Warren Buffett Retires: 3,950,000% Return Makes Him the Greatest Investor of All Time

Warren Buffett, widely regarded as the world’s greatest investor, is retiring today as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Under his leadership, the company transformed from a struggling textile firm into one of the world’s most valuable conglomerates, controlling nearly $700 billion in tradable stocks, bonds, and cash.

A Historic Journey
When Buffett took charge of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, its share price stood at just $19. Today, it trades at an astonishing $750,000—a staggering 3,950,000% return for its investors. This unparalleled achievement cements Buffett’s legacy as an all-time investment legend, closely watched by investors worldwide.

Buffett announced his retirement earlier this year during Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting. From January 1, the company’s daily operations will be handled by Vice Chairman Gregory Abel, while Buffett, now 95, will remain Chairman and continue to visit the office. This marks the end of six decades of operational leadership that reshaped American capitalism and expanded Berkshire’s business empire.

Berkshire Hathaway Today
Currently the ninth most valuable company in the U.S., Berkshire Hathaway owns the country’s second-largest property and casualty insurance business and manages nearly 200 operating companies. Its portfolio includes four of America’s ‘Class 1’ railroads, a vast utilities portfolio, and iconic consumer brands such as Brooks Running Shoes and See’s Candies.

Buffett, often described as a value-investing legend, began by acquiring undervalued companies and later made some of the most profitable growth bets of modern times—most notably Apple. Between 2016 and 2018, Berkshire purchased Apple shares, now its most profitable investment.

The Abel Era
Berkshire’s holdings include Apple ($65 billion), Coca-Cola ($28 billion), Bank of America ($32 billion), Moody’s ($13 billion), Visa ($3 billion), Mastercard ($2 billion), and American Express ($58 billion). As Buffett’s successor, Gregory Abel faces the crucial challenge of capital allocation. Unlike Buffett, Abel is not known for stock-picking; his expertise lies in growing Berkshire’s energy businesses. With interest rates declining, the opportunity cost of Berkshire’s $380 billion cash reserve is rising, making Abel’s decisions critical to the conglomerate’s future.

Warren Buffett’s retirement marks the end of an era, but his investment philosophy and legendary track record leave an indelible mark on global finance. His story continues to inspire investors across the world.