DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Buffett’s imprint on Berkshire reaches its limit
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, May 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Warren Buffett gives off a zen vibe about Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N) after his time is up. They’ll have over a decade to wind down the inheritance, in effect insulating Berkshire’s new leaders while they leave their own imprint. The succession planning has been possible because of Buffett’s iron grip, and not everyone is happy about it. One shareholder, Peter Flaherty, proposed separating the chairman and CEO roles at Berkshire. Berkshire security may be able to shut down such dissent at its own shareholder meeting, but it can’t stifle the doubts about life after Buffett.

[1/9] Investors and guests arrive for the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders' meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. May 6, 2023. Speaking at Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting, Buffett criticized how politicians, regulators and the press have handled the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, saying their "very poor" messaging has unnecessarily frightened depositors. At the meeting, Berkshire shareholders reelected all directors and rejected shareholder proposals concerning climate change, diversity and political activities. LIGHTED MATCHBuffett said regulators were right to guarantee depositors of Silicon Valley Bank, saying that not doing so "would have been catastrophic." He also said bank shareholders and executives should bear the risks of mismanagement, with Munger criticizing executives concerned more with getting rich than with customers.

Speaking at the annual meeting of his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N), criticized how politicians, regulators and the press have handled the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, saying their "very poor" messaging has unnecessarily frightened depositors. The meeting featured Buffett, 92, who is Berkshire's chairman and chief executive, and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger answering five hours of shareholder questions. LIGHTED MATCHBuffett said regulators were right to guarantee depositors of Silicon Valley Bank, saying that not doing so "would have been catastrophic." Buffett defended the size of Berkshire's $151 billion Apple investment, saying consumers are less likely to shed their $1,500 iPhones than, for example, their $35,000 second cars. Many recognized it could be one of their last chances to see Buffett and Munger, given their ages.

Buffett spoke hours after Berkshire posted a $35.5 billion quarterly profit and said it bought back $4.4 billion of its own stock, a sign it considered the shares undervalued. The meeting features Buffett, 92, who is Berkshire's chairman and chief executive, and Charlie Munger, 99, a vice chairman, answering five hours of shareholder questions. Many recognized it could be one of their last chances to see Buffett and Munger, given their advanced ages. Yongsheng Zhao, who lives in Shanghai and is a researcher for an asset management firm, said he showed up at midnight to attend his eighth Berkshire meeting. "I am inspired by their passion and normalcy," he said, referring to Buffett and Munger.

OMAHA, Nebraska, May 6 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett on Saturday offered a vote of confidence in the United States, saying he could not imagine the government letting it default on its debt and risk letting the world's financial system "go into turmoil." Buffett, 92, who is Berkshire's chairman and chief executive, and Charlie Munger, 99, a vice chairman, are answering five hours of shareholder questions at the meeting. Many recognized it could be one of their last chances to see Buffett and Munger, given their advanced ages. Yongsheng Zhao, who lives in Shanghai and is a researcher for an asset management firm, said he showed up at midnight to attend his eighth Berkshire meeting. "I am inspired by their passion and normalcy," he said, referring to Buffett and Munger.

☆ Warren Buffett set for 59th Berkshire Hathaway shareholder marathon as big questions loom
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 4, 2019. Tens of thousands of people are flocking to Omaha, Nebraska this weekend for the extravaganza that Buffett, 92, calls "Woodstock for Capitalists." "Charlie is 99 and Warren turns 93 on Aug. 30," Lountzis added, "and you just don't know how many more you're going to have." Buffett and Munger are due to answer five hours of shareholder questions at the meeting. "We believe in constructive engagement and dialogue, whether it's Warren Buffett or another company," Frerichs said in an interview.

☆ Warren Buffett: Greg Abel understands capital allocation as well as I do
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWarren Buffett: Greg Abel understands capital allocation as well as I doBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Buffett responds to a concern on whether Greg Abel, vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway, has the same capital allocation acumen as him.

☆ Buffett on clean energy push: This country should be ahead of where it is
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBuffett on clean energy push: This country should be ahead of where it isBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Buffett and Greg Abel, vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway, discuss clean energy.

☆ Berkshire's Ajit Jain says Geico is 'taking the bull by the horns' to improve telematics
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBerkshire's Ajit Jain says Geico is 'taking the bull by the horns' to improve telematicsBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Ajit Jain, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway's insurance operations and Greg Abel, vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway discuss GEICO.

☆ Warren Buffett and Greg Abel respond to question on BNSF derailments
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWarren Buffett and Greg Abel respond to question on BNSF derailmentsBerkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger preside over the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Buffet's team responds to a question about train derailment incidents involving Norfolk Southern and BNSF this year. Berkshire owns BNSF Railway.

