What is the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting and why it matters?

Warren Buffett

What began as a quiet gathering in a lunchroom with just a handful of investors has now become one of the most anticipated events in global finance.

On Saturday, May 3, Omaha will once again host tens of thousands of devoted shareholders for the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Meeting—a weekend-long pilgrimage for value investors, business enthusiasts, and Buffett loyalists alike. The meeting, now marking 60 years of Warren Buffett at the helm, is more than just a corporate formality; it’s a celebration of capital, discipline, and one man’s enduring philosophy on life and money.

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In the 1970s, shareholder meetings were held in a modest fourth-floor lunchroom of the National Indemnity Company building. There were no cameras, no fanfare—just Buffett, a few vending machines, and a small circle of early believers. The business of the day was dispatched in minutes, followed by casual conversations about investing.

Today, the scene could not be more different. Held at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha, the gathering draws crowds akin to a music festival. Overflowing hotels, packed flights, and bustling vendor stalls make it clear: this is no ordinary AGM.

This year’s meeting carries a deeper emotional weight. It’s the second without Charlie Munger, Buffett’s long-time vice chairman and intellectual counterpart, who passed away in late 2023. His absence looms large, but so does his legacy. All eyes will be on Greg Abel, Buffett’s named successor, as he joins Buffett and insurance head Ajit Jain on stage for the marathon Q&A.

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And at 94, with six decades of leadership behind him, Buffett’s every word is being listened to more intently than ever. Investors will be looking not just for insights into the company’s next moves, but for reflections on how Berkshire—and Buffett’s investing worldview—might evolve in the years to come.

This year, the meeting comes against the backdrop of growing market uncertainty, rising protectionism, and a cash pile at Berkshire that has crossed $334 billion. With investors on edge after a turbulent spring triggered by new U.S. tariffs, many are hoping Buffett will use this forum to address the broader economic picture.

There’s also intense curiosity around the company’s reduced stake in Apple, one of its crown jewels. Shareholders want clarity on whether more selling is coming—or if Buffett is done trimming.

And, of course, everyone wants to know: Will Berkshire finally deploy its mountain of cash?

The “Woodstock for Capitalists” isn’t just about Berkshire’s balance sheet. It’s about legacy, trust, and the enduring appeal of old-school, principle-driven investing in a world that could use a little more of it.