Warren Buffett's Apple Investment Strategy

Berkshire sold 115 million Apple shares, making it their largest holding.

### Warren Buffett on Berkshire Hathaway's Investment Strategy, Apple's Business, and Tax Payments
* 💼 Berkshire Hathaway has sold **115 million shares of Apple** in the last quarter, making it their **largest holding**.
* 🍎 When Buffett and Munger look at common stocks, they view them as businesses. They have purchased wonderful companies like **Coca-Cola, American Express, and Apple** as **businesses**.
* 📈 Buffett's investment approach is to treat stocks as businesses and not to predict markets or pick stocks. This principle was laid out by Benjamin Graham in **"The Intelligent Investor."**
* 💰 Under current conditions, Buffett doesn't mind building a cash position as he finds it quite attractive compared to the **alternatives in the equity markets**.
* 🏷 Berkshire pays a **21% federal tax rate** on the gains from Apple, which Buffett thinks is quite low given the present fiscal policies. He believes that **higher taxes are quite likely in the future**.
* 🇺🇸 Buffett thinks it's appropriate for Berkshire to pay **substantial federal income taxes**, as the country has been **generous to them**.
* 💵 Last year, Berkshire sent over **$5 billion to the US federal government in taxes**. Buffett hopes that Berkshire's success will allow them to **continue contributing substantially**.

Warren Buffett explains why Berkshire reduced its big Apple stake

CNBC Television

Berkshire Hathaway's Changing Investment Focus

Berkshire Hathaway has significantly reduced its Apple shares, making it the company's largest common stock holding.

Warren Buffett emphasized that they view all their stock holdings as businesses, including Coca-Cola, American Express, and now Apple.

Despite selling shares, Buffett's view of Apple as a business seems to remain positive, with a shift in focus towards owning larger portions of exceptional companies.

Early interest in stocks led to a realization that treating the market as a service, rather than trying to predict it, is a more effective approach.

The advice from the book "The Intelligent Investor" by B.

Graham was a turning point in understanding the principles of successful investment.

The partnership with Charlie and the application of simple yet deceptive approach has led to the ownership of successful businesses like American Express, Coca-Cola, and Apple.

Berkshire Hathaway's Investment Strategy and Tax Perspective

Berkshire Hathaway is focusing on building its cash position under current conditions, with Apple as its largest investment.

The company pays a lot of attention to not paying taxes, despite being okay with paying a 21% federal rate on the gains from Apple.

Warren Buffet anticipates the possibility of higher taxes with the present fiscal policies, expecting the government to take a greater share of income in the future.

Berkshire Hathaway's Generosity to the US Federal Government

Berkshire Hathaway has contributed over $5 billion to the US federal government, a sum that could have covered the taxes for all US citizens if 800 other companies had done the same.

Warren Buffett expresses his willingness to continue making these contributions and hopes that others will follow suit in supporting the country.