As the first Saturday of May approaches, all eyes are on Omaha, Nebraska, where the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting will take place. This event is often called the “Woodstock for Capitalists” because of its excitement and importance. This year, the meeting is even more special since it marks Warren Buffett’s 60th year leading the company, and it’s only the second meeting since his long-time partner, Charlie Munger, passed away.
Tens of thousands of shareholders will be in Omaha, and many more will watch the meeting online. People are eager to hear from the 94-year-old Buffett, especially with the current global market uncertainty, political changes, and questions about the company’s large cash reserves. Here are some of the main topics that will be discussed:
Will Buffett Speak Up?
Buffett has kept quiet recently as the market has faced uncertainty, especially due to aggressive U.S. tariffs. But on Saturday, he will finally speak alongside Vice Chairmen Greg Abel and Ajit Jain, addressing shareholders and answering their questions. Abel, who is seen as Buffett’s successor, will take on a bigger role this year, signaling that the leadership transition is moving forward.
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The $334 Billion Question
One of the main topics will be Berkshire’s huge cash reserves, which reached a record $334.2 billion by the end of 2024. For the past two years, the company has sold more stock than it has bought, including shares in big companies like Apple and Bank of America. Buffett is known for being careful with money, so investors will want to know if recent market changes have created any good buying opportunities.
What About Apple?
Another big topic is Berkshire’s stake in Apple. The company still holds 300 million shares, but it has sold some of its shares in the past few quarters. Investors want to know if Buffett is done selling, as he previously said the sales were due to tax reasons, but those reasons may no longer be an issue.
The Future of Berkshire
Since Charlie Munger is no longer with Berkshire, people are wondering who will carry on Buffett’s legacy. Greg Abel is expected to take over eventually, and the meeting may give us more insight into how the leadership transition is happening and how much of Buffett’s investment approach will continue.
Looking Beyond the U.S.
Berkshire has mostly invested in U.S. companies, but Buffett has spoken positively about emerging markets like India. Investors will be curious to hear if Buffett has any plans for expanding the company’s investments globally, especially as the world’s economic and political situation changes.
AI and Innovation
Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) will also be important topics. Although Buffett has been cautious about AI, citing its potential risks, shareholders will likely want to hear how Berkshire plans to approach AI — both the challenges and the opportunities. Many of the companies Berkshire invests in are affected by new tech trends, so any comments on this topic will be closely watched.
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Before the meeting, Berkshire will release its first-quarter earnings, which will give investors an update on the company’s investments. The meeting itself will begin at 9 a.m. ET with Buffett’s opening remarks, followed by a long Q&A session that will be streamed live in both English and Mandarin.
