Buffett's eagerly awaited annual shareholder letter will be released on Saturday. What to look for

Buffett is set to release his eagerly awaited annual shareholder letter on Saturday, with investors likely to be looking for a roadmap for the post-Buffett era. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Buffett taking the helm of Berkshire Hathaway, which has performed strongly, hitting record highs for operating profits in the first nine months of 2024 and for its share price.

Some key information that may be covered in the letter: Is Buffett's designated successor, Greg Abel, ready to take over? Will Buffett step down as CEO this year, while continuing to serve as chairman?

Berkshire has a huge pile of cash but limited investment opportunities. Buffett may explain how he plans to deploy the massive pile of cash and why he is not considering a dividend despite limited stock buyback activity.

What are Buffett's views on current investment opportunities and the market, given that the S&P 500 has risen about 25 per cent since last year's shareholder letter?

Will the responsibilities of the investment managers, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, who currently manage about 10 per cent of the stock portfolio, expand in the post-Buffett era? How will they interact with Abel?

How is Geico's technology system upgrade progressing? Why is Burlington Northern Santa Fe's operating margin lagging behind its rivals? How will Berkshire Hathaway Energy, the utility company, respond to the growing power demand for data centres?