• by Laurie Sullivan , Yesterday

Alphabet on Monday saw notable premarket stock gains after recent artificial intelligence (AI) investments and technology launches, as trust in Google's automation grows and the company seeks to boost ad revenue through improved automated marketing campaigns.

Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a new position in Google's parent Alphabet, worth about $4.3 billion, as of Friday's stock market close.

The firm now owns more than 17.8 million shares in Alphabet, amounting to slightly below 1.4% of Berkshire's total portfolio.

The disclosure was included in the company's standard filings of Alphabet's major investors, which companies must submit at the end of each fiscal quarter.

Berkshire Hathaway CEO and Chairman Warren Buffett's reputation as an investor should give the digital advertising industry confidence of an economic upturn and fundamental strength in these businesses.

Buffett's recent reentry this year into the advertising sector after two decades of being dormant, particularly in economically sensitive areas such as digital and out-of-home advertising, should be seen by advertisers as a positive signal.

The investment in Alphabet reinforces Google’s market position and AI leadership, and validates the importance of brand-building for advertisers. And while Alphabet plans to invest more in AI infrastructure, Google's core advertising business is seen as well-positioned to help advertisers increase performance.

Berkshire Hathaway also this year made an investment in Lamar Advertising. The investment was disclosed in August 2025, through a 13F regulatory filing.

Berkshire Hathaway's stake in Alphabet is its tenth-largest equity stake as of the end of September, according to the documents. The others in its $267.3 billion investment portfolio consist of 41 companies, unchanged from the previous quarter. 

The top five holdings account for 70% of Berkshire Hathaway's total portfolio. Apple also sits in the top five of the investment firm's holdings, along with American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and Chevron.

Ross Gerber, co-founder, president and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, called out Google's AI technology in a social media X post, and suggested that Apple should form a tighter relationship with Google AI.

Gerber called AI one of the most useful tools that technologists have created since the internet, and suggested that Apple “kill Siri” and start working more closely with Google Gemini.

"Apple needs new leadership," Gerber wrote. "Tim has been phenomenal for a long time but it's time for change.” The investor believes this could redefine Apple’s future.

The Financial Times on Friday reported that Apple is stepping up its succession plans, as it prepares for Tim Cook to step down as chief executive officer as soon as next year, citing people familiar with the changes.

One name being mentioned is John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has been noted as Cook’s most likely successor, although no final decisions have been made.