News
Buffett’s Retirement Nears, but Amazon and Apple Still Shine in Berkshire’s Stock Legacy
<p data-start="92" data-end="327">Warren Buffett may be stepping down soon, but two of Berkshire Hathaway’s biggest bets—Amazon and Apple—still have plenty of gas in the tank. If you’ve got $1,000 lying around, these stocks could be the anchors you’ve been looking for.</p>
<p data-start="329" data-end="709">Buffett’s investing record is the kind most of us can only dream of. Since 1965, Berkshire’s stock has soared more than 5,500,000%. To put it mildly, he didn’t just beat the market—he trampled it. But with retirement on the horizon, investors are wondering what parts of his empire will keep delivering. Turns out, the answer might be a click away in your phone and shopping cart.</p>
<h2 data-start="711" data-end="759">The Buffett Effect: 5.5 Million Percent Later</h2>
<p data-start="761" data-end="941">For almost six decades, Buffett didn’t just pick stocks—he sculpted a legacy. Berkshire Hathaway became more than a holding company. It turned into a museum of business excellence.</p>
<p data-start="943" data-end="1097">One stat says it all. From 1965 to 2024, Berkshire’s stock returned a staggering 5,502,284%, compared to the S&;P 500’s 39,054%. That’s not a typo.</p>
<p data-start="1099" data-end="1261">His philosophy was deceptively simple: buy quality businesses at good prices and hold them forever. And that playbook worked better than anyone could’ve imagined.</p>
<p data-start="1263" data-end="1303">Still, the legend has to pass the baton.</p>
<p data-start="1263" data-end="1303"><a href="https://www.theibulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Warren-Buffett-holding-an-Apple-or-Amazon-logo.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-57714" src="https://www.theibulletin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Warren-Buffett-holding-an-Apple-or-Amazon-logo.jpg" alt="Warren Buffett holding an Apple or Amazon logo" width="1254" height="763" /></a></p>
<h2 data-start="1305" data-end="1347">Amazon: From Bookstore to AI Powerhouse</h2>
<p data-start="1349" data-end="1496">Amazon wasn’t an obvious Buffett pick back in the day. It took until 2019 for Berkshire to grab shares. But now? It’s a core part of the portfolio.</p>
<p data-start="1498" data-end="1632">The company is everywhere. It dominates e-commerce, but that’s only part of the story. AWS—Amazon Web Services—is the real moneymaker.</p>
<p data-start="1634" data-end="1659">Just look at the numbers:</p>
<ul data-start="1660" data-end="1829">
<li data-start="1660" data-end="1707">
<p data-start="1662" data-end="1707">$650 billion in trailing 12-month revenue</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1708" data-end="1754">
<p data-start="1710" data-end="1754">$71 billion in trailing operating profit</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1755" data-end="1797">
<p data-start="1757" data-end="1797">38% of revenue comes from e-commerce</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1798" data-end="1829">
<p data-start="1800" data-end="1829">AWS powers most of the profit</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1831" data-end="2037">Amazon’s strength isn’t just in what it sells—it’s how it runs. AI isn’t just a buzzword here. It&#8217;s deeply embedded in how Amazon forecasts demand, manages logistics, and delivers faster than you can blink.</p>
<p data-start="2039" data-end="2164">In Q1 alone, Amazon’s operating income jumped 20% year over year. Not bad for a company that was once just selling books.</p>
<p data-start="2166" data-end="2215">Here&#8217;s a quick glance at some key Amazon metrics:</p>
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<table class="w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)" data-start="2217" data-end="2379">
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<tr data-start="2217" data-end="2235">
<th data-start="2217" data-end="2226" data-col-size="sm">Metric</th>
<th data-start="2226" data-end="2235" data-col-size="sm">Value</th>
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<tbody data-start="2255" data-end="2379">
<tr data-start="2255" data-end="2285">
<td data-start="2255" data-end="2268" data-col-size="sm">Market Cap</td>
<td data-start="2268" data-end="2285" data-col-size="sm">$2.3 trillion</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2286" data-end="2313">
<td data-start="2286" data-end="2302" data-col-size="sm">Current Price</td>
<td data-start="2302" data-end="2313" data-col-size="sm">$212.81</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2314" data-end="2339">
<td data-start="2314" data-end="2329" data-col-size="sm">Gross Margin</td>
<td data-start="2329" data-end="2339" data-col-size="sm">49.16%</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="2340" data-end="2379">
