In this article, we will discuss: 10 Best Long-Term Stocks to Buy Now According to Warren Buffett.
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is having a historic year in 2026 as it is the first after many in which the firm is being led by his successor, Greg Abel. The Oracle of Omaha announced in May 2025 that he would step down as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO and remain the firm’s chairman. In 2026, after his successor took over, Berkshire disclosed a large new position in its 13F filings. This investment was in Google-parent Alphabet, and it saw Berkshire increase its stake to $15.6 billion from an earlier $5.6 billion in Q4 2025. The firm had first disclosed a stake in Alphabet in Q3 2025 as its filings revealed a $4.3 billion stake.
Briefly discussing Warren Buffett’s philosophy will have us describe it in one word: Hold. The Oracle of Omaha is known for being a patient, patient, patient investor. You’ll find out about some of his longest-held investments as you read on below. In a 1996 shareholder to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Buffett simply remarked:
“If you aren’t willing to own a stock for 10 years, don’t even think about owning it for 10 minutes.”
So which stocks has his firm held on to for dear life? Read on below to find out!
Our Methodology
For this article, we selected stocks by combing through the 13F portfolio of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of the first quarter of 2026. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the first quarter of 2026, which was taken from Insider Monkey’s database of 1,022 hedge funds. On an added note, while Delta Airlines made an earlier appearance than Kroger, it was omitted since Berkshire sold it in 2020 and only added it back in Q1 2026.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Insider Monkey’s quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 599.2% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 372 percentage points (see more details here).
10. The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 52
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q4 2019
Latest Stake: $3.6 billion
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway held a stake in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) as far back as 2019. It disclosed a $549 million stake in the fourth quarter of 2019 courtesy of holding 18.9 million shares. The number of shares gradually grew and peaked at 61 million shares that were worth $2.7 billion at the end of 2021’s fourth quarter. Then, the number of shares held dropped, and after touching 50 million in Q4 2022, they remained at this level since then. However, courtesy of a consistent rise in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)’s average share price, the stake is now worth $3.6 billion.
Morgan Stanley discussed The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)’s shares on June 22nd. The bank reiterated an Equal Weight rating on the shares and reduced the share price target to $67 from $73. As part of its coverage, Morgan Stanley discussed The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)’s strategy of relying on its own capital to fund growth. It remarked that the grocery store operator could experience some troubles with the model despite the strong execution track record of its CEO.
9. Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 78
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q3 2019
Latest Stake: $17.2 billion
Oil giant Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY)’s shares are up by 19% over the past year and 17% year-to-date. It is one of several oil stocks in Berkshire Hathaway’s filings. It disclosed a $332 million stake courtesy of 7.45 million shares in the third quarter of 2019. Berkshire bumped up the number of shares that it held to 18.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020. However, from the average price of $47.28 in Q3 2019, the price dropped to $15.75 in Q2 2020, when the firm exited its position. It then disclosed holding 136 million Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) shares in Q1 2022 and has gradually increased its count since then. The latest stake is worth $17.2 billion.
Banking giant Barclays discussed Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) on May 26th. It bumped the rating to Overweight from Equal Weight and the share price target to $72 from $59. Barclays discussed Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY)’s debt in the context of soaring oil prices due to the Iran war. Barclays believes the prices could help the firm with its debt and fund Berkshire’s equity obligations by 2027.
8. Bank Of America Corp (NYSE:BAC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 106
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q3 2017
Latest Stake: $25 billion
Bank Of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) is another long-time Berkshire Hathaway holding. The investment giant had disclosed holding 679 million shares that were worth $17.2 billion in Q3 2017. It maintained this level until Q2 2018 and saw the stake’s value jump to $19.1 billion. Then, Berkshire gradually grew the number of shares that it held to 1.01 billion in Q3 2020. It sustained these holdings until Q4 2022 and bumped them up to 1.03 billion in the subsequent quarter. The stake’s value peaked at $41 billion in Q2 2024, and it, and the number of shares have dropped since then. The latest stake is worth $25 billion and comes courtesy of 513 million.
Citi was out with constructive coverage for Bank Of America Corp (NYSE:BAC)’s shares on June 23rd. It reiterated a Buy rating and increased the share price target to $66 from $62. The bank based its optimism on Bank Of America Corp (NYSE:BAC)’s commentary and remarked that it expected the coverage target to deliver strong second quarter earnings. On the 26th, Truist raised the share price target to $64 from $61 and kept a Buy rating on the stock.
7. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 170
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q1 2016
Latest Stake: $57.8 billion
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is widely known for being Berkshire Hathaway’s first technology investment. The firm first disclosed a stake in the company in the first quarter of 2016. The stake came courtesy of 39 million shares that were worth $1 billion. The next quarter, Berkshire bumped its take up to 60.9 million Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares that were worth $1.46 billion. By the end of the third quarter, the stake jumped to 229 million shares and peaked at 1 billion shares in Q2 2018. The next major movement came in Q2 2024 when the number of shares dropped to 400 million from the previous quarter’s 789 million. The stake’s value peaked at a whopping $177 billion in Q2 2023 when it accounted for 51% of the holdings. The latest stake is worth $57.8 billion.
Bank of America kept a $380 share price target and a Buy rating on the stock on June 22nd. The coverage came after Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s WWDC event, as BofA remarked that the company made meaningful contributions to its AI strategy at the event. The bank was particularly impressed by Siri AI.
6. The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 60
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q3 2015
Latest Stake: $7.3 billion
Food products firm The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC)’s shares are down by 8.2% over the past year and by 2.8% year-to-date. Berkshire disclosed a stake in the firm in the third quarter of 2015. Back then, it held 325 million shares that were worth $22.9 billion. Or more precisely, Berkshire had disclosed holding 325,634,818 The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) shares back then. In perhaps the strongest example of Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett’s philosophy of buying and forgetting, the investment firm has held the exact number of shares since then. However, as the average price has dipped from $75.49 to $23.52, the latest stake is worth $7.3 billion.
The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) made a major announcement on June 18th when it announced that it would split its operating structure into three regions. It will combine Asia Emerging Markets and West and East Emerging Markets into one Emerging Markets Region in order to streamline business operations. The stock’s dividend yield is 6.75% as of June 28th.
5. VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 54
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q2 2012
Latest Stake: $2.2 billion
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) is an internet company that enables domain name registry and provides other services. Its shares are down by 11.5% over the past year and are up by 6.3% year-to-date. Berkshire first disclosed a stake in the firm in Q2 2012, according to Insider Monkey’s data. This stake came courtesy of 3.7 million shares that were worth $143 million. The number of shares gradually grew to 12.9 million in the second quarter of 2014. They remained at this level until Q1 2020, when they experienced a slight increase. Currently, the number of shares has dropped to 8.9 million, and they are worth $2.2 billion.
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN)’s first-quarter earnings report saw the firm post a strong set of results. The firm delivered $2.34 in adjusted earnings per share and $429 million in revenue to beat analyst estimates of $2.30 and $402 million. As part of the release, VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN)’s management increased its full-year guidance for revenue to $1.730 billion and $1.745 billion from an earlier $1.715 billion and $1.735 billion range.
Diamond Hill Mid Strategy mentioned VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) and Berkshire in its fourth quarter 2025 investor letter:
“Shares of internet infrastructure provider VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) declined after Berkshire Hathaway reduced its stake in the company earlier in 2025, a move driven by regulatory considerations rather than company fundamentals. Despite near-term pressure, the company continues to benefit from high customer switching costs, proprietary technology, US government support and disciplined capital allocation.”
4. DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 52
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q4 2011
Latest Stake: $4.6 billion
DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA) is a healthcare company that caters to the needs of people suffering from kidney ailments. Another long-term Warren Buffet stock pick, Berkshire first disclosed a stake in the firm in the fourth quarter of 2011. Back then, the firm disclosed holding 5.3 million shares that were worth $203 million. The number of shares jumped considerably by the next quarter, when Berkshire held 12 million shares that were worth $541 million. By Q4 2014, Warren Buffett’s firm had held 38.6 million shares and was stuck at this level until Q4 2019. As of the first quarter of 2026, Berkshire disclosed holding 30 million shares that were worth $4.6 billion.
Deutsche Bank discussed DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA)’s shares on May 6th when it bumped the rating to Buy from Hold and raised the share price target to $220 from $216. The coverage followed the firm’s first quarter earnings, which saw it post $417.59 in revenue per treatment to beat analyst estimates. During the quarter, DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA)’s operating income was $482 million.
3. Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 95
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q4 2010
Latest Stake: $10.7 billion
Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) is one of the largest ratings agencies in the world. Berkshire Hathaway disclosed holding 28.4 million shares of the firm in Q4 2010. Back then, these shares were worth $754 million. By Q4 2013, the number of shares had dipped to 24.6 million, and it has stood there since then. In Q4 2013, the shares were worth $1.9 billion, and the same amount is now worth a whopping $10.7 billion courtesy of a $473 average share price.
