With the AI bubble seeming to pop, many people are turning back to legendary old-school investors like Warren Buffett, who has sat through many crashes. Redditors were already calling Berkshire Hathaway a way to protect a portfolio ahead of an AI bubble pop. See why Redditors picked Berkshire. Billionaire Howard Marks has also warned about the AI boom, and we looked at his 10 non-AI stock picks. See Marks’ non-AI stock picks.
So what would Buffett do today? He could go all in on AI, pile into non-AI stocks, or sit still and ride it out. His recent comments point to the third path, with one AI exception.
At Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in May, Buffett told CNBC’s Becky Quick that the market is not an ideal place to put cash to work, with Berkshire holding close to $400 billion. He said Berkshire picks its spots and sometimes does nothing for long stretches, and that only about five of his 60 years in the business were really juicy. He also said he understands fewer businesses than he did 10 years ago and will not try to beat younger investors who grew up with new technology. He compared the market to a church with a casino attached and called one-day options gambling. The best time to buy, he said, is when nobody answers their phones during a collapse. His only AI comment in that interview was about deep fakes, which he called scary.
In July, Buffett told CNBC that he started Berkshire’s bet on Alphabet, a sign he supports the company’s big AI spending. He said he was wrong to overlook Alphabet earlier, and that it is more likely to be a winner than 90% or 95% of what Wall Street sells, Bloomberg reported. He did not go all in. He said he likes at least four or five other Berkshire businesses better. Under CEO Greg Abel, Berkshire has started putting some of its cash to work, including about $10 billion into Alphabet in the second quarter. We looked at whether its capital allocation can keep compounding. See how Berkshire is using its cash.
Buffett stepped down as CEO at the end of 2025, and he said Abel makes no decision he does not approve of. We have tracked Buffett’s buys and sells for years. See which 17 stocks he bought and sold in 2023. The stocks he built the portfolio around are still there, and we ranked five of them in our list of the best stocks to buy according to Warren Buffett. See our 5 best Buffett stocks. This time, we went through Berkshire’s latest 13F filing to find the ones with the most upside, according to analyst price targets.
See the full list of the 10 best Warren Buffett stocks with upside potential by clicking the image below:
Methodology
We looked at the stocks in Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio, using its 13F filing for the second quarter of 2026. We only included stocks that Berkshire held while Warren Buffett was CEO. Buffett stepped down at the end of 2025. We skipped stocks that Berkshire did not build up in a big way under Buffett. Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is an example. Berkshire opened its position in the third quarter of 2025, when Buffett was still CEO, but it added to the stake heavily only after Abel took over. The idea is to stay close to Buffett’s original stock-picking philosophy.
For each stock, we compared the share price on October 28, 2026, with the average 12-month analyst price target. The gap between the two is the upside potential. The list runs from the smallest upside to the largest. We ran a similar list last October. See last year’s picks with the strongest upside.
#10 Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE)
Stock Price as of October 28: $271.79
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $292.73
Upside Potential: 7.70%
Nucor is one of America’s largest steel producers, supplying steel products for construction, manufacturing and infrastructure projects. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 1.9 million shares of Nucor worth $413.8 million at the end of the second quarter of 2026. The company reduced its position during the quarter. Nucor’s earnings remain sensitive to steel prices and industrial demand. Nucor ranks 14th on our list of the 14 best Warren Buffett dividend stocks, and its board approved a new share buyback program in February. See the full dividend stock list.
Tariffs on imported steel hold up US steel prices. In the third quarter, finished steel imports were 13% lower than a year earlier, and Nucor reported 32% revenue growth. Volumes sold rose 11% from a year earlier because new mills started up. Bulls expect more of this in 2027. Nucor is finishing a new sheet mill in West Virginia that starts up in early 2027. Demand also comes from utilities upgrading the power grid, data centers and factories moving to the US. Management expects 2027 contracts with fewer discounts and lower capital spending, which helps free cash flow.
#9 Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY)
Stock Price as of October 28: $62.86
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $70.40
Upside Potential: 12.00%
Occidental Petroleum is a major oil and natural gas producer with operations concentrated in the United States and the Middle East. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 264.9 million shares worth $12.87 billion at the end of June 2026, making Occidental one of its largest equity investments. The stock’s performance remains closely tied to energy prices. Occidental ranks third on our list of the 5 best value stocks to buy in 2026 according to Warren Buffett, and CEO Vicki Hollub announced in May that she would retire on June 1. Read the full value stock analysis.
Roth Capital recently upgraded Occidental to Buy from Neutral. The firm called it one of the better ways to profit from higher oil prices among oil producers. Occidental has no oil hedges for 2027 and beyond, so shareholders get the full benefit when oil prices rise. The company uses most of its free cash flow to pay down debt, and Roth expects it to reach its debt target soon. Occidental also plans to raise free cash flow through 2030 by cutting spending and costs, even if oil production stays flat. Goldman Sachs also upgraded the stock to Buy, citing debt reduction and dividend growth potential.
