"I have no intention of selling one share of Berkshire Hathaway," said Buffett. "I think the prospects of Berkshire will be better under Greg's management than under mine."
What’s fascinating is that Buffett’s transition isn’t just a succession story — it might be the final chapter of the American industrial conglomerate model. Berkshire is a relic in the best sense: decentralized, cash-heavy, and uninterested in short-term signaling. But post-Buffett, can that model survive the gravitational pull of financial engineering, activist pressure, and indexation flows? Abel may have the temperament, but the ecosystem has changed. Berkshire’s greatest challenge might be staying weird in a world that punishes patience.
There are other conglomerates out there. (Markel Group, for example) And it seems to me that Alphabet, with all it's separate divisions, is moving into that area, unless the government forces them to break apart.
What’s fascinating is that Buffett’s transition isn’t just a succession story — it might be the final chapter of the American industrial conglomerate model. Berkshire is a relic in the best sense: decentralized, cash-heavy, and uninterested in short-term signaling. But post-Buffett, can that model survive the gravitational pull of financial engineering, activist pressure, and indexation flows? Abel may have the temperament, but the ecosystem has changed. Berkshire’s greatest challenge might be staying weird in a world that punishes patience.
I like that: Abel's job is to "Keep Berkshire Weird"
There are other conglomerates out there. (Markel Group, for example) And it seems to me that Alphabet, with all it's separate divisions, is moving into that area, unless the government forces them to break apart.
One for your weekend cuppa
https://caffeinatedcaptial.substack.com/p/sunday-big-think-capitalisms-last