Warren Buffett's successor touted 4 of his most iconic stock picks — and they're up 10 to 50 times since he bought them
Business Insider
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Greg Abel, Warren Buffett’s successor at Berkshire Hathaway, paid homage to the legendary investor in his first shareholder letter by highlighting four of Buffett’s most iconic stock picks. These investments—Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola, and Moody's—have delivered extraordinary returns, with their values multiplying between 10 to 50 times since Buffett acquired them. Abel included a detailed table in his letter, showcasing the cost, current value, and dividend payouts for each holding, underscoring Buffett’s unparalleled stock-picking ability.
Buffett built these stakes over decades, demonstrating his long-term, concentrated investing strategy. For instance, Berkshire’s Apple stake, purchased between 2016 and 2018, has grown into the company’s most valuable holding, despite recent divestitures. The remaining 1.6% stake in Apple is now worth $62 billion, a tenfold increase from its initial cost of $6.3 billion. Similarly, American Express and Coca-Cola, both acquired in the mid-1990s, have delivered impressive returns, with their values soaring to $56 billion and $28 billion respectively.
Moody’s, another standout investment, was purchased by Buffett in 2001 for $248 million. By December 2025, its value had surged to nearly $13 billion—a 51-fold gain. Together, these four holdings were worth 17 times their original cost and generated $1.7 billion in dividends last year, representing a significant return on investment. Abel’s inclusion of this table not only honors Buffett but also highlights the power of long-term investing.
Abel’s decision to revive Buffett’s practice of ranking top stock holdings aligns with his goal of continuing Berkshire
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Originally published on Business Insider on 3/2/2026