In a series of events that now seem almost prophetic, two of the most influential figures in finance—Jamie Dimon and Warren Buffett—made moves earlier this year that many now view as early warnings of the market turmoil that would follow.
On February 20th, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon sold 866,361 shares of $JPM stock, totaling $234 million at around $269.83 per share. Just two days later, on February 22nd, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a record-breaking $334 billion in cash reserves. These two events, seemingly independent at the time, now appear strikingly coordinated in hindsight.
Fast-forward 30 trading days and the Nasdaq 100 has crashed by a staggering -24%. JPMorgan’s stock, $JPM, has plunged more than -25%, marking its sharpest drop since 2022. This isn't the first time Dimon's timing has been spot-on. Back in May 2020, amid the pandemic selloff, he publicly stated that $JPM was "very valuable" on CNBC. Within just three weeks, the stock soared by +41%. Dimon has also accurately timed market tops, including early exits during the initial U.S.-China trade war.
The February 2025 sale marks the second major "Dimon Pivot" of the 2020s—and it came just before one of the sharpest market declines in recent memory. Dimon’s trades have become something of a leading indicator for Wall Street watchers, and this latest move only adds to that legacy.
Meanwhile, Warren Buffett’s actions were equally telling. Between Q1 and Q4 of 2024, Berkshire Hathaway’s cash reserves ballooned by $145.2 billion, bringing the total to $334 billion. This was despite a market filled with “opportunities” in the eyes of many investors. But Buffett remained cautious. When asked why he was holding so much cash, he responded: “Often, nothing looks compelling; very infrequently we find ourselves knee-deep in opportunities.”
That statement carried more weight than many realized. Buffett was subtly signaling that the market, including many beloved tech giants, appeared dangerously overvalued.
And he was right.
Since those moves, every member of the “Magnificent 7” has dropped at least -25% from its all-time highs. Nvidia, which briefly held the title of the world’s most valuable company, has shed over -40% of its market value. On April 4th, hedge funds dumped $40 billion in stocks—the largest single-day selling spree since 2010.
The pain didn’t stop there. The 500 wealthiest individuals lost a combined -$536 billion in net worth over just two days, April 3rd and 4th—surpassing even the darkest days of the March 2020 crash by $83 billion.
Yet, in the midst of all this, Warren Buffett’s fortune has actually grown. Since January 1st, Buffett has gained $12.7 billion, bringing his net worth to $155 billion. He’s now the only member of the top 10 wealthiest people who hasn’t seen a decline in 2025.
Berkshire Hathaway stock, $BRK.B, is up +9.4% year-to-date. While the rest of the market was blind-sided, Buffett was sitting on the sidelines, patiently waiting for opportunities—true to his mantra: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”
And now, with market sentiment at its lowest point since the March 2020 pandemic crash—sliding from a “Greed” rating of 75 to “Extreme Fear” at just 4—it may not be long before Buffett begins to put that massive cash pile to work.
One thing is clear: When Buffett and Dimon act, the market should listen.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed are based on publicly available data and personal interpretation. Readers are advised to conduct their own research or consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Investing in the stock market involves risk, including the loss of principal.
