Key Takeaways
- Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) remained a net seller of stocks for the 13th consecutive quarter, slashing its Amazon (AMZN) stake by 77% during Warren Buffett’s final months as CEO.
- The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the administration’s global tariffs in a landmark 6-3 ruling, invalidating billions in levies but prompting an immediate 10% replacement tariff via executive order.
- UK youth unemployment hit a 10-year high of 16.1% in Q4 2025, as rising minimum wages and payroll taxes reportedly cooled entry-level hiring.
- Apollo Global Management (APO) CEO Marc Rowan declared an end to Japan’s "lost decades," citing a structural "reawakening" in Japanese capital markets and corporate investment.
- Geopolitical tensions escalated as Hezbollah confirmed the death of eight members, including a senior commander, following Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa region.
Berkshire’s Final Buffett Quarter Defined by Tech Divestment
In his final act as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), Warren Buffett continued a multi-year trend of paring back equity exposure. Regulatory filings reveal that the conglomerate was a net seller of stocks in Q4 2025, notably reducing its position in Amazon (AMZN) by 77% and continuing to trim its massive stake in Apple (AAPL).
Despite the broad retreat, Buffett made a significant $352 million entry into The New York Times Co. (NYT), acquiring over 5 million shares. The firm also increased its stake in Domino's Pizza (DPZ) for the sixth straight quarter, signaling a preference for brand-heavy consumer staples over high-growth technology as the "Oracle of Omaha" transitioned to a Chairman-only role.
Supreme Court Upends Trade Policy
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major blow to the administration on Friday, ruling that the President lacks the authority to impose global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts emphasized that the power to tax imports resides exclusively with Congress, potentially opening the door for $133 billion in corporate refunds.
In a defiant response on Truth Social (DJT), the President labeled the justices "unpatriotic" and immediately signed a new executive order. This order imposes a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective February 24, in an attempt to bypass the court's specific legal objections.
Global Economic Strains: UK Jobs and Senegal Debt
The UK labor market is facing a deepening crisis as youth unemployment surged to 16.1% in the final quarter of 2025. Economists suggest that aggressive minimum wage hikes and increased National Insurance contributions have priced younger workers out of the market, with the jobless rate for those aged 16-24 now exceeding the Eurozone average.
In emerging markets, Senegal successfully raised $485 million to meet looming Eurobond payments, though investors showed a marked preference for short-term debt. While the auction averted an immediate default, concerns persist regarding the nation’s 132% debt-to-GDP ratio and the continued suspension of its $1.8 billion IMF program.
Corporate Shifts and Geopolitical Friction
The legal landscape for debt restructuring saw a major shift following the departure of a star partner from Kirkland & Ellis. The move has reportedly emboldened a primary rival, intensifying the competition for the high-margin, complex "liability management" deals that have become essential for private equity sponsors.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to grapple with internal instability as student-led anti-regime protests spread. Despite the unrest, Iranian President Pezeshkian maintained a firm stance against "unjust pressures," even as reports surfaced that U.S. officials have privately accepted Iran’s "red line" regarding continued uranium enrichment.
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.