In its latest 13F filing, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) disclosed a new investment in Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ). The firm acquired 5.62 million shares of the leading alcoholic beverage producer in the quarter ended December 31, 2024, valued at $1.24 billion.
Investors reacted quickly to the news, sending Constellation Brands stock up 7.40% in after-hours trading on Friday. The jump follows a 25.8% decline year-to-date.
Berkshire Trims Bank Holdings, Holds Steady on Apple
While Berkshire expanded into Constellation Brands, it scaled back its investments in major banks. The firm slashed its Citigroup (NYSE: C) stake by 74%, leaving it with 14.6 million shares, and trimmed its position in Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) by 15% to 680.2 million shares.
Meanwhile, Berkshire paused its sell-off of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), holding 300 million shares as of December 31, unchanged from its September 30 position. This comes after the firm significantly reduced its Apple stake in 2023 when it owned 790 million shares at year-end.
The firm also sold about $32 million worth of DaVita HealthCare (NYSE: DVA) stock, further adjusting its portfolio.
Why Buffett’s Moves Matter
While the Berkshire 13F data is 45 days old, investors closely track Buffett’s portfolio changes, given his long-term investment strategy. His “buy and hold” philosophy often signals confidence in certain industries and stocks, influencing broader market sentiment.
With this latest filing, Buffett’s firm appears to be shifting focus from financials while betting on consumer-driven brands like Constellation. Investors will now be watching to see whether this marks the start of a broader portfolio shift in 2025.
