BRK-A underperformed the S&P 500 by 42 percentage points after Warren Buffett announced his retirement as CEO in May 2025.
Berkshire Hathaway’s A-class shares have fallen 10% since Warren Buffett announced his retirement as CEO on May 3, 2025, trailing the S&P 500’s 32% gain over the same period. The 42-percentage-point gap highlights investor concerns over the transition to successor Greg Abel.
Buffett’s departure, effective January 1, 2026, marked the end of a six-decade tenure. The announcement surprised shareholders at Berkshire’s annual meeting, where only board members, including his children Howard and Susie Buffett, were aware of the plan.
The first post-Buffett annual meeting in 2026 saw Abel lead proceedings, with Buffett seated in the audience as a symbolic endorsement. The event retained its traditional tone but underscored the shift in leadership.