Warren Buffett's 'Tiny Purchase' Likely Macy's Stake, Filing Suggests
Quick Look
- Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway likely made a "tiny purchase" of Macy's stock in Q1, a filing revealed.
- The $55 million stake fits Buffett's description, unlike a larger Delta Air Lines investment.
- Buffett remains involved in investments despite stepping down as CEO.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Warren Buffett hinted at a small investment in March, and a new regulatory filing from Berkshire Hathaway may have identified it as a stake in Macy's. Berkshire's quarterly equity filings only cover U.S.-listed positions meeting reporting requirements.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett hinted in March that Berkshire Hathaway had made a small addition to its portfolio. A new regulatory filing may have just revealed what he was referring to.
When asked in March whether Berkshire was still putting money to work, Buffett said the conglomerate had made "one tiny purchase" but was still struggling to find attractive opportunities.
"Got one tiny purchase, but we aren't finding things that — we weren't finding them before," Buffett said at the time in an interview with CNBC's Becky Quick.
A regulatory filing released Friday showed Berkshire initiated a roughly $55 million position in Macy's during the first quarter — a sliver of a portfolio valued at more than $300 billion and a size that would fit Buffett's description of a "tiny" investment.
By contrast, Berkshire's other newly disclosed position during the quarter was far larger: a roughly $2.6 billion stake in Delta Air Lines, making it an unlikely candidate for the modest purchase Buffett referenced in March.
Still, investors may not have the full picture. Berkshire's quarterly equity filings only capture U.S.-listed positions that meet reporting requirements, leaving open the possibility that Buffett was referring to an international investment or another holding not reflected in Friday's disclosure.
Buffett, who stepped down as Berkshire's chief executive at the start of 2026 and handed the role to Greg Abel, said earlier this year that he remains deeply involved in overseeing investments and market activity.
The 95-year-old said he still comes into the office daily and works alongside colleagues on trading decisions. Buffett described regularly speaking with Berkshire's director of financial assets, Mark Millard, before the opening bell to discuss market developments.
Millard, whose office Buffett said sits about 20 feet away from his own, executes trades based on those conversations, underscoring Buffett's continued role in portfolio management despite the leadership transition.
"I won't make any [investments] that Greg thinks are wrong. ... Greg gets the sheet every day," Buffett said.
Open Questions
- Was the "tiny purchase" indeed the Macy's stake, or could it be an international investment not disclosed?
- What was the exact date of the "tiny purchase"?
- What is Berkshire Hathaway's overall strategy regarding its Macy's and Delta Air Lines holdings?
- How much influence does Greg Abel currently have on investment decisions, despite Buffett's continued involvement?