#8 VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN)
Stock Price as of October 28: $307.01
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $352.00
Upside Potential: 14%
VeriSign operates critical internet infrastructure, including the registries for .com and .net domain names. Its business generates recurring revenue from domain registrations and renewals. Berkshire Hathaway owned approximately 9 million VeriSign shares valued at $2.26 billion at the end of the second quarter. The company’s established market position provides stability, although growth opportunities remain relatively limited. Berkshire first bought VeriSign in 2012 and has since cut its stake from a peak of 12.9 million shares to 8.9 million. See the full holding history.
VeriSign, Inc. earns a fee every year on each .com and .net name, and most companies keep their names for years. The business needs few new costs to handle more names, so extra revenue turns into profit at a high rate.
VRSN trades at a forward P/E of 32.24. That is 50.91% above the sector median of 21.36 and 10.55% above its own five-year average of 29.16.
#7 Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY)
Stock Price as of October 28: $38.80
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $47.47
Upside Potential: 22%
Ally Financial provides digital banking, automotive financing and other financial services. Its performance depends heavily on consumer credit conditions, interest rates and the automotive market. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 27 million shares worth $1.24 billion at the end of June 2026. Berkshire reduced its Ally position during the second quarter, according to its regulatory filing. Ally ranks sixth on our list of the 10 best financial stocks to buy according to Warren Buffett, after it reported first-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.11, up 90% from a year earlier. Read what drove Ally’s quarter.
Ally Financial Inc. is a bank that focuses on auto loans. Ally processed a record 4.8 million auto loan applications in the third quarter, 20% more than a year earlier. Third-quarter adjusted earnings per share grew by double digits from a year earlier and beat Wall Street estimates. Bulls also point out that the stock trades below book value.
Evercore ISI cut Ally to In Line last month. Evercore says a partnership with Stellantis hurts the margin because used lease cars are worth less, and vehicle recalls make it worse. Ally took a loss on resold cars in the third quarter and expects more in the fourth quarter and in 2027. Higher interest rates also raise Ally’s deposit costs faster than its loan rates reset.
#6 Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:SIRI)
Stock Price as of October 28: $27.32
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $33.80
Upside Potential: 23%
Sirius XM operates subscription-based satellite radio and audio entertainment services, generating revenue primarily from subscribers and advertising. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 124.8 million shares valued at $3.69 billion at the end of the second quarter. The business benefits from recurring subscription revenue, but competition from streaming platforms and pressure on subscriber growth remain important challenges. In September 2024, we ranked Sirius XM second on our list of the 8 best Warren Buffett stocks to buy according to analysts, when analysts saw 32.83% upside. See how that call looked then.
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. recently reported its third-quarter results, and bulls believe the company’s loyal subscriber base, strong cash flow, and low valuation make the stock attractive.
Bulls point to Sirius XM’s loyal customer base despite growing competition from Spotify and other streaming services. The company added 5,000 self-pay subscribers in the third quarter, bringing its year-over-year increase to 45,000. Average revenue per user remained relatively stable, while customer churn improved. Bulls believe these trends show that Sirius XM can retain its existing customers and generate steady cash flow even without rapid subscriber growth.
#5 Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)
Stock Price as of October 28: $50.85
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $63.00
Upside Potential: 23%
Bank of America is one of the largest US banks, offering consumer banking, credit cards, wealth management and investment banking services. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 483.4 million shares worth $27.54 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2026. The bank has been a longstanding Berkshire investment, although the company reduced its stake during the quarter. Bank of America ranks second on our list of the 10 best financial stocks to buy according to Warren Buffett, after first-quarter revenue grew 7.2% from a year earlier. Get the full Bank of America story.
Bank of America Corporation recently reported its third-quarter earnings, while its shares came under pressure following a regulatory fine and concerns about its financial results. Bulls believe the fine is a one-time setback that does not change the bank’s long-term earnings potential.
Their optimism is largely based on the bank’s lending business. Bank of America has continued to grow its loan portfolio, while its net interest yield has improved. This means the bank is earning more from its interest-earning assets relative to their costs, helping support net interest income.
Bulls also point to the bank’s large deposit base, which provides a relatively low-cost source of funding for loans. They believe continued loan growth, improving interest income, and the bank’s strong deposit position could help drive earnings higher over time.
#4 Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF)
Stock Price as of October 28: $204.88
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $256
Upside Potential: 25%
Capital One is a major consumer lender offering credit cards, banking products and auto financing. Its earnings are influenced by consumer spending, credit losses and interest rates. Berkshire Hathaway reported approximately 3 million Capital One shares worth $601.9 million at the end of June 2026. Berkshire substantially reduced its position during the second quarter. Capital One ranks fifth on the same list, and it narrowly missed first-quarter revenue estimates. Check the Capital One breakdown here.
