Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B) stock has taken a noticeable hit since Warren Buffett announced his plan to step down as CEO.
On May 3, Buffett revealed he will step down at the end of the year, with Greg Abel set to take over on January 1, 2026. However, Buffett will remain chairman and continue offering guidance when needed.
At the time of the announcement, Berkshire shares closed at $539. As of press time, the stock had dropped to $493, a decline of about 8.5%.
Still, it’s worth noting that Berkshire was one of 2025’s top performers, gaining nearly 20% at one point.
The recent decline coincided with a broader market sell-off on ‘Liberation Day’ after President Donald Trump’s retaliatory tariffs sparked panic and market sell-off. Analysts warned the move could increase the risk of a recession.
Impact of trade tariffs on Berkshire stock
Given the timing, Berkshire’s dip may be more due to overall market uncertainty than the leadership change alone.
Interestingly, as reported by Finbold, Buffett himself has long opposed tariffs. At the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, he criticized protectionist policies, calling them harmful to the U.S. economy.
“It’s a big mistake in my view when you have 7.5 billion people who don’t like you very well, and you have 300 million who are crowing about how they have done. <…> We should be looking to trade with the rest of the world. We should do what we do best and they should do what they do best,” Buffett said.
He warned that tariffs could strain international relationships and erode the shared benefits of global trade. He believes they disrupt economic cooperation and heighten tensions in an already divided world.
Featured image via Shutterstock