☆ Warren Buffett's successor Greg Abel is wooing shareholders, but some questions remain
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

To say that Warren Buffett's successor Greg Abel has big shoes to fill would be an understatement. The vice chairman for non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway recently joined Buffett in Japan to visit the country's top trading houses. Skin in the gameAbel recently loaded up on Berkshire Hathaway shares with his personal assets. Berkshire acquired MidAmerican Energy in 1999, and Abel became CEO of MidAmerican Energy in 2008, six years before it was renamed Berkshire Hathaway Energy in 2014. How does dispute resolution work if there is a dispute," said a Berkshire shareholder, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

☆ Berkshire director: Buffett CEO heir an ideal fit, but changeover not imminent
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Olson added that Abel is likely “a good number of years off” from taking over, with Buffett and Munger still on board. Buffett publicly designated him as his likely successor as CEO in 2021, after Munger appeared to let slip the board's thinking at that year's annual meeting. After Buffett departs, Berkshire is expected to name his eldest son Howard as non-executive chairman to preserve its culture, where business units operate essentially without interference from the top. Upon becoming CEO, Abel would likely experience "more formality" in his relationship with directors than Buffett, who took over in 1965, now has. "The bottom line is, not only is Warren satisfied, Charlie is satisfied that Greg ... will carry out that culture," he continued.

☆ Factbox: Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway at a glance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

[1/2] Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File PhotoMay 4 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people are descending on Omaha, Nebraska to attend the annual shareholder weekend for billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N). Susan Buffett and Howard Buffett are Berkshire directors. His Berkshire stock will go to philanthropy after he dies. (Interview with CNBC, April 12, 2023)Abel on Berkshire managers' relationship with him: "It's not the same as working for Warren.

☆ Buffett set for 59th shareholder marathon as big questions loom
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 4, 2019. Tens of thousands of people are flocking to Omaha, Nebraska this weekend for the extravaganza that Buffett, 92, calls "Woodstock for Capitalists." Buffett and Munger are due to answer five hours of shareholder questions at the meeting. "We believe in constructive engagement and dialogue, whether it's Warren Buffett or another company," Frerichs said in an interview. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in Omaha, Nebraska; Editing by Will Dunham and Megan DaviesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Berkshire Hathaway’s energy company is about to hit a major renewable energy milestone
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Tim Mullaney | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

With annual meeting season coming soon, Warren Buffett's climate record is back in the news – and activists are still not happy. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate faces three different shareholder resolutions heading into its annual "Woodstock for capitalism" on May 6. Buffett's climate metrics getting betterBerkshire is a climate paradox: Many of its climate metrics are improving rapidly, if not as fast as some competitors. Berkshire Energy spokesman Brandon Zero said the company would have no comment. But it still uses more coal, the dirtiest major electricity fuel – coal represents 23% of Berkshire's power mix – more than the national average of 20%.

☆ Warren Buffett says he worries about nuclear threats and more pandemics—but never the future of Berkshire Hathaway
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Ashton Jackson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett says he worries about a few things. I worry about a pandemic in the future, all kinds of [things]," Buffett said. "99 and a fraction percent of my net worth in Berkshire," Buffett told "Squawk Box," adding that multiple of his family members also heavily invest in the company. "I worry about things nobody else worries about, but I can't solve them all," Buffett said. As for feeling secure about Berkshire's future, Buffett has already handpicked his company's next CEO — and his successor, Greg Abel, has said he doesn't plan to diverge from Buffett's winning formula.

☆ Berkshire Hathaway’s utility company is about to hit a major renewable energy milestone
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Tim Mullaney | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

With annual meeting season coming soon, Warren Buffett's climate record is back in the news – and activists are still not happy. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate faces three different shareholder resolutions heading into its annual "Woodstock for capitalism" on May 6. Buffett's climate metrics getting betterBerkshire is a climate paradox: Many of its climate metrics are improving rapidly, if not as fast as some competitors. Any discussion of Berkshire and climate necessarily begin with its utility business, since electricity production accounts for a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Berkshire Energy spokesman Brandon Zero said the company would have no comment.

Berkshire Hathaway vice president Gregory Abel bought nearly $25 million worth of Berkshire's class A stock last week, filings show. He previously bought $68 million worth of Berkshire stock in September. Berkshire's class A shares, and the "Baby Berkshire" class B shares, both have dropped about 3.4% this year, underperforming the S & P 500. Berkshire Hathaway vice chair Greg Abel bought $24.6 million worth of Berkshire's class A stock on March 17. Capri Holdings CEO John Idol bought nearly $10 million worth of stock on March 16.

