Welcome to Market Catalysts. I'm Julie Hyman. Here's what we're watching today.First, we'll discuss the economic outlook for 2026 as investors prepare for the next read on inflation. Plus, could higher unemployment lead to a higher stock market. We'll have more on that ahead.and we'll discuss the future of Bergkshire Hathaway under Greg Ael as Warren Buffett prepares to hand over the reigns. Let's take a look at the major averages here today. We're sort of in between our two mark uh economic data days and w ...

Warren Buffett's remarkable success over six decades has turned Berkshire Hathaway ( NYSE:BRK-A )( NYSE:BRK-B ) into a phenomenon with something close to a cult following. ...

Warren Buffett has spent decades urging investors to separate a company’s underlying economics from the market’s shifting enthusiasm. In Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.B) (BRK.A) 1993 shareholder letter, the CEO revisited a theme that runs through much of his writing: in the short term, stock prices can depart sharply from the progress of the businesses they represent. That performance gap, he suggested, can persist long enough to tempt investors into confusing momentum with durability — even though it rarely b ...

Key Points There will always be uncertainty in the markets, but the arc of the American story is upward. It's much more important to focus on company fundamentals than stock prices. Investors should be wary of inflated markets and welcome corrections as opportunities. 10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway › Warren Buffett has been leading holding company Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) since 1965. That's 60 years of market trouncing. As of the end of 2024, Berkshire Hat ...

Back in May, Warren Buffett announced that he is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.Back in May, Warren Buffett sent shockwaves around the investment world after announcing he was stepping down as CEO of his investment conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.78%) (BRK.B 1.06%).Ever since this decision became public knowledge, investors have watched Berkshire's moves with an extra level of vigilance. As 2026 approaches and longtime Buffett sidekick Greg Abel prepares to take the reins at Berkshire, ...

Group 1 - The number of large U.S. corporate bankruptcies in 2025 is expected to reach record levels not seen in the last fifteen years, with indications that this trend may accelerate in 2026 [1] - The macroeconomic environment is contributing to the anticipated increase in corporate bankruptcies, suggesting a challenging landscape for businesses [1] Group 2 - The article highlights the author's extensive background in finance, including a decade at a Big 4 audit firm and current leadership in finance for a retail real estate operator, indicating a strong foundation for analysis [1] - The investment philosophy emphasized in the article focuses on thorough research and a long-term perspective, which is crucial for navigating market cycles [1]

It's beginning to look like Berkshire Hathaway may do some things differently once Warren Buffett retires.Legendary investor Warren Buffett is retiring from his role as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A +0.80%)(BRK.B +0.65%) at the end of the year. At that point, Buffett's hand-picked successor, Greg Abel, will assume the helm and lead the massive holding company into a new era.It looks like Buffett isn't the only leadership change at Berkshire Hathaway. Other notable changes include Todd Combs, one of Buffe ...

Key Points It's more important than ever to avoid overvalued stocks as valuations expand. Having cash ready enables you to scoop up great deals when they become available. Staying in the market allows your investments to compound over time. 10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway › The new year is only two weeks away, and the S&P 500 is up 17% so far in 2025. This will be the third year in a row with double-digit gains for the index, making for an 83% gain over the past three years, a fa ...

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway is undergoing significant management changes following Warren Buffett's announcement of his retirement after 60 years as CEO [2][3] - Todd Combs, who managed a portion of Berkshire's $312 billion equities portfolio and served as CEO of GEICO, is leaving to join JPMorgan Chase [2][6] - Greg Abel has been appointed as the new CEO, raising questions about his leadership style and the future direction of the company [3][5] Management Changes - Todd Combs' departure is notable as he was a key figure in managing about 10% of Berkshire's investment portfolio and overseeing GEICO, the largest insurance brand [5][9] - Adam Johnson, CEO of NetJets, will now also oversee consumer products, service, and retailing businesses at Berkshire [7] - Nancy Pierce will take over as CEO of GEICO, while Marc Hamburg, the CFO, is set to retire in 2027 [7] Future Outlook - The transition period may lead to uncertainty among investors, particularly regarding the stability of other key personnel like Ted Weschler [10][11] - Greg Abel's performance will be closely scrutinized as he assumes more responsibility for the company's decisions [11] - Despite the changes, there is confidence in Abel's capabilities as a capital allocator, given Buffett's endorsement [12]

Core Viewpoint - December is historically a favorable month for stocks, with the S&P 500 averaging a gain of 0.6% over the past 20 years, but the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) may face increased risks as the month progresses [1][2]. ETF Performance and Historical Context - The Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF has increased by nearly 3% month-to-date and has averaged a December gain of 1.47% since 2010, indicating that December weakness is not typical for this fund [4][5]. Holdings and Sector Risks - U.S. Bancorp and Moody's, significant holdings in the ETF, have historically underperformed in the latter half of December, which could pose risks to the ETF's performance [6]. - The recent Federal Reserve interest rate cuts may negatively impact banks and insurance companies, which constitute over 40% of the ETF's holdings, leading to potential lower returns [8][9]. - A decrease in consumer holiday spending could adversely affect the ETF, as four of the top five U.S. credit card issuers are among its top holdings [9]. Key Holdings and Leadership Changes - Berkshire Hathaway is the largest holding in the ETF, accounting for 11.6% of its weight, but its performance has been hampered this year, with shares only up 9.21% [10]. - The retirement of CEO Warren Buffett and recent executive departures at Berkshire could introduce additional challenges for the ETF in December [11].