You Won't Believe How Much Money Berkshire Hathaway Gets From Moody's Dividends

MrDecoder · 2026-03-14T21:55:29+00:00

Warren Buffett's affinity for dividend stocks is evident in Berkshire Hathaway's sizable investment in Moody's, yielding a modest 0.85%. Despite its smaller dividend yield, Berkshire's substantial returns from dividends and growth illustrate the long-term benefits of investing in reliable stocks.

MrDecoder

2026-03-14 21:55:29

Abstract generation in progress

Warren Buffett loves dividend stocks, and even though he’s no longer at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA 0.24%)(BRKB 0.38%), these investments remain a core group of its equity positions.

Many investors are familiar with Buffett’s admiration for his trio of favorite stocks: Coca-Cola, American Express, and Apple, but less so with some of his smaller positions, like Moody’s (MCO +0.83%). Moody’s stock makes up 3.6% of Berkshire’s whole portfolio, and it fits the Buffett schema for its dominant position in an industry that can withstand economic turbulence, as well as its dividend.

At the current stock price, Moody’s dividend yields only 0.85%, but investors should look at the bigger picture when considering dividend stocks. Features like reliability and growth are important for dividends, and you don’t have to look further than how much money Berkshire Hathaway makes from Moody’s dividends to see why.

Image source: Getty Images.

Berkshire Hathaway received shares of Moody’s stock in 2000 when it was spun off from Dun & Bradstreet. Although it originally had 48 million shares, it has sold off shares at different times and currently owns almost 25 million, worth about $11 billion. The cost basis for the position was $248 million, which means the investment itself has increased 4,400%. But Berkshire Hathaway has gained much more than that in annual dividends.

Expand

NYSE: MCO

Moody’s

Today’s Change

(0.83%) $3.54

Current Price

$430.01

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$76B

Day’s Range

$427.05 - $432.82

52wk Range

$378.71 - $546.88

Volume

1.3M

Avg Vol

1.3M

Gross Margin

68.14%

Dividend Yield

0.90%

Moody’s annual dividend right now is $4.12, and the cost basis per share is $10, making the yield on cost basis 41.2%. Berkshire Hathaway made $93 million in dividends from Moody’s stock in 2025, which means it makes back its entire investment in dividends every few years. As management continues to raise the dividend, the yield on the cost basis will increase, too.

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.