TLDR
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Berkshire Hathaway stock closed at $740,400 on Sept. 19, up 0.54%.
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Buffett’s firm has fully exited its 17-year stake in Chinese EV maker BYD.
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The BYD investment rose over 20-fold before Berkshire sold all shares.
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Berkshire has increased its stake in Mitsui & Co. above 10%.
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Long-term focus remains central to Buffett’s global investment strategy.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-A) closed at $740,400 on September 19, 2025, up 0.54% for the session.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-A)
A recent filing confirmed the firm has fully exited BYD, marking the end of a 17-year investment that multiplied more than 20 times in value. Berkshire’s energy subsidiary listed the BYD stake’s value at zero as of March, down from $415 million at the end of last year.
Buffett’s company initially invested $230 million in 2008, acquiring about 10% of the Chinese EV maker. Berkshire began trimming its holdings in 2022 after BYD’s valuation had surged to $9 billion. By June 2024, the stake was cut below 5%, freeing Berkshire from disclosure rules under Hong Kong regulations.
BYD Stake Delivers Historic Returns
The BYD bet was made at the urging of Charlie Munger, who described the company’s CEO, Wang Chuanfu, as a “miracle.” The shares skyrocketed 3,890% over Berkshire’s holding period, representing one of Buffett’s most profitable international investments. Though Buffett has not publicly detailed his decision to sell, he told CNBC in 2023 that while BYD is “extraordinary,” Berkshire could “find things to do with the money that I’ll feel better about.”
https://Twitter.com/bsindia/status/1970088322115490233
The exit coincides with Berkshire trimming other Asia-related holdings, such as Taiwan Semiconductor, reflecting Buffett’s cautious view of geopolitical risks in the region.
Expanding into Japan with Mitsui & Co.
While exiting BYD, Berkshire has expanded its position in Japan. The firm now owns over 10% of Mitsui & Co., reinforcing Buffett’s long-term commitment to Japanese trading houses. Analysts currently rate Mitsui as a “Hold,” with a one-year price target of $514.48, suggesting modest upside.
This investment shift highlights Buffett’s ongoing strategy of balancing U.S. and global holdings while maintaining exposure to companies with strong fundamentals and steady cash flow.
Buffett’s Long-term Philosophy
Buffett has long criticized short-termism in markets, discouraging quarterly earnings-per-share guidance. He argues this practice undermines sustainable growth by forcing companies to prioritize near-term results over long-term strategy. His recent remarks echo his 2018 Wall Street Journal op-ed, co-written with JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon, urging corporate leaders to focus on durable value creation.
Stock Performance Overview
Berkshire Hathaway has delivered steady returns for shareholders. Year-to-date, BRK-A is up 8.74%, slightly lagging the S&P 500’s 13.31% gain. Over a three-year span, BRK-A has risen 75.73%, outpacing the index’s 70.89%. Its five-year return of 126.01% also beats the S&P’s 100.77%. These figures reflect Berkshire’s ability to deliver long-term compounding despite market volatility.
Conclusion
Berkshire Hathaway’s complete BYD exit marks the end of a highly successful chapter, while the firm’s increased Mitsui stake signals a fresh phase in Asia. Buffett’s disciplined long-term approach continues to shape Berkshire’s portfolio strategy, balancing profitable exits with new opportunities in stable global markets.
