Buffett to Address Key Berkshire Questions In Annual Letter

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett is set to release his highly anticipated annual shareholder letter, offering potential insights into the company’s future, particularly in a post-Buffett era.

This marks Buffett’s 60th year at Berkshire’s helm, with the company operating from a position of strength. I Photo: Pete Souza, The White House

The letter will be published alongside Berkshire’s annual report and fourth-quarter earnings, Barron’s Daily reported.

This marks Buffett’s 60th year at Berkshire’s helm, with the company operating from a position of strength, having achieved record operating earnings in the first nine months of 2024 and a record stock price.

Investors are eager to see if Buffett will address key issues, including succession planning, the company’s massive cash reserves, investment strategies, stock buybacks, dividends, and the role of Berkshire’s investment managers.

At the end of the third quarter, Berkshire held approximately $310 billion in cash, a significant increase from $167 billion at the end of 2023.

The year-end figure for 2024 could approach $325 billion. In last year’s letter, Buffett acknowledged that this cash position was “far in excess of what conventional wisdom deems necessary.”

Buffett, who turns 95 in August, previously stated that his designated successor, Berkshire executive Greg Abel, is "ready to be CEO tomorrow." One possibility is that Buffett could step down as chief executive while remaining chairman.