Berkshire Hathaway Will Update Shareholders With Major Information This Week. Here's What to Expect.

Jennifer Saibil, The Motley Fool

Thu, May 1, 2025, 8:05 AM 5 min read

• Berkshire Hathaway has increased its cash holdings to their highest-ever levels.

• CEO Warren Buffett is still buying some stocks, and recently said he will always have most of his money invested in U.S. companies.

• Buffett doesn't get perturbed about bear markets; he sees them as an opportunity to buy great stocks at bargain prices.

No matter what's happening in the markets, investors turn to Warren Buffett for advice. But when the stock market turns sour and investors get nervous, his advice can help people stay calm and focused on the long game.

Buffett doesn't typically address what's happening in the microenvironment, even when there's turmoil, although he did recently address the tariff situation. He has been through many market ups and downs over his 60-year tenure at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B), and his standard refrain when he does provide commentary is that he believes in the American story and the market's tendency to bounce back better.

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He usually provides commentary twice a year: in his annual shareholder letter, which is released at the end of February, and at Berkshire's annual meeting, which is taking place this year on May 3. Although many of the nuggets of wisdom Buffett is known for come from the shareholder letters, he answers questions from shareholders at the annual meeting.

So this weekend, investors are likely to hear some good questions and answers about Buffett's thoughts on the economy, tariffs, and the market. Here's what to expect, based on his recent trading activity and what he thinks about tariffs.

Berkshire has made its own news over the past few months, as its cash reserves have reached all-time highs and continue to grow. As of the end of 2024, its cash holdings, mostly in the form of U.S. Treasury bills, were at $334 billion. There have been many theories about why the company has been hoarding cash. It's been a net seller of stocks for the past nine quarters.

And if you know anything about Buffett's investing style, that makes a lot of sense. He relies on the simple and time-tested investing method of buying low and selling high. In a strong bull market when everyone else is buying, you're likely to see Buffett selling, and vice versa. One of his most famous quotes is that his goal is "to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful."