One thing is for sure: Wells Fargo's (WFC +0.46%) product isn't nearly as tasty as Coca-Cola's (KO +0.04%). As far as the stocks go, however, Wells now has the edge on Coke when it comes to the Warren-Buffet-led portfolio at Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) (NYSE: BRK-B).
Over the past couple of weeks, Wells Fargo has wrestled that spot away from the longtime champ. How did it happen? Part of it was Wells Fargo's stock outperforming Coke's -- particularly since late last year.
But that's not all. Buffett didn't touch his Coke investment last year. On a split-adjusted basis, it was at 400 million shares at the end of 2011. At the end of 2012, it was still at 400 million. Berkshire's Wells Fargo share holdings, on the other hand, increased almost 15% during 2012. At Wells' average 2012 stock price, that's an additional commitment of $1.8 billion.
Buffett's love of Wells Fargo is one of those things that's hidden in plain sight, if you want to say it's hidden at all. But for the Buffett tea-leaf readers wondering where the Oracle sees value and opportunity today... well, I think we have at least one clear answer.
