Buffett says he started Berkshire’s Alphabet investment

Warren Buffett told CNBC that he personally started Berkshire Hathaway’s investment in Alphabet, clarifying who pushed one of the conglomerate’s closely watched recent stock moves. For investors who track Berkshire as a signal of long-term capital allocation, the comment ties the Alphabet position directly to Buffett even after his move out of the CEO role.

“I initiated it,” Buffett said Wednesday in an interview with CNBC’s Becky Quick.

CNBC reported that Berkshire first revealed a position in Alphabet during the third quarter of 2025. The company has since increased that holding, including an additional $10 billion investment last month through a private stock purchase, according to CNBC.

A private stock purchase means a company buys shares directly through a negotiated transaction rather than placing ordinary buy orders in the public market. For a company the size of Berkshire, that distinction can matter because large open-market purchases can affect trading and attract attention before the buyer finishes building a position.

Buffett’s comments also gave investors a clearer read on how Berkshire is handling investments after its leadership change. CNBC reported that Buffett stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway’s chief executive earlier this year and remains chairman. Greg Abel is now CEO.

Buffett told CNBC that he and Abel still work together closely on investment calls. He said he is not taking actions Abel does not approve, and Abel is not taking actions Buffett does not approve. “We talk all the time, but he is the decider,” Buffett said, according to CNBC.

That division is central for Berkshire shareholders. Buffett built Berkshire into a company known for large, concentrated bets across public stocks and operating businesses. CNBC’s interview indicates Buffett remains involved, while Abel has final authority as CEO.

The Alphabet stake stands out because Berkshire’s stock portfolio receives intense attention from investors trying to understand where the company is putting capital. Buffett’s statement does not say whether Berkshire will buy more Alphabet shares, sell any, or keep the position unchanged. It only confirms that Buffett began the investment and that Abel, as CEO, has the deciding vote on Berkshire’s investment decisions.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.