On the first trading day of the post–Buffett era, Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares formed a ‘golden cross’—a bullish chart pattern in which the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average. This technical event has historically marked sustained upward momentum for large‐cap stocks, and portfolio managers noted that the pattern often precedes multi–month rallies. The crossover follows a six-week period in which Class A shares consolidated in a narrow range, suggesting that selling pressure has eased and confidence is returning under new CEO Greg Abel.

In early 2026, Class A shares declined by as much as 1.4% on Abel’s first full day in the CEO role, before narrowing to a 0.5% loss by midday. Investors weighed the end of Warren Buffett’s 60-year tenure and the question of whether Abel can replicate Buffett’s dual expertise in capital allocation and operating-company oversight. Though Berkshire delivered a 10.9% gain in 2025—its tenth consecutive year of positive returns—it trailed the S&P 500’s 16.4% advance, intensifying scrutiny on the incoming management team to justify the shares’ traditional valuation premium.

At the close of September, Berkshire Hathaway held a record cash balance of $381.6 billion following an extended period of net equity sales in 2025. Warren Buffett has publicly granted Abel final authority over capital-deployment decisions, signaling confidence in his successor’s ability to allocate funds across acquisitions, share repurchases and dividend considerations. Analysts estimate that the new leadership could direct up to $50 billion toward strategic buyouts in energy, insurance and industrial sectors over the next 12 months, provided Abel maintains Berkshire’s disciplined value‐oriented approach.

Continuing its diversification strategy, Berkshire Hathaway completed the $9.7 billion acquisition of OxyChem from Occidental at year-end, subject to customary post-closing purchase‐price adjustments. OxyChem is now a top-three U.S. producer of polyvinyl chloride, chlor-alkali and calcium chloride, with manufacturing operations across North America and Latin America. Under the continued leadership of OxyChem president and CEO Wade Alleman, management expects incremental annual EBITDA of approximately $800 million, driven by water-treatment and construction end markets.