We all quote the Oracle of Omaha, but the widely shared image of Warren Buffett as the unwavering "my favorite holding time is forever" investor is largely a myth. While the legend grows, the truth is that his publicly traded stock portfolio sees a fair amount of turnover, contrary to what most people want to admit.
We'll look at the notable exceptions, such as American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), and explain why the "hold forever" category is actually reserved for wholly owned businesses, not the entire portfolio. Keep the reality of his trades in mind if you're one of the many investors trying to follow his every move.
Where to invest $1,000 right now
When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor’s total average return is 981%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500.
They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor.
See the stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of November 17, 2025
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Daily Stock News has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
