Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) saw its stock plummet 5.45% in pre-market trading on Monday, as the broader market sell-off intensified due to escalating trade war concerns. The sharp decline comes despite the company's relative outperformance last week, where it fared better than the S&P 500 during a brutal trading period.

The conglomerate, led by legendary investor Warren Buffett, had been viewed as a safe haven amidst market turbulence, with its Class B shares falling only 6.2% last week compared to the S&P 500's 9.1% decline. Berkshire's diverse portfolio of insurance, manufacturing, energy, and retail businesses, along with its substantial cash reserves of $334 billion, had previously provided a buffer against market volatility.

However, as President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies continue to roil global markets, even Berkshire Hathaway appears unable to escape the widespread sell-off. The company's stock decline also follows Buffett's recent statement denying any comments on markets or tariffs, distancing himself from claims of endorsing the president's market-impacting policies. As uncertainty looms, investors await further insights from Buffett at Berkshire's upcoming annual meeting on May 3.