Berkshire Hathaway shrinks cash pile in Buffett's last act as CEO. Here's how successor Greg Abel is now looking to spend.
MarketWatch· 2026-02-28 15:02
Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway's cash holdings have decreased, and new CEO Greg Abel is exploring investment opportunities while maintaining a patient and disciplined approach [1] Group 1: Cash Holdings - The company's cash hoard at the end of 2025 was down 2.1% from September, totaling $373.3 billion [1] Group 2: Leadership Transition - The first annual shareholder letter not written by Warren Buffett in 60 years was authored by Greg Abel, indicating a significant leadership change [1] - Abel emphasized the importance of evaluating opportunities carefully, including potential investments in Berkshire's own stock [1]
Greg Abel hails Warren Buffett as a 'very hard act to follow' in his first letter as Berkshire Hathaway CEO
Business Insider· 2026-02-28 15:01
Core Insights - Greg Abel, the new CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, reassured shareholders in his first letter that he would maintain the company's foundational values and not make drastic changes following Warren Buffett's long tenure [1][4]. Group 1: Leadership Transition - Warren Buffett's leadership resulted in a remarkable 6,100,000% return for Berkshire shareholders from 1965 to 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 46,100% return [2]. - Abel acknowledged the challenge of following Buffett and continued the tradition of writing an annual shareholder letter [2][3]. Group 2: Company Values and Strategy - Abel emphasized Berkshire's "foundational values," including its decentralized model, integrity, financial strength, capital discipline, risk management, and operational excellence [4]. - He indicated that there would be no rushed deals or immediate dividend payouts, viewing Berkshire's cash reserves as both a safety net and a resource for future investments [5]. Group 3: Investment Insights - Abel described the investment in Kraft Heinz as "disappointing," reflecting a return that was "well short of adequate" [6]. - He provided details on Berkshire's investments in Japanese companies, noting a total investment of $15.4 billion that was valued at $35.4 billion as of December, along with $862 million in dividends received last year [7]. - Ted Weschler now manages about 6% of Berkshire's investments, taking over Todd Combs' portfolio, and is positioned as a key deputy to Abel [7][8]. Group 4: Future Governance - Abel plans to shift the Q&A format at Berkshire's annual meeting, involving other key executives like Ajit Jain, Katie Farmer, and Adam Johnson, rather than solely relying on Buffett and Munger [9].
WELIREG® (belzutifan) Plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib) Reduced the Risk of Disease Progression or Death by 30% Compared to Cabozantinib in Certain Previously Treated Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
Businesswire· 2026-02-28 15:00
RAHWAY, N.J. & NUTLEY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $MRK #MRK--WELIREG Plus LENVIMA Reduced the Risk of Disease Progression or Death by 30% Compared to Cabozantinib in Certain Previously Treated RCC Patients. ...
Robert Kiyosaki says the ‘biggest crash in history’ is about to hit — warns millions could lose everything
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-28 15:00
Core Viewpoint - Gold and silver are increasingly viewed as safe-haven assets amid rising economic uncertainty, with significant price increases observed over the past year [1][8]. Precious Metals - Kiyosaki advocates for investing in gold and silver, suggesting that market crashes present opportunities for wealth accumulation [2]. - He predicts that silver prices could reach $200 per ounce by 2026 and sets a target price of $27,000 for gold, citing insights from investment guru Jim Rickards [7]. - Gold prices surged nearly 70% in 2025, reaching an all-time high of over $5,000 per ounce, while silver prices increased over 160% in the same year [8]. Economic Climate - The current market climate is characterized by heightened geopolitical tensions, tariff uncertainties, and potential job displacement due to AI, prompting a reassessment of risk among investors [3]. - Despite the strength of the U.S. stock market, broader economic concerns and layoffs are prevalent, indicating a potential downturn that Kiyosaki has been predicting for over a decade [4]. Cryptocurrency - Kiyosaki also encourages investment in digital assets like bitcoin and Ethereum, asserting that bitcoin's scarcity makes it a valuable asset, with a target price of $250,000 by 2026 [13]. - Bitcoin has experienced significant volatility, with a recent decline of nearly 40% over the past year, highlighting the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments [12][17].
Harbinger acquires autonomous-driving firm Phantom AI
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-28 15:00
Harbinger, an American medium-duty electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturer, has acquired autonomous driving company Phantom AI. The Garden Grove, Calif.-based company also secured a licensing agreement with ZF Group’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business unit for passenger cars. The acquisition, completed in November 2025, was announced Wednesday. It marks Harbinger’s entry into software services and creates a new revenue stream. Under the licensing agreement, ZF will integrate Phantom AI ...
