<p>The wait is over. Anyone wondering which stocks new <strong>Berkshire Hathaway</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(BRKA <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.85%</span>)</span> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(BRKB <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+1.18%</span>)</span> CEO Greg Abel would buy in the company's first quarter without Warren Buffett as CEO now has an answer. Actually, they have <em>seven </em>answers.</p>
<p>Berkshire Hathaway submitted its 13F regulatory filing for the first quarter of 2026 after the market closed on May 15. The conglomerate bought seven stocks during Abel's initial quarter at the helm. And one of them stands out as the best of the bunch. </p>
<div><img alt="Warren Buffett." width="880" height="587" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NzA2NTkvYnVmZmV0dDE3LXRtZi5qcGcmdz0zODQw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84NzA2NTkvYnVmZmV0dDE3LXRtZi5qcGcmdz0zODQw"/>
<p>Image source: The Motley Fool.</p>
</div>
<h2>Berkshire's lucky seven</h2>
<p>Four of Berkshire Hathaway's six purchases in Q1 added shares to existing positions. The biggest of these was increasing the stake in Google parent <strong>Alphabet</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(GOOG <span class="ml-1 text-red-900">0.05%</span>)</span> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(GOOGL <span class="ml-1 text-red-900">0.13%</span>)</span> (specifically, the Class A shares) by 204%. </p>
<p>Berkshire nearly tripled its position in <strong>The New York Times Company</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(NYT <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+2.95%</span>)</span>. The conglomerate also added to its holdings of the Class A and Class B shares of homebuilder <strong>Lennar</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(LEN <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+1.85%</span>)</span> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(LENB <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+2.43%</span>)</span>. </p><div><div id="foolcom_sidebar_top_container"></div></div>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="The New York Times Co. Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL05ZVC5wbmcmdz0xMjg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL05ZVC5wbmcmdz0xMjg"/></div><div><h2>NYSE: NYT</h2><div>The New York Times Co.</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(2.95%) $2.20</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$76.68</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$12B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$74.63 - $77.29</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$51.03 - $87.10</div><div>Volume</div><div>2M</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>2.2M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>48.22%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>1.00%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p><strong>Delta Air Lines</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(DAL <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.01%</span>)</span> ranks as Berkshire's largest new holding. Abel authorized the purchase of 39.8 million shares of the airline stock, with the position valued at $2.6 billion at the end of Q1. Berkshire also bought 3 million shares of <strong>Macy's</strong> <span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(M <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+0.60%</span>)</span>.</p><div></div>
<p>In what was perhaps a twist, Berkshire Hathaway initiated a new position in Alphabet's Class C shares in addition to scooping up more Class A shares. After Alphabet's recent gains, the tech giant now ranks as Berkshire's fifth-largest holding. </p><div><div id="in_line_article_pitch_container"></div></div>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="Alphabet Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0dPT0cucG5nJnc9MTI4?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0dPT0cucG5nJnc9MTI4"/></div><div><h2>NASDAQ: GOOG</h2><div>Alphabet</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(-0.05%) $-0.21</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$393.11</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$4.8T</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$390.90 - $404.47</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$163.33 - $404.47</div><div>Volume</div><div>19M</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>19M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>60.43%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>0.21%</div></div></div></div></section>
<h2>Analyzing the picks</h2>
<p>Importantly, Buffett is still actively involved with Berkshire's investing. He acknowledged in an interview with CNBC's Becky Quick earlier this year that he's still making investments, noting that he &#34;won't make any that Greg thinks are wrong.&#34;</p>
<p>Buffett remains a value investor at heart. Unsurprisingly, some of the stocks Berkshire bought in Q1 traded at valuations many would view as attractive. Macy's is the best example, with the retail stock still trading at around nine times forward earnings. Berkshire also took advantage of an opportunity to scoop up shares of Delta Air Lines in Q1, almost certainly when the stock was beaten down over worries about rising fuel costs resulting from the Iran war. </p>
<p>Lennar is also relatively inexpensive, with a forward earnings multiple of 14.4 today. We don't know the exact timing of Berkshire's Q1 trades, but purchases later in the quarter seem likely after the stock sank because of weaker demand from U.S. homebuyers and rising input costs. Abel and Buffett, though, no doubt understand that Lennar's long-term prospects remain solid.</p>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="Lennar Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0xFTi5wbmcmdz0xMjg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL0xFTi5wbmcmdz0xMjg"/></div><div><h2>NYSE: LEN</h2><div>Lennar</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(1.85%) $1.52</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$83.82</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$21B</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$82.73 - $85.42</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$82.06 - $144.24</div><div>Volume</div><div>3.4M</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>3M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>16.72%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>2.39%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>Buffett could have influenced Berkshire's buys of both classes of Alphabet's shares. He has long regretted not initiating a position in the stock years ago. Although the legendary investor might not view Alphabet's cloud business as in his wheelhouse, he recognizes a strong moat when he sees one.</p>
<p>What about the significant increase in Berkshire's stake in The New York Times Company? Perhaps the best explanation of this purchase is that the media company's digital initiatives continue to pay off. For example, The New York Times Company reported in February that its digital advertising revenue soared 24.9% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2025. </p>
<h2>The best of the bunch</h2>
<p>Berkshire Hathaway's stock buys in Q1 make sense. However, if I had to pick the best of the bunch, it would be Alphabet. You can flip a coin on whether the company's Class A or Class C shares get top billing.</p>
<p>Alphabet is well-positioned to profit from nearly every major technology trend shaping the future. It's a leader in artificial intelligence (AI). Google Cloud is the fastest-growing of the top three cloud service providers. Google Gemini is one of the most powerful AI models. The company's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) are in such strong demand that Alphabet is now selling them to external customers.</p>
<p>Waymo is at the head of the pack in the autonomous ride-hailing market. Google Quantum AI is in the thick of the race to develop powerful quantum computers. Alphabet's Verily is using technology to improve healthcare. Its Calico unit is at the forefront of expanding human longevity. </p>
<p>To be sure, Alphabet isn't nearly as cheap as most of the other stocks Berkshire bought in Q1. But from a future-oriented standpoint, I think it's clearly the best of the bunch.</p><div id="article_pitch_container"></div><div id="promobox_container"></div>

GOOG

GOOGL

BRK.B

BRK.A

LEN.B

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<p>Berkshire Hathaway, under new CEO Greg Abel, purchased seven stocks in Q1 2026, including a significant 204% increase in its stake in Alphabet and a new position in Delta Air Lines valued at $2.6 billion. The company also expanded its holdings in The New York Times and Lennar. Despite Buffett's reduced role, he remains influential in investment decisions. Alphabet is highlighted as the standout investment due to its leadership in AI and cloud services.</p>

- Berkshire Hathaway's recent 13F filing revealed seven stock purchases made under new CEO Greg Abel in Q1 2026, including significant increases in stakes in Alphabet and The New York Times Company.  
- Delta Air Lines emerged as the largest new holding with a $2.6 billion investment, while Berkshire's investment strategy seems influenced by Buffett, focusing on attractive valuations and long-term prospects.  
- Among the purchases, Alphabet is highlighted as the most promising, benefiting from trends in AI and technology, despite not being the cheapest option.

Motley Fool

Alphabet - C

Alphabet

Berkshire Hathaway B

Berkshire Hathaway

Lennar-B Shares

New York Times

Lennar

Delta Air Lines

Roundhill GOOGL WeeklyPay ETF

Global X Cloud Computing ETF

Macys

Berkshire Hathaway Bought 7 Stocks in Its First Quarter Without Warren Buffett as CEO: Here's the Best of the Bunch.