Greg Abel Leads Berkshire Hathaway After Warren Buffett Retires
Greg Abel has assumed control of Berkshire Hathaway as CEO following the retirement of Warren Buffett, shifting the conglomerate's strategy toward increased technology investments.
Berkshire Hathaway has completed a major leadership transition following the retirement of Warren Buffett, who stepped down as CEO on December 31, 2025, and later resigned as chairman on September 18, 2026. Greg Abel now serves as CEO, managing the company's $354 billion investment portfolio and substantial cash reserves, which totaled $365.6 billion as of June. Howard Graham Buffett assumed the role of chairman of the board on September 18 to oversee the company's values and culture, while Warren Buffett transitioned to chair emeritus.
Under Abel's leadership, the conglomerate has shifted its investment strategy toward higher technology exposure. This includes establishing a significant position in Alphabet Inc., which became the firm's third-largest holding by September 25, 2026, representing 10% of the total portfolio. Abel also acquired a stake in Bending Spoons and exited positions in Amazon, UnitedHealth Group, Visa, and Mastercard.
While the company's stock rose approximately 9% this year, it has faced periods of underperformance relative to the S&P 500. This follows a 60-year tenure by Warren Buffett from 1965 through 2025, during which the company achieved an average annual return of 19.7% compared to the index's 10.5%. Abel has stated that while he cannot match Buffett's tenure, his goal is to ensure the company is even stronger in 20 years.
