April 11 (Reuters) – Warren Buffett known as geopolitical tensions “a consideration” in Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s (BRKa.N) determination to promote most of its stake in Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC (2330.TW) only a few months after shopping for it, Nikkei reported on Tuesday.
Berkshire had purchased greater than $4.1 billion of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s shares between July and September 2022, however in February mentioned it had offered 86% of its stake by year-end.
The scale of the funding instructed that Buffett, relatively than one in all his Berkshire portfolio managers, had purchased the shares for Berkshire, and the sale was sudden given the billionaire’s choice to take a position for the long-term.
In an interview with Nikkei, Buffett described TSMC as a well-managed firm, however mentioned Berkshire had higher locations to deploy capital.
Buffett was in Japan to fulfill with 5 Japanese buying and selling homes by which Berkshire invests.
China claims Taiwan as its personal, a declare Taiwan rejects. Tensions over the democratically ruled island have been rising, notably when Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met with U.S. Home of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy final week.
Berkshire owns a number of dozen companies together with the BNSF railroad and Geico automotive insurance coverage. It additionally invests in dozens of shares, together with iPhone maker Apple Inc (AAPL.O), which Buffett views extra as a shopper firm than a expertise firm.
Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; enhancing by Jonathan Oatis
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