Warren Buffett just made two bold moves, increasing stakes in Constellation Brands and Pool Corp amid 2025’s rocky first quarter. The Oracle of Omaha’s timing seems impeccable – his net worth jumped $16.4 billion while markets stumbled. He’s betting big on beer (recession-proof Corona and Modelo) and pools (stable home recreation), classic Buffett-style contrarian plays. With Berkshire’s cash pile at $334 billion, these strategic moves might signal where smart money’s heading next.
Warren Buffett is doubling down on beer and pools. The Oracle of Omaha just made a splash by markedly increasing Berkshire Hathaway‘s stakes in Constellation Brands and Pool Corp during a rocky first quarter of 2025. While other billionaires watched their fortunes sink, Buffett’s net worth grew by $16.4 billion. Timing, as they say, is everything.
While markets tumbled in early 2025, Buffett’s contrarian bets on beer and pools proved once again why timing matters.
The market was in correction territory, spooked by DeepSeek AI disruption and tariff uncertainties. But Buffett? He went shopping. Constellation Brands, the company behind Corona and Modelo beers, caught his eye. With a coveted five-star Morningstar rating, it’s no mystery why. The beer business, it turns out, is pretty recession-resistant. People drink when they’re happy, and they drink when they’re not. The company’s 3% expected sales growth over the next three years suggests steady performance ahead.
Pool Corp might seem like an odd choice. With a modest three-star Morningstar rating, it’s not exactly setting the investment world on fire. But Buffett’s team doubled down anyway, expanding their footprint in home recreation during the market downturn. Sometimes the best deals come when others are running for the exits. Like most blue-chip stocks, Pool Corp offers stability and reliability in uncertain times.
These moves aren’t isolated. Berkshire has been busy reinforcing other positions too – from Occidental Petroleum to Sirius XM. Even some questionably rated stocks like Domino’s Pizza and Verisign got more Buffett bucks thrown their way. The man clearly isn’t slaves to analyst ratings. Meanwhile, tech giant Elon Musk saw his fortune plummet over $139 billion in the same period.
What’s particularly striking is Berkshire’s massive $334 billion cash position – a record high. It’s like Buffett’s keeping his powder dry while taking strategic shots. The portfolio, now worth about $269 billion, remains heavily concentrated, with two-thirds of holdings in just five companies. Apple still leads the pack at $60.27 billion, followed by American Express at $38.24 billion.
No new positions were added this quarter. Instead, Buffett stuck to his tried-and-true strategy: buy more of what you know when others are fearful. In a market rattled by uncertainty, he’s betting bigger on beer and swimming pools. Sometimes the simplest plays are the smartest ones.
