Warren E. Buffett announced plans to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) at the end of the year, with Greg Abel set to take the helm as the conglomerate’s next leader, according to a letter released Nov 10.
Buffett, 95, said he will remain chairman while Abel, 63, assumes CEO responsibilities. The Oracle of Omaha also revealed plans to accelerate charitable donations to his children’s foundations. He plans to convert 1,800 A shares into 2.7 million B shares worth more than $1.34 billion for distribution to four family foundations, according to the letter.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares fell 0.4% on Monday following the announcement, closing at $496.98.
Abel currently serves as vice chairman of noninsurance operations. Buffett described Abel as “a great manager, a tireless worker and an honest communicator.” He added that “my children are already 100% behind Greg as are the Berkshire directors,” according to the letter.
“I would like to keep a significant amount of ‘A’ shares until Berkshire shareholders develop the comfort with Greg that Charlie and I long enjoyed,” Buffett wrote, referring to the late Charlie Munger. He added that “the acceleration of my lifetime gifts to my children’s foundations in no way reflects any change in my views about Berkshire’s prospects,” according to the letter.
For investors seeking exposure to Berkshire Hathaway as it enters a new era under Abel’s leadership, look at three distinct ETF options. They offer different approaches to accessing the company’s performance, from broad financial sector exposure to leveraged single-stock strategies.
Three Berkshire Hathaway ETF Options
The iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (IYG) provides exposure to the financial services industry with Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B as its largest holding at 13.3%, according to ETF database. The fund holds $1.92 billion in assets under management with a 0.38% expense ratio and tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index.
BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) launched the fund in June 2000. The fund posted a 15.3% year-to-date gain and has seen $110.8 million in inflows so far this year, according to ETF Database.
The Direxion Daily BRKB Bull 2X Shares (BRKU) offers leveraged exposure, seeking to deliver twice the daily price return of Berkshire Hathaway stock, according to ETF Database. Rafferty Asset Management launched the fund in December 2024, and it holds $86.1 million in assets with a 0.97% expense ratio.
The fund posted an 8.8% return over one week and 10.4% over three months. Year-to-date inflows reached $84.7 million, according to the data.
Meanwhile, the Roundhill BRKB WeeklyPay ETF (BRKW) combines 1.2x leveraged exposure to Berkshire’s weekly price performance with weekly distributions to shareholders, according to ETF Database. Roundhill Investments launched the actively managed fund in June 2025, and it manages $50.9 million with a 0.99% expense ratio.
The fund generated a 5.1% return over one week and 7.1% over three months, according to ETF Database. Four-week inflows totaled $24.3 million.
Buffett acknowledged in his letter that Berkshire’s stock price “will move capriciously, occasionally falling 50% or so as has happened three times in 60 years under present management,” but urged investors not to despair. “America will come back and so will Berkshire shares,” he wrote.
For more news, information, and analysis, visit VettaFi | ETF Trends.
Check out the newsletter advisors rely on
Enjoyed this article? Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular insights and stay connected.