Prime Highlight
- Warren Buffett publicly endorsed Greg Abel as Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO, saying he would trust Abel with his own fortune over any top adviser or executive.
- Buffett made it clear that Abel will have full decision-making authority, highlighting confidence in his leadership and long-term vision.
Key Facts
- Greg Abel takes over as CEO as Buffett steps down at year-end but continues as chairman of the board.
- Berkshire Hathaway employs nearly 400,000 people, and Buffett believes the company is well-positioned to thrive for decades under Abel’s leadership.
Background:
Warren Buffett has offered a resounding endorsement of Greg Abel as he prepares to take over as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway, reinforcing confidence in the company’s long-planned leadership transition. Speaking to Becky Quick in an interview recorded shortly after announcing his decision to step down, Buffett said he would rather trust Abel with his own money than any leading investment adviser or corporate executive in the United States.
The endorsement carries particular weight given Buffett’s personal stake. His Berkshire shares are valued at about $147.5 billion, meaning Abel will effectively oversee nearly all of the legendary investor’s net worth through his role at the conglomerate. Buffett officially stepped down as CEO at the end of the year, marking the end of an era, though he will remain chairman of the board and continue coming into the office daily.
In excerpts aired, Buffett said Greg Abel will have full authority to run the company, calling him “the decider.” He added that Abel can get more done in a week than he could in a month, showing strong confidence in his leadership.
Buffett also pointed out that Abel remains down-to-earth, living a normal life despite leading a company with nearly 400,000 employees. According to Buffett, balance and perspective are among the qualities that make him well-suited to guide Berkshire for decades to come. Buffett said he believes the company has a better chance of still being around 100 years from now than almost any other business he can think of.
Abel’s experience across Berkshire’s diverse operations also drew praise. Buffett pointed to Abel’s international and domestic leadership roles, saying his deep understanding of business operations makes him a natural fit to lead the conglomerate.
Markets offered a mixed response on Abel’s first trading day as CEO. Berkshire Hathaway’s Class A shares closed down 1.4%, while Class B shares slipped nearly 1.2%. By contrast, the S&P 500 edged up 0.2% during the first Wall Street session of 2026.
Despite the modest market reaction, Buffett’s comments signal continuity, stability, and long-term confidence in Berkshire Hathaway’s future under its new chief executive.
