For the first time in over half a century, the driver’s seat at Berkshire Hathaway looks a little different. Following the official retirement of the "Oracle of Omaha" on December 31, 2025, Greg Abel has taken the reins of the world’s most famous investment portfolio. While the leadership has changed, the core philosophy of extreme concentration and high conviction remains as steady as ever.
As of mid-April 2026, Abel is overseeing a $318 billion portfolio where nearly 80% of the total value is tied up in just 10 names. It’s a bold, "best ideas" approach that prioritizes quality and capital returns over broad diversification.
The Strategy: Dividends, Buybacks, and "Forever" Holdings
Abel has made it clear that he isn’t looking to reinvent the wheel. The portfolio remains anchored by companies with sustainable competitive advantages and aggressive capital-return programs.
Yield on Cost: The true magic of Berkshire’s patience is visible in Coca-Cola (KO). With a cost basis of roughly $3.25 per share, the company is enjoying a staggering 63% annual yield on cost.
The Buyback King: Apple (AAPL) remains the crown jewel, representing 18.7% of invested assets. Apple's relentless share repurchase program continues to be a primary driver of earnings-per-share growth.
The "Indefinites": While American Express (AXP) and Coca-Cola have long been considered "forever" stocks, Abel recently added Moody's (MCO) and Apple to that elite list of permanent holdings in his first annual letter.
A Disciplined Shift Toward Value
Despite the "forever" labels, Abel is proving he isn't afraid to trim when valuations become stretched. A significant shift has occurred with the Apple stake—roughly 75% has been sold off since late 2023—as its P/E ratio climbed toward 33.
Similarly, the stake in Bank of America (BAC) was halved as the stock moved from a deep discount to a significant premium over its book value. For Abel, as it was for Buffett, the price you pay determines your ultimate success.
The Top 10 Holdings (As of April 10, 2026)
1. Apple (AAPL): $59.4 billion (18.7% of invested assets) 2. American Express (AXP): $47.5 billion (14.9%) 3. Coca-Cola (KO): $31 billion (9.7%) 4. Bank of America (BAC): $27.2 billion (8.5%) 5. Chevron (CVX): $24.5 billion (7.7%) 6. Occidental Petroleum (OXY): $15.4 billion (4.8%) 7. Mitsubishi (MSBHF): $13 billion (4.1%) 8. Mitsui (MITSF): $11.5 billion (3.6%) 9. Chubb (CB): $11.2 billion (3.5%) 10. Moody's (MCO): $10.5 billion (3.3%)
Greg Abel is staying true to the Berkshire blueprint—patience, concentration, and an obsession with value—while navigating a 2026 market where premium prices are making "good deals" harder to find.
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