Warren Buffett Retires as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett, the billionaire CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, retired on December 31, 2025, after transforming the company into a trillion-dollar entity over nearly six decades. During his final 19 months as CEO, Buffett did not purchase any shares of Berkshire Hathaway, despite previously spending $78 billion on the stock from July 2018 to June 2024. His net selling of stocks for 13 consecutive quarters leading up to his retirement resulted in nearly $187 billion sold, reflecting a cautious approach due to high equity valuations.
Successor Greg Abel, who has adopted Buffett’s investment philosophy, is expected to continue focusing on value and patient capital allocation. Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio currently stands at $318 billion, with Abel having the flexibility to engage in share repurchases following a recent decline in stock prices, which saw Class A shares trading at a 44% premium to book value. Abel’s leadership marks the start of a new chapter, but with Buffett’s legacy still influencing investment strategies.
