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A monopolist by any other name.

Berkshire-Hathaway's largest holdings:

Apple (AAPL) is Berkshire's largest holding, worth around $135 billion, comprising over 40% of the portfolio.

Bank of America (BAC) is the second-largest holding at $39 billion, about 12% of the portfolio.

American Express (AXP) is the third-largest at $34.5 billion, around 10% of the portfolio.

Other major holdings include Coca-Cola (KO) at $24.5 billion, Chevron (CVX) at $19.4 billion, and Occidental Petroleum (OXY) at $16.1 billion.

None of these companies are monopolies (though oil refining might be an oligopoly), and Buffett doesn't have a controlling stake in any of them. His $39 billion in Bank of America is small potatoes to a company of that size, enough for a seat at the table, but nothing more. Buffett looks to be mainly interested in making money, not controlling markets. Unfortunately, instead of spending his wealth on personal luxury or enriching his offspring, he will bequeath it all to evil organizations.

A bad guy, overall, but neither a monopolist nor a Robber Baron.

Is that right out of his annual report? Through surrogates Buffet basically cornered the local newspaper industry in the 90's and I think I read he was planning to do so in radio as well though I don't pay attention any longer. In fact that only reason I know that much is that did some work for a newspaper heiress who told me the story.

You may conclude that it's just a story or, that even if it's true, it's not meaningful. I conclude that it is very meaningful, a modus operandi. I suspect he dominates and or colludes in insurance as well. Nope, can't prove it -- you see, by the time a trader can prove a hunch, the trade is gone. I've learned to trust my instincts.