Berkshire Hathaway holdings as of March 2018 -


https://www.holdingschannel.com/13f/berkshire-hathaway-inc-top-holdings/

Teva, Apple - >>> Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway buys more Teva and Apple; sells some Wells Fargo


USA Today

Adam Shell

5-16-18



https://www.msn.com/en-us/finance/companies/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-buys-more-teva-and-apple-sells-some-wells-fargo/ar-AAxng1W



It wasn't just Apple shares that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway was gobbling up in the first three months of the year.

The billionaire investor also more than doubled his stake in generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and boosted his holdings in agriculture products giant Monsanto.

Teva shares, which Berkshire started buying in the final quarter of 2017, jumped 3% to $21 in Wednesday afternoon trading. It's not uncommon for stocks to rise in value after Buffett's purchase of them is made public.

The moves in Buffett's closely watched Berkshire stock portfolio were revealed in a quarterly regulatory filing that provided an update on holdings through March 31.

Ahead of Berkshire's annual meeting May 5, Buffett revealed that he had purchased nearly 75 million shares of Apple stock. That was confirmed in the filing released Tuesday night. Berkshire's total stake in the iPhone maker is now nearly 240 million shares, valued at roughly $44.7 billion as of last night's closing price of $186.44.

Here are the major stock purchases and sales executed by Buffett in Berkshire's $173 billion stock portfolio in the first three months of 2018.


What Buffett is buying:


Apple: Buffett has bought aggressively over the past year after steering clear of the company for more than three decades. It's now Berkshire's top stock holding. At the company's annual meeting this month, Buffett touted the iPhone for becoming an integral part of Americans' lives. He also backed Apple's recent decision to repurchase $100 billion of its own stock, a move Buffett said would boost his investment.

“I’m delighted to see them repurchasing shares,” Buffett told Berkshire shareholders at the annual meeting. “I love the idea of having our 5%, or whatever it is, maybe grow to 6 or 7% without our laying out a dime. But you have to have a very, very special product, which has an enormously widespread ecosystem, and the product is extremely sticky.”

Teva Pharmaceutical: Berkshire bought 21.7 million more shares of Teva, an Israeli-based drug maker, in the first quarter, more than doubling its stake to 40.5 million shares, according to the filing. It's unclear if Buffett himself is behind the growing Teva stake, or if it is an investment favored by one or both of his stock-picking lieutenants Ted Weschler or Todd Combs. Both money managers, Buffett said at the recent annual meeting, now manage stock portfolios valued at $12 to $15 billion. The filing does not disclose which money manager bought the stock.

Monsanto: Buffett's Berkshire boosted its position in Monsanto, the giant agriculture products maker, by more than 60% with a purchase of 7.3 million shares. Berkshire's total position now totals nearly 19 million shares.

Berkshire also added to its holdings in two banks, U.S. Bancorp and Bank of New York Mellon, as well as Delta Air Lines.


What Buffett is selling:


Graham Holdings: Buffett dumped a newspaper holding that dates to the 1970s. He shed all 107,575 shares of Graham Holdings, the former publisher of The Washington Post.

Wells Fargo: Buffett trimmed his position in his former biggest holding, Wells Fargo, a bank that has been roiled in controversy the past two years due to revelations that it had created accounts for clients without their consent. In the first quarter, Buffett sold 1.72 million shares, leaving him with a still-sizable holding of 456.5 million shares. Buffett defended the bank at Berkshire's recent annual meeting, saying he still likes the stock and supports CEO Tim Sloan.

Phillips 66: Berkshire trimmed its stake in the energy-related company by 35 million shares, or more than 40%. But the sale was previously disclosed by Buffett's company, and it was done to keep Berkshire's total investment below the 10% ownership level that triggers additional regulation and oversight. Berkshire still owns 45.7 million shares of the oil refiner.

IBM: Buffett finally exited his entire position in IBM, selling the final 2 milion shares Berkshire owned. He has long said that buying Big Blue, his first tech purchase, was one of his biggest investment mistakes.

Other small stock sales by Buffett in the first quarter of 2018 included a 266,518 share reduction in Charter Communications, and a 505,600 share sale of United Continental.

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Apple - >>> Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway bought 75 million Apple shares in first quarter


By Mike Murphy

May 5, 2018


https://www.marketwatch.com/story/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-bought-75-million-apple-shares-in-first-quarter-2018-05-03



Company already owned 3.3% of Apple’s shares outstanding

Warren Buffett’s company loaded up on Apple Inc. stock in the first quarter, buying a whopping 75 million shares, CNBC reported Thursday night.