<td data-start="2340" data-end="2352" data-col-size="sm">P/E Ratio</td>
<td data-start="2352" data-end="2379" data-col-size="sm">35 (lowest in a decade)</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
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<p data-start="2381" data-end="2525">And get this: Amazon still trades at a 35x earnings multiple, its most attractive valuation in over ten years. It might not stay there long.</p>
<h2 data-start="2527" data-end="2579">Apple: Slower iPhones, But Faster Services Growth</h2>
<p data-start="2581" data-end="2744">Buffett’s love for Apple is no secret. He called it “probably the best business I know in the world.” That’s high praise from a man who rarely goes tech-heavy.</p>
<p data-start="2746" data-end="2841">Apple’s stock might be down 20% year-to-date, but that doesn’t mean the business is broken.</p>
<p data-start="2843" data-end="3098">Sure, iPhone sales in China have been sluggish. But here’s the twist: Apple’s services division is booming. Last quarter alone, it pulled in $26 billion—a 12% increase from the previous year. That’s 28% of total revenue, and it’s growing steadily.</p>
<p data-start="3100" data-end="3321">The company’s still innovating, too. Last year, Apple rolled out Apple Intelligence, adding AI features like writing tools and summaries. These aren’t just gimmicks—they could push more users to upgrade their devices.</p>
<p data-start="3344" data-end="3526">Apple’s brand loyalty is nearly unmatched. The installed base now sits at over 2.3 billion devices. And it just got crowned the most valuable brand globally by Brand Finance.</p>
<p data-start="3528" data-end="3726">Profit machine? You bet. Apple made $97 billion in net income over the past year. It’s flush with cash and knows exactly how to put it to work—whether through buybacks, dividends, or innovation.</p>
<h2 data-start="3728" data-end="3761">Why These Two Still Make Sense</h2>
<p data-start="3763" data-end="3881">Not every stock in Berkshire&#8217;s portfolio is flashy. But Amazon and Apple? They&#8217;re not just surviving—they&#8217;re evolving.</p>
<p data-start="3883" data-end="3903">Let’s break it down.</p>
<ul data-start="3905" data-end="4244">
<li data-start="3905" data-end="4000">
<p data-start="3907" data-end="4000">Amazon is deep into AI and still growing in high-margin areas like cloud and advertising.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4001" data-end="4094">
<p data-start="4003" data-end="4094">Apple is pivoting toward services and leveraging its brand to lock in customer loyalty.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4095" data-end="4173">
<p data-start="4097" data-end="4173">Both are trading at attractive valuations relative to their growth outlooks.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4174" data-end="4244">
<p data-start="4176" data-end="4244">Berkshire continues to hold substantial stakes, even post-reduction.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="4246" data-end="4388">Buffett may not be calling every shot going forward. But these companies were selected with a long-term mindset. And they still fit that mold.</p>
<h2 data-start="4390" data-end="4420">What Happens After Buffett?</h2>
<p data-start="4422" data-end="4541">This is the question that’s been hanging over Omaha for years. With Buffett stepping down, can Berkshire keep its edge?</p>
<p data-start="4543" data-end="4570">The short answer? Probably.</p>
<p data-start="4572" data-end="4776">Greg Abel, who’s set to take over, has been heavily involved in capital allocation and operations. And while no one is Buffett, Abel’s focus on fundamentals and long-term value is cut from the same cloth.</p>
<p data-start="4778" data-end="4896">Plus, Berkshire’s portfolio isn’t some speculative basket. It’s built around durable, cash-generating businesses like:</p>
<ul data-start="4898" data-end="4965">
<li data-start="4898" data-end="4909">
<p data-start="4900" data-end="4909">Coca-Cola</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4910" data-end="4928">
<p data-start="4912" data-end="4928">American Express</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4929" data-end="4942">
<p data-start="4931" data-end="4942">Kraft Heinz</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4943" data-end="4965">
<p data-start="4945" data-end="4965">Occidental Petroleum</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="4967" data-end="5028">So no, Buffett won’t be around forever. But his blueprint is.</p>
<p data-start="5060" data-end="5217">And in that blueprint, Amazon and Apple are front and center. They’re the modern giants in a portfolio that blends old-school patience with new-world growth.</p>

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