HP Surges to A Record 14.8 Percent on Buffett's Disclosure of A $4.2 Billion Investment

HP shares finished at $40.06, up $5.15, or 14.8 percent, from an earlier high of $41.46.

Stock prices often jump when Berkshire reveals new investments, which is seen as a seal of approval from Buffett.

Berkshire does not invest in technological businesses on a regular basis, despite holding a $161.2 billion position in Apple Inc. at the end of 2021. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Buffett views Apple as a more consumer-oriented firm.

"Berkshire Hathaway is a globally renowned investor, and we are pleased to welcome them as an investor," HP stated in a statement.

HP, which was spun out from the previous Hewlett-Packard in 2015, is benefitting from growing demand as more individuals work and educate themselves from home.

The Palo Alto, California-based corporation agreed to acquire Poly, formerly known as Plantronics (NYSE:POLY), for $1.7 billion last month.

Buffett has struggled to invest Berkshire Hathaway's capital, which reached $146.7 billion at the conclusion of the fiscal year, citing high valuations and competition from private equity and other investors.

However, the Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate said last month that it had committed nearly $22 billion to significant new investments.

These acquisitions include a 14.6 percent interest in Occidental Petroleum Corp (NYSE:OXY) and a $11.6 billion acquisition of insurer Alleghany (NYSE:Y) Corp, Berkshire's biggest since 2016.

Additionally, Berkshire owns a number of enterprises, including Geico car insurance and the BNSF railroad.

It did not reply to demands for comment immediately.

HP may appeal to Berkshire, according to Morningstar analyst Mark Cash, because the company is aggressively returning capital to shareholders through stock buybacks and increased dividends.

"HP plays in areas where (durably) accelerating growth is difficult, so concentrating on margins and returns is the best approach to reward shareholders," Cash said. "Within technology, HP is a bargain play."

In 2021, Berkshire Hathaway repurchased $27 billion of its own shares.