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Greg Abel's Leadership: A Seamless Continuation of Berkshire's Timeless Values

Theodore QuinnSaturday, May 3, 2025 5:36 pm ET
2min read

Warren Buffett’s announcement that Greg Abel will become Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO by the end of 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the $700 billion conglomerate. The transition, however, is far from a leap into the unknown. Over the past 25 years, Abel has woven himself into the fabric of Berkshire’s culture, embodying the values of long-term ownership, operational excellence, and disciplined capital allocation that have defined the company for decades. Investors should take note: this is a leadership change designed to ensure continuity, not upheaval.

Abel’s credentials are deeply rooted in Berkshire’s ecosystem. As vice chairman of non-insurance operations, he oversees key subsidiaries such as BNSF Railway, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and Precision Castparts. His hands-on approach contrasts with Buffett’s more detached style, yet his decisions align perfectly with the company’s core principles. For instance, Abel’s refusal to distribute dividends to shareholders—a move Buffett has long opposed—reinforces the belief that cash should remain a weapon for opportunistic acquisitions rather than a payout for short-term gains.

The heart of Berkshire’s strategy lies in its $347 billion cash reserve, a war chest that Buffett has called “the single most important asset we hold.” Abel’s management of this reserve will be critical. Unlike his predecessor, who famously avoided tech stocks and preferred tangible assets, Abel has already demonstrated a willingness to invest in modern sectors—such as Japan’s major trading houses—while maintaining a long-term lens. A look at Berkshire’s cash balance over the past decade reveals both stability and growth: . This consistency underscores the reliability of Berkshire’s financial foundation, now under Abel’s guardianship.

Operational excellence is another pillar of Berkshire’s culture, and Abel has excelled here. Take BNSF Railway, which has seen revenue grow from $18 billion in 2015 to $25 billion in 2023 under his watch. The railroad’s efficiency improvements, including a 15% reduction in unit costs since 2017, reflect Abel’s focus on squeezing value from Berkshire’s industrial crown jewels. Similarly, Berkshire Hathaway Energy has expanded its renewable portfolio, aligning with both Abel’s background in utilities and Buffett’s aversion to short-termism.

Crucially, Abel’s personal ethos mirrors Berkshire’s community-focused ethos. His quiet, Midwestern leadership style—coaching youth sports and funding local projects like the $45 million Des Moines recreational center—contrasts with the spotlight-seeking tendencies of many modern CEOs. This humility aligns with Buffett’s philosophy that a company’s true value lies in its people and communities, not its stock price.

Investors should also consider Berkshire’s stock performance under Abel’s influence. While Buffett’s picks like Coca-Cola and Apple have been stalwarts, Abel’s subsidiaries have quietly driven growth. . The chart reveals a steady outperformance, with Berkshire’s compounded annual return of 10.7% since 2000 outpacing the S&P 500’s 6.3%—a testament to the synergy between Abel’s operational leadership and Buffett’s investment acumen.

In conclusion, Greg Abel’s ascension is not a gamble but a natural evolution. His 25-year tenure, track record of operational improvements, and unwavering commitment to Berkshire’s culture make him the ideal steward of the company’s legacy. With $347 billion in cash, a portfolio of world-class businesses, and a leader who understands both the art and science of long-term value creation, Berkshire Hathaway remains positioned to thrive. Investors can rest assured: the Oracle of Omaha’s successor will not just preserve the company’s culture—he will build upon it, ensuring Berkshire’s relevance for generations to come.

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Minimac1029
05/04
$BRK.A this is how we see SPY 250 again look out below
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YouReceived
05/04
$BRK.A is done
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charon-the-boatman
05/04
$BRK.A hit the limit WB was the market better off in gold
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Puzzleheadbrisket
05/04
@charon-the-boatman How long you been holding $BRK.A? You think there's more upside or should we pivot to something else?
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dgbrtdck
05/04
$BRK.A the sell-off will be wild. People invested in WB not the company.
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RoseyOneOne
05/04
@dgbrtdck What's your take on Abel's impact on BRK.A?
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Beetlejuice_hero
05/04
$BRK.A so... if Berkshire has cash... why don't you? Everyone will cut back.
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Shadushio
05/04
@Beetlejuice_hero What's the plan with cash?
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IndividualistAW
05/04
$BRK.A this
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Unfair-Ad-4099
05/04
@IndividualistAW How long you been holding $BRK.A? You think Abel's the next Buffett or what?
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VirtualLife76
05/04
$BRK.A everyone will move to safer options. It's clear. If Berkshire is mostly in cash... why aren't you?
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Haunting-Stick190
05/04
@VirtualLife76 True, BRK's cash reserve is massive, but investors expect returns.
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ADropinInfinity
05/04
@VirtualLife76 Why sit in cash when you can grow with BRK?
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SDDIYer80
05/04
$BRK.A Bought a few more
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Mammoth-Corner4543
05/04
$BRK.A once it reaches 1 million a share, I’m out
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No-Background2575
05/04
@Mammoth-Corner4543 How long you planning to hold $BRK.A? You got a target in mind or just a rough idea?
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Antinetdotcom
05/03
$BRK.A selling 6 more shares on Monday. Only 10 left
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Hydrr0
05/04
@Antinetdotcom How long you been holding $BRK.A? You think there's more upside or just steady returns?
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ttforum
05/03
Tech investments from Abel? Could be a game-changer. Diversification while keeping it long-term is smart AF.
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bobbybobby911
05/03
Abel's low-key leadership vibes are refreshing. No flashy CEO antics, just solid value creation. 🙌
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Suspicious_Pack_8074
05/04
@bobbybobby911 Fair enough
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Particular-Ad-8433
05/03
Abel's low-key leadership vibes are refreshing. No flashy CEO antics, just solid value creation. Love it.
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herrelian
05/04
@Particular-Ad-8433 Ok bro
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MacaroniWithDaCheese
05/03
$BRK.A's cash reserve is a beast. Abel's management will be crucial. Hope he keeps the acquisition engine revving.
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owter12
05/03
@MacaroniWithDaCheese What’s your take on how long Abel will take to make a big move with that cash reserve?
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maxckmfk
05/03
Greg Abel's a low-key boss, not just a face
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