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]

Bjak Sdn, Malaysia’s largest online insurance aggregator, is mulling an initial public offering within the next two years as it seeks to enter Europe.Bjak is eyeing new markets in Spain and Germany in 2026 following its recent expansion in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, Wei Low, the firm’s founder said in his first-ever media interview. The firm’s gross written premiums increased 20% to 30% this year and are set to grow at a faster pace in the future as Bjak expands into new markets, the 36-year-old told Bloom ...

Billionaires who built fortunes in America's system should be giving far more away.They benefited from the U.S. education system, regulations, and venture capital networks, philanthropist Melinda French Gates said. Speaking to Wired editor-in-chief Katie Drummond recently, French Gates said those systems supported people who started businesses in America. French Gates discussed the Giving Pledge, which she launched in 2010 with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:B ...

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 - Increasing inflation and cost of living are prompting retirees and those planning for retirement to seek safe and reliable investments to protect their savings [1] - Warren Buffett, known for his disciplined investment approach, emphasizes long-term value and consistent income, making his investment principles relevant for building a recession-proof retirement portfolio [2] Investment Opportunities - **Coca-Cola (KO)**: A long-standing investment in Buffett's portfolio since 1988, Coca-Cola is recognized globally and maintains consistent sales, making it valuable during recessions. It also offers reliable dividends, appealing to income-focused investors [3][4] - **Chevron (CVX)**: Recently, Buffett has made Chevron one of Berkshire Hathaway's largest holdings. The company boasts a dividend yield above 4% and has increased its dividend for 38 consecutive years, making it a dependable income source during economic downturns [5] - **Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)**: Buffett's own company provides built-in diversification across various industries, including insurance, utilities, and consumer goods. Although it does not pay dividends, its stable leadership and exposure to essential sectors make it a reliable choice during market volatility [5] - **Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG)**: This ETF allows everyday investors to adopt Buffett's principles by investing in companies with a strong record of raising dividends, indicating financial health and long-term reliability [6]

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].

Core Insights - Warren Buffett has spent nearly $78 billion on stock repurchases since July 2018, indicating a strong belief in the intrinsic value of Berkshire Hathaway [1][21] - Buffett is set to retire at the end of the year after 60 years of leadership, during which he has achieved a cumulative return of almost 5,942,000% for Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares [2] - Despite a historically expensive stock market, Buffett has been selective in his investments, focusing on companies with sustainable competitive advantages and strong capital-return programs [5][7] Investment Strategy - Buffett's investment philosophy emphasizes value; he only buys when he believes he is getting a good deal [5] - In recent years, Buffett has sold more stocks than he has purchased, totaling nearly $184 billion in net selling over the last 12 quarters [6] - Notable recent purchases include 17,846,142 Class A shares of Alphabet (GOOGL), reflecting confidence in the company's advertising and cloud services [9][10][11] Company Performance - Alphabet holds a dominant position in global internet search, capturing 89% to 93% of the market share, which enhances its advertising pricing power [10] - Google Cloud is expected to drive significant sales and cash flow growth, with an annual sales growth rate exceeding 30% [11] - Domino's Pizza has been a consistent investment for Buffett, with a focus on brand trust and transparency, alongside a strong growth strategy [13][14][15] Share Repurchase Activity - Berkshire Hathaway's board amended buyback rules in July 2018, allowing for unlimited repurchases if the company maintains at least $30 billion in cash and believes its stock is undervalued [19] - Between July 2018 and June 2024, Buffett has repurchased shares for 24 consecutive quarters, although there has been a 16-month period without any purchases due to high share premiums [21][22] - The share premium to book value has increased to between 60% and 80% during the period of inactivity, indicating a cautious approach to valuation [22] Long-term Confidence - Buffett has consistently expressed confidence in Berkshire Hathaway as a long-term investment, emphasizing the company's ability to thrive in various economic cycles [23][24]