“The Oracle” Retires: Warren Buffett Hands Off Berkshire, Stock Dives

Warren Buffett has announced he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year, capping off a legendary 60-year tenure that reshaped the landscape of investing.

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During Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting, the 94-year-old businessman Warren Buffett, famously dubbed “The Oracle of Omaha,” disclosed that Gregory Abel will assume his role as CEO starting this year’s end.

Buffett agreed to continue serving as chairman until further notice but mentioned he may reduce his chair duties before long. Buffett shared with Reuters that Greg should step into the CEO role effective year-end. He said:

“I think the prospects of Berkshire will be better under Greg’s management than mine.”

BRK.A Falls Nearly 5% After Warren Buffett’s Resignation

Markets reacted negatively to the management change. Shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock (BRK.A) dropped 4.87% on Monday, closing at $769,960. The market responded negatively to the leadership change because of Buffett’s dominant role in Berkshire Hathaway’s success and across the investment industry.

With Warren Buffett at the helm Berkshire developed from a troubled textile business into one of the largest companies worth $1.1 trillion that spans insurance, railroads, utilities, consumer goods, and technologies. Under his strategy of long-term value investing and steady control Berkshire Hathaway became investors’ go-to source for stability.

Buffett’s Journey From Teen Investor to Titan

Warren Buffett’s investment journey began early. He started his stock investments at age 11 when he bought three Cities Service shares for himself and his sister. During high school, he created a pinball machine business that he sold for $1,200, which demonstrated his future entrepreneurial drive.

Through his investment deals, Buffett established wealth in 1962 before starting to purchase Berkshire Hathaway shares during its textile company struggles. In 1965, Bufferff officially ran the company and led it into the insurance and financial markets, which created future success.

Buffett Warned Against Crypto’s Risky Rise

As a Benjamin Graham student Warren Buffett focused on buying companies that were underrated and had solid core assets while speaking out against gambling investment patterns. That philosophy elevated him to the ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals; During the year 2008 Buffett became the world’s richest man but held this position only temporarily.

Despite his reputation as a skeptic Buffett spoke out openly against cryptocurrencies in public. In 2018 Buffett said bitcoin was a dangerous product twice worse and saw no hope for other cryptocurrency investments. He said bitcoin is “probably rat poison squared.” Bitcoin’s price has jumped ten times higher since his negative projection despite his prediction.

.@WarrenBuffett on bitcoin just now: “it’s probably rat poison squared.” #brk2018
— Becky Quick (@BeckyQuick) May 5, 2018

Buffett Pledges Fortune, Abel Prepares to Lead

The bulk of Buffett’s current $160 billion fortunes remains invested in Berkshire Holdings. Through The Giving Pledge he co-founded with Bill Gates he promised to give away more than 99% of his money before or after his death.

CEO Gregory Abel has prepared for this position through extensive training over multiple years and shows assurance to everyone. As a Canadian businessman, Abel leads all non-insurance functions at Berkshire successfully, gaining Buffett’s confidence and admiration.

With his CEO handover planned for year’s end Buffett marks the end of his long-lasting investing legacy. Despite replacing Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway will continue to evolve while world financial markets remember Berkshire’s historic impact forever.

Conclusion

The resignation of Warren Buffett marks the end of an unparalleled era in global investing. Buffett leaves a legacy of discipline, vision, value and a $1.1 trillion portfolio as he passes the torch to Gregory Abel. While his principles and philanthropy will continue to shape Berkshire and finance for decades, markets react with uncertainty.