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Berkshire Under Greg Abel Dumps Visa and Mastercard, Revives a 2020 Castoff

The quarterly portfolio report offers the first clear look at Abel’s approach since taking the helm from Warren Buffett.

Overview

  • Berkshire Hathaway’s latest 13F, which lists big U.S. stock positions each quarter, shows first‑quarter exits from Visa and Mastercard and a new stake in a stock the firm sold in 2020.
  • Visa and Mastercard had been in Berkshire’s portfolio since 2011, reflecting a long-running bet on their global payment networks.
  • The Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous sources, that many sales tracked to positions overseen by former Berkshire investment manager Todd Combs, who recently joined JPMorgan Chase.
  • Investor worries about stablecoins and artificial intelligence cutting payment fees have weighed on Visa and Mastercard this year, even as both companies say AI will strengthen their services.
  • The changes mark an early reset of Berkshire’s stock mix under Greg Abel, giving investors a first read on how he is shaping legacy holdings.