OMAHA — Billionaire Warren Buffett's company has again increased the size of its bet on grocery giant Kroger, while scaling back several of its health care industry investments.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said in a quarterly update with regulators Monday that it picked up nearly 11 million shares of Kroger stock during the second quarter, raising its holdings to 61.8 million shares. Buffett's company has been steadily adding to its Kroger holdings in recent quarters.
Buffett
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Berkshire also sold off its 643,022 shares of biotechnology firm Biogen and cut its investments in drugmakers Merck, Abbvie Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. At the same time, Berkshire reported a new 1.6 million share stake in Merck spinoff Organon & Co.
During the quarter, Berkshire also sold its nearly 14 million shares of paint maker Axalta Coating Systems to eliminate that holding.
Many investors follow the company’s investments closely because of Buffett’s remarkably successful track record.
Berkshire officials, however, don’t generally comment on these quarterly filings. And the quarterly filing doesn’t make clear which investments Buffett made. The billionaire handles the biggest investments in Berkshire’s portfolio, such as Apple, Coca-Cola and Bank of America. He has said that investments of less than $1 billion are likely to be the work of Berkshire’s two other investment managers.
Berkshire also reduced its stake in automaker General Motors by 7 million shares to 60 million shares. And it trimmed its holdings in oil producer Chevron, professional services firm Marsh & McLennan, US Bancorp and media company Liberty Global.
The biggest investments in Berkshire's portfolio, Apple and Bank of America, remained unchanged during the second quarter.
Besides investments, Omaha-based Berkshire owns more than 90 companies outright, including BNSF railroad, Geico insurance and several major utilities. The conglomerate also owns manufacturing, furniture, shoe, jewelry, chocolate, underwear and brick companies.
Top Journal Star photos for August
Top Journal Star photos for August
Lincoln East players scramble through the cheerleader's gauntlet and onto the field to take on Lincoln Pius X on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, at Seacrest Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Norris' Alivia Hausmann (3) returns a serve on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, at Norris Middle School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
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Rachael Johnson talks with LPD officer Joe Fisher as she removes the needle from his arm during the 12 Days of Hope Mario Herrera Blood Drive on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, at Lincoln Fire & Rescue. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
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Lincoln Southeast's Kate Dobson outs Lincoln East's Morgan Adams at second base during a high school softball game, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, at Doris Bair Complex. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Hollis Alexander-Ramsay administers a does of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at Health Department. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Debbie Bauer (left) hooks a fresh worm onto Colten Hehn's (10, right) fishing rod on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, at Holmes Lake. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Nebraska’s Lexi Sun (11) points towards teammate Kennedi Orr (9) after a fourth set point on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Hastings' Oaklyn Smith (7) gets tackled by Lincoln's Caden Steiger (24) on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at Lloyd Wilson Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
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Hastings' Elijah Combs (2) fails to catch a pass as Lincoln's Jace Elliott (86) blocks on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at Lloyd Wilson Field. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Greeted by Lil' Red and Herbie Husker, thousands of members of the Class of 2025 rush onto the field to form a large "N" in the center of Memorial Stadium on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Lucy (right), an 11-month-old German shepherd, waits for her owner John McNeil to fling a tennis ball into the water on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at Holmes Lake Park. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Igor, a male turkey vulture, takes a dead mouse from Jamie Kelley, naturalist for Lincoln Parks and Recreation, during meal time at Pioneers Park Nature Center on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Lincoln High's Raymond Strozier (left) and Zavier Gamble enjoy a long run from a freshman teammate during practice on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, at Beechner Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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A school bus enters the lot on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, at Lincoln Public Schools Transportation. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Beatrice's Kiera Paquette tees off during the Girls Golf Tee-Off Invitational, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, at Holmes Golf Course. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Saltdogs' Justin Byrd (21) fist bumps kids after signing hats, bats, and balls after the game on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at Haymarket Park. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
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Lincoln Lutheran kicker Seth Stowell works alone on his kicking during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, on the school's practice field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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The Lincoln Northeast softball team and head coach Melissa Martinez talk at practice on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Portrait of Walter Meier Jr., a former Cushman scooter test-rider, sits atop John Els' 1959 Cushman Highlander on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at Oak Lake Park. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Nebraska head football coach Scott Frost and athletic director Trev Alberts talk to the media Aug. 18 at Memorial Stadium. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Lincoln East kicker Demetrius Bryant (20) hits the ball under hold of teammate Kellen Gorr during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, on the school's practice field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for August
A bee collects nectar from a flower at Union Plaza, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Players prepare to run a drill on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, at Lincoln Southwest High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
School counselor Heather Harris organizes students arriving by bus for the first day of school at Everett Elementary School on Aug. 16, 2021.
