Buffett Sells $4.6B in Q4; Abel Plans Buybacks, 60% Portfolio in Dividends
Warren Buffett sold $4.6 billion of Berkshire stock in his final quarter as CEO and made no purchases of his favorite holding despite having spent $78 billion on it from 2018 to 2024. New CEO Greg Abel plans to resume buybacks and allocate 60% to five dividend-paying companies.
1. Buffett's Final Quarter Sales
In the last quarter before stepping down, Warren Buffett sold $4.6 billion of Berkshire Hathaway shares, marking his 13th straight quarter as a net seller and underscoring a cautious exit strategy ahead of his retirement.
2. Hiatus on Favorite Stock
Between July 2018 and June 2024, Buffett allocated $78 billion to his top equity holding but refrained from any additional purchases during his final 19 months as CEO, signaling a shift in conviction for that position.
3. Abel's Strategic Priorities
Greg Abel, now CEO, announced plans to restart share repurchases, concentrate roughly 60% of the equity portfolio in five dividend-paying companies, and deploy his $25 million annual salary to purchase Berkshire shares.