Berkshire Under Abel: These 2 AI Stocks Now Dominate the Portfolio

When Greg Abel assumed the role of CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in early 2026, succeeding Warren Buffett, he took control of an investment portfolio worth 360 billion US dollars. Under his leadership, a clear concentration is evident: 31 percent of the portfolio is allocated to two technology companies with strong AI exposure – Apple and Alphabet (as of September 2026).

Leadership Change with Continuity

Warren Buffett stepped down from his role as CEO on December 31, 2025. His successor Greg Abel previously served as Vice Chairman of Non-Insurance Operations. Although the underlying investment philosophy remains unchanged – Buffett remains deeply involved in the company – Abel set his own priorities in his first quarter as CEO and restructured the stock portfolio. Several positions were divested, including those that had been built up by former portfolio manager Todd Combs.

Apple Remains the Star Performer

Apple has been Berkshire Hathaway's largest holding for years. In August 2026, the position represented 22.04 percent of the total portfolio. Berkshire first purchased Apple in the first quarter of 2016 – a decision regarded as one of Buffett's most lucrative capital allocation decisions.

Buffett described Apple as probably "the best business in the world". The company is characterized by consistent earnings and cash flows. High customer loyalty and switching costs created by the tightly integrated ecosystem – from device integration to data transfer issues when switching to competing products – create a wide economic moat. Additionally, there are growth opportunities through the integration of artificial intelligence into the product portfolio.

Although Berkshire had reduced the Apple position at times in previous years, it was not further reduced in the second quarter of 2026. Company measures apparently gave Abel reason to halt the sale.

Alphabet as the Second Pillar

Alongside Apple, Alphabet – the parent company of Google – forms the second major AI stock in the Berkshire portfolio. Together, both positions account for 31 percent of the total portfolio (as of September 2026). The weighting of both positions fluctuated in recent months: in June 2026, the combined share was 28 percent, and in August 2026, values between 31 and 34.7 percent were reported.

Alphabet benefits from its dominant market position in online search, cloud infrastructure, and the development of AI technologies. The company is investing heavily in data centers and machine learning – areas that Abel referred to as a "significant opportunity".

Concentrated Portfolio Strategy

The focus on Apple and Alphabet is part of a broader strategy: 82 percent of the Berkshire portfolio (approximately 294 billion US dollars of 360 billion US dollars) was concentrated in ten stocks as of September 2026. This high concentration aligns with classic Buffett philosophy, which holds that investors should allocate their capital to a few top-tier companies rather than diversify broadly.

Abel has demonstrated a bullish stance toward dominant technology companies in public statements. In the context of AI data centers, he spoke of a significant opportunity, though he tied this assessment to three conditions. With the clear weighting of Apple and Alphabet, Abel signals that technology stocks are firmly on the agenda in the post-Buffett era – while still adhering to the fundamental principles of value investing.

Assessment for Investors

The concentration on Apple and Alphabet shows that Berkshire Hathaway under Abel is seeking to combine classic Buffett criteria – strong cash flows, economic moats, predictable business models – with future themes such as artificial intelligence. Both companies meet the requirements for high-quality investments while offering access to growth-oriented technology markets.

For private investors in the DACH region, it is worth taking a closer look at the Berkshire strategy as guidance: concentration on a few top-tier companies reduces complexity and increases transparency. Those who buy Berkshire shares (Class A: BRK.A, Class B: BRK.B) are indirectly investing in a concentrated portfolio of established US heavyweights – with a clear tech and AI component.