Warren Buffett says he sold Apple too soon, would buy more later

Warren Buffett told CNBC’s Becky Quick that he regretted trimming Berkshire Hathaway’s Apple stake too early and that the firm would buy more shares if the price became attractive, though he said the current market is not the right time to do so. The remark underscores ongoing confidence in Apple as a holding despite recent portfolio adjustments.

SEC filings and quarter‑end disclosures show Berkshire reduced its Apple position at the end of last year, trimming roughly 4% of the stake in the fourth quarter while leaving AAPL as the conglomerate’s largest single equity holding by value. News outlets estimate the holding’s year‑end valuation at around $60–62 billion, reflecting both prior sales and continued material exposure.

Market reaction was measured: AAPL experienced short‑term volatility but retained its dominant position in Berkshire’s portfolio. Buffett’s candid comment that he “sold it too soon” drew attention, yet asset managers note that the disposal pattern aligns with portfolio diversification and capital allocation reasoning rather than a change in the company’s long‑term thesis. Institutional flows and buyback activity also helped cushion immediate pressure on the share price.

In a broader context, the move follows a period in which Berkshire accumulated significant cash and executed selective sales across its equity holdings amid what Buffett characterized as elevated market valuations. Observers read the latest trimming and Buffett’s admission as consistent with a cautious stance: retain conviction in high‑quality assets but wait for more favorable entry points. This approach has manifested in incremental sales since 2024 as part of reserve building and risk management.

Analysts say Buffett’s comment is not an immediate buy signal for the market but it does signal that Berkshire remains a potential marginal buyer should AAPL trade materially lower. For investors, the takeaway is to separate tactical portfolio adjustments from long‑term endorsement: Berkshire’s scale means any future purchases would be significant, but timing and price will determine whether and when that happens. Market participants will watch AAPL price levels and Berkshire disclosures for concrete signs of renewed accumulation.