Key Takeaways
- Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) reported a 4% year-over-year decline in operating profit for Q2 2025 and took a significant $3.76 billion impairment on its investment in Kraft Heinz (KHC).
- Amphenol (APH) is set to acquire CommScope's (COMM) broadband unit for approximately $10.5 billion, marking its largest acquisition to date and a major consolidation in the telecom infrastructure sector.
- Palantir (PLTR) secured a substantial $10 billion contract from the US Army, solidifying its role in military data integration and AI-powered analytics for the next decade.
- Switzerland is in urgent talks to reduce a newly imposed 39% US tariff, described as "absurd" by Swiss authorities, with the levy set to take effect on August 7.
- KazMunayGaz successfully completed its first-ever export of 85,000 tonnes of oil from Kazakhstan to Hungary via Croatia, signaling new energy routes.
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) saw its operating profit fall by 4% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2025. This decline was accompanied by a $3.76 billion impairment charge related to its investment in Kraft Heinz (KHC). The conglomerate's net earnings attributable to shareholders also significantly decreased to $12.37 billion from $30.35 billion in the same period last year, primarily due to reduced investment gains. This financial update comes as Warren Buffett nears the end of his 63-year tenure as CEO, prompting questions about the company's strategic direction under new leadership.
In corporate dealmaking, Amphenol (APH) is on the verge of acquiring CommScope's (COMM) broadband connectivity and cable unit for an estimated $10.5 billion, including debt. This potential acquisition, which could be finalized as early as Monday, represents Amphenol's largest deal to date and aims to capitalize on increasing demand for data centers and high-speed data transmission. CommScope is reportedly divesting the unit, its largest division by sales and operating income, as part of efforts to reduce its substantial debt load.
Palantir (PLTR) has been awarded a significant $10 billion contract by the US Army. This 10-year enterprise agreement consolidates 75 existing contracts and is designed to enhance the Army's capabilities in data integration, analytics, and AI-powered warfare. The deal underscores Palantir's growing importance as a major data processor for the military and is expected to streamline procurement processes and achieve cost efficiencies.
On the international trade front, Swiss authorities are engaged in urgent discussions to mitigate a 39% tariff imposed by the US, which is scheduled to take effect on August 7. Swiss President and Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has convened an emergency meeting to address the "absurd" tariff, which is the highest among industrial nations and could significantly impact key Swiss industries like manufacturing and watchmaking. The Swiss government expressed regret over the unilateral imposition of duties despite progress in bilateral talks.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's state-owned oil and gas company, KazMunayGaz, has successfully exported 85,000 tonnes of oil to Hungary for the first time, utilizing a route through Croatia. This development signals a diversification of energy export routes for Kazakhstan, which is a major oil exporter, with nearly 70% of its oil destined for the European Union. The Adria pipeline, running from Croatia to Hungary, facilitates this new trade pathway.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.