Warren Buffett, who is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) at year’s end, is expected to deliver a farewell address in his final letter to shareholders that is scheduled for release on Nov. 10.
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Buffett, age 95, is a legendary investor and has led Berkshire Hathaway for 60 years. His departure is widely viewed as the end of an era, not only for Berkshire but also for corporate America. As such, speculation is rampant online about what Buffett might say and announce in his final letter to shareholders.
In fact, speculation is at such a fevered pitch that Buffett issued a press release on Nov. 6 ahead of the letter’s release to state that he plans to discuss “philanthropy, Berkshire and other matters that Berkshire shareholders and others may find to be of interest.” The news release was titled “It’s Not Me,” and warned investors about fake videos of him that have been posted on YouTube and circulated online.
Dividend?
Probably the biggest speculation and rumor online is that Buffett will announce that Berkshire Hathaway will finally pay shareholders a dividend. Berkshire has never paid a dividend despite the fact that the holding company is sitting on a record cash pile of $381.6 billion. Some analysts have commented that Buffett might announce a one-time special dividend as he says goodbye to stockholders.
Whether Buffett will announce a dividend is not known. He has always been against dividend payments in the past, saying he would rather reinvest profits in Berkshire Hathaway. However, Berkshire’s approach might change once new CEO Greg Abel takes the helm. Abel will write the company’s annual shareholder letter starting in 2026.
In past letters, Buffett has discussed the economy, family, philanthropy, investing, and his confidence in the U.S. as a land of opportunity. Buffett will remain chair of Berkshire Hathaway’s board of directors.
Is BRK.B Stock a Buy?
Only a couple of analysts currently offer a rating and price target on Berkshire Hathaway’s more affordable Class B stock. So instead, we’ll look at the shares’ three-month performance. As one can see in the chart below, shares of BRK.B have risen 6% in the last 12 weeks.
