Berkshire: Perfectly Adequate Hands

One gathers Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.19%)(BRK.B 0.14%) has undergone a slight… rearrangement. Old Warren, naturally, has decided to delegate. Perfectly sensible, really. One can’t expect a man to spend eternity counting money, however diverting it may be. Greg Abel is now at the helm, and frankly, the market’s fuss is rather tiresome. As if a change in captain will suddenly sink the ship. Honestly.

A Familiar Course, Darling

Let’s be clear. Mr. Abel isn’t Warren Buffett. A rather obvious statement, wouldn’t you agree? But the notion that Berkshire is about to veer wildly off course is simply dramatic. The gentleman spent decades under the old regime, absorbing the… eccentricities. He’s not likely to dismantle a perfectly functional, if somewhat antiquated, system overnight. And, rather crucially, he’s still answerable to the Oracle himself, who remains on the board, presumably to ensure things don’t become too terribly modern.

A Most Comforting Cushion

One always appreciates a safety net, don’t you think? Berkshire, at last count, was positively awash with cash. Seventy-six billion dollars, if one’s memory serves, plus another three hundred and five million in short-term investments. It’s enough to make one feel quite secure, even in these unpredictable times. A little cushion for the inevitable downturn, a little capital for opportunistic acquisitions. And, let’s be frank, a little breathing room for Mr. Abel to make a few… adjustments without causing a complete catastrophe.

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A Touch More… Initiative

Old Warren was a rather hands-off sort, wasn’t he? Buy a good business, leave the management to it, and collect the dividends. Perfectly sound, if a bit… passive. Berkshire, however, is now a rather sprawling empire. Inefficiencies, inevitably, creep in. It’s the nature of things. Mr. Abel, by all accounts, is a touch more… proactive. He’s likely to apply a bit of polish, streamline a few operations. Not a revolution, mind you, just a bit of sensible housekeeping.

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A little accountability, a little encouragement, and a generous helping of capital could work wonders. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, darling, it’s about making sure the wheels are properly oiled.

A Steady Hand on the Helm

Berkshire Hathaway is a large vessel, and one doesn’t turn it around on a sixpence. Mr. Abel isn’t likely to attempt such a feat, given his long tenure within the company. However, with that considerable cash hoard and a slightly more engaged management style, there’s still ample potential for growth. If one has been contemplating an investment, the change in leadership shouldn’t, by any means, be a deterrent. It’s not a thrilling prospect, perhaps, but perfectly adequate. And in the current climate, one must settle for perfectly adequate, mustn’t one?

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2026-01-21 23:02