Sure thing, let’s give this a little New York flair.

If you’re into stocks and have a bit of cash to spare, you better pay attention. The number of Warren Buffett-approved picks is dwindling. You might wanna act now while you still can.

So, here’s what’s going on: Buffett, the legend himself, stepped down from his CEO gig at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.49%) (BRK.B 0.25%) late last year. Although he’s not picking stocks anymore, the ones in Berkshire’s portfolio were chosen by the man himself.

Amazon

Buffett’s not usually into tech stuff. They say it’s just too complex for his liking. But Amazon (AMZN 0.60%), well, that’s a different ballgame. Even though Berkshire’s stake is modest—10 million shares, equating to about $2.4 billion—it’s a solid chunk of one of the world’s most reliable consumer networks.

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners reveal that over 200 million Americans are Amazon Prime members. Globally, there are about 300 million regulars. Last year, Amazon raked in $530 billion in global sales, up 10% from the previous year. The trend seems likely to continue.

Current Price: $243.22 | Market Cap: $2.6T

Cloud computing props up 60% of Amazon’s profits and has seen an 18% rise year over year through early 2025. This has driven a 13% uptick in operating profits. For Buffett, it’s a standout. Simple, profitable, and well-managed—a classic Buffett match.

Constellation Brands

Onward to booze! Despite a dip in US alcohol consumption, Berkshire’s eyeing Constellation Brands (STZ 2.18%). This might raise an eyebrow with beer brands like Modelo and Corona under its belt. Berkshire’s been adding shares since 2024, even with declining sales. The thinking? Quality over quantity. People are sipping less, but they fancy the good stuff when they do.

It’s not just a shot in the dark. This dip is cyclical. History shows trends like these repeating, so there’s a good chance of a bounce back when economic conditions improve.

Occidental Petroleum

And then there’s Occidental Petroleum (OXY +0.63%). If you’ve got $3,000 burning a hole in your pocket, consider this stock. It’s one of Berkshire’s top holdings, with 264.9 million shares worth nearly $12 billion.

Current Price: $44.83 | Market Cap: $40B

While clean energy’s future is inevitable, Buffett knows oil’s not done yet. The International Energy Agency reports that peak oil usage won’t hit until 2050. So, there’s still cash to be made in oil—not exactly modern, but it’s good financial sense right now. Demand should hold steady, and when prices rise, so do profits.

In short, if you’re looking for a Buffett-backed stock, these three are worth your attention. Go ahead, dive in, and see how they fit into your investment puzzle.

The post Top Warren Buffett Picks to Consider Investing $3,000 In Today appeared first on Kingston Global Tokyo Japan.

Taking Stock: What’s Buzzing on Wall Street This Week

You know the deal, folks. The Big Apple financial world is gearing up for another whirlwind of a week, with Big Tech earnings, juicy U.S. jobs reports, and the ever-telling PCE inflation data set to be the talk of the town.

Market Movers and Shakers

You’d think with tech stocks soaring, we’d be cruising. But nah, last Friday had Wall Street dancing to a mixed tune. The Nasdaq Composite hit a new rally-infused record, even while the S&P 500 and the Dow couldn’t keep their six-week winning rhythm alive. The S&P dipped 1%, and Dow had a steeper fall, dropping 2.7%. All thanks to a rapid spike in yields as whispers of strong economic outlooks shattered those dreamy Fed rate cut hopes.

Stars of the Earnings Season

Investors are hanging on every word of earnings reports from five of the so-called ‘Magnificent Seven’ tech giants. Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Apple, and Amazon are all set to spill the beans. Meta Platforms is on deck to dish out its third-quarter earnings post the Wednesday bell. Everyone’s got eyes on the AI magic trick it’s been weaving across its digital kingdom. With Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp pulling the strings behind the curtain, there’s chatter about revenue riding a favorable 18% year-over-year wave. The stock shot up 7.4% last report; will it do the encore?

Meta Platforms at a Glance

Numbers reflect previous market data and should be checked for current accuracy.

The Other Side of the Coin: Intel’s Struggle

Meanwhile, Intel isn’t exactly painting a golden picture. The semiconductor heavyweight has had its share of stumbles trying to keep pace with nimble players like AMD and NVIDIA. Market watchers predict a harsh downturn with shares poised to potentially swing 7.9% either way after Thursday’s earnings reveal. With dwindling revenue forecasts and a sharp decline in PC demand nagging at its seams, the forthcoming report doesn’t promise roses.

Intel: What the Numbers Say

Stay updated with potential shifts in data post earnings announcements.

Mark Your Calendars

But don’t just take my word for it. The U.S. unemployment data drops this Friday, and economists predict a neat addition of 111,000 jobs. Consensus places the unemployment rate right at 4.1%. And yes, the PCE price index—beloved by the Fed—joins this week’s economic parade as well, adding its two cents on the inflation front.

Get in the Game or Sideline It

As always, whether you’re wielding novice ambitions or carrying the savvy of seasoned trading, staying ahead is the mantra. Dive into platforms like InvestingPro for a slice of the actionable pie. How’s that for actionable insights?

For those ready to run with the bulls or take cover from the bears, subscribe with the current 10% off deal and let AI-backed tools guide your stride in this fast-paced market jungle.

Disclosure: Yours truly is bullish on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 via the SPDR® S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF. And yep, I mix it up with the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE: XLK) too. Always touch base with your financial advisor—the views here are mine and not to be mistaken for investment advice.

Catch the latest beat: Follow Jesse Cohen on X/Twitter for stock market musings straight from the city that never sleeps.

Curious to see what unfolds? InvestingPro can keep you well-prepared for whatever Wall Street is cooking.

The post Stock Picks for the Week: Buy Meta Platforms, Sell Intel appeared first on Kingston Global Tokyo Japan.