Buffett is known for his long-term investment philosophies and willingness to hold winning stocks, even if they become significant portions of his portfolio. Just four winning stocks make up 57% of Berkshire Hathaway's $277 billion stock portfolio. Here they are, and why they are still excellent buy-and-hold candidates for any long-term investor.

In the latest installment of this much-anticipated event, the Oracle of Omaha said positive things about Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), a company whose shares his conglomerate has owned for a while.

Warren Buffett consistently recommends S&P 500 index funds for average investors despite his own success as a stock picker. Learn why the Oracle of Omaha believes low-cost index funds are the smartest choice for most people seeking long-term wealth growth.