Mizuho discussed Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO)’s shares on April 27th. It reduced the share price target to $521 from $524 and kept a Neutral rating on the stock. Mizuho’s coverage came after Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) reported its first-quarter earnings. As part of the results, the ratings agency posted $2.1 billion in revenue and $4.33 in earnings per share, both of which beat analyst estimates. BMO discussed Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO)’s AI implementation and expressed optimism about its ability to help with data management. Consequently, the firm bumped the share price target to $489 from $463 and kept a Market Perform rating on the stock.
2. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 76
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q4 2010
Latest Stake: $30.4 billion
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is perhaps one of Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway’s best-known investments. While 13F filing data shows Q4 2010 as the earliest date of disclosure, Buffett first bought the shares in 1988. While the Oracle of Omaha dabbled with the shares and his holdings wildly fluctuated in the early 2000s, he found some stability since 201. In Q4 2010, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed holding 400 million shares that were worth $13.1 billion. The figure doubled to 800 million in Q2 2012, but returned to 400 million in the next quarter and has stood at that level since then. As of Q1, the shares are worth $30.4 billion.
Earlier this month, Morgan Stanley discussed The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s shares. It reiterated an Overweight rating and called the stock a top pick in the US beverages sector. The bank remarked that The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO)’s Fairlife sales had grown in the US due to capacity additions. It added that the beverage company also had stronger pricing power compared to its rivals.
In a Mad Money appearance on June 10th, CNBC’s Jim Cramer also discussed The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO):
“Now, get this, this is one, this is what I’m talking, I’m trying to, see, I gotta get this point through because this is not what we usually do here, but sometimes the market’s bad… Coca-Cola. Okay, now, I don’t drink Coca-Cola… But it was pushed down hard. It’s been going down, down. And then, since this market got bad, it has been nothing but net. It rallied nearly 3% today. Under the previous CEO, James Quincey, whom I love, the company reignited its growth. His successor, Henrique Braun, he’s continuing the ignition. This is a quintessential defensive stock. New high. You know what? You can probably continue to buy Coca-Cola tomorrow morning if the S&P’s down. I want you to reach for Coca-Cola and then just keep buying. I’m not kidding. This was quite a testament to how good the stock’s doing and how great the company is.”
1. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holdings in Q1 2026: 83
First Appeared In 13F Holdings: Q4 2010
Latest Stake: $45.8 billion
Payment card and travel services provider American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is perhaps Warren Buffett’s best-known stock pick. He first bought the shares in 1964 when the firm’s shares sank during the Salad Oil Scandal. Buffett then bought a stake in 1991 and continued in the 1990s. However, since then, it hasn’t done much with the stock. In Q4 2010, according to Insider Monkey’s data, Berkshire Hathaway held 151 million American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) shares that were worth $6.5 billion. It still holds the same number of shares, and the stake’s latest value is $45.8 billion.
DBZ Bank discussed the firm on June 18th as it upgraded the shares to Buy from Hold and set a $375 share price target. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP)’s latest earnings report saw it report $18.91 billion in revenue, $3 billion in net income, and $4.28 in earnings per share. During the earnings call, the firm’s Chief Financial Officer Christophe Le Caillec outlined that its earnings were stronger than expected and gave it room to spend in marketing and technology.
Giverny Capital Asset Management discussed American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in its Q1 2026 investor letter:
“We used most of our Ametek proceeds to establish a new position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in March, at a price of $294. Probably many of you hold at least one American Express card. It’s one of the premier status brands in the world, with a customer base of prime borrowers who often pay hundreds of dollars a year for the privilege of earning lucrative rewards. Those same cardholders generally do not revolve loan balances, meaning Amex earns much more money from transaction fees and annual cardholder dues than it does in interest on monthly balances. It makes money because people transact with the card to earn rewards, not because they need to borrow money to make ends meet.
It is on my mind that we may be living in a time of peak affluence. I read recently that the United States now has more than 430,000 households with a net worth above $30 million. Simultaneously, the federal government is running irresponsible budget deficits, many college-educated young people can’t get career-track jobs or afford housing, AI may threaten the future of white-collar work, and income inequality mainly seems to worsen. Could higher taxes, lower federal spending, an AI-led white-collar recession, a push for redistributive economic policies or perhaps some combination of all of them bode ill for the kind of folks who hold American Express cards?…” (Click here to read the full text)
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