Berkshire Hathaway slides on softer Q4 earnings as Abel signals leadership shift
Berkshire Hathaway slid about 5% after Q4 operating earnings fell 30% year over year, insurance profits dropped 54%, and a $1.55 billion goodwill impairment contributed to the decline, as Greg Abel delivered his first letter as the new CEO. Analysts say Berkshire’s intrinsic value is roughly in line with the market cap, view leadership transition as the main risk, and note the company’s no-dividend, value-based buyback policy provides few near-term catalysts for outperformance.