Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is preparing to significantly reduce its long-held position in internet infrastructure giant VeriSign, planning to sell nearly one-third of its shares in the company. The move, which could bring Berkshire’s ownership below the 10% threshold, signals both financial timing and regulatory calculus.
A Long-Term Bet Nears a Transition
Berkshire has been invested in VeriSign since 2012, accumulating a stake that amounted to roughly 14.2% of the company as of Q1 2025. That position, totaling 13.29 million shares, was valued at just over $4 billion based on recent trading prices.
Now, Berkshire is expected to offload 4.3 million shares, reducing its ownership to 9.6%. The remaining shares could also be partially liquidated — the filing indicates that up to an additional 515,000 shares may be sold if market demand warrants it.
Why Now?
The move brings Berkshire’s holdings under the 10% level — a regulatory milestone in U.S. markets that often triggers disclosure and compliance requirements under SEC rules. While Berkshire has not publicly commented, the decision could be partly driven by a desire to avoid ongoing regulatory obligations attached to large-scale shareholding.
Notably, VeriSign will not receive any proceeds from the sale, as the shares are being sold by Berkshire affiliates. The offering is being underwritten by JPMorgan Securities, with a pricing range reportedly between $285 to $290 per share.
Market Reaction
The news caused a minor ripple in VeriSign’s stock. In after-hours trading, the share price dipped approximately 6%, reflecting investor response to the impending share dilution, albeit secondary in nature.
Strategic Take
For Berkshire Hathaway, this appears less like an exit and more like a tactical realignment — capturing value from a multi-year investment while optimizing regulatory positioning. Since its initial purchase, VeriSign’s stock has increased more than sixfold, turning this into a highly profitable cycle for the Omaha-based conglomerate.
With a portion of shares now under a one-year lockup, Berkshire retains a meaningful seat at the table, even as it reduces its exposure.
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