With just a couple of weeks remaining in the second quarter of this year, we’re taking a look at five of the 13 stocks in which Warren Buffett lightened or sold entirely Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s (NYSE: BRK-B) stake in the first quarter of this year.
Buffett exited Berkshire’s position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF), selling all 20.13 million shares for a total of nearly $700 million. As of Tuesday’s close, Synchrony stock has increased in value by around 24%. The financial services firm pays a dividend yield of 1.76%.
Berkshire has long held a substantial position in Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC). At the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, Berkshire owned 52.42 million shares of Wells Fargo stock, which Buffett increased by 98.7% in the first quarter to 675,054 shares, representing a remaining value of $26.37 million remaining in Berkshire’s portfolio. So far in the second quarter, Wells Fargo’s stock has gained 16.6%. The bank pays a dividend yield of 0.89%.
At the end of December 2020, Berkshire owned just over 18 million shares of Liberty Global PLC (NASDAQ: LBTYA). Buffett sold 81.3% of that stake for $436.2 million in the first quarter of this year. Berkshire currently owns 3.36 million shares of Liberty Global. The stock has added about 9.2% so far in the second quarter. Liberty Global pays no dividend.
Buffett sold 51.2% of Berkshire’s holding in Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) in the first quarter, leaving his holdings at 23.67 million shares. At the end of December, Berkshire owned 48.5 million shares of Chevron stock valued at $4.1 billion. So far in the second quarter, Chevron stock has added 6.55% to its share price, and the company pays a dividend yield of 4.96%.
Berkshire lightened its holdings in Axalta Coating Systems Inc. (NYSE: AXTA) by 40.7% during the first quarter, from a year-end 2020 total of 23.42 million shares to 13.89 million. The value of the remaining stake is around $410.8 million. Axalta shares have added nearly 6% to date in the second quarter. The company does not pay a dividend.
100 Million Americans Are Missing This Crucial Retirement Tool
The thought of burdening your family with a financial disaster is most Americans’ nightmare. However, recent studies show that over 100 million Americans still don’t have proper life insurance in the event they pass away.
Life insurance can bring peace of mind – ensuring your loved ones are safeguarded against unforeseen expenses and debts. With premiums often lower than expected and a variety of plans tailored to different life stages and health conditions, securing a policy is more accessible than ever.
A quick, no-obligation quote can provide valuable insight into what’s available and what might best suit your family’s needs. Life insurance is a simple step you can take today to help secure peace of mind for your loved ones tomorrow.
Click here to learn how to get a quote in just a few minutes.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.