Warren Buffett’s 10 Longest-Held Stocks

3. Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO)

Warren Buffett’s First Major Purchase: 2000

Berkshire Hathaway’s stake in Q3 2024: $11.7 billion

Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO), an integrated risk assessment firm, provides a range of products and services to aid in risk management, including credit research, credit models, analytics, and economic data. Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) is one of Warren Buffett’s oldest and longest-held investments, largely because of its dominant position in the credit ratings industry.

The company delivered strong third-quarter results for 2024, with revenue surging 23% to $1.8 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share increasing by 32%. Moody’s ratings division, especially investment-grade issuance, was a key driver, as transactional revenue spiked 70%, significantly outpacing global issuance growth. Additionally, Moody’s Analytics saw a 7% revenue boost, with recurring revenue growing by 9%.

On October 16, BMO Capital Markets raised its price target for Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO) to $464 from $455 while maintaining a Market Perform rating. This adjustment follows a review of Moody’s Investors Service (MIS) division, which exceeded expectations in Q3. Although a decline in MIS is expected in Q4, the third-quarter performance was stronger than anticipated, and the overall decline may not be as sharp as previously projected. The revision also reflects the positive momentum seen in S&P Global Inc.’s issuance results, which support an optimistic outlook for Moody’s Corporation (NYSE:MCO).