Warren Buffett Sells 75% Apple Stake, Invests in Consumer Company for 6 Quarters
Warren Buffett, the renowned investor and former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has influenced the financial landscape for decades. As his tenure came to a close on December 31, 2025, significant changes in his investment strategy have become apparent, particularly concerning his stake in Apple and new investments in consumer companies.
Buffett Sells 75% of Apple Stake
Buffett made headlines by reducing Berkshire Hathaway’s stake in Apple by 75%. As of September 30, 2023, Berkshire owned 915,560,382 shares of Apple, accounting for over 40% of its invested assets. However, by the time of his retirement, 687,642,574 shares had been sold, including 10,294,956 shares in his final quarter.
Market Context and Reasons for Selling
Buffett’s decision to sell has raised questions amid a historically high stock market valuation. The prolonged period from October 1, 2022, to December 31, 2025, saw him sell stocks for 13 consecutive quarters. His primary focus shifted towards companies with strong consumer loyalty and steady growth.
While Apple maintained a robust buyback program, Buffett’s consistent selling suggests concerns over its valuation. In the first quarter of 2016, when he initially invested, Apple’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was relatively low, but this increased to a problematic level over time. Apple’s TTM earnings per share also rose notably, adding pressure on its valuation.
Investment in Domino’s Pizza
Using the opportunity before his retirement, Buffett turned his attention towards Domino’s Pizza. He invested in the fast-food chain for six consecutive quarters, accumulating a 9.9% stake.
Domino’s Investment Strategy and Growth
- Q3 2024: 1,277,256 shares purchased
- Q4 2024: 1,104,744 shares purchased
- Q1 2025: 238,613 shares purchased
- Q2 2025: 13,255 shares purchased
- Q3 2025: 348,077 shares purchased
- Q4 2025: 368,055 shares purchased
Domino’s Pizza stands out for its innovative marketing strategy. The company admitted past mistakes in their product and committed to improvement, successfully restoring customer trust. Since its IPO in 2004, shares have skyrocketed by 6,700%—an achievement reflecting effective brand management.
