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Berkshire Hathaway Invests $17 Billion in Alphabet, Becoming Third-Largest Stake

economy-finance · 2026-08-17

In the second quarter, Berkshire Hathaway increased its investment in Alphabet, the parent company of Google, by approximately $17 billion. This substantial addition elevated Alphabet to the third-largest position in Berkshire's equity portfolio, signaling a significant vote of confidence in the tech giant. The move was disclosed in a regulatory filing, highlighting Berkshire's strategic shift towards technology stocks under the leadership of Warren Buffett. This investment underscores the growing importance of tech companies in traditional investment portfolios and reflects a broader trend of institutional investors increasing their exposure to major tech firms. The exact timing and details of the purchase were not disclosed, but the scale of the investment indicates a major commitment. This development is notable for the art and cultural sector as it may influence philanthropic and sponsorship activities, given Alphabet's involvement in various cultural initiatives.

Key facts

  • Berkshire Hathaway added roughly $17 billion to its Alphabet stake in Q2.
  • Alphabet is now the third-largest position in Berkshire's equity portfolio.
  • The investment was made during the second quarter of the year.
  • Berkshire Hathaway's stock ticker is BRK.B.
  • Alphabet's stock ticker is GOOGL.
  • The source is Quartz (qz.com).
  • The investment reflects a significant confidence in Google's parent company.

Entities

Institutions

  • Berkshire Hathaway
  • Alphabet
  • Google

Sources