Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on December 31, 2025, after leading for six decades and transforming the company into a $1 trillion empire. Greg Abel became CEO on January 1, 2026, overseeing non-insurance operations as vice chair. Buffett will remain chair of the board, but plans to “go quiet” and leave decision-making to Abel. Berkshire’s portfolio is highly concentrated, with about 70% of a $381 billion portfolio invested in seven stocks. During the first quarter, Berkshire exited 16 positions and sold $24 billion worth of holdings, reducing positions from 40 to 26. The departure of portfolio manager Todd Combs contributed, with Berkshire selling stocks valued around $15 billion tied to his portfolio, while other sales further reduced exposure. Despite the selling, seven companies still represent just under 70% of holdings.
"Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on December 31, 2025, after six decades leading the conglomerate he transformed from a struggling textile mill into a $1 trillion empire. The "Oracle of Omaha" left his successor, Greg Abel, with a very concentrated portfolio: 70% of Berkshire's $381 billion portfolio is invested in just seven stocks. Abel, who has served as vice chair overseeing non-insurance operations, officially took over as CEO on January 1, 2026."
"At 95 years old, Buffett isn't fully retiring-he will remain chair of the board and plans to continue coming to the Omaha headquarters as much as before. However, he has stated he will be "going quiet" and leaving all decision-making to Abel. An astonishing 16 positions were entirely exited during the first quarter, in one of the most aggressive selling sprees the investment giant has done in years."
"Many of the top names were sold, and some large chunks of big names were also pared down but remain in the portfolio. A key factor behind the selling was the departure of portfolio manager Todd Combs. After he left Berkshire for an investment role at JPMorgan Chase, the firm sold the stocks in his portfolio, valued at roughly $15 billion. Still, total sales reached $24 billion, meaning Berkshire offloaded substantially more than just Combs' holdings."
"Despite the massive selling, which brought the portfolio's total holdings from 40 positions down to just 26, making it one of Berkshire's most aggressive single quarters in years, seven companies still account for just under 70% of the holdings. Why do we cover Berkshire Hathaway stocks? Few investors have the results and reputation that Buffett has garnered over the past 60 years."
Read at 24/7 Wall St.
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]