Overview
- Warren Buffett relinquished the CEO role on Dec. 31 after six decades and remains chairman, saying he will attend but not speak at this year’s shareholder meeting.
- Berkshire’s Class A shares fell as much as 1.4% on Abel’s first day as CEO and were recently down about 0.5%, following a 2025 gain of 10.9% that trailed the S&P 500.
- The company reported $381.6–$381.7 billion in cash as of Sept. 30 after 12 straight quarters of net equity selling, leaving a sizable war chest for future moves.
- The publicly disclosed stock portfolio totaled roughly $283.2 billion at the end of September, and Berkshire has not said who will run that book under the new leadership.
- Buffett publicly endorsed Abel as “the decider” and said Berkshire has exceptional odds of enduring for the next century, while Abel, 63, steps up after overseeing non‑insurance operations.