Warren Buffett: Make Sure You Have Cash for a Potential Correction

Buffett is looking cautious. There’s no shame in maintaining some cash to buy stocks like Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) should valuations plummet.

money cash dividends

Image source: Getty Images

Warren Buffett doesn’t like to time the market. But if you pay attention, you can guess when he’s feeling bearish.

One of the best indicators is how much cash Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A)(NYSE:BRK.B) is holding. If it’s fully invested, Buffett’s likely feeling optimistic. If cash is piling up, danger may be ahead.

What is Berkshire’s cash balance telling us now?

Cash balances are hitting new records

Right now, Buffett seems to be very cautious about the market. Berkshire is piling up bigger cash balances than ever before.

“Investors are awaiting Buffett’s annual letter to shareholders for clues as to how the 90-year-old doyen of the investment world plans to use Berkshire’s roughly $146 billion cash pile,” reported the Financial Times.

This cash hoard has been generated through several sources, including organic profits and buyouts. But the biggest contributor has been asset sales, something investors don’t normally do unless they’re worried about valuation levels.

“Berkshire has cut holdings in several bank stocks, selling the remaining shares it held in JPMorgan Chase, PNC Financial Services and M&T Bank in the fourth quarter. The company also cut its position in Apple by 57.2m shares,” the Financial Times highlighted.

Buffett did buy some stocks — including Verizon and Chevron — but analysts stressed how these companies were largely considered safe havens. They’re the type of stocks you’d buy if you had too much cash but didn’t want to assume much risk.

“Both Verizon and Chevron are available with a considerable margin of safety — limited downside risk while producing considerable income and moderate appreciation potential,” explained one portfolio manager. “At worst, they’re a relatively safe parking place for more than $12 billion of Berkshire’s growing cash balance.”

Does Buffett think a crash is coming?

It’s not hard to read between the lines here. Buffett recently liquidated billions of dollars in stock, including some of his most valued positions.

Wells Fargo has consistently been one of his biggest positions, through thick and thin. He has defended the company during past market downturns,” I’d noted last year. Even so, Berkshire’s position was slashed by two-thirds.

I expect Buffett to be a major buyer if markets dip. What could he buy? Following his investments in tech firms like Amazon and Apple, it’s not hard to see him piling into Shopify (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP).

Shopify is one of those stocks that is perpetually expensive. Shares trade at 55 times sales. It’s proven worthy of that premium, however, with shares up 4,600% since 2015.

Shopify’s e-commerce platform is targeting one of the biggest markets in history: digital retail sales. Its runway for growth should persist for decades. Management is incredibly savvy, with a proven record of execution. The only thing that’s not perfect is the price.

Buffett recently admitted to being wrong about tech darlings like Amazon. I don’t expect him to make the same mistake again.

Could a crash be around the corner? No one knows for sure, but Buffett is looking cautious. There’s no shame in maintaining some cash to buy all-star stocks like Shopify should valuations plummet.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. David Gardner owns shares of Amazon and Apple. Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), Shopify, and Shopify. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications and recommends the following options: short January 2023 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), short March 2021 $225 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), long January 2022 $1920 calls on Amazon, short January 2022 $1940 calls on Amazon, and long January 2023 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). Fool contributor Ryan Vanzo has no position in any stocks mentioned.

More on Tech Stocks

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

Could Investing $20,000 in Nvidia Make You a Millionaire?

Nvidia stock has made investors millionaires in the last 10 years. Is it too late to invest to become a…

Read more »

Business man on stock market financial trade indicator background.
Tech Stocks

1 Growth Stock Down 50 Percent to Buy Right Now

There are plenty of growth stocks in the market worth considering, but Shopify (TSX:SHOP) looks like one of the best…

Read more »

Woman has an idea
Tech Stocks

Prediction: 1 Stock That Could Trounce the Market 

The TSX has been favouring tech stocks, but not this one. However, it has the potential to trounce the market…

Read more »

clock time
Tech Stocks

Long-Term Investing: 3 Top Canadian Stocks You Can Buy for Under $20 a Share

These three under-$20 stocks offer excellent buying opportunities for long-term investors.

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

AI Will Transform Everything: Investors, Be Early Adopters and Buy These 3 Stocks

Investors looking to invest in companies doing big things in AI should consider these three stocks for their portfolios.

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Tech Stocks

Forget Shopify: These Unstoppable Stocks Are Better Buys Today 

Should you consider buying Shopify stock while rivals consider a buyout or should you go for stocks with a stronger…

Read more »

A colourful firework display
Tech Stocks

2 Potentially Explosive Stocks to Buy in March

These two growth stocks are destined for many more years of market-crushing returns.

Read more »

edit CRA taxes
Tech Stocks

TFSA Millionaires Are Learning They Can Still Be Taxed

If you day trade stocks like Shopify (TSX:SHOP) in a TFSA, you may be taxed.

Read more »