Journal Star file photo
Top Journal Star photos for August
Saltdogs' Yanio Perez (39) high fives his watchdog before the National Anthem on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at Haymarket Park. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
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Garth Brooks performs on stage during his largest ticketed concert on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Bryan Necome kisses his girlfriend Tara Lennemann under I-180 before the Garth Brooks concert on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Memorial Stadium. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
RJ Morgan (3) plays with his B-29 model while he waits in line to tour the B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil with his father Elias Morgan on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Ross Aviation. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Alexander Rohrbaugh (37) runs a tackling drill on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at Parkview Christian High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Members of the public react after the critical race theory resolution fails to pass on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at Varner Hall. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
The Hacienda Brothers perform on stage during ZooFest on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, on 14th Street. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Lincoln Pius X quarterback Tyrus Petsche looks for an open receiver on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, during a pre-season practice at Aldrich Field. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for August
Nebraska's Reagan Raabe (7) tries to head in the corner as South Dakota State goalkeeper Emma Harkleroad eyes the incoming ball in the first half on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, during an exhibition match at Hibner Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for August
The Lincoln Christian football team practices on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Construction of a new railroad underpass for the Salt Creek Levee Trail continues on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, near South 1st and J Streets. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Willie Nelson (bottom) smiles at the audience during the opening song of his set, "Whiskey River," with Billy English performing on drums on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, at the Pinewood Bowl. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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Lincoln Southeast junior Max Buettenback (29) runs drills in practice on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Jayden Potter runs a drill during practice on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at North Star High School. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
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Logan (12) and Bailey Brooks (9) pose for their mother to take a photo during the 60th annual National Wilber Czech Festival on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Downtown. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Duane Humlicek plays in the Accordion Jamboree during the 60th annual National Wilber Czech Festival on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at T.J. Sokol. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Fans cheer during the Lancaster Fair Limited Weld Demolition Derby on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, at Lancaster Event Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Jerrod Anderson (26) gets pushed onto Judge Haitin Bartek (33X) during the Lancaster Fair 90's & Newer Demolition Derby on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, at Lancaster Event Center. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
Top Journal Star photos for August
Members of the audience raise placards during public comments on draft No. 2 of proposed health education standards in front of the State Board of Education on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, at the Nebraska Innovation Campus. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for August
Hickman baseball players celebrate the win against Alliance in the Class B American Legion state championship game, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Lied Place Residences on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for August
Hundreds of members of the Yezidi community and local supporters cross the top of the dam on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at Holmes Lake Park. Members of the Yezidi community gathered to remember and honor the victims of the August 2014 genocide. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
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A Lincoln Police officer inspects a car involved in a Monday night shooting at the Edgewood Shopping Center, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
Blooming anemones attract a bumblebee at the Sunken Gardens on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
GWYNETH ROBERTS Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for August
What three-year-old Alice Donica of Milford lacked in time, she made up with a stylish dismount during the Mutton Bustin' event on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, at the Seward County Fair. Over 60 children competed for a belt buckle for the longest time spent on sheep. Skylar Otey, 7, of Seward won the buckle with a time of 10.6 seconds. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
FRANCIS GARDLER
Top Journal Star photos for August
Lauren Stivrins (center) watches campers do ice breakers during the Youth Volleyball Camp on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, at Kinetic Sports Complex. EAKIN HOWARD, Journal Star
EAKIN HOWARD
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