is attributed to both solid operational outcomes and prudent capital management. Despite a significant jump in operating income, the company maintained its trend of selling more stocks than it bought, marking the 12th straight quarter of net sales and generating $10.4 billion in taxable profits, as detailed by

. This strategy reflects Warren Buffett’s enduring commitment to safeguarding cash and making calculated reinvestments, though some observers have criticized the absence of share repurchases, especially as Berkshire’s stock has fallen 5% so far this year, CNBC noted.

Berkshire’s investment assets remain highly concentrated, with its five largest stock holdings—American Express, Apple, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and Chevron—making up 66% of the total market value of its equity portfolio as of September 30, according to

. The company also owns 22% of American Express and holds a 27.5% stake in Kraft Heinz, as noted by Reuters. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a significant institutional holder of Berkshire shares, has come under scrutiny for its financial dealings. The foundation’s trust, valued at $47.78 billion, includes an $11.7 billion investment in Berkshire, accounting for 24.7% of its assets, according to a . The U.S. Senate is currently probing the foundation for possible breaches of its tax-exempt status related to grants made to Chinese state-backed organizations, the report stated.

Berkshire’s succession plan is also in the spotlight as Warren Buffett, now 95, prepares to retire as CEO at the end of the year, with Greg Abel set to take over, the company revealed. This leadership change has already affected the stock, which has dropped by double digits from its record highs since the announcement. In addition, Berkshire’s recent $9.7 billion purchase of Occidental Petroleum’s OxyChem division highlights its ongoing focus on major industrial acquisitions.

The insurance segment continues to be a major contributor, with underwriting profits jumping to $2.37 billion in the third quarter, a 200% year-over-year increase. This surge was aided by a period of unusually low natural disaster losses, according to

. However, net investment income dropped by 13% to $3.2 billion, a decline attributed to lower short-term interest rates, Bloomberg Law also reported.