Buffett Successor Buys 180 Billion Won in Company Shares: New Berkshire CEO's Strong Bet

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B) CEO Gregory Abel on March 4 purchased 19 Class A common shares on the open market through a personal trust, paying approximately $725,000 to $733,000 per share. The total investment amounted to about $13.9 million (roughly KRW 180 billion). Following this transaction, the trust’s indirect holdings of Class A shares rose to 249 shares, and combined with his existing Class B and family-held shares, the filing discloses an additional capital commitment by the CEO.

In a February 28 filing, Berkshire reported fourth-quarter 2025 net income of approximately $191.9 billion and full-year net income of $66.97 billion, down from $88.995 billion in the prior year.

At the same time, the company emphasized in its recent filing and inaugural shareholder letter that its cash reserves of $373.3 billion (about KRW 480 trillion) remain a strategic “war chest” for future investments. As fourth-quarter results fell short of some analysts’ expectations and insurance segment performance weakened, the stock experienced short-term downward pressure following the earnings announcement.

Berkshire Hathaway is one of America’s leading diversified conglomerates, with operations spanning insurance and reinsurance, energy, railroads, manufacturing, retail and services. Its publicly traded equity portfolio includes major holdings in Apple, Coca-Cola and other blue-chip companies. Canadian-born Gregory Abel succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO on January 1, 2026; Buffett remains chairman of the board and continues to participate in the company’s long-term strategy and governance.