Berkshire’s Alphabet Investment
A few days ago, Buffett gave CNBC an interview where he confirmed something the market had been speculating about: he was the one who initiated Berkshire’s Alphabet position that the company started building last year.
He immediately clarified that Berkshire’s investment process is collaborative:
“I am not doing anything that he [CEO Greg Abel] doesn’t approve of. He’s not doing anything I don’t approve of. We talk all the time, but he is the decider.”
Buffett also admitted that he regretted not buying Google (Alphabet) much earlier. He said he had understood the strength of Google’s business for years, especially because GEICO had been one of Google’s largest advertising customers, but simply failed to act on that insight.
Berkshire entered the position in Q3 2025, buying roughly 18 million shares, and doubled down during the Q1 2026 dip by adding another ~36 million shares. After a private placement in June, Berkshire’s Alphabet investment now totals roughly $27B, making it about 9% of the company’s public equity portfolio.
Two Lessons for Investors
There are two takeaways here, in my opinion.
First, if you find a truly great business and have high conviction, don’t make it a tiny position. Make it count.
Second, Greg Abel still has the greatest mentor imaginable behind him. His real test is yet to come. Once Buffett is no longer there, Abel will have to prove to investors that he learned enough from Buffett and Munger to lead Berkshire through another generation of success. Personally, I think he will.