In the wake of Warren Buffett’s stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO, extending him until the end of the current year has caused significant headlines, as Berkshire’s share prices fell by a remarkable 5%, erasing over $30 billion from their market capitalization. This sharp decline inBuffert’s net worth and the heavyimpact on Berkshire’s stock price reflect the deep emotional and financial impact of his departure, which marked a significant setback for the company and its shareholders.
Buffett’s recent comments and statements have further weighed down his net worth by $8.9 billion, placing him among the fifth-richest individuals in the world, following his recent death. “Buffett’s fortune has shamefully gone down to $159.2 billion,” according to Forbes estimates, while Berkshire has now listned a significant portion of its assets.
The situation surrounding Buffett’s departure has underscored the fragility of institutional ownership and the importance of long-term strategies such as exit strategies. This has led stakeholders to view the company with even more戒备，givenBuffert’s离去 due to retirement does little to improveBuffert’s_operations or market sentiment. In a recent note posting to clients,棬 analyst Meyer Shields stated, “Buffetts’ retirement likely had more impact on investors’ view of Berkshire than on actual operations.”
Buffert’s impact on区域内’s future has been similar to other institutional investors who have stepped down from the board during overst unloaded years. For example, showDialog’s exit caused shareholder sentiment to drop, and Geiss retired earlier in 2013, serving as board chairman but not CEO, a move that raised concerns about the company’s offloading of strategic investments. These trends suggest that the removal of top executives like Buffert and🔸 from Berkshire is a normal part of the company’s hands-off maneuver.
Buffert’s assets are a critical为此, thanks to his long-standing relationships with insurers, ice cream chains, paint manufacturers, and financial institutions. His ownership extends to a substantial portion of GEICO, Dairy Queen, Benjamin Moore, and interest in Apple, Amex, and Coca-Cola. However, the death ofBuffert’s long-time right-handman, Charlie Munger, has particularly weakenedBuffert’s relationship with GEICO and simplified the claims ofBuffert’s success.
By the end of 2024, Berkshire held more than $2.75 trillion in cash, with Apple holding a 2% stake, American Express a 22% stake, and Coca-Cola an 9% stake.Buffert’s compounding annual return from 1965 to 2024 stood at 19.9%, nearly doubling the S&P 500’s return of 10.4% over the same period. Buffert’s first compensation as an investor with Berkshire began in 1965 when he took over a textile company, and he claimed that his picks have consistently beaten the market’s growth over the long term. He later remarked inlinkedin note, “ ‘If I were being born today, I would just keep negotiating in the womb until they said you can be in the United States’,” Buffert humorously claimed.”
These achievements, particularly Buffert’s ability to outperform the market over substantially longer periods, have solidifiedBuffert’s status as one of the most successful investors of all time. However, his departure has made him the fifth-richest individual in the world, with a net worth of $34 billion. This legacy has been tempered byBuffert’s decision to step aside, as well as the continued decline in Berkshire’s broader financial landscape. Nevertheless,Buffert remains the world’s fifth-richest person, with access to a substantial portion of its assets despite his removal from the board.
