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In a moment that has Wall Street buzzing and investors worldwide holding their breath, Warren Buffett, the 95-year-old investing legend dubbed the “Oracle of Omaha,” is set to pen his final chapter as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway with a highly anticipated farewell letter releasing today.
The missive, described by a company spokesperson as a reflection on “philanthropy, Berkshire, and other matters that Berkshire shareholders and others may find to be of interest,” marks Buffett’s first public statement since his bombshell May announcement that he’d step down from the helm by year’s end after more than six decades at the reins.
The letter, slated for publication on Berkshire’s website this morning, arrives as the conglomerate—once a floundering textile mill that Buffett transformed into a $900 billion behemoth—navigates uncharted waters.
With successor Greg Abel poised to take over in 2026, speculation runs rampant: Will it outline a bold vision for Berkshire’s post-Buffett era, perhaps touching on dividends the famously frugal icon has long shunned? Or might it delve into his storied philanthropy, including the bulk of his fortune pledged to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation? One thing’s certain—it’s unlikely to include a review of the latest sci-fi thriller like Predator: Badlands, though in Buffett’s witty world, nothing’s off-limits until the ink dries.
Buffett’s exit caps a career that’s not just shaped markets but redefined American capitalism. Since acquiring control of Berkshire in 1965, he’s delivered annualized returns of nearly 20%, turning a $10,000 investment into over $4 million today.
His annual shareholder letters—folksy, incisive dispatches blending economic insight with Midwestern charm—have become must-reads for everyone from novice traders to world leaders, often mining wisdom from mentors like Benjamin Graham while skewering Wall Street excess. This farewell, insiders say, could echo those classics: a mix of gratitude, timeless advice like “avoid short-termism” and a nod to the U.S. as a land of endless opportunity.
Yet the timing feels poignant amid Berkshire’s recent caution. The firm has been a net seller of stocks for 12 straight quarters, trimming stakes in blue-chips like Apple amid sky-high valuations—a Buffett hallmark of value hunting in turbulent times. Shares (BRK.B) have climbed about 10% this year, lagging the S&P 500’s 14.4% surge as the so-called “Buffett premium” fades with retirement whispers. Analysts wonder if today’s letter might address that gap, signaling stability under Abel or even greenlighting buybacks Buffett has dodged despite Berkshire’s $200 billion cash hoard.
Online chatter has hit fever pitch, with fake deepfake videos of Buffett peddling crypto scams prompting a rare preemptive strike: a November 6 Berkshire press release titled “It’s Not Me,” urging fans to ignore the imposters. As one pundit put it, this isn’t just a letter—it’s “a blueprint for enduring success,” a parting gift from the man who taught millions to think long-term in a TikTok world.
Buffett, ever the storyteller, leaves behind a legacy that’s as much about integrity as returns. From early bets on Coca-Cola to his aversion to tech fads, his rules—buy wonderful companies at fair prices, treat shareholders like family have outlasted booms and busts.
As markets open today, eyes will be glued not just to the Dow but to Berkshire’s site. Whatever gems it holds, one suspects it’ll end with that signature optimism: America works, patience pays, and the party’s far from over.
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