Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway: A 60-Year Investment Powerhouse

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKb), under Warren Buffett’s leadership since 1965, stands as one of the greatest investment success stories in history. A $100 investment in Berkshire shares at the time Buffett took over would now be worth approximately $5.5 million. In comparison, the same investment in an S&P 500 index fund with dividends reinvested would have grown to just $39,000. This stark contrast highlights Buffett’s unmatched ability to compound returns at nearly twice the market rate over six decades.

Buffett’s strategy centers on long-term value, quality businesses, and disciplined capital allocation. His patience and selective investment approach have generated consistent outperformance. Berkshire’s stock portfolio exemplifies these principles, with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) as the top holding, valued at around $60 billion. Other major long-term holdings include American Express (NYSE: AXP), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC), and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC).

Buffett’s energy sector bets are anchored in Chevron (NYSE: CVX) and Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), while recent investments in Japanese trading firms show his continued focus on durable, cash-generating assets. Meanwhile, Berkshire’s cash reserves have soared to a record $347.7 billion, highlighting Buffett’s caution in today’s high-valuation environment and his readiness to deploy capital opportunistically.

Speaking at the annual shareholder meeting, Buffett noted, “We’re running a business which is very, very, very opportunistic.” As he prepares to step down as CEO, Buffett’s investment philosophy remains firmly embedded in Berkshire’s DNA: focus on fundamentals, think long term, and wait patiently for the right opportunities.

This enduring legacy of disciplined investing cements Berkshire Hathaway’s place as a benchmark for wealth creation in modern financial history.