Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway cash pile hits record high of $347.7 billion in Q1 2025 amid tariff uncertainties

Warren Buffett-run, Omaha-based investment giant, Berkshire Hathaway's cash pile hit a record high of $347.7 billion as of the end of the January to March quarter of the calendar year 2025 amid the ongoing tariff uncertainties over international trade, reported the news agency Bloomberg. 

As per Mint's earlier report, Berkshire Hathaway's cash hoard hit $334 billion for the year ended 2024. The cash pile hit a new high at the end of the first quarter of 2025, compared to its previous level at the end of 2024.

In its first quarter results, the investment giant said that the operating results for the company may be affected in the future due to the macroeconomic and geopolitical events in the current market.

“Our periodic operating results may be affected in future periods by impacts of ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical events, as well as changes in industry or company-specific factors or events. The pace of changes in these events, including international trade policies and tariffs, has accelerated in 2025. Considerable uncertainty remains as to the ultimate outcome of these events,” said Berkshire in an exchange filing on Saturday, May 3. 

In the 60th meeting with the shareholders joked about a theory that he plans to hold on to the cash pile until the leadership transition happens from Buffett to Greg Abel.

“I wouldn’t do anything nearly so noble as to withhold investing myself just so that Greg could look good later on,” said Buffett, cited by the news portal CNBC.

Berkshire Hathaway Q1 Results

Berkshire Hathaway reported a lower operating profit in the first quarter results as the company's revenues from its insurance business generated weaker results. 

The conglomerate's operating profits dropped 14.1 per cent to $9.64 billion in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $11.22 billion year-on-year (YoY). As per Mint's report, the company was a net seller of stocks for a 10th straight quarter, as it bought $3.18 billion and sold $4.68 billion.

Berkshire's first quarter results also showed a major drop in the value of its investments and $860 million in insurance losses due to the Southern California wildfires.

Geico, the BNSF railroad, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Dairy Queen, and See's Candies are some of the businesses that are part of the $1.15 trillion conglomerate.