We recently compiled a list titled Starter Stock Portfolio: 10 Safe Stocks To Invest In Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) stands against the other safe stocks to invest in.
The Market Outlook for the Rest of 2024
A probable rate cut has provided hope for the economy. Despite that, the impact on financial markets and stocks remains uncertain. On September 4, Adam Parker, Trivariate Research founder and CEO, appeared in an interview on CNBC. Parker was not surprised that tech stocks were down by close to 4% at the beginning of September, that too right before an impending rate cut. Parker highlights that the inconsistency in the market at the moment is not normal, and with multiple rate cuts over the next two years, he has no reason to hold a positive economic outlook. He suggests that eight probable rate cuts indicate that the economy is slowing, consumer spending is declining, and unemployment is rising, all of which are not good signs for the market. The interviewer counter questions that eight rate cuts with a 25 basis point reduction are not as disastrous to presume a faltering economy. Parker then highlights that rate cuts in the past have been supported by consistent data, an incremental fiscal, and an expansion of the balance sheet, all of which are currently out of the picture. You can also read our piece on the best battery stocks to buy according to short sellers.
The Possible Impact of Rate Cuts on Stocks
On September 2, CNBC published a detailed report on the impact of rate cuts on the stock market in the United States. The Fed, in the footsteps of countries in Europe and Asia, recently announced an easing cycle, after a long period of high interest rates. As per current pricing data, the Fed is expected to have three 25-basis point cuts by the end of this year. Speaking of the global economic outlook, 2025 will see a lower-rate environment followed by easing inflationary pressures. However, the fear of recession in the United States tells another story. Analysts believe that the last four months of 2024 will be considerably weak and choppy amid geopolitical factors, uncertainty from the AI sector, corporate earnings, and most importantly, an overdue consolidation correction.
On September 3, JP Morgan reported that investors must not expect the cutting cycle to provide a fresh start to stocks. Leading strategists at the firm suggested that the rate cut cycle is rather reactive and is in response to a wilting economy, having little to no impact on stocks. Paul Christopher, head of global investment strategy, on the other hand, suggested that the market environment today resembles the market in 1995, increasing hopes for a market upside amid stable GDP strength and forecasts.
Bear market or bull market, certain stocks deserve a place in every investor’s portfolio. These are long-term opportunities to hold and will continue to provide superior returns, as they have for decades.
Our Methodology
To come up with the 10 safe stocks to invest in now, we looked for well-established companies in the energy, finance, healthcare, technology, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries. These stocks have a history of performing well and boasting consistent financial results, making them ideal and safe long term investments for beginners. We then picked the top 10 stocks that were the most widely held by money managers and ranked them in ascending order of the number of hedge funds that have stakes in them, as of Q2 2024.
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. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A team of insurance professionals in a boardroom overlooking a city skyline.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 120
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) is a multinational conglomerate company with businesses in multiple industries including financial services, insurance, energy, transportation, rail, and utility. The company not only provides services across several insurance lines, but also engages in the generation and distribution of electricity from natural gas, coal, wind, solar, and nuclear sources. Berkshire Hathaway also retails household appliances, electronics, kitchenware, and motorcycle equipment.
The company boasts a reliable source of income from its stable operating businesses. In the second quarter of 2024, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) logged $93 billion in revenue, of which $26 billion came from insurance. In the first half of 2024, the company’s investment income increased by 36% year-over-year. GEICO, Berkshire’s auto-insurance subsidiary provides coverage for 28 million vehicles, up from 17 million in 2019.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) holds a strong position in the world, especially in the United States. It has ownership rights and control over multiple major companies across the globe. According to the company’s latest shareholder letter, it currently owns 6% of the entire universe in which it operates. Additionally, as of 2023, the company owned 27.8% of common shares in Occidental Petroleum with the option to increase ownership at a fixed price.
Insurance underwriting and insurance investment income were the two dominant segments of the company in FY 2023. The two segments reported $5.4 billion and $9.6 billion in operating earnings, respectively. Its railroad segment was the third largest segment, with operating earnings worth $5 billion. Its railroad subsidiary operates a 24,000-mile track, 99 tunnels, 13,500 bridges, and 7,500 locomotives.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s (NYSE:BRK-B) competitive edge lies in its presence in multiple industries diversifying its risk and making it one of the safest stocks to invest in. According to our database, 120 hedge funds held stakes in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) in the second quarter, with positions worth $12.54 billion. With stakes amounting to $10.02 billion, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust is the largest shareholder of the company, as of June 30.
Overall BRK-B ranks 7th among the safe stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of BRK-B as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BRK-B but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey.