Buffett’s Echo: A February Portfolio

The Oracle of Omaha may have begun a graceful retreat, passing the reins at Berkshire Hathaway to a successor. Yet, to assume these holdings are no longer imbued with his spirit is, shall we say, a vulgar error. They remain, in essence, reflections of his discerning eye – or, at the very least, were once subject to its approval. One does not simply discard good taste, even in matters of finance.

Indeed, a few amongst Berkshire’s treasures currently present opportunities for the astute investor. Herein, I present three – not as recommendations, mind you, but as observations for those with the wit to appreciate them.

1. Alphabet

It warmed the heart, if one possesses such a thing, to witness Mr. Buffett finally acknowledging a past regret with an increased stake in Alphabet. To delay acknowledging a mistake is merely prudence; to correct it, however, is a sign of genuine refinement. The market, predictably, has rewarded this belated wisdom; since Berkshire’s initial foray, Alphabet’s shares have ascended with a vigor that would impress even a social climber.

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The engine of this growth, naturally, is artificial intelligence. To suggest that AI is merely a passing fad is akin to claiming that champagne lacks effervescence. Google’s integration of generative AI into its search function is proving remarkably effective. The Cloud, too, continues its ascent, and the much-touted Gemini 3.0 is, as they say, all the rage. If one believes the current enthusiasm is justified – and I confess, I do – Alphabet remains a rather clever investment.

2. Apple

Mr. Buffett’s recent trimming of Apple’s stake was, perhaps, a necessary exercise in diversification. One must avoid the vulgarity of appearing too successful. However, February presents a most opportune moment to replenish one’s holdings. The market, as always, overreacts to the slightest tremor.

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After a period of languor in the Chinese market, Apple is now exhibiting a most pleasing resurgence. Indeed, iPhone sales are setting records globally. One anticipates this momentum will continue. Furthermore, should the company unveil its much-hyped AI-powered smart glasses – and one fully expects it will – a significant increase in the share price is virtually guaranteed. The anticipation, after all, is often more profitable than the reality.

3. UnitedHealth Group

One might be surprised to find UnitedHealth Group amongst these favored stocks. The recent decline, triggered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rate adjustments, was, shall we say, excessive. The market, it seems, is perpetually prone to panic.

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The proposed rates are, of course, subject to change. One suspects the agency will ultimately demonstrate a degree of reasonableness. Even if not, UnitedHealth Group possesses the resources and acumen to adapt. A beaten-down stock, particularly one of this caliber, rarely remains so for long. Indeed, a rebound later this year is, to put it mildly, highly probable. To profit from the misfortunes of others is not necessarily immoral; it is merely good business.

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2026-02-03 12:59