Warren Buffett is a legend in investing circles, mostly for his highly successful strategy of buying and holding stocks. However, although he purchases huge numbers of stocks, it is probably a mistake to say that he is a stock trader. The Sage of Omaha does not buy stocks looking for short-term returns or technical moves – he’s actually buying businesses that are well run and have significant growth potential. In other words, he invests in businesses, not in stocks. This is the secret behind the success of Berkshire Hathaway – Buffett knows how to recognize a good business and become a partner with it for the long run.

Does Buffett ever trade, rather than acquire?

From time to time, Buffett has made changes in his portfolio – including divesting assets such as Union Pacific when he no longer felt that the value was there. However, for the most part, no one has ever accused Buffett of speculative trading – he has the reputation of being the ultimate value investor.
Except, perhaps, when it comes to currencies.

Buffett and the foreign currency market

Back in 2002, Buffett did something he never did before – he started to take positions in the foreign currency market. This was because he became increasingly concerned about the growing trade deficit in the United States. He was aware of the issue before hand, but by 2002 felt that global appetite for continued US trade deficits was starting to falter badly.

Buffett grew the positions that he took in 2002 further in 2003 as his view of the US dollar became increasingly bearish. In fact, the dollar did start to slide at the end of 2002, leaving Berkshire Hathaway in the relatively enviable position of owning about $12 billion of foreign currency contracts, spread across a number of different currencies. At the same time, Buffett also held about $1 billion in euro-denominated bonds with high yields.

So, despite having built his empire based on buying into high-value, well-run businesses, the Sage of Omaha has shown that he is definitely not above betting on currencies to hedge risk and drive profits. Clearly, this is a lesson that we can all benefit from – Buffett did not become one of the richest men in the world by ignoring opportunities or failing to manage downside. In fact, Buffett’s moves in the currency markets clearly show that trading – not investing – in the currency market is a perfectly valid strategy, even for hard-core value investors.


Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD consolidates around 1.0900, bullish bias remains ahead of key US data

EUR/USD consolidates around 1.0900, bullish bias remains ahead of key US data

The EUR/USD pair is seen consolidating its strong gains registered over the past two days and oscillating in a narrow band during the Asian session on Tuesday. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.1900 mark, just below an over one-week high touched the previous day.

GBP/USD tilts bullish as markets barrel toward mid-week NFP print

GBP/USD tilts bullish as markets barrel toward mid-week NFP print

GBP/USD is holding a broader bullish structure on the daily chart, with price trading well above the 50 Exponential Moving Average at 1.3507 and the 200 EMA at 1.3310, confirming the intermediate uptrend that has been in place since the November 2025 low near 1.2300. 

USD/JPY drops toward 155.00 as focus shifts to US data

USD/JPY drops toward 155.00 as focus shifts to US data

USD/JPY meets fresh supply and inches closer toward 155.00 in the Asian session on Tuesday. The Japanese Yen holds the upper hand over the US Dollar after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi led the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to a historic landslide win and on intervention talks. Traders brace for key US economic data that could offer more clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.


Editors’ Picks

AUD/USD consolidates below 0.7100 on broad US Dollar weakness

AUD/USD consolidates below 0.7100 on broad US Dollar weakness

AUD/USD is consolidating below three-year highs of 0.7099 after a strong break above the 0.7000 psychological level for the first time since February 2023, supported by the Reserve Bank of Australia's hawkish monetary policy stance and broad-based US Dollar weakness. 

USD/JPY drops toward 155.00 as focus shifts to US data

USD/JPY drops toward 155.00 as focus shifts to US data

USD/JPY meets fresh supply and inches closer toward 155.00 in the Asian session on Tuesday. The Japanese Yen holds the upper hand over the US Dollar after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi led the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to a historic landslide win and on intervention talks. Traders brace for key US economic data that could offer more clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.

Gold: Will US Retail Sales data propel it above $5,100?

Gold: Will US Retail Sales data propel it above $5,100?

Gold hovers below weekly highs of $5,087 early Tuesday, await US Retail Sales data. The US Dollar enters a downside consolidation phase amid persistent Japanese Yen strength and worsening labor market. Gold settled Monday above $5,000, now looks to take out $5,100 amid bullish daily RSI.

Top Crypto Gainers: World Liberty Financial, MemeCore and Quant gain momentum

Top Crypto Gainers: World Liberty Financial, MemeCore and Quant gain momentum

World Liberty Financial, MemeCore, and Quant are leading gains over the last 24 hours as the broader cryptocurrency market stabilizes after last week’s correction. Still, the technical outlook for altcoins remains mixed due to prevailing downside pressure and vulnerable market sentiment. 

The market is buying everything again but is it dancing on a borrowed floor

The market is buying everything again but is it dancing on a borrowed floor

The market has a short memory and a fast trigger finger. Last week’s liquidation barely cooled before risk came roaring back, pushing the S&P toward record territory and reinstalling Big Tech as the engine of choice. This is not discovery. It is re exposure.

RECOMMENDED LESSONS

5 Forex News Events You Need To Know

In the fast moving world of currency markets where huge moves can seemingly come from nowhere, it is extremely important for new traders to learn about the various economic indicators and forex news events and releases that shape the markets. Indeed, quickly getting a handle on which data to look out for, what it means, and how to trade it can see new traders quickly become far more profitable and sets up the road to long term success.

Top 10 Chart Patterns Every Trader Should Know

Chart patterns are one of the most effective trading tools for a trader. They are pure price-action, and form on the basis of underlying buying and selling pressure. Chart patterns have a proven track-record, and traders use them to identify continuation or reversal signals, to open positions and identify price targets.

7 Ways to Avoid Forex Scams

The forex industry is recently seeing more and more scams. Here are 7 ways to avoid losing your money in such scams: Forex scams are becoming frequent. Michael Greenberg reports on luxurious expenses, including a submarine bought from the money taken from forex traders. Here’s another report of a forex fraud. So, how can we avoid falling in such forex scams?

What Are the 10 Fatal Mistakes Traders Make

Trading is exciting. Trading is hard. Trading is extremely hard. Some say that it takes more than 10,000 hours to master. Others believe that trading is the way to quick riches. They might be both wrong. What is important to know that no matter how experienced you are, mistakes will be part of the trading process.

Strategy

Money Management

Psychology

Best Brokers of 2025