This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) (NYSE:BRK.B) shares edged lower on Wednesday as Warren Buffett (Trades, Portfolio) marked his final day as chief executive, bringing to a close a leadership tenure that began in 1965. Class B shares ended the session at $502.65, down 0.21%, while Class A shares slipped 0.10% to $754,800, moves that broadly mirrored overall market conditions rather than signaling company-specific stress.
The moment carried long-term significance for investors, given Buffett’s nearly six decades at the helm and his role in shaping Berkshire into a global investing benchmark. The limited market reaction suggested investors were largely focused on broader factors, with the S&P 500 (SPY) falling 0.70% on the same day, potentially indicating little immediate concern about the leadership transition itself.
Greg Abel, 63, assumed the CEO role on January 1, 2026, taking over operational leadership from the 95-year-old Buffett, who remains chairman. For shareholders, the transition could be viewed as the execution of a long-communicated succession plan, one that may support continuity in Berkshire’s strategy and governance as the company enters its next phase.