Capital One Financial Corporation is a large US bank known for credit cards. It also makes auto loans and offers consumer banking. It bought Discover, a credit card company that runs its own payment network. Before the deal, Capital One paid Visa and Mastercard fees on most of its card payments. Now more payments run over Discover’s network, so Capital One saves those fees and earns more on each transaction. It has already moved its debit cards over, and credit cards will take longer.
Capital One Financial Corporation trades at a forward P/E of 9.50. That is 13.73% below the sector median of 11.01 and close to its own five-year average of 9.33. The forward PEG ratio is 0.89 against 1.09 for the sector.
#3 DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA)
Stock Price as of October 28: $183.93
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $231.00
Upside Potential: 25%
DaVita provides kidney dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney disease, primarily through its network of outpatient treatment centers. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 28.9 million DaVita shares valued at $6.43 billion at the end of the second quarter. The company benefits from recurring demand for dialysis treatments, although reimbursement rates and operating costs remain significant considerations. Berkshire first disclosed its DaVita stake in the fourth quarter of 2011, and Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to Buy in May after the first-quarter report. See how long Berkshire has held it.
While many chased the AI bandwagon this year, DaVita Inc. shares rose about 56%. DaVita runs kidney dialysis clinics across the US and abroad. Patients with kidney failure need regular treatments, so demand stays steady in any economy. Its Integrated Kidney Care business manages care for kidney patients under contracts, and management raised that unit’s 2026 profit target.
Treatment volume grew 1.2% in the third quarter, and management expects faster volume growth in 2027. DaVita starts a national rollout of expanded hemodialysis in November. It expects no material hit to profit in 2026 or 2027, and the benefit comes in the back half of 2028 and beyond.
DaVita trades at a forward P/E of 12.82. That is 35.70% below the sector median of 19.94 and close to its own five-year average of 13.06. The forward PEG ratio is 0.48 against 1.92 for the sector.
#2 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE:LPX)
Stock Price as of October 28: $70.06
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $88.11
Upside Potential: 25%
Louisiana-Pacific manufactures building materials, including engineered wood siding and oriented strand board used in residential construction. Its results depend on housing activity, renovation demand and building-material prices. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 5.7 million shares worth $446 million at the end of June 2026. A recovery in residential construction could support demand for the company’s products. Louisiana-Pacific ranked ninth on our 2025 list of 12 growth stock picks by Warren Buffett. Check the growth stock list.
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation makes siding and oriented strand board (OSB) for homebuilding and remodeling. Its shares are down about 12% over the past year because the housing market is weak. Homes cost too much for many buyers, and the Federal Reserve just raised interest rates for the first time in three years. Fewer homes get built, so demand for OSB dropped and prices fell.
LP is the largest producer of engineered wood siding in North America. Siding prices rose 8% over the past year, even in a weak market, which shows the brand has pricing power. Much of the siding business sells into remodeling, and remodeling spending is expected to grow about 2.1% this year as owners stay in their homes and borrow against their equity.
The US population keeps growing, so the country needs more homes over time. When rates ease and buyers return, builders will need more OSB. That is the business that fell the most, so it has the most room to recover.
#1 Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL)
Stock Price as of October 28: $80.35
Average 12-Month Analyst Price Target: $103.71
Upside Potential: 29%
Delta Air Lines is one of the largest US airlines, providing domestic and international passenger services. Its business benefits from demand for premium travel and corporate bookings, while fuel prices and operating costs remain risks. Berkshire Hathaway held approximately 57.3 million Delta shares worth $5.37 billion at the end of June 2026, increasing its position during the quarter. Delta’s revenue jumped 18.7% year over year in the second quarter, and Berkshire is its largest institutional shareholder, according to our look at the airline’s rally. See what risks come with the rally.
Delta Air Lines shares are up about 42% over the past year, even though fuel costs rose more than management expected and the company cut its 2026 earnings guidance. Bulls say travel demand stays strong. Third-quarter revenue grew 16%, and airlines are raising holiday fares to pass higher fuel costs to travelers. They also like the American Express partnership and the Hyatt partnership that launches later this year. Bears say higher inflation and interest rates could squeeze consumers and slow travel demand over the next few quarters. Free cash flow is already falling.
Delta trades at a forward P/E of 14.81, which is 24.63% below the sector median of 19.65. It is also 48.69% above its own five-year average of 9.96. The forward PEG ratio is 0.89 against 1.45 for the sector.
While we acknowledge the risk and potential of DAL as an investment, we believe certain AI infrastructure stocks offer far stronger long-term potential at a much more attractive entry point. If you are looking for an AI stock more promising than DAL that operates as a critical AI tollbooth and stands as the most important company in the world, check out our report about this must-own AI stock.
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