Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway reveals surprise stake in New York Times
Berkshire Hathaway disclosed on Tuesday a new investment in the New York Times, marking its reentry into a sector that Warren Buffett abandoned in 2020 when he sold his conglomerate’s newspaper business.Shares of the Times rose 4% to $76.99 in after-hours trading.In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Berkshire said it owned about 5.07 million Times shares worth $351.7 million at the end of 2025.Berkshire’s filing contained the Omaha, Neb.-based conglomerate’s US-listed stock holdings as of Dec.31, which comprise most of its equity portfolio.Berkshire said that during the fourth quarter, it also sold 4% of its stake in iPhone maker Apple, still its largest equity holding at $62 billion, and 77% of its 10 million shares in online retailer Amazon.The quarter marked the end of Buffett’s 60-year run leading Berkshire.
Greg Abel succeeded him as chief executive on Jan.1, though Buffett remains chairman.Berkshire’s filing does not say whether investments were directed by Buffett, Abel or portfolio manager Ted Weschler.
Another portfolio manager, Todd Combs, left in December for JPMorgan Chase.Stock prices routinely rise when Berkshire reveals new stakes, reflecting what investors view as a seal of approval from Buffett.It was unclear whether that will continue under Abel.Berkshire has not named a new chief investment officer to replace Buffett, or said how it will divvy up equity investments.Buffett delivered newspapers as a teenager, and had long defended the industry before selling Berkshire’s newspaper business, including its hometown Omaha World-Herald, to Lee Enterprises for $140 million in 2020.
Berkshire also became Lee’s only lender.Loathe to sell entire businesses, Buffett told Berkshire shareholders in 2018 that only the Times, The Wall Street Journal and perhaps the Washington Post had digital models strong enough to offset declining print circulation and advertising revenue.The Post, owned by Amazon founde...