Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway built its massive stake in Apple after the billionaire investor watched a close friend panic over a misplaced iPhone in 2016. That initial observation sparked a multi-year buying spree that turned the consumer tech giant into Berkshire’s largest equity position.
Berkshire’s Apple Stake and Market Dominance
At its peak, Apple shares accounted for 40% of Berkshire Hathaway’s stock portfolio, driven by years of impressive growth. While Berkshire has sold a considerable portion of its holdings recently, Apple still represents 20% of the conglomerate’s roughly $360 billion stock portfolio. A $10,000 investment in Apple made a decade ago would be worth approximately $122,400 today with dividends reinvested.
Hardware Moats and Shareholder Returns
Apple holds 54% of the U.S. smartphone market by original equipment manufacturer shipment share as of the second quarter, according to data from Counterpoint Research. Globally, the company controls 21% of the market, trailing Samsung at 23%. Beyond its hardware dominance, Apple aggressively returned capital to investors. Between 2016 and the end of 2025, the company repurchased roughly $755 billion of its own stock under former CEO Tim Cook, shrinking the share count and boosting earnings per share.
Navigating the AI Revolution Under New Leadership
Newly installed CEO John Ternus brings a hardware-focused background reminiscent of Steve Jobs to the leadership role. Unlike many big tech peers pouring hundreds of billions into artificial intelligence data centers, Apple is taking a different path. Developers utilizing tools such as OpenClaw frequently build applications on Mac Mini and Mac Studio hardware instead of the cloud because it offers a cheaper and more portable option, according to recent reports from CNBC. Apple subsequently released upgraded versions of the Mac Mini and Mac Studio featuring chips tailored for AI developers.
Did you know? Berkshire Hathaway reached a $1 trillion market valuation milestone, becoming the first U.S. non-technology company to do so, just days before Warren Buffett turned 94 years old, per FactSet data cited by CNBC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio is currently in Apple stock?
Apple accounts for about 20% of Berkshire Hathaway’s roughly $360 billion stock portfolio, down from a peak of 40% after recent sales by the conglomerate.
What is Apple’s current smartphone market share?
According to Counterpoint Research figures from the second quarter, Apple holds 54% of the U.S. smartphone market and 21% of the global smartphone market.
How much stock did Apple repurchase under Tim Cook?
Apple repurchased approximately $755 billion of its stock between 2016 and the end of 2025, according to research from The Motley Fool.
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