That’s in addition to the 165.3 million Apple shares US:AAPL that Berkshire Hathaway US:BRK owned at the end of 2017 — about 3.3% of shares outstanding at the time. As of the end of last year, Apple was Berkshire’s second-largest holding, valued at about $28 billion, behind its stake in Wells Fargo & Co. US:WFC valued at about $29 billion. The latest buying spree likely put Apple in first place.

“It is an unbelievable company,” Buffett told CNBC. “If you look at Apple, I think it earns almost twice as much as the second most profitable company in the United States.”

“Over the last year we’ve bought more Apple than anything else,” Buffett told CNBC in February.

Apple shares rallied 3.3% by midday Friday. On Thursday, the shares closed at $177, up 4.5% year to date and 20.3% in the past year, compared with the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s US:DJIA 3.9% loss this year and 14.2% gain over the past year.

Berkshire’s class B shares ended Thursday at $191.61, and are down 3.3% this year, though up 15% over the past year.

Read: Here’s how Warren Buffett’s stock picks for Berkshire Hathaway have performed in 2018

The latest purchase of Apple stock was reported ahead of an interview with Buffett scheduled to air Friday morning on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

Berkshire Hathaway will hold its annual investors’ meeting Saturday in Omaha, Neb.

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>>> How the Growth of Solar Energy Will Boost Silver Demand



By Gainesvillecoins.com

April 23, 2018

Everett Millman



https://coinweek.com/bullion-report/how-the-growth-of-solar-energy-will-boost-silver-demand/



One of the persistent themes of the world economy over the next decade or more will be the sustained growth of the market for renewable energy sources.

Many investors may not realize that silver is one of the crucial components of the photovoltaic (PV) cells that make up solar panels. It cannot easily or economically be substituted for in this technology.

As Solar Power Grows, So Will Silver Demand

solar energySilver is used in a number of industries aside from bullion and has a surprising number of high-tech applications. It is found in every cell phone, helps power digital screens like the one you’re reading on, and there is Silver demand for many other manufacturing scenarios in electronics and medicine.

Not only is silver’s use in the tech sector a major factor of total demand, but its role in the manufacture of solar panels shouldn’t be overlooked. Solar energy is gradually—but steadily—becoming an increasingly important part of the economy, not just in the U.S. but around the world.

Both China and India, two of the world’s fastest-growing economies, have already made massive investments in solar technology that stretch over the next five years or so.

Similar investments have been made in Germany, Great Britain, and several U.S. states. Another incentive for this technology to spread are the decreasing costs associated with producing solar power.

You can find a comprehensive overview of the dramatic growth of the solar-energy industry here.

Outlook for Silver Influenced by Technology

bullion silver marketSilver’s use in solar panels is based on the metal’s physical and chemical properties. It is the most conductive element known in existence, which is why it is so important in electronics and PV cells.

In addition to buoying silver demand, the greater utilization of solar energy should also boost the need for other commodities like aluminum, copper, and steel. This could have major implications for the bubbling trade wars between the United States and China over imports of aluminum, steel, and even intellectual property.

The supply-demand dynamics for silver would seem to point toward higher prices as the energy market shifts from fossil fuels to renewables.

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>>> History of the Standing Liberty Quarter



http://coin-articles.com/quarters/standing-liberty-quarters/history-standing-liberty-quarter.php



The radical change in our coinage that was taking place in the early 20th century was not quite done by 1916. With the new Lincoln cent and Buffalo nickel now in circulation, and changes to gold coinage, it was now time for a change in silver, specifically, the dime, quarter and half dollar to undergo a facelift and eliminate the uninteresting Barber designs. In late 1915 a design competition was announced to replace the designs on the dime, quarter and half dollar. In 1916, Mint Director Robert Woolley told Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber that Hermon Atkins MacNeil's design had been accepted for the quarter and that MacNeil would be visiting the Mint to obtain information about preparing the needed relief models. As Walter Breen writes in his book entitled Complete Encyclopedia of U.S and Colonial Coins, “Barber was as usual, completely uncooperative.” Assistant engraver George Morgan, who would later become chief engraver upon Barber's death, was apparently more helpful. In late May of 1916, with Morgan's help, MacNeil's models that could be used for fie preparation were approved.

The first Standing Liberty Quarter coins came of the Philadelphia presses on December 16, 1916 and the series continued through 1930. A mere 52,000 pieces were minted in those last two weeks of 1916 and were released to the public along with 1917 dated coins in early 1917. Legend has it that shortly after the release there was a public outcry over the exposed right breast of Lady Liberty. Others complained that the small eagle looked like a pigeon. Whether this led to the design change is not well documented as there were also stacking issues with the Type I coins. In any event, the design was changed in 1917 to cover the right breast with chain-mail as well as minor changes to the back of the coin which moved three stars beneath the eagle, thereby raising and centering the eagle. Thus was born the Type II Standing Liberty Quarter.