High-Yield Cannabis REITs to Watch in March 2026
Marijuana Stocks | Cannabis Investments And News. Roots Of A Budding Industry.™· 2026-02-28 15:00
Industry Overview - The cannabis sector is evolving in early 2026, characterized by volatility and pricing pressure for multi-state operators, leading investors to focus on ancillary cannabis stocks instead of direct plant-touching companies [1][3] - Ancillary companies provide essential services such as real estate, financing, or infrastructure support, which can mitigate regulatory risks and offer more stable cash-flow models compared to retail operators [2] Earnings and Market Activity - March 2026 is anticipated to be a pivotal month with earnings updates and ongoing debates about federal reform, while state-level markets remain active and expanding, supporting demand for facilities and capital [3] Investment Metrics - Ancillary cannabis stocks are often evaluated based on fundamentals like AFFO, net interest income, and dividend coverage, making cash flow stability, tenant health, and balance sheet strength critical metrics for investors [4] Key Companies - **Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (IIPR)**: A cannabis-focused REIT owning 111 properties across 19 states, generating $66.7 million in revenue and $30.7 million in net income in its latest quarter, with an AFFO per share of $1.88 and a declared dividend of $1.90 per share [6][9] - **NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. (NLCP)**: A smaller cannabis-focused REIT with 34 properties across 12 states, reporting $12.6 million in revenue and $6.7 million in net income, with an adjusted FFO of $11.0 million [10][14] - **Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (REFI)**: Operates as a lender to cannabis operators, with a loan portfolio of approximately $400 million, generating net interest income of $13.7 million and a declared dividend of $0.47 per share [15][19] Risk Factors - Tenant credit quality is a significant variable for IIPR, while NLCP's rental income depends on operator performance, making tenant diversification crucial [8][13] - REFI's high yield of 16.5% reflects elevated industry risk but also indicates strong income potential, necessitating close monitoring of borrower performance [20]
6 High-Yield Energy Stocks Paying Up To 14.8%
Forbes· 2026-02-28 14:55
Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of focusing on stable, high-yield investments in the energy sector, particularly pipeline companies, rather than chasing volatile opportunities linked to fluctuating oil prices. Group 1: Current Oil Market Dynamics - Crude oil prices have been rising due to factors such as a weak dollar, OPEC+ production cuts, and geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Iran [5] - The current environment has led many investors to pursue high-risk investments, akin to attempting three-point shots in basketball, rather than opting for safer, more reliable options [4][6] Group 2: Investment Opportunities in Energy Infrastructure - Companies that operate pipelines, referred to as "toll takers," benefit from consistent fees regardless of oil prices, making them attractive investments [7] - Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD) offers a 6.1% distribution yield and has a strong operational track record, including record cash flow and distribution increases [8][9] - Energy Transfer LP (ET) has a 7.1% distribution yield and is actively expanding its infrastructure to support the growing demand from data centers and power plants [10][11] - MPLX LP (MPLX) provides a 7.3% distribution yield and has consistently increased its annual distribution, with several growth projects expected to come online [12][14] - Kimbell Royalty Partners LP (KRP) has an 11.3% dividend yield and operates a unique business model that allows it to benefit from energy price fluctuations while maintaining lower volatility compared to traditional energy stocks [15] - Mach Natural Resources LP (MNR) is a newer player with a 14.8% distribution yield, showing potential for growth despite its current valuation lagging behind the MLP benchmark [17][18]
Wall Street sets Netflix stock price target for next 12 months
Finbold· 2026-02-28 14:54
Core Viewpoint - Netflix's stock surged approximately 13.8% following the company's decision to withdraw from its acquisition bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, which investors interpreted as a disciplined capital allocation move [1][3][4]. Group 1: Acquisition Withdrawal - Netflix announced its exit from the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery's assets, including streaming and studio operations, after declining to match a superior offer from Paramount Skydance valued at around $110 billion [3][4]. - As part of the withdrawal, Netflix received a termination fee of $2.8 billion, which investors viewed positively as it allows the company to refocus on its core streaming business and original content production [4]. Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Analysts on Wall Street maintain a 'Moderate Buy' rating for Netflix, with 28 out of 37 recent assessments recommending to buy the shares [5]. - The average 12-month price target set by analysts is $114.55, indicating a potential upside of 19.02%, with the highest target at $150 and the lowest at $92 [6]. - Jefferies analysts projected a 10% revenue growth and a 20% compound annual increase in earnings per share, emphasizing strong organic momentum despite concerns over declining hours per subscriber [7]. - Needham's analyst noted that exiting the deal removes regulatory uncertainty and distractions, preserving Netflix's identity as a disruptive force [8]. - Baird's analyst expects the withdrawal to trigger a recovery in Netflix shares by alleviating uncertainty surrounding the stock [9]. - KeyBanc Capital Markets highlighted the importance of continued investment in original programming and live events to sustain engagement and monetization [10].
Emergent BioSolutions Earnings: Revenue, Margins, And GAAP Losses Paint A Mixed Picture
Seeking Alpha· 2026-02-28 14:47
Core Insights - Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) experienced a significant decline of approximately 27% in its stock price on Friday, primarily attributed to factors beyond its 2025 results [1]. Company Overview - Emergent BioSolutions is involved in the biotechnology sector, focusing on drug development and therapeutic research [1]. - The company aims to innovate through unique mechanisms of action and first-in-class therapies, which could potentially reshape treatment paradigms [1]. Analyst Perspective - The analysis emphasizes the importance of combining scientific expertise with financial and market analysis to deliver technically sound and investment-driven research [1]. - The focus is on evaluating the science behind drug candidates, the competitive landscape, clinical trial design, and potential market opportunities while balancing financial fundamentals and valuation [1].
1 Genius Cybersecurity Stock to Buy On the Dip
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-28 14:45
Software stocks as a whole have been getting slammed in recent weeks. There's really only one culprit for this mess: Anthropic. Anthropic is a leading company in the generative AI space, and is seen as the leader in coding generative AI. Some of its products have made it possible to write programs that replace several software products for which companies pay millions. This has caused several software stocks to tumble in valuation, as the market is unsure about their future.Recently, Anthropic released its ...