Berkshire Hathaway’s reported Alphabet share count rose from 17.8 million at the end of 2025 to nearly 106 million on June 30, 2026—just under six times as many shares. That is a comparison between two dated portfolio snapshots, not proof of what Berkshire owns today or how much it paid. Greg Abel did not make the original investment alone: Warren Buffett initiated the position, and Reuters reported that Buffett and Abel authorized a later investment together.
What “sixfold” means—and what it does not
The clearest basis for the headline is share count. The Associated Press reported that Berkshire held 17.8 million Alphabet shares on December 31, 2025; Reuters reported nearly 106 million on June 30, 2026. Dividing the later figure by the earlier one gives a little under six. Those figures describe holdings on two dates, not a single sixfold purchase by Abel.
| Portfolio date | Reported Alphabet shares | Reported market value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 17.8 million | $5.6 billion | The Associated Press, 2026 report |
| March 31, 2026 | Nearly 58 million | Almost $17 billion | The Associated Press, 2026 report |
| June 30, 2026 | Nearly 106 million | About $37.8 billion | Reuters, 2026 report |
Share count, purchase cost and market value are different measures. Market value changes with Alphabet’s share price, so it cannot be treated as the amount Berkshire spent. Quartz later reported a value of about $36.6 billion based on an SEC filing; that differs from Reuters’ $37.8 billion June 30 snapshot, underscoring why the valuation date and source matter. The available reporting does not establish a primary-filed transaction total that verifies the claim Berkshire deployed about $27 billion during 2026.
Who made the investment decisions?
Buffett initiated Berkshire’s Alphabet position in 2025. Reuters reported that about three months before Abel’s September 2026 interview, Abel and Buffett authorized an additional $10 billion investment. Reuters also reported Abel’s account that Berkshire secured a 6.5% discount to Alphabet’s share price; Quartz reported that Abel said he proposed the discount and worked with Buffett on the amount and terms. These are reported accounts of the deal, not a basis for attributing every purchase to Abel acting alone.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
Why Abel says Berkshire bought Alphabet
Abel told CNBC, in remarks reported by Reuters and Quartz on September 2, 2026, that Berkshire’s operating companies give it visibility into how they use AI and the benefits they see, and that Alphabet was a significant participant in AI. That is management’s stated rationale. It is not evidence that Alphabet’s AI products will generate returns sufficient to cover their costs, nor does Berkshire’s reported purchase price establish a suitable price for another investor.
The related energy opportunity
Abel also described data-center electricity demand as an opportunity for Berkshire Hathaway Energy and a possible constraint on data-center growth. Reuters reported his estimate that data centers accounted for about 8% of the Iowa load served by Berkshire Hathaway Energy in 2025. Existing demand is not the same as future earnings: new power infrastructure depends on project schedules, approvals, delivery capacity and protections for other customers. The Motley Fool reported that Berkshire’s utility discussions with hyperscalers require arrangements not to harm other customers’ rates and to benefit them.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Berkshire shares and Alphabet shares are different bets
Buying Berkshire Hathaway is not a substitute for buying Alphabet. Alphabet is the direct parent-company exposure; Berkshire is a conglomerate with operating businesses and a broader public-stock portfolio. Kiplinger reported that, after Q2 2026, Alphabet made up 9.4% of Berkshire’s U.S. equity portfolio by value, and Berkshire had about $365 billion in cash. The 9.4% figure applies to the U.S. equity portfolio, not to Berkshire’s entire company value.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
| Consideration | Berkshire Hathaway | Alphabet |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure | Indirect AI-related exposure through a diversified conglomerate and its investments | Direct ownership in Google’s parent, the company behind the reported AI thesis |
| Main question for an investor | Do you want Berkshire’s operating businesses, portfolio and capital allocation as a whole? | Do you want concentrated exposure to Alphabet’s businesses and execution? |
| What the reported stake tells you | Berkshire held nearly 106 million Alphabet shares on June 30, 2026, according to Reuters | The reported Berkshire position is not a current valuation or a buy recommendation |
| Current valuation or expected return | Not established by the cited portfolio reports | Not established by the cited portfolio reports |
What to check before buying either stock
- Decide what exposure you want. Choose between direct exposure to Alphabet and a stake in Berkshire’s much broader business and investment mix.
- Check current valuation using current company information. The reported holdings do not establish an appropriate entry price or expected return for either stock as of October 3, 2026.
- Assess AI execution and spending. Consider whether Alphabet can turn AI demand into returns that justify the product and infrastructure costs. The figures cited here do not verify 2026 cloud growth, backlog, capital expenditure, earnings or free cash flow.
- Account for concentration and risk. A large Berkshire holding is meaningful, but Alphabet is still one part of a conglomerate rather than Berkshire’s only business. A direct Alphabet investment makes your exposure more dependent on Alphabet’s own results.
- Check the latest disclosures. The latest holding figure cited here is a June 30, 2026 snapshot. Portfolio reports are dated and published after the period they cover; the position may have changed since then. Review the most recent Berkshire filings and both companies’ current results before acting.
- Do not copy the trade mechanically. Berkshire’s objectives, purchase terms and ability to hold through volatility may differ from an individual investor’s circumstances. The Associated Press noted Abel has a shorter public stock-picking record than Buffett and that Berkshire does not comment on every portfolio trade.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
