Why Berkshire’s new boss just named four “forever” stocks — and quietly shrugged at two others
When a company built by Warren Buffett hands the reins to Greg Abel, investors listen. In his first shareholder letter as Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO (published in early March 2026), Abel did more than salute the past — he clarified which holdings he views as “forever” and which ones didn’t make that inner circle. The choices are equal parts reassurance and subtle signal about what matters when stewardship changes but the mandate to preserve value doesn’t.
This matters because Berkshire’s portfolio is enormous, concentrated, and iconic. What the company says about its biggest positions matters for markets and for anyone trying to think long term about durable businesses.
What Abel called “forever” — and why it matters
Abel described four holdings as core, long-term positions Berkshire expects to own for decades:
- Apple
- American Express
- Coca-Cola
- Moody’s
Why those four? The common thread is clarity: strong brand moats, predictable cash flow, management teams Berkshire trusts, and business models that have shown resilience across cycles. Abel’s naming of these companies signals continuity with Buffett’s playbook: identify exceptional businesses, buy sizeable stakes at attractive prices, and hold through time.
A few quick context points:
- These four companies make up a large portion of Berkshire’s equity portfolio — together they’re a center of gravity for the firm’s public-equity bets.
- Apple in particular is massive for Berkshire by market value; Coke and AmEx are classic Buffett examples of consumer and financial moats; Moody’s offers a high-margin, durable niche in credit-rating services.
The two notable omissions
Two of Berkshire’s other very large holdings were notably absent from Abel’s “forever” roster:
- Bank of America
- Chevron
That doesn’t mean they’re being sold tomorrow. But omission is itself information. In Bank of America’s case, Berkshire has already trimmed its position significantly in recent quarters, and Buffett historically points to stakes he truly intends to “maintain indefinitely” — the omission hints at reduced conviction or simply a pragmatic reweighting. Chevron remains a huge position but is more exposed to commodity cycles and capital allocation debates than the four Abel singled out.
Why this distinction matters for investors
- Signaling vs. action: Naming a stock as “forever” is not a trade order, but it is a governance signal. It tells shareholders what management views as reliable anchors of capital allocation.
- Style clarity: The four “forever” names reinforce Buffett-era core principles — brands, margins, predictability — while the omitted names underscore that portfolio composition can shift even at a company famous for buy-and-hold.
- Succession risk and continuity: Abel’s list reassures those worried that Berkshire might abandon Buffett’s temperament. It also highlights the open question of who will make day-to-day portfolio choices; Abel inherited stewardship responsibilities but doesn’t have the same public track record as Buffett.
How to think about “forever” stocks for your own portfolio
- “Forever” for Berkshire ≠ forever for every investor. Berkshire’s stake sizes, tax position, and horizon are unique.
- Look for durable cash flows and pricing power, not just nostalgia. Coca-Cola’s brand vs. Chevron’s commodity exposure illustrates the difference.
- Be honest about concentration: Berkshire’s approach is concentrated bets. Most individual investors should balance conviction with diversification.
- Reassess when the business changes, not when the stock price does. Holding forever means monitoring the business — management quality, competitive edge, and capital allocation — not checking charts daily.
A few concrete investor takeaways
- If you admire Buffett-style investing, study why Apple, AmEx, Coke, and Moody’s fit that mold rather than simply copy the tickers.
- Treat the omission of Bank of America and Chevron as a reminder that even blue-chip holdings can be downgraded in conviction.
- For long-term investors, focus on business durability and management incentives; for traders, these signals may matter more for short-term flows than long-term fundamentals.
What this moment reveals about Berkshire itself
- Continuity with adaptation: Abel’s letter emphasizes sticking to durable businesses while acknowledging an evolving portfolio and new capital-allocation dynamics.
- Cash pile and patience: Berkshire still holds massive cash reserves — a tactical advantage if valuations wobble and buying opportunities appear.
- Uncertainty in day-to-day management: With the portfolio’s traditional stewards reshuffled, the market is watching how Berkshire will source new big ideas and allocate capital at scale.
My take
Abel’s naming of four “forever” stocks reads like a careful bridge: it comforts investors who feared a wholesale departure from Buffett’s philosophy, while also hinting that practical decisions — trimming, adding, and pivoting — will continue. For most individual investors, the lesson isn’t to buy these exact names blindly; it’s to adopt Berkshire’s discipline: buy strong businesses with durable advantages and hold them until the story truly changes.
Sources
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Berkshire Hathaway's CEO Suggests These 4 Companies Are Forever Stocks—and 2 That Might Not Be. Barron’s.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/berkshire-hathaway-forever-stocks-apple-american-express-coca-cola-moodys-c71e573e -
Warren Buffett's successor touted 4 of his most iconic stock picks — and they're up 10 to 50 times since he bought them. Business Insider.
https://www.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-greg-abel-stock-picks-investing-apple-coke-amex-2026-3 -
Berkshire Hathaway Stocks and Holdings. Kiplinger.
https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/stocks/warren-buffett-stocks-berkshire-hathaway-portfolio
Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.
Related update: We recently published an article that expands on this topic: read the latest post.
