Here's Why Berkshire Hathaway Shares Lost 21% in the First Half of 2020

On paper, it would appear the first half of 2020 set up nicely for Warren Buffett, the investor who famously said, "Be greedy when others are fearful, and fearful when others were greedy." Investors were certainly fearful in February and March as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, with the S&P 500 falling more than 30%.

But Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) mostly sat on the sidelines as the markets dropped, surprising investors. And questions about that inaction have lingered over the stock in the months since, causing Berkshire shares to miss out on the recent rally and leaving the stock down 21% in the first half of the year, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.