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Opinion
Tara Lachapelle

When Warren Buffett Sours on Goldman Sachs, Time to Worry

The investing guru says don't bet against America, but his actions selling airlines and most of his Goldman stake suggest it's best to hedge your bets.

The Oracle of Omaha isn’t bullish on Goldman, or much of anything.

The Oracle of Omaha isn’t bullish on Goldman, or much of anything.

Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Just as some U.S. states begin to reopen and try to mend the virus-stricken economy, Warren Buffett delivered a harsh reminder that things may be anything but normal for a long time.

The crisis has spooked America’s forever optimist so much so that he’s fled the airline industry entirely, and now even certain automobile and banking stocks, according to a regulatory filing Friday detailing Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s investing moves for the first quarter. This included dumping 84% of Berkshire’s stake in Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and reducing its JPMorgan Chase & Co. position by 3%. Buffett, 89, said proudly just two weeks ago that he thinks “nothing can stop America,” but it’s getting harder to believe him.