Warren Buffett raises Berkshire cash level to record $277 billion after slashing stock holdings

Warren Buffett walks the floor and meets with Berkshire Hathaway shareholders ahead of their annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska on May 3rd, 2024. Berkshire Hathaway 's cash pile swelled to a record $276.9 billion last quarter as Warren Buffett sold big chunks in stock holdings including Apple . The Omaha-based conglomerate's cash hoard jumped significantly higher from the previous record of $189 billion, set in the first quarter of 2024. For the second quarter, Berkshire's operating earnings, which encompass profits from the conglomerate's fully-owned businesses, enjoyed a jump thanks to the strength in auto insurer Geico. Operating earnings totaled $11.6 billion in the second quarter, up about 15% from $10 billion a year prior.