$BRK-A

Warren Buffett, 96, steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, becoming chairman emeritus. Under his leadership, Berkshire's per-share value grew 19.7% annually, outperforming the S&P 500. Greg Abel, now CEO, will lead capital allocation, with a $10B investment in Alphabet (GOOG) as a key example. Howard Buffett becomes chairman, focusing on cultural oversight. Investors are advised to monitor Abel's performance.

Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO, Greg Abel, reduced the portfolio to 26 stocks in Q1 2026, with Apple (AAPL), American Express (AXP), Coca-Cola (KO), and Bank of America (BAC) making up 53.8% of the portfolio. Abel acquired homebuilder Taylor Morrison (TMHC) for $6.8B at a 24% premium. Analysts rate these four stocks as Buy with price targets and dividend yields noted. Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO but remains chair.

Warren Buffett pledged to donate all remaining Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) shares, worth $140 billion, to four family foundations by 2034, excluding the Gates Foundation due to its ties to Jeffrey Epstein. He immediately donated $6 billion in BRK-B shares. Buffett's total philanthropic commitment is $200 billion, the largest in U.S. history. Berkshire's CEO Greg Abel has been active in share buybacks and acquisitions, reducing the company's cash reserves.

Berkshire Hathaway's Greg Abel noted growing resistance to data center construction, while Pennsylvania made local consent a legal requirement. NVIDIA (NVDA) and Vertiv (VRT) have surged this year, pricing in AI infrastructure growth. Constellation Energy (CEG) and Digital Realty Trust (DLR) face challenges due to power and zoning issues. Berkshire's stance highlights potential regulatory hurdles for the AI buildout.

Berkshire Hathaway's CEO Greg Abel stated that energy infrastructure, particularly grid permitting and interconnection delays, is the biggest constraint for AI data centers, not chip shortages. Data centers already account for 8% of Berkshire Energy's Iowa load. Berkshire invested $6.5 billion in Alphabet at a 6.5% discount, part of a $24 billion Q2 equity push driven by AI conviction. Abel emphasized serving hyperscalers only if existing ratepayers face no rate increases and ideally benefit.

Berkshire Hathaway, under CEO Greg Abel, has increased its housing investments, acquiring Taylor Morrison for $6.8B and boosting stakes in Lennar and D.R. Horton. However, housing market data shows declining demand and sales, raising concerns about the timing of these investments. Berkshire's holdings are exposed to regions with significant declines in pending home sales.

Berkshire Hathaway's Greg Abel increased his stake in Delta Air Lines by 44% to 57 million shares, worth $5.4 billion, in Q2 2026. Delta's revenue now includes 61% from premium, loyalty, and Amex streams, differing from Warren Buffett's past critiques of the airline industry. Delta's stock has risen 44% over the past year, with a forward P/E of 13 and an analyst target of $105.31.

U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran, including attacks on its nuclear site, have escalated Middle East tensions, causing U.S. stock futures to decline. Defense and oil stocks rose, with Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Exxon Mobil (XOM) gaining. Crude oil prices surged to eight-month highs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) shares fell after missing Q4 earnings expectations.

Trump's June filing disclosed 1,051 trades worth up to $263M, including purchases of Berkshire Hathaway and Visa, and sales of Meta. The S&P 500 gained 28% since Jan. 2025, despite volatility. Trump's accounts are managed independently, raising ethical concerns about policy-investment overlap.

US debt hit $40 trillion, with Treasury announcing doubled buybacks. 30-year yield fell briefly but remains above 5%. Berkshire Hathaway, led by Greg Abel, is investing in businesses like American Express, Coca-Cola, and Occidental Petroleum, avoiding bonds. AXP, KO, and OXY are key holdings with growth and risks noted.