Berkshire Hathaway shareholders gathered in Omaha, Nebraska, for the first annual meeting without founder Warren Buffett, who stepped down in December 2025. Greg Abel, 63, succeeded Buffett as CEO in January 2026, earlier than many expected. Despite a slight dip in attendance, the meeting coincided with the release of Berkshire’s earnings report, showing a significant profit increase. The company’s first-quarter profit more than doubled to $10.1 billion, driven by investment gains and improved business performance. Berkshire’s cash reserves grew to $397.4 billion, and its operating earnings rose to $11.3 billion, surpassing analyst expectations. The insurance unit, including Geico, reported higher underwriting profits, and other sectors like BNSF railroad and utilities also saw growth. The company benefited from a $249 million gain in foreign currency holdings, contrasting with a loss the previous year.
QUESTION: How might the leadership change at Berkshire Hathaway influence the company’s future strategies and performance?
Berkshire Hathaway has 1st annual meeting without Warren Buffett
