Berkshire Hathaway’s $189 Billion Cash Reserves: A Testament to Warren Buffett’s Investment Savvy
Berkshire Hathaway, the investment company of Warren Buffett, reported a robust result for the January–March period, with its cash reserves reaching a record $189 billion. Despite recent acquisitions such as an insurance company and shares in Occidental Petroleum, Buffett still holds massive cash reserves. The company bought back its own shares worth $2.6 billion during the first quarter due to a lack of suitable acquisition targets.
The underwriting result of Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance holdings saw a substantial increase, primarily driven by Geico’s performance. Investment income in the insurance sector also grew significantly. While the first-quarter net profit fell by 64 percent from the previous year due to non-recurring entries, Buffett’s reduced holdings in Apple during the first quarter did not significantly impact Berkshire’s financial position.
Investment income in other sectors also contributed to Berkshire Hathaway’s growth during this period. The company’s operating profit increased by 39 percent to $11.22 billion in the first quarter, with insurance businesses being a significant driver of profitability. Buffett’s ability to identify undervalued companies and invest in them has been a key factor in Berkshire Hathaway’s success over time.