BRK-B Analysis: Berkshire Hathaway's $382 Billion Cash Hoard and the Post-Buffett Era Under Greg Abel
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) trades at $498.25 per share with a market capitalization of $1.07 trillion, making it one of the ten most valuable companies on earth. The stock sits 8% below its 52-week high of $542.07, with trailing twelve-month earnings of $31.29 per share giving it a P/E ratio of 15.9x — roughly in line with the broader market despite Berkshire's uniquely diversified conglomerate structure. The defining story for Berkshire Hathaway right now is the leadership transition from Warren Buffett to Greg Abel as CEO. In Buffett's final quarter at the helm, Berkshire was a net seller of equities, continuing to trim its Apple and Bank of America positions while building what is now a staggering $382 billion cash and short-term investment pile. That cash position — larger than the GDP of most countries — represents both Buffett's legendary patience and the central question facing the Abel era: when and how will Berkshire deploy this capital? With an earnings announcement scheduled for February 28, 2026, and the annual shareholder meeting on the horizon, investors are watching closely to see whether the new leadership maintains Buffett's disciplined approach or begins to chart a different course for the conglomerate.