Berkshire Hathaway's New CEO Buys Billions in Company Stock

Greg Abel, Warren Buffett's successor, sees value in Berkshire's shares and has restarted the company's share repurchase program.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:38am

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An extreme close-up of the complex, interlocking gears and mechanisms of a vintage banking vault, conveying the institutional power and financial security of Berkshire Hathaway.Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO sees value in the conglomerate's underpriced shares, restarting the company's share buyback program.Los Angeles Today

Greg Abel, the new CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has already made several moves since taking over the company from Warren Buffett at the start of 2026. One of Abel's first actions was to purchase $226 million worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock in March, and he may continue buying billions more throughout the year. Abel has restarted Berkshire's share repurchase program, taking advantage of the stock trading at a reasonable valuation compared to the company's intrinsic value.

Why it matters

Berkshire Hathaway is a massive conglomerate with dozens of operating businesses, a large portfolio of stocks and bonds, and over $650 billion in assets under management. Abel's willingness to buy back Berkshire's own shares signals that he sees the stock as undervalued and a good long-term investment for the company. This could be a positive sign for Berkshire shareholders as Abel takes the reins from the legendary Warren Buffett.

The details

Abel has overseen several other major moves since becoming CEO, including Berkshire's $9.7 billion acquisition of OxyChem from Occidental Petroleum and a $1.8 billion strategic investment to acquire about 2.5% of Tokio Marine, a multinational insurance company based in Japan. However, Abel's purchase of $226 million worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock in March is seen as a key early decision. Berkshire's board changed the company's share repurchase authorization in mid-2018, allowing the CEO to buy back shares if the stock trades below its intrinsic value. Buffett had been wary of repurchases at premium valuations, which is why he stopped buying back shares in 2024 as Berkshire's price-to-book ratio climbed above 1.5. But with the stock now trading around 1.4 times book value, Abel sees an opportunity to deploy some of Berkshire's massive cash hoard to buy back its own undervalued shares.

  • In March 2026, Abel purchased $226 million worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock.
  • Berkshire Hathaway's board changed the company's share repurchase authorization in mid-2018.

The players

Greg Abel

The new CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, who took over from Warren Buffett at the start of 2026. Abel has a background in managing Berkshire's operating businesses, in contrast to Buffett's focus on investing the company's portfolio.

Warren Buffett

The legendary investor who served as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO for decades before handing over the reins to Greg Abel in 2026. Buffett was wary of share repurchases at premium valuations, which is why he stopped buying back Berkshire's stock in 2024.

Berkshire Hathaway

The massive conglomerate with dozens of operating businesses, a large portfolio of stocks and bonds, and over $650 billion in assets under management.

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What they’re saying

“All stock repurchases should be price-dependent. What is sensible at a discount to business-value becomes stupid if done at a premium.”

— Warren Buffett

What’s next

Investors will be closely watching to see if Abel continues to buy back Berkshire Hathaway shares in the coming months, and whether the company's operating businesses continue to perform well under his leadership.

The takeaway

Greg Abel's early moves as Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO, including his willingness to deploy capital to buy back the company's undervalued shares, suggest he is taking a more hands-on approach to managing the conglomerate compared to his predecessor Warren Buffett. This could be a positive sign for Berkshire shareholders as the company navigates a volatile market environment.