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Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reenters newspaper business with $350 million investment in New York Times

Feb 18, 2026, 12:45 AM10
(Update: Feb 18, 2026, 12:45 AM)
American investor, entrepreneur and businessman
American daily newspaper (founded 1851)
American multinational conglomerate holding company

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reenters newspaper business with $350 million investment in New York Times

  • Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a $350 million investment in the New York Times, surprising many given Warren Buffett's previous abandonment of the newspaper industry.
  • This investment reflects a potential shift in strategy, recognizing the New York Times' success in adapting to digital journalism.
  • The move has been characterized as a significant vote of confidence in the business strategy of the New York Times and may set an example for struggling local newspapers.
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In a surprising turn of events, American investment company Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a $350 million investment in the New York Times, a move that has garnered significant attention given the company's past actions regarding newspapers. Just five years earlier, Warren Buffett, the company's chairman at the time, sold all of Berkshire Hathaway's newspaper holdings, declaring the industry to be 'toast' amid ongoing declines. Despite the pessimistic view towards local newspapers, Buffett had previously acknowledged that nationally branded newspapers like the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal might still be able to thrive. The announcement came during a quarterly update filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, coinciding with reports of Buffett transitioning the CEO role to Greg Abel after leading Berkshire for over six decades. This investment reflects a notable shift in strategy and suggests a renewed confidence in the digital transforming landscape of journalism and media, particularly at the New York Times. The company, which has successfully leveraged its national brand to develop a vibrant digital business, boasts over 12 million digital subscribers and popular offerings such as the Wordle game and the sports platform The Athletic. Tim Franklin, a professor at Northwestern University, commented on this significant investment, suggesting it indicates a 'full circle moment' for Berkshire Hathaway regarding news reinvestment, thereby presenting a strong vote of confidence in the New York Times’ business strategy. Franklin's perspective underscores the potential for struggling local newspapers to draw inspiration from the Times' success, possibly by adopting similar digital innovations and local content that audiences are currently unable to access. Moreover, in addition to the investment in the Times, Berkshire Hathaway has been actively reshaping its stock portfolio. The firm increased its holdings in Chevron, purchasing about 8 million additional shares. The timing was significant, as Chevron's stock saw a rise following President Trump's initiative to reinvigorate Venezuela's oil industry. While Berkshire Hathaway continues to divest of shares in major companies like Bank of America and Apple, this diversification in investments illustrates Buffett's ongoing strategic adjustments in response to market dynamics, aiming to position Berkshire for future growth within evolving industries.

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