Berkshire Hathaway's extensive stock portfolio, valued at approximately $351 billion, includes a diverse range of sectors. Among its holdings, three consumer stocks collectively make up 12.5% of the portfolio. Greg Abel, who will soon mark his one-year anniversary as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, oversees this portfolio alongside running the conglomerate's various businesses.
The largest holding among these consumer stocks is Coca-Cola, accounting for 9.8% of the portfolio. Abel has identified Coca-Cola as a core holding, indicating it will remain in Berkshire's portfolio for the foreseeable future. The company boasts a strong brand, consistent capital returns, and a robust dividend history, having increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years.
Kraft Heinz represents 2% of the portfolio and has been a source of disappointment for Berkshire. The company announced plans to split into two entities in September 2025, a move that initially drew criticism from Berkshire. However, the new CEO, Steve Cahillane, paused the split in February, citing fixable challenges. Berkshire still holds a significant stake in Kraft Heinz, which offers a trailing-12-month dividend yield of nearly 7.3%.
The smallest holding is Kroger, making up 0.7% of the portfolio. Initiated in 2019, Kroger has underperformed the broader market. Despite this, it provides a defensive play in the consumer staples sector with a 2.6% trailing dividend yield. Among the three stocks, Coca-Cola is highlighted as the top pick due to its strong business performance and proven dividend track record.