Greg Abel Has Kept 60% of Berkshire's $359 Billion Stock Portfolio in Just 5 Companies, Even After Eliminating 16 Other Positions in His First Quarter. Is That Concentration a Risk for Shareholders?

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Berkshire’s Concentrated Bet Puts a Spotlight on Stock Selection

Greg Abel’s tight focus on five large holdings at Berkshire raises questions about risk and his pick-as-you-go skills post-Buffett.

Greg Abel’s decision to keep 60% of Berkshire’s $359 billion portfolio in just five stocks reflects a clear bet on established blue chips: Apple, American Express, Alphabet, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola. This is largely Warren Buffett’s legacy, representing companies Buffett knows inside out. The risk? Concentration increases vulnerability if one stumbles, especially since Abel’s own track record hasn’t yet had Buffett’s decades to mature. For South African investors watching from the JSE, this is a cautionary note against putting too many eggs in a few baskets—even within giant firms. While the rand sits mostly steady at these levels versus the dollar, the lesson is to look for diversification, not just dominant names. Abel’s challenge will be proving he can find Buffett-level winners in a rapidly changing world. We watch, but wouldn’t rush to mimic such concentration locally outside current JSE stalwarts like Naspers or Standard Bank. this is just our opinion and not financial advice