Overview
- The company announced on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, that Buffett becomes chairman emeritus, will remain on the board, and that his son Howard G. Buffett will take over as chairman.
- Greg Abel has run day-to-day operations since becoming CEO on Jan. 1, 2026, and Berkshire says Howard’s role is to guard the company’s culture rather than manage daily business.
- In a letter to shareholders Buffett cited age and wrote “Father Time always wins,” while praising Abel’s performance as a key reason he felt comfortable stepping back.
- Investors are watching capital allocation closely because Berkshire holds about $365 billion in cash and Abel has increased buybacks and led a roughly $10 billion investment in Alphabet this year.
- Berkshire’s size and record under Buffett — decades of above-market returns and ownership of insurers, railroads and consumer brands — frame the transition and set the test for Abel and the board going forward.