One of Berkshire's smaller positions (less than one-tenth of 1% of the overall portfolio) is the investment bank Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE: JEF). Berkshire owns roughly 433,500 shares. Jefferies recently reported earnings that came up short of analyst estimates.

Buffett doesn't mind sharing his investment philosophy, and comments regularly about his commitment to quality companies over the long term and his general belief in these companies -- through both bull markets and bear markets.

Berkshire Hathaway has previously used yen-denominated bond sales to fund investments in the Japanese stock market

Warren Buffett's stock picks may be anything but flashy, but that's kind of the point. Given enough time, value performs. And in the case of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, it often outperforms. You'd be wise to borrow some of his ideas whenever possible.

Berkshire Hathaway's growing cash position is sending a clear message about what Warren Buffett thinks of stocks right now.

Warren Buffett's yen bond sale suggests he may be raising money to invest in Japanese financial firms and shipping companies. His previous investments in Japan were financed through yen bonds.