Greg Abel: Our capital allocation approach is 'aligned with our owners and shareholders'

Summary

At the 2026 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, CEO Greg Abel explains the company's patient and disciplined capital allocation philosophy, emphasizing waiting for market dislocations rather than overpaying for quality assets. A second speaker, likely Ajit Jain, reinforces the importance of saying no in both insurance and investing to achieve long-term success. Both stress alignment with long-term shareholders and the value of doing nothing until the right opportunity appears.

• Greg Abel outlines Berkshire's capital allocation approach focused on patience and discipline.
• He notes that there are excellent companies but they are not attractively priced for acquisition.
• Berkshire is prepared to wait for market dislocations that may occur in the future.
• The approach is aligned with long-term shareholders who also take a patient view.
• A second executive (likely Ajit Jain) compares investing to insurance underwriting.
• He states that the key skill is the ability to say no to most deals.
• Only exceptional opportunities that are clearly profitable should be pursued.
• Both speakers emphasize long-term thinking and avoiding the urgency to act.