Abel's Berkshire Overhaul: Alphabet and Delta Gain as Cash Reserves Soar

Greg Abel, the new CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, wasted no time in reshaping the conglomerate's investment portfolio after taking over from Warren Buffett on January 1, 2026. In his debut quarter at the helm, Abel eliminated 15 complete holdings that Buffett had accumulated over the years, including some maintained for more than 15 years.

The divestment list features prominent corporations such as Visa, Mastercard, and Amazon, all of which had delivered solid returns. Additionally, Abel liquidated underperforming holdings like Pool Corp specializing in pool supplies, British beverage giant Diageo, and pizza retailer Domino's Pizza.

Many of the exited holdings offered substantial dividend yields, indicating that Abel places lower priority on these investments compared to his predecessor. In contrast, Abel's new investment targets are Alphabet, which owns Google, and Delta Air Lines, both providing minimal dividends.

Berkshire's cash reserves expanded throughout the quarter, climbing from $373.3 billion to $397.4 billion, suggesting that Abel is stockpiling resources instead of aggressively investing capital. Market observers speculate this might signal preparation for a major acquisition or cautionary prudence amid elevated stock valuations.