From Buffett to Abel: A New Era at Berkshire Begins
Issue #18 Watching the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway AGM — Timeless Lessons
This weekend, I watched the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Annual General Meeting (AGM) live on CNBC. Every year, I look forward to this event. It’s not just about stocks or business — it’s a chance to hear from Warren Buffett and his team, who have spent their lives building something special.
This year’s meeting felt even more important than usual. Here are my main takeaways-
1. Warren Buffett Picked Greg Abel to Be the Next CEO
The biggest news came at the end of the meeting: Warren Buffett said that Greg Abel will become the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of this year.
Greg looked surprised when he heard it. Buffett will still come to the office and help when needed, but Greg will be in charge of running the company and making big decisions.
It was a big moment. The crowd gave a long, standing ovation. Buffett believes Greg is ready and will do an even better job in the future.
2. Berkshire Has $340 Billion in Cash
Yes, you read that right — $340 billion in cash. That’s a huge number. Many people asked why they aren’t using it to buy more companies.
Buffett said they’re not holding back because of fear. There just aren’t good opportunities right now. He wants to wait until something really worth buying shows up.
And no — it’s not because Greg is taking over. Buffett made that clear. They're just being patient.
3. Apple Is Still a Big Bet — But Not as Big
Berkshire still owns a lot of Apple shares — around 20% of their stock investments. That’s down from over 40% before.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, was at the meeting too. Buffett spoke highly of him. Even though Apple is facing some issues, Buffett still likes the company and its long-term future.
4. Japanese Companies Are Here to Stay
Over the past few years, Buffett quietly bought shares in five big Japanese trading companies. Now they’re close to owning 10% of each.
Buffett and Greg Abel both said they plan to hold these stocks for 50 years or more. They’re happy with how those investments have turned out.
5. Insurance and Energy Businesses Had Some Challenges
The insurance side had a tough quarter, but Ajit Jain — who runs it — wasn’t too worried. He said competition is there, but Berkshire has a strong edge.
Greg Abel talked about the energy business too. They’re dealing with wildfire risks in places like California. Sometimes they might even have to shut down power to avoid danger. It’s a big change, and they’re working closely with local leaders to handle it.
6. Buffett Talked About America, Trade, and the World
Buffett had strong views on tariffs. He said using them like a weapon is “an act of economic war” and not smart.
He also said America has done well over the last 250 years — but we shouldn’t brag about it to the rest of the world. He believes when other countries do well, it’s good for the U.S. too.
7. Lessons on Life, People, and Learning
Buffett talked about how important it is to work with people you like and trust. He said good behavior and honesty spread — they’re “catching,” in a good way.
He also talked about being curious, reading a lot, and learning from teachers. He recommended a movie called “Becoming Catherine Graham” on Amazon Prime. He said every American should watch it.
8. Helping Others
One more thing that stood out: Buffett helped raise money for a local shelter for homeless people. They sold a special Berkshire book to raise funds, and Buffett matched the donations. It was a reminder that success isn’t just about money — it’s about helping others too.
A Must-Watch
This meeting had it all — a major leadership announcement, classic investing insights (though Charlie Munger was deeply missed), a few fun moments, and timeless life lessons.
Greg Abel will soon take over, but the heart of Berkshire — patience, trust, and long-term thinking — will stay the same. That’s what makes it special.
If you’ve never watched one of these meetings, I highly recommend checking this one out: Watch the full CNBC broadcast here
Thanks for reading.
Would love to hear what you thought of the meeting, or if something stood out to you that I missed.
— Priyank
Berkshire Hathaway (Class A) stock touched new highs during the AGM week — a powerful sign of investor confidence.
