Berkshire Raised Its Delta Air Lines Stake 44% to $5.4 Billion. Here’s Where the Stock Could Go

Berkshire Hathaway, under CEO Greg Abel, increased investments in homebuilders Lennar and D.R. Horton, and acquired Taylor Morrison for $6.8 billion, signaling a bet on a housing market recovery. The company also adjusted stakes in Delta Air Lines, Alphabet, and Macy's, while reducing cash reserves by $31.9 billion. Berkshire's existing housing-related businesses include Clayton Homes and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

CNBC's 'Final Trades' featured picks from analysts, including Delta Air Lines (DAL) for its strong Q2 earnings, Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) for its raised FY2026 guidance, and Target (TGT) for its better-than-expected Q2 results. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) was also mentioned for its new Latin America funding solution. DAL +1.4%, TMO -0.1%, TGT -3.8%, IBKR +5.5%.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) shifted to net stock buying in Q2 2026, contrasting Warren Buffett's cash-hoarding stance. Under Greg Abel, it bought Alphabet ($17B), Delta ($1.64B), Lennar ($273M), and Macy's ($101M), while selling Bank of America ($1.7B) and others. Buffett still views the market as overvalued, per a May CNBC interview.

Berkshire Hathaway's Greg Abel increased his stake in Delta Air Lines by 44% to 57 million shares, worth $5.4 billion, in Q2 2026. Delta's revenue now includes 61% from premium, loyalty, and Amex streams, differing from Warren Buffett's past critiques of the airline industry. Delta's stock has risen 44% over the past year, with a forward P/E of 13 and an analyst target of $105.31.

Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico won a legal appeal against a US DOT order to end their joint venture. The court ruled the DOT's decision arbitrary, citing a narrow focus on Mexico City airport. The partnership allows coordination on routes, pricing, and revenue sharing. Delta owns a 20% stake in Aeromexico. The DOT had sought to end the agreement due to alleged competition distortions by Mexican policies.

Raymond James analyst Savanthi Syth cut earnings estimates for airlines due to surging jet-fuel prices, with US Gulf Coast prices up 39% quarter-to-date. She warned of a potential bankruptcy risk for JetBlue, while upgrading Allegiant (ALGT) to Strong Buy. Estimates for American Airlines (AAL) and Delta (DAL) were also revised downward.