Warren Buffett has made nearly $12 billion this year — even as a selloff erased trillions of dollars of value from global equities. He is also the only individual among the top 15 richest people in the world who remain in the green despite the US tariff led stock market crash.
As per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Buffett has seen his net worth climb $11.9 billion this year and now ranks at number four on the list. His net worth is currently at $154 billion — reaching its highest level in 5 years on the same day that Donald Trump announced a barrage of tariffs. The Nebraska-based investor has since seen his fortune decline by $14.5 billion.
US President Donald Trump sent global markets careening last week after announcing sweeping ‘reciprocal tariffs’ against nearly all imports from more than 180 countries. The world’s 500 richest people had subsequently lost more than $500 billion in the two trading sessions that followed. Close Trump ally Elon Musk continues to lead the rout with a loss of $143 billion so far this year.
Buffett had quietly built his ‘fortress’ in 2024 while markets soared to record highs — with his company Berkshire Hathaway doubling its cash reserves to an unprecedented $334 billion. During the same year he also sold 67% of his Apple holdings and reduced his Bank of America stake by 34%.
His caution paid off in spades this month as global markets raced towards pandemic-level lows and the top 10 wealthiest people in the world reported a collective loss of $400 billion for 2025. Buffett had also increased his stakes in the five largest trading conglomerates of Japan (to nearly 10% each) during this time. These diversified businesses operate across energy, metals, food production, and logistics and have been largely insulated from the ongoing US-China trade tensions.