Buffett's Berkshire bought Activision Blizzard before deal

[BENGALURU] Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc loaded up on shares in video game maker Activision Blizzard Inc ahead of Microsoft Corp's US$68.7 billion deal to buy the company, according to a regulatory filing.

Microsoft announced its acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard on Jan 18, sending Activision's shares surging. It is up more than 20 per cent year-to-date.

Berkshire said in a regulatory filing on Monday it added nearly 14.7 million shares of Activision in the fourth quarter while hedge fund Third Point, run by Daniel Loeb, added a new position, buying 2 million shares in the fourth quarter.

Investors monitor Berkshire's investments closely to see where Buffett and his investment managers Todd Combs and Ted Weschler see value.

The filings do not say who bought and sold what, though Buffett generally handles larger investments.

Monday's filing suggests that Berkshire remains resistant to buying stocks, after having been a net seller throughout much of 2021.

The company also added to its position in energy giant Chevron Corp while slicing its position in healthcare names including Bristol-Myers Squibb Co and Abbvie Inc during the quarter that ended in December.

The sales and Buffett's six-year drought in buying large whole companies have contributed to Berkshire's boosting its cash holdings as of Sept 30, 2021, to a record US$149.2 billion, despite at least US$21.9 billion of stock buybacks.

Berkshire is expected to disclose more about its stock purchases, buybacks and cash on Feb 26 when it releases year-end results and Buffett's widely read annual shareholder letter.

Berkshire is based in Omaha, Nebraska. It also owns dozens of businesses including the BNSF railroad, Geico auto insurance and Dairy Queen ice cream. REUTERS