Visa unveils $20B repurchase as Berkshire exits 16-stock position
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel exited Visa shares as part of a $14 billion divestment spanning 16 stocks in Q1, including Mastercard and UnitedHealth. Visa unveiled a $20 billion share repurchase program for 2026, signaling confidence in future cash flows despite the institutional sell-off.
1. Berkshire Hathaway Sells Visa Shares
In the first quarter of 2026, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel sold Visa shares as part of a $14 billion divestment across 16 equity positions, including Mastercard and UnitedHealth. The move followed the departure of a key portfolio manager and marked one of Berkshire's busiest trading quarters by historical standards.
2. Visa Announces $20 Billion Buyback
Visa approved a $20 billion share repurchase program for 2026, its largest to date, aimed at returning capital to shareholders and supporting earnings per share. The buyback underscores management’s confidence in the company’s strong free cash flow and long-term growth prospects despite recent institutional selling.