Berkshire’s Decline on Buffett’s Final Day as CEO: A 60-Year Journey of 6,100,000% Growth

Berkshire Hathaway shares closed slightly lower on Warren Buffett’s final day as chief executive, with the legendary investor set to hand the reins to Greg Abel on January 1.

The price of Berkshire Class A shares edged down $600, or 0.1%, to $754,800 on December 31. Meanwhile, the Class B share price fell by $1.06, or 0.2%, to $502.65. In contrast, the Standard & Poor’s 500 .SPX experienced a decline of 0.7%.

Investors who have held Berkshire shares since 1965, when Buffett took the helm, have seen a staggering return of approximately 6,100,000%. This far surpasses the S&P 500’s return of around 46,000%, including dividends.

While the S&P 500 outperformed in 2025 and over the last decade, Berkshire Hathaway has maintained a remarkable record, never experiencing a down year. However, Buffett faced challenges in finding suitable acquisitions for his $1.08 trillion conglomerate.

Berkshire’s diverse subsidiaries include well-known names such as Geico, the BNSF railroad, and a variety of manufacturing and energy businesses. It also owns retail brands like Brooks, Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom, and See’s Candies. As of September, the company reported a substantial $381.7 billion in cash and equivalents.

Greg Abel, aged 63, joined Berkshire in 2000 following its acquisition of MidAmerican Energy, now known as Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Since 2018, he has served as vice chairman, overseeing Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses.

Warren Buffett, now 95, will continue as chairman and plans to work daily at Berkshire’s Omaha, Nebraska office, located just 2 miles (3.2 km) from his home. He intends to assist Abel in his new role.

Vice Chairman Ajit Jain will maintain day-to-day oversight of Berkshire’s insurance operations, while Abel will keep a close watch on the BNSF railroad, along with the manufacturing and energy sectors.

Adam Johnson, the chief executive of luxury plane unit NetJets, will take direct oversight of Berkshire’s consumer products, service, and retail businesses, a role previously held by Abel.

As for Berkshire’s equity portfolio, which stood at $283.2 billion as of September 30 and includes major holdings like Apple and American Express, the company has yet to announce who will take over management. There was speculation that Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, who have been instrumental in managing that portfolio, would step into the role. However, Combs recently departed for JPMorgan Chase, and Buffett indicated in May 2024 that Abel could manage the portfolio effectively.

Berkshire did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Berkshire Hathaway shares closed slightly lower on Warren Buffett’s final day as chief executive, with the legendary investor set to hand the reins to Greg Abel on January 1.

The price of Berkshire Class A shares edged down $600, or 0.1%, to $754,800 on December 31. Meanwhile, the Class B share price fell by $1.06, or 0.2%, to $502.65. In contrast, the Standard & Poor’s 500 .SPX experienced a decline of 0.7%.

Investors who have held Berkshire shares since 1965, when Buffett took the helm, have seen a staggering return of approximately 6,100,000%. This far surpasses the S&P 500’s return of around 46,000%, including dividends.

While the S&P 500 outperformed in 2025 and over the last decade, Berkshire Hathaway has maintained a remarkable record, never experiencing a down year. However, Buffett faced challenges in finding suitable acquisitions for his $1.08 trillion conglomerate.

Berkshire’s diverse subsidiaries include well-known names such as Geico, the BNSF railroad, and a variety of manufacturing and energy businesses. It also owns retail brands like Brooks, Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom, and See’s Candies. As of September, the company reported a substantial $381.7 billion in cash and equivalents.

Greg Abel, aged 63, joined Berkshire in 2000 following its acquisition of MidAmerican Energy, now known as Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Since 2018, he has served as vice chairman, overseeing Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses.

Warren Buffett, now 95, will continue as chairman and plans to work daily at Berkshire’s Omaha, Nebraska office, located just 2 miles (3.2 km) from his home. He intends to assist Abel in his new role.

Vice Chairman Ajit Jain will maintain day-to-day oversight of Berkshire’s insurance operations, while Abel will keep a close watch on the BNSF railroad, along with the manufacturing and energy sectors.

Adam Johnson, the chief executive of luxury plane unit NetJets, will take direct oversight of Berkshire’s consumer products, service, and retail businesses, a role previously held by Abel.

As for Berkshire’s equity portfolio, which stood at $283.2 billion as of September 30 and includes major holdings like Apple and American Express, the company has yet to announce who will take over management. There was speculation that Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, who have been instrumental in managing that portfolio, would step into the role. However, Combs recently departed for JPMorgan Chase, and Buffett indicated in May 2024 that Abel could manage the portfolio effectively.

Berkshire did not immediately respond to a request for comment.