☆ Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway rejects call for silence on hot-button issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 17 (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N), run by billionaire Warren Buffett, on Friday urged shareholders to reject proposals that it avoid discussing hot-button social and political issues, and competing proposals that it disclose more about its climate change and diversity efforts. While Buffett's salary is low, his 15.6% Berkshire stake comprises most of his $101.6 billion net worth, which Forbes magazine said makes him the world's sixth-richest person. Berkshire's more than $60 billion of stock repurchases since the end of 2019 helps preserve Buffett's voting power. Abel would become chief executive and Buffett's son Howard Buffett would become non-executive chairman if Warren Buffett could not continue. Berkshire's businesses include Geico car insurance, the BNSF railroad, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom and many others.

☆ Berkshire Hathaway to beef up risk disclosures following SEC request
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In correspondence made public on Tuesday, the SEC's division of corporate finance asked Berkshire to "enhance" its risk management disclosures in its annual proxy filings, and Berkshire agreed to make the requested changes. It also asked Berkshire to address whether its lead independent director can override Buffett on risk matters or ask the board to consider them. The SEC made its requests in a Sept. 2, 2022 letter, and Berkshire Chief Financial Officer Marc Hamburg agreed to them six days later. Berkshire also does not hold analyst calls, and communicates to the public mainly through financial disclosures, its annual meeting and Buffett's annual shareholder letter. He has also said Berkshire's disclosures are sufficient, and many businesses are too small to merit lengthy discussion.

☆ Warren Buffett calls stock buyback critics 'economic illiterate' in Berkshire Hathaway annual letter
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

An Andy Warhol-like print of Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett hangs outside a clothing stand during the first in-person annual meeting since 2019 of Berkshire Hathaway Inc in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. April 30, 2022. Warren Buffett defended stock buybacks in Berkshire Hathaway 's annual letter, pushing back on those railing against the practice he believes beneficial to all shareholders. The conglomerate spent a record $27 billion in buybacks in 2021 as Buffett found few opportunities externally. Buffett believes buybacks are beneficial to shareholders as they provide a lift to per-share intrinsic value. "American tailwind"Buffett's widely read shareholder letter is released with Berkshire's annual report and usually sets the tone before the conglomerate's big annual meeting in May in Omaha, Nebraska, nicknamed "Woodstock for Capitalists."

☆ Warren Buffett is missing out on this year’s market comeback
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But the Oracle of Omaha has missed out on this year’s stock market rally. Buffett, in fact, has promoted that idea to investors many times, arguing that most individual stock pickers will not be able to beat the market. And to his credit, that usually pays dividends: Berkshire stock was up 3% last year in a down market. “High rates of inflation create a tax on capital that makes much corporate investment unwise,” Buffett said in his 1980 shareholder letter to Berkshire investors. Investors will get several more clues about consumer spending this week when several top retailers report earnings.

☆ Warren Buffett treasures Borsheims as one of his most-beloved businesses. CEO Karen Goracke offered a rare glimpse inside Berkshire Hathaway, and broke down how she's dealt with the pandemic and infla
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has owned Borsheims, an Omaha jeweler, since 1989. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway acquired Borsheims, a single jewelry store in the investor's hometown of Omaha, in 1989. "What works with diapers works with diamonds," Buffett once quipped, comparing Borsheims' high-volume, low-cost model to Walmart's. Insider spoke to Borsheims CEO Karen Goracke on the store floor during Berkshire's annual-meeting weekend in April 2022. "That's the greatest thing about jewelry," Goracke said.

☆ Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway are beating the market this year
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But Warren Buffett has no reason to be worried. Shares of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB) are up about 5.5% in 2022. Berkshire has big stakes in Coca-Cola (KO) and Kraft Heinz (KHC), which are each up around 10% this year. Buffett turns 93 next August while Berkshire vice chair and long-time Buffett confidant Charlie Munger will celebrate his 99th birthday on New Year’s Day. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren has introduced a bill with Republican Sen. Roger Marshall that would crack down on money laundering in the crypto world.

☆ Warren Buffett's 91st year marked by a huge focus on Berkshire Hathaway's energy empire
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-30 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Warren Buffett turns 92 on Tuesday, having spent the past year expanding further his Berkshire Hathaway energy empire, making a classic value investor's bet. Plus, many energy stocks have found themselves with torrents of cash flow since the economy reopened following Covid lockdowns. "All of this just sounds like the perfect Berkshire Hathaway stock." If Berkshire continues to ramp up its Occidental investments and makes the position a controlling one, it probably reflects the influence of Greg Abel, Buffett's likely successor who has been leading the conglomerate's energy unit Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Berkshire acquired MidAmerican Energy in 1999, and Abel became CEO of MidAmerican Energy in 2008, six years before it was renamed Berkshire Hathaway Energy in 2014.

Search resuls for: "Greg Abel"

25 mentions found