Berkshire Hathaway has recorded a surge in cash reserves and\nstrengthened operational profits in the first quarter of 2026 under the\nleadership of new CEO Greg Abel.<\/p>\n
Citing Bloomberg on Sunday (3 May 2026), Berkshire Hathaway\u2019s cash\nreserves stood at $397 billion, or approximately Rp 6,868.1 trillion\n(assuming an exchange rate of Rp 17,300 per US dollar). This figure rose\nto the highest level in history after previously weakening at the end of\nlast year.<\/p>\n
The increase was supported by net divestments of shares worth $8.1\nbillion, or approximately Rp 140.13 trillion, during the January\u2013March\n2026 period.<\/p>\n
Greg Abel, who replaced legendary investor Warren Buffett as CEO this\nyear, also reactivated the share buyback programme.<\/p>\n
In that quarter, the company repurchased shares worth $234.2 million\n(approximately Rp 4.05 trillion).<\/p>\n
This buyback move reflects management\u2019s confidence that the intrinsic\nvalue of the shares remains higher than the market price. The decision\nwas previously agreed upon with Buffett before the leadership\ntransition.<\/p>\n
At the annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, Greg Abel led the\nshareholders\u2019 meeting as CEO for the first time. Meanwhile, 95-year-old\nWarren Buffett remained present and delivered a brief address.<\/p>\n
Berkshire Hathaway\u2019s performance often serves as a barometer for the\nUS economy due to its extensive business portfolio, ranging from\ninsurance and rail to energy and manufacturing.<\/p>\n
In the insurance segment, underwriting profits rose to $1.7 billion,\nor approximately Rp 29.41 trillion, growing by about 29 per cent\ncompared to the previous year, which was impacted by losses from\nwildfires in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert assessed that Geico\u2019s performance\nlagged behind its competitors. \u201cMost of Geico\u2019s competitors recorded\nsignificant improvements in underwriting results this quarter,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, net profits from the BNSF Railway unit rose 13 per cent to\n$1.4 billion (approximately Rp 24.22 trillion). This performance is seen\nto reflect the initial impact of cost efficiencies under CEO Katie\nFarmer\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n
Abel described the results as a positive start, though he emphasised\nthat there is still room for improvement, particularly in operational\nefficiency and profit margins.<\/p>\n
For its stake in Kraft Heinz, Berkshire has not yet recorded a new\nimpairment.<\/p>\n
The book value of its investment remains higher by about $1.4\nbillion, or approximately Rp 24.22 trillion, compared to its fair value.\nLast year, the company recorded an impairment loss of $3.8 billion, or\napproximately Rp 65.74 trillion.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/berkshire-hathaways-cash-reserves-reach-rp-6-868-trillion-highest-in-history-1777776740", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }