Buffett's Apple Bet Pays Off with Staggering $185 Billion Return

Warren Buffett's $35 billion bet on Apple has grown to an astonishing $185 billion pretax over the past decade. This remarkable growth began in 2016, when Berkshire Hathaway first invested in Apple stock.

The initial investment of 9.8 million shares at $25 per share was just the beginning of Berkshire's commitment to Apple. By the end of 2017, Apple had become Berkshire's largest holding, representing about 15% of the total portfolio.

Buffett has consistently praised Apple as 'probably the best business I know in the world' and even referred to it as his company's third business, alongside insurance and railroads. He credits Tim Cook with turning a $35 billion investment into a staggering $185 billion pretax.

The success of Berkshire's Apple investment is a testament to Buffett's long-term investing strategy, which emphasizes buying great businesses at fair prices and holding on for the long haul. Despite some recent paring back of the position, Apple remains Berkshire's largest holding, with a value of $66 billion and making up 22% of the total portfolio.