Warren Buffett will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by end of 2025

In the United States, at the annual shareholder meeting on May 3, 2025, Warren Buffett officially announced his plan to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025. Buffett, who will turn 95 years old in August, has been a prominent figure in the investment world for over six decades, making significant contributions to the corporate landscape. He identified Greg Abel, the current vice chairman who joined the company in 1999, as his recommended successor, indicating a well-planned succession strategy that had been in consideration for many years. This transition is seen as crucial for the future of Berkshire Hathaway, which has long been associated with Buffett’s leadership style. Along with addressing succession, Buffett shared insights regarding investment preferences, openly expressing a lesser enthusiasm for real estate in comparison to equities. He emphasized that the stock market provides more straightforward investment opportunities. Furthermore, Buffett reflected on how he discovered several Japanese trading houses through a handbook detailing numerous companies during a research process that began on his 90th birthday. He emphasized the importance of balance sheets over income statements in assessing company health and criticized many companies’ management choices regarding succession planning. He noted that truly great talent in business, akin to his view on long-term investment strategies, is rare and difficult to find. As he prepares to pass the leadership torch, he reassures shareholders about the meticulous planning behind this transition and the capabilities of his successor.