Berkshire Hathaway Inc. quietly entered the post-Buffett era on Friday as shares drifted lower, following Warren Buffett’s historic decision to hand over the CEO role to longtime lieutenant Greg Abel. After six decades as the conglomerate’s chief architect, Buffett’s exit marks a major milestone in the company’s history.

Leadership Transition

Greg Abel, 63, now oversees Berkshire Hathaway’s sprawling empire, inheriting one of the largest corporate cash reserves in America, valued at $381.7 billion as of September 30, 2025. Abel joined Berkshire in 2000 after its acquisition of MidAmerican Energy (now Berkshire Hathaway Energy) and served as vice chairman overseeing non-insurance operations since 2018.

Despite Buffett remaining as chairman and continuing daily visits to Berkshire’s Omaha office, experts note that the “Oracle of Omaha’s” departure as CEO may be a psychological tripwire for investors, potentially affecting market confidence in the short term.

“It’s hard to imagine that there will be the same cult following,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economic strategist at Annex Wealth Management.

Berkshire’s Market Position

Known for a long-term investment strategy and a focus on acquiring high-quality businesses at reasonable prices, Buffett consistently delivered gains that outpaced broader markets. However, Berkshire’s Class A shares dipped 1.6% to $743,020 and Class B shares fell 1.4% to $495.48 on Friday, reflecting cautious investor sentiment as the company adjusts to its new leadership.

Berkshire has reduced stakes in major holdings such as Apple (AAPL.O) and Bank of America (BAC.N) while amassing record cash levels. Analysts note that finding acquisitions capable of “moving the needle” may remain challenging under Abel, especially during a market environment favoring higher-risk investments.

“Berkshire is often viewed as the market’s safe, reliable choice. While it tends to lag when investors chase risk, it remains a wise hold during cautious market sentiment,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, partner and CIO at Running Point Capital Advisors.

Berkshire’s Business Portfolio

Berkshire Hathaway continues to operate a diverse range of businesses, including:

• Insurance: GEICO
• Railroads: BNSF Railway
• Manufacturing and energy operations
• Consumer brands: Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom, See’s Candies

This broad portfolio under Abel’s leadership positions Berkshire to maintain stability in uncertain markets, even as the company adapts to the post-Buffett era.

Buffett has stated he will continue supporting Abel and providing guidance while allowing the new CEO to navigate the company through its next chapter.