Greg Abel reshapes Berkshire Hathaway portfolio with Delta and Alphabet

Greg Abel, who assumed the role of Berkshire Hathaway CEO on January 1, has aggressively restructured the conglomerate's holdings. A new regulatory filing shows a $2.6 billion entry into Delta Air Lines and a massive expansion of the company’s position in Alphabet, signaling a departure from Warren Buffett’s previous airline aversion.

The latest disclosure reveals that Berkshire increased its stake in the Google parent company to nearly 58 million shares, valued at approximately $17 billion by the end of March. This move triples the previous holding, cementing Alphabet as a core pillar of the firm's strategy. Conversely, the return to the airline sector marks a sharp pivot from Buffett’s 2020 exit, when he famously liquidated his holdings in the 'big four' carriers and labeled the industry a bottomless pit.

Abel’s portfolio cleanup has been equally decisive. Berkshire exited positions in several major entities, including Visa, Mastercard, UnitedHealth, and Amazon, narrowing its total holdings to roughly two dozen companies. The firm also reduced stakes in Chevron, Nucor, and Constellation Brands. While trimming these legacy positions, the team initiated a new bet on Macy’s and tripled the investment in The New York Times, now valued at $1.3 billion. These shifts follow a quarter where Berkshire sold $24 billion in equities, reflecting a broader effort to concentrate capital under new leadership.