More than two months after **Warren Buffett** stepped down as CEO of **Berkshire Hathaway** at the end of 2025, the legendary investor's shadow continues to loom large over the conglomerate. Buffett, now 95 and serving as chairman, remains deeply involved in daily operations, while new CEO Greg Abel signals continuity with bold moves that include resuming stock repurchases and personally investing in the company.

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, earned his massive fortune with savvy choices and personal frugality
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In a CNBC "Squawk Box" interview on March 5, 2026, Abel revealed he speaks with Buffett nearly every day, often checking in on market observations and strategic insights. "He's in the office every day, so we're talking every day if I'm in Omaha," Abel said. "If I'm traveling, I often check in just to catch up on what he's seeing, what he's hearing." The frequent consultations underscore Buffett's ongoing advisory role, even as Abel takes the helm after Buffett's six-decade tenure.

Berkshire Hathaway's latest developments reflect a blend of caution and confidence. The company disclosed on March 5 that it had restarted share buybacks for the first time since the second quarter of 2024, following a nearly two-year pause. Abel reinforced his alignment with shareholders by purchasing approximately $15.3 million worth of Berkshire Class A shares earlier in March — an amount equivalent to his full after-tax salary of $15 million (from a $25 million base) for 2026. He committed to using his entire take-home pay to buy company stock annually while in the role.

These actions boosted Berkshire's stock price more than 1% on March 5, providing a lift amid broader market pressures. The moves come as Berkshire sits on a record cash position of around $373 billion to $381 billion (depending on reporting periods), built largely from Buffett's net-selling stance in recent years. Analysts interpret the cash hoard — often invested in short-term Treasury bills — as a defensive posture against elevated valuations, echoing Buffett's famous advice: "Be fearful when others are greedy."

Berkshire's fourth-quarter and full-year results, released Feb. 28, 2026, marked Buffett's final full quarter as CEO. Operating earnings rose solidly, but the report highlighted the massive cash reserve as a "historic $187 billion warning" to Wall Street in some interpretations, signaling caution in a market that has seen prolonged gains. The conglomerate's equity portfolio stood at roughly $274 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025, per its latest 13F filing disclosed Feb. 17, 2026.

Top holdings remain concentrated: Apple Inc. (about 22.6% of the portfolio, with 228 million shares after a modest trim), American Express (20.5%), Bank of America (10.4%), Coca-Cola (10.2%) and Chevron (7.2%). Recent adjustments under Buffett's watch included trimming Apple by about 4%, reducing Bank of America and Amazon stakes, and exiting smaller media positions. New or increased bets appeared in The New York Times, Domino's Pizza, Chubb and additional energy plays like Chevron.

Berkshire also moved to unwind its long-troubled 27.5% stake in Kraft Heinz, a position Buffett once called a mistake, potentially realizing a $2.5 billion loss. The exit aligns with efforts to simplify the portfolio and shed underperformers.

Abel's first shareholder letter, released alongside the annual report, struck a conservative tone while paying tribute to Buffett as "arguably the greatest investor of all time." Abel emphasized maintaining Berkshire's culture of disciplined capital allocation, aversion to dividends (preferring buybacks and acquisitions when opportunities arise) and focus on long-term value. He acknowledged the challenge of following Buffett but expressed confidence in the team's ability to navigate future markets.

The transition has drawn scrutiny from investors accustomed to Buffett's annual letters, which blended folksy wisdom with sharp market commentary. Abel's debut communication was more straightforward, focusing on operational strength and the company's fortress-like balance sheet. Discussions in financial media highlight potential differences: Abel may prioritize operational synergies across Berkshire's diverse holdings — from insurance (Geico, reinsurance) to railroads (BNSF) and consumer brands (See's Candies, Dairy Queen) — while remaining opportunistic on deals.

Buffett's retirement announcement in May 2025 shocked many, coming at the end of the annual shareholder meeting. He had groomed Abel for years as vice chairman of non-insurance operations. The handover occurred smoothly on Jan. 1, 2026, with Buffett retaining the chairman title and office presence.

Market observers note Berkshire's stock has lagged the S&P 500 since Buffett's succession news, underperforming amid AI-driven rallies. Yet the company's resilience — no dividend policy, massive cash for opportunistic buys, and a buyback resumption — reassures long-term holders. Abel's personal stake purchase and daily Buffett consultations suggest stability rather than abrupt change.

As Berkshire enters this new era, questions linger about major acquisitions, given the cash pile and Abel's energy background (from his MidAmerican days). Analysts speculate on potential targets in undervalued sectors, though no immediate blockbuster deals have emerged.

Buffett's enduring influence — through daily check-ins, timeless principles and a portfolio built for durability — ensures his legacy persists. For investors, the message remains clear: patience, discipline and readiness for opportunities, even as the Oracle of Omaha watches from the chairman's seat.