Buffett Successor Sold Visa Stock in Q1: Why That May Have Been an $823M Mistake
Key takeaways
- Abel’s early exit from Visa may have cost Berkshire up to $823 million in unrealized gains, but the sale freed capital for new bets.
- 8,297,460 V shares sold in Q1 2026
- Sale value range: $2,441,278,681.20 – $2,975,635,105.20
- Potential unrealized gain if held: $823,000,000
What happened
Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO Greg Abel sold the entire 8.3 million‑share Visa (V) position in Q1 2026, wiping out a stake that had been a top‑ten holding and had generated huge returns since 2011.
Why it matters
The sale removed a highly profitable asset that, if still held, would be worth about $3.26 billion today, versus the $2.44–$2.98 billion realized from the Q1 sale. It highlights a potential timing misstep by the new leadership and raises questions about portfolio strategy after a long‑term winner was liquidated.
Short-term and longer-term
Short-term. In the next few days, watch for any follow‑up filings that detail the exact sale price or any new positions that replace Visa.
Longer-term. Over the coming months, investors should assess whether Abel’s broader portfolio adjustments offset the lost Visa upside.