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Buffett, known for his ethical investing stance since the early 1990s, notably intervened at Salomon Brothers and later testified before Congress to advocate for stringent ethical standards in finance. Despite this reputation and his philanthropic efforts, including pledging most of his fortune to charity and supporting higher taxes on the wealthy, Buffett’s trading activities have now come into question.
The leaked documents reveal that from 2000 to 2019, Buffett engaged in personal stock transactions that paralleled or anticipated moves made by Berkshire Hathaway. These included at least $466 million in stock sales, with more extensive activities in bonds. One particular instance occurred on April 20, 2009, when Buffett praised Wells Fargo during an interview with Fortune amid financial instability. By April 24th of the same week, following a rise in the bank’s stock price potentially influenced by his comments, Buffett sold $20 million worth of Wells Fargo shares from his personal portfolio.
Further instances of potential conflicts include Buffett’s October 2012 sale of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) stock, which preceded further sales by Berkshire Hathaway. Additionally, in August 2009, Buffett sold Walmart (NYSE:WMT) shares even as Berkshire was increasing its stake in the retail giant. This move particularly casts doubt on Buffett’s adherence to internal insider trading regulations and invites comparisons to the David Sokol scandal at Berkshire Hathaway, which involved concerns over compliance with established ethical guidelines.
These revelations have sparked a debate about the responsibilities of high-profile investors and their influence on the markets. They also highlight the complexities of managing personal investments alongside those of a large investment company like Berkshire Hathaway. As this story unfolds, it may prompt a reevaluation of how investors like Buffett navigate the intersection of personal and corporate interests while maintaining ethical investment practices.
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