Berkshire Hathaway shares have risen more than 4% over the past week, outperforming the broader market as investors await Warren Buffett’s final letter — his first public message since announcing plans to step down as CEO in May.
The farewell letter is expected to be released on November 10 (U.S. time). In it, the “Oracle of Omaha” will share his reflections on philanthropy, Berkshire Hathaway, and other issues “that shareholders and the public may find of interest,” according to a company statement.
This marks the official farewell of the legendary 95-year-old investor, who has spent more than six decades transforming Berkshire from a struggling textile manufacturer in New England into today’s powerful investment empire.
The announcement came as Berkshire Hathaway’s stock demonstrated resilience amid a wave of sell-offs on Wall Street.
While major stock indexes have tumbled — with the Nasdaq Composite down 3% due to a sell-off in tech shares — Berkshire Hathaway stock has climbed 4.6%. This performance underscores the strength of its diversified investment strategy in stable cash-generating industries such as insurance, railroads, and utilities, which have turned Berkshire into a “safe haven” during turbulent markets.
Investors have flocked to Berkshire for its defensive insurance arm, Geico, and its rock-solid balance sheet. Most notably, the conglomerate held a massive $382 billion in cash as of the end of September — a financial fortress in today’s uncertain economic environment.
Strong financial results have also fueled Berkshire’s stock rally. The company delivered an impressive third-quarter performance, with operating profit surging 34% year over year. Particularly noteworthy was the insurance division, where earnings soared more than 200%, reaching $2.37 billion.
Interestingly, Buffett — who will step down as CEO by the end of this year — has continued to sell stocks. As of Q3 2025, Berkshire Hathaway has been a net seller of equities for 12 consecutive quarters. Market speculation is mounting that the “Oracle of Omaha” may have trimmed Berkshire’s Apple holdings, the company’s largest investment, during the past quarter.
“In today’s uncertain economic environment, we continue to see strong potential in Berkshire Hathaway stock thanks to its defensive businesses, abundant cash reserves, and the recovery momentum of GEICO,” UBS said in its latest report.
The “Post-Buffett Effect” Begins to Emerge
Nevertheless, Berkshire Hathaway shares have underperformed the S&P 500 this year, as the “Buffett halo effect” — the added premium tied to his reputation — has faded following his retirement announcement. The stock is up nearly 10% in 2025, lagging behind the 14.4% gain of the broader market.
Warren Buffett’s final letter as CEO will be closely watched by investors — not only for its sentimental value but also for clues about Berkshire Hathaway’s future direction once the “Oracle of Omaha” officially steps down.
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