Berkshire Hathaway: Warren Buffett steps down as chairman, becomes chairman emeritus

Berkshire Hathaway announced on September 18, 2026 that Warren Buffett has stepped down as the company’s chairman and will take the title of chairman emeritus, according to the company’s news updates on its corporate website.

The change was reported across financial outlets: Yahoo Finance wrote that “Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, transitioning to chairman emeritus,” and CNBC and Reuters also covered the leadership move.

An empty, well-lit boardroom table with a single unoccupied leather chair pushed slightly back, a closed notebook and fountain pen on the table suggesting a recent departure

Berkshire Hathaway’s corporate site shows news releases updated September 18, 2026, and media coverage says vice chairman Greg Abel will take the company’s operational lead; Yahoo Finance noted that Greg Abel “takes the helm.” These sources indicate an orderly handover rather than an abrupt exit.

Analysts on business networks discussed what the chair change means for Berkshire Hathaway’s investing approach and succession plan; CNBC ran interviews with market figures placing the decision in the context of long-planned leadership transition at the conglomerate.

A close-up of anonymous hands on a printed shareholder proxy and glasses on the page, suggesting governance paperwork and transition

For readers tracking the company’s next steps, Berkshire’s site remains the primary source of official notices and SEC filings; news outlets are reporting on market reactions and commentary from investors and analysts.

Sources

Berkshire Hathaway — company website news release and update dated September 18, 2026 indicating news releases were updated.
Yahoo Finance — reported that “Warren Buffett has officially stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, transitioning to chairman emeritus” and noted Greg Abel “takes the helm.”
Reuters — company news and coverage of the leadership change.
CNBC — coverage and analyst interviews about the transition.
Internal link — Warren Buffett message appears on Berkshire Hathaway site

About the author, Chris Martin

Chris Martin is a US economics and current affairs journalist covering the intersection of policy, markets, and everyday financial life. With a background in financial reporting and a sharp eye for the stories behind the numbers, Chris brings clarity to some of the most complex issues shaping the American economy today. At ECIKS.org, Chris covers breaking developments across domestic economic policy, business strategy, Wall Street movements, and political decisions that ripple through financial markets. His reporting blends rigorous data analysis with accessible storytelling making critical information useful for investors, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens alike.