After a few years in circulation it became apparent that the date was wearing off way to fast. Unlike the Buffalo Nickel, someone at the mint did make changes and in 1925, the date area was lowered as to be protected by the rim of the coin resulting longer wear on the date field. Thus was born Type III which many consider a subtype.

In production for only fifteen years, the Standing Liberty quarter suffered an early demise. 1932 marked the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth was introduced as a circulating commemorative which is still in circulation today.

Collectibility

General

As one of our most beautiful coins, Standing Liberty quarters garner quite a following. A complete set in circulated condition, except for the 1916, can be had with only a few coins going for over $100 in circulated condition. Many of the later dates (1925 and after) in decent condition can be had for under $5.00. When grading this series for higher end coins, look to the right knee and center of the shield on the obverse and the eagle's breast and left wing on the reverse as these will show wear before other areas. Additionally, very well struck coins will be graded as Full Head (FH). Coins graded as FH are much scarcer and will demand a substantial premium over non FH in the same grade. In order to be graded FH the coin must show three leaves in Liberty's hair, the hairline along Liberty's brow must be complete and the ear indentation must be evident.

Key/Semi Key Dates

Without a doubt, the key for the series for the common collector is the 1916 coin. With a mintage of only 52,000 it would seem that this coin should be quite rare. And while it is, it is not has hard to obtain, for a price, as it would seem. As with most new series, collectors and the general public hoarded the first coins of new issues. A G4 coin still retails for about $3500, so it is not cheap. In terms of scarcity in high grades, the 1916 date has more FH MS-67 coins graded by PCGS than any other date expect the 1930-P and 1930-S. Still, the 1916 will cost you more due to its popularity. A MS67 FH lists for over $150,000.00

The year 1917 consisted of Type I and Type II coins. Although the 1917-D Type II had a higher mintage (6.2 million vs. 1.5 million), the 1917-D type II in good (G4) condition retails for $40.00 vs. the 1917D Type I which goes for around $28. Since there were so very few 1916 coins, and they were produced in Philadelphia only, the folks out west probably thought 1917 was the first year and hoarded the first coins, that being Type I and ignored Type II coins of the same year. This price differential is also apparent in the 1917-S Types. Philadelphia minted far more coins in both Types in 1917 than the other two mints so there is not a big difference in price for this mint/date.

For the common collector, filling the earlier dates, those before 1925 can become costly. Coins in G4 grades are usually not that eye appealing and can still cost you well over $100 such as the 1919 D & S, 1921 and 1923-S. Obtaining these in higher grades will reach near $1000 and well over $1000 for the 1923-S. For most other dates prior to 1925, consider spending $50-100 per coin. As we get into coins dated 1925 and after, prices drop considerably. This primarily due to the change to the date that enabled to withstand more wear. As previously mentioned coins dated 1924 and before wore the date out quickly. Coins dated 1925 and after were better preserved. It was not uncommon to find dated Standing Liberty quarters in circulation as late as the 1950's. There one exception though to those 1925 and later quarters. The 1927-S was the 2nd lowest produced coin of the series with a mintage of only 396,000. Although this is a very low mintage, you can still obtain a F-12 coin for less than $100. Coins above that grade jump in price considerably. It is interesting to note that the famed 1932 D and S Washington quarters had higher mintages than the 1927-S yet you can get a G4 1927-S for less than $35.00 yet the 1932 D or 1932 S will cost you around $150. This anomaly changes though for higher grades as the 1927 S skyrockets in price while the 1932 quarters go up in price gradually until you reach mint state coins.

As with many series of the day, Philadelphia was the main producer of coins while the Denver mints and San Francisco mints had lower production totals making mint-marked coins “generally” more difficult to find and more expensive.

Errors

The only highly recognized error in the series is the 1918/17 overdate. This coin in FH Mint State condition exceeds the prices of the 1916 coin. (in MS-65 FH the 1916 lists for $35,000 while the 1918/17 lists for $300,000). PCGS has not yet certified a FH ms-65 FH 1918/17 overdate and has certified only 34 FH coins. In G4 condition the coins lists for $1,700.

There have been other reported errors/varieties such as small/large mint marks for the 1928-s. If you are into collecting errors and varieties for the Standing Liberty quarters then the book for you is Standing Liberty Quarters: Varieties and Errors, written by Robert Knauss.

Proofs

There were no official proofs produced for the Standing Liberty quarter although several satin-finish proofs of 1916 and 1917 are reported to exist.

Vital Statistics Summary/ Key Coin Info
•Designed by: Hermon A. MacNeil
•Issue dates: 1916-1917
•Composition: 0.900 part silver, 0.100 part copper
•Diameter: 23.4 mm Weight: 96.45 grains
•Edge: Reeded Business strike
•Mintage: 12,253,200
•Proof mintage: None

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