Berkshire Hathaway and Micron Technology gained after strong earnings reports. Spirit Airlines dropped due to losses, while Paramount rose amid acquisition talks. U.S. Steel, EHang Holdings, Bausch + Lomb, and Coinbase saw gains based on analyst upgrades. Tyson Foods fell despite beating earnings estimates, and Medical Properties Trust lost ground due to a major tenant's bankruptcy. Li Auto and Victoria's Secret reported positive news, moving their stocks up and down, respectively.
Berkshire Hathaway's stock rose after reporting strong earnings and record cash reserves. Operating earnings surged 39%, driven by increased insurance underwriting earnings, especially from Geico. The company now holds $189 billion in cash, as it struggles to find suitable acquisitions. Despite outperforming the S&P 500 this year, analysts remain positive on Berkshire's prospects, citing its strong earnings and potential for growth in data analytics.
Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is considering investing in Canada. He said that he feels comfortable investing there because the Canadian economy is similar to the U.S. Buffett has a history of investing in Canada and is currently looking at a specific investment opportunity, which he declined to name. Canada's S&P/TSX Composite Index has performed well this year, and the economy has strong financial and commodity sectors.
Warren Buffett has named Greg Abel as his successor and will give him complete control over Berkshire Hathaway's investment decisions. Abel, currently responsible for a significant portion of Berkshire's businesses, will have the final say on both stock purchases and acquisitions. Despite having investment managers, Buffett believes that the CEO should have ultimate responsibility for the portfolio due to its vast size.
Berkshire Hathaway sold off all its shares in Paramount at a loss. Warren Buffett admitted full responsibility for the decision. Paramount's stock has been declining since Berkshire first invested in 2022 due to issues such as a dividend cut and CEO exit. The company's struggles in the face of declining traditional pay-TV and competition in streaming led Buffett to question consumer priorities and the oversaturation in the streaming industry.
Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting is a major event for investors. This year, there will be an added significance as it will be the first without Charlie Munger, Buffett's longtime partner who passed away recently. Vice Chairman Greg Abel will fill Munger's seat, and investors will be looking for updates on topics like inflation, the company's Apple investment, and succession plans following Munger's passing.
