Warren Buffett dumps $1.7 billion of Amazon stock

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B) submitted its latest 13-F filing on February 17, 2026, revealing some interesting changes in the portfolio. 

The most newsworthy one was undoubtedly the staggering 77% reduction in the Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) stake, as the company has sold 7.7 million shares in the e-commerce leader, reportedly valued at nearly $1.7 billion.

Berkshire first entered Amazon in 2019, and after seven years, the paradigm appears to be shifting again, with ‘The Oracle of Omaha’ apparently returning to long-favored sectors, such as media.

Notably, the filing revealed the former Berkshire CEO had opened a new position in the New York Times (NYSE: NYT) with a purchase of 5 million shares, estimated at about $352 million. The purchase sent the publisher’s shares up around 10% as investors reacted to Buffett’s disclosure.

Why is Warren Buffett dumping Amazon?

While the Amazon trimming was the most eye-catching, it was not an isolated case. For instance, the now Chairman of Berkshire reduced his Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) holdings to a 1.5% position, which further underscores the retreat from large technology names.

As mentioned, the shift suggests a return to classic Buffett investments, that is, businesses built to withstand economic turbulence. This is suggested by the fact that Berkshire expanded its stake in Chubb (NYSE: CB), a steady insurance company, and Chevron (NYSE: CVX), which suggests confidence in energy solutions.

Similarly, Berkshire has agreed to acquire the petrochemical business of Occidental Petroleum Corp. for $9.7 billion and built a $5.6 billion position in Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL). Accordingly, it can be argued that the conglomerate is simply adjusting its strategy as it attempts to dig in ahead of a potential economic downturn.

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