There's no need to go on about the success that Berkshire Hathway has seen under the stewardship of Warren Buffett and his team. They have outperformed the market and made billions in the process. I remain bullish on following the company's portfolio, even if Warren Buffett steps back from being in charge.
Greg Abel, his successor, and the rest of the Berkshire team have learned from the best of the best, and I think their picks hold sway. To that end, here are three Berkshire Hathaway stocks I like right now.
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Financial services companies like Visa (NYSE: V) don't go out of style. This is a steady performer that pays over time. Over the last four years, the company has created double-digit-percentage revenue growth, and remains one of the preeminent players in credit and payment services.
Over the last few years, Visa has created double-digit rates of revenue growth, with similar trends in income, as net income reached $19.6 billion last year. I like how the company is slowly decreasing shares outstanding, which improves earnings potential for shareholders over the long term. On top of that, estimates are calling for earnings to continue to increase annually over the next four years. This is a steady stock that stands to deliver over time.
Overall, it's hard to bet against credit cards and their related services. More and more people are looking to simplify their purchases and move away from cash, and Visa continues to stand to gain from that. So long as the world economy continues to grow, and people facilitate the transfer of more and more money, Visa is definitely worth a look.
Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is in a slow patch, which makes me think this is a great time to get involved. Down over 20% in the past six months, Apple is faced with the task of creating new innovations in its lineup. The endless new iPhones really aren't that different from the ones before, and they are the bread and butter of Apple's business.
This doesn't mean that the story is over though. Artificial intelligence (AI) and burgeoning technology still leave Apple with opportunities, and this dip might be a perfect time to buy the stock. Yes, Warren Buffett has shrunk Berkshire's position in the company, but that doesn't mean it's a bad buy today. The company still sells a ton of iPhones, and revenue from that segment continues to grow.
When you look at Apple's most recent results, things look better than you think. Through the first six months of fiscal 2025, total revenue increased by roughly 4.4% to $219.6 billion. In all, Apple is going slow and steady. Its flagship product, the iPhone, grew revenue by just under 2% in the fiscal second quarter, while total sales increased 5% year over year in the second quarter to $95.4 billion.
In all, there's a significant "moat" as Buffett likes to call it in regards to new competitors trying to get into the industry. Try building a trillion-dollar tech conglomerate and see how far you get! The iPhone is an integral part of many individuals' lives, and that isn't going to change anytime soon. The challenge here is waiting out the tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump on foreign manufacturing. But I'm skeptical of the long-term impact tariffs will have on Apple's production.
The last time I wrote about Chubb (NYSE: CB) was in October 2024. While not much has happened for the stock since then, I still consider this a good long-term play. As of March 31, Chubb represented 2.8% of Berkshire's portfolio. This is an insurance company that produces double-digit annual revenue growth, operates in 54 countries, and has strong estimates for the future.
To me, the blessing of Berkshire Hathaway tells me that this insurance business has potential. Analyst estimates are calling for a weaker fiscal 2025, with earnings estimates of $21.79, which would mark a decline from last year's earnings of $22.70. So why do I like the stock? After this year, estimates go way up. By fiscal 2027, average estimates are calling for earnings of $28.29 per share.
To me, this is a buy-and-wait stock. A weak 2025 should provide opportunities to acquire shares to hold for the long term. With the stock trading at just 13.9 times earnings, one can see why Berkshire is interested. Insurance is a business that isn't going anywhere. Love it or hate it, it's a part of life, which makes Chubb a no-brainer holding to me.
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David Butler has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.