Warren Buffett Made This Shocking Call on Canada

Buffett just exited his entire position in Restaurant Brands International. Does this mean he is expecting an extreme market crash?

| More on:
close-up photo of investor Warren Buffett

Image source: The Motley Fool

Warren Buffett is famous for making some of the most surprising moves on the stock market. However, his brilliance in understanding the market and investor behaviour has allowed him to become one of the most successful stock market investors in history. He has garnered a strong following of investors who want to match his investment decisions with his success.

When Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway sells banking stocks, investors will avoid investing in financial institutions. When they see him investing in energy companies, they will increase their positions.

With most of the investment decisions Buffett makes, his motivations are understandable. He can determine the health of the companies, imbalances in their operations, and their possible improvement or deterioration to make well-informed moves. However, one transaction has left investors confused. Buffett has lost his appetite for half of the Canadian stocks he owns.

Let’s take a look at his decision to entirely exit his position from Restaurant Brands International (TSX:QSR)(NYSE:QSR) and what it could mean.

Restaurant giant and COVID-19

The global pandemic decimated businesses worldwide with lockdowns and closures. One of the worst-hit sectors was the restaurant industry. COVID-19 ravaged RBI, as it sunk more than 50% in a month to trade for $46.09 per share in its March 2020 bottom. Restaurant Brands has some of the biggest fast-food chains under its belt. Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and Tim Hortons had to shut down all their locations to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

RBI’s locations have gradually reopened. Drive-thru and takeout operations resumed and managed to offset the significant loss for the company. It achieved almost 90% of its pre-pandemic sales in a matter of months. At writing, the stock is trading for $72.72 per share, and it has recovered almost 80% from its March low.

RBI managed to hold its ground pretty well in the face of adversity if you consider all the circumstances. However, on August 14, 2020, Buffett’s stock portfolio came out. According to Berkshire’s filing with the SEC, it sold all its holdings in RBI on June 30, 2020.

Does this spell bad news?

Warren Buffett is famous for making companies spiral down when he sells his shares in a stock. However, RBI has been more fortunate than most. The news about Buffett’s exit from RBI did not result in a sell-off frenzy for RBI, and it is relatively stable. Not everybody agreed with Buffett’s move. Pershing Square Capital CEO Bill Ackman exited his positions in Buffett’s company and increased his shares in RBI.

Foolish takeaway

Besides dumping the Restaurant Brands International stock, Buffett also sold his shares on Goldman Sachs and all of his Occidental Petroleum shares. Buffett seems to be clearing out his portfolio of companies that saw some of the worst effects of the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Buffett selling RBI did not make sense, since the company has made a remarkable recovery with the reopening of economies. However, Buffett’s repositioning at this time suggests that he expects another market crash, and he is just preparing for a crash he believes will come soon.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool recommends RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC and recommends the following options: short September 2020 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), long January 2021 $200 calls on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), and short January 2021 $200 puts on Berkshire Hathaway (B shares).

More on Dividend Stocks

Make a choice, path to success, sign
Dividend Stocks

Is Fortis Stock a Buy for its Dividend Yield?

Fortis has increased the dividend for 51 consecutive years.

Read more »

Middle aged man drinks coffee
Dividend Stocks

Is Brookfield Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

BAM stock recently jumped after beating earnings. But is it still a buy, or is it better to wait?

Read more »

Electricity transmission towers with orange glowing wires against night sky
Dividend Stocks

3 Top Canadian Utility Stocks to Buy in November

Are you looking for some top Canadian utility stocks to own? Here's a look at three must-have options for any…

Read more »

View of high rise corporate buildings in the financial district of Toronto, Canada
Dividend Stocks

Is First Capital REIT a Buy for its 4.8% Yield?

First Capital is a REIT that offers you a tasty dividend yield of 4.8%. Is this TSX dividend stock a…

Read more »

TFSA (Tax free savings account) acronym on wooden cubes on the background of stacks of coins
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Passive Income: 3 Stocks to Buy and Never Sell

Stocks like Fortis Inc (TSX:FTS) are worth holding long term.

Read more »

Electricity transmission towers with orange glowing wires against night sky
Dividend Stocks

Canadian Utility Stocks to Buy Now for Stable Returns

Given their regulated business, falling interest rates, and healthy growth prospects, these three Canadian utility stocks are ideal for earning…

Read more »

nuclear power plant
Dividend Stocks

The Best Canadian Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever in a TFSA

TFSA investors can buy and hold these Canadian stocks to generate above-average, tax-free returns over the next decade.

Read more »

Person holding a smartphone with a stock chart on screen
Dividend Stocks

Is Telus Stock a Buy for its 7.3% Dividend Yield?

Although the 7.3% dividend yield Telus offers is attractive, it's just one of many reasons why the telecom stock is…

Read more »