Since Warren Buffett left his position as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), the famed company has substantially underperformed the market. 

Had an investor decided to buy $1,000 worth of BRK.B shares once ‘The Oracle of Omaha’ retired – driven by the growing popularity of copy trading amidst the prevailing volatility and uncertainty – they would have lost money.

In the year-to-date (YTD) chart, Berkshire Hathaway stock is down 3.36% and is, at press time, changing hands at $480.17. This means that a $1,000 investment made on January 2 – a day after Warren Buffett officially stepped down and the first regular session of 2026 – they would have $966.40 left on March 3.

While such a loss is not especially large, investing in a broad stock market index such as the S&P 500 would have prevented losses, even if gains would be equally absent. 

Berkshire Hathaway underperforms the S&P 500 in 2026

So far, 2026 has been a year of uncertainty that has, despite much volatility in both directions, led the stock market to remain effectively level by press time on March 3.

Indeed, the ongoing situation has been permeated by a strong bearish sentiment but underlined by various assets, through the turmoil, recording new record highs, but has ultimately led to overall value preservation.

Specifically, the benchmark index is up 0.34% YTD, meaning $1,000 would have turned into $1,003.40.

Had an investor been selective in their index bets and selected a segment such as energy due to President Donald Trump’s pro-big oil policy and successful military action in Venezuela, they would have seen a 24.24% return – $1,000 would have turned into $1,242.40 YTD.

How would an earlier Berkshire Hathaway investment have fared by 2026

Such a state of affairs is significantly different than Berkshire Hathaway’s historic performance. For example, a $1,000 investment in BRK.B five years ago would have turned into $1,896.80. The same investment in the broader stock market would have become $1,791.20.

Across the last 30 years, the difference is even more stark. A purchase of an equal size of Berkshire Hathaway’s stock would have, under Warren Buffett’s leadership, risen to about $20,000.

If an investor chose trading the S&P 500 instead, they would have seen their $1,000 become approximately $9,000.

Did Berkshire Hathaway start underperforming after Warren Buffett retired?

Still, it is notable that Berkshire Hathaway’s stock market woes did not wait for Warren Buffett to stand down from his role as CEO. The S&P 500 is up 17.64% in the last 12 months, while BRK.B is down 5.88% in the same period.

Elsewhere, such underperformance can perhaps be attributed to ‘The Oracle of Omaha’ agreeing at least in part with the bears. For years, the legendary investor has been increasing his cash pile instead of purchasing stocks while explaining his decision with a lack of apparently attractive equity.

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