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Greg Abel Reveals Berkshire’s 4 Untouchable Holdings in Debut Letter

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TLDR

  • In his inaugural shareholder communication, Greg Abel designated Apple (AAPL), American Express (AXP), Coca-Cola, and Moody’s (MCO) as permanent portfolio positions
  • The new CEO’s debut letter commits to continuing Buffett’s philosophy of value investing and maintaining a robust financial position
  • Fourth-quarter operating profits declined 29% compared to the previous year, reaching $10.2 billion, influenced by insurance segment challenges
  • Bank of America and Chevron didn’t make Abel’s list of untouchable holdings
  • Buffett transitions to chairman role while maintaining a full-time office presence for advisory purposes

In his inaugural communication to shareholders, Greg Abel has outlined Berkshire Hathaway’s strategic direction as CEO, highlighting four equity positions the conglomerate intends to maintain indefinitely while disclosing a significant decline in quarterly profits.

Abel assumed the chief executive position from Warren Buffett beginning in 2026, following Buffett’s retirement announcement in May 2025. The legendary investor continues serving as chairman with plans to work full-time from the office.

The letter pinpointed four primary equity investments that Berkshire intends to preserve with “limited activity.” The quartet consists of Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola, and Moody’s.


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Abel characterized these as companies Berkshire “understands well,” featuring solid management teams and promising long-term expansion prospects. He indicated the firm would only “significantly adjust” any position if fundamental changes occurred in its future outlook.

These four investments, combined with ownership stakes in five Japanese trading corporations, represent approximately two-thirds of Berkshire’s stock portfolio. The aggregate market value of these nine positions exceeds $200 billion.

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What’s Not on the Forever List

Notably absent from the core holdings list were two top-five positions: Bank of America and Chevron. The Bank of America stake has been reduced by approximately half during the previous 18 months, declining to roughly 517 million shares with a market value near $28 billion.

The Chevron holding, valued at approximately $20 billion, similarly failed to earn “forever” designation from Abel. This exclusion has sparked discussion among longtime Berkshire observers.

Berkshire’s Apple investment has appreciated substantially beyond its initial purchase price. The conglomerate’s average cost basis stands around $27 per share, while the stock currently trades near $264. Although Buffett previously trimmed the Apple position by roughly 80% from peak levels, Abel’s correspondence indicates no additional reductions are anticipated.

Q4 Earnings Take a Hit

Berkshire disclosed fourth-quarter operating profits of $10.2 billion, representing a decline exceeding 29% from the year-earlier figure of $14.56 billion. The downturn stemmed partially from diminished results in the insurance operations.

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For calendar year 2025, Berkshire generated operating earnings totaling $44.5 billion, falling short of 2024’s $47.4 billion but exceeding the five-year average of $37.5 billion.

Berkshire’s combined cash and Treasury bill reserves totaled $373.3 billion at quarter-end, representing a modest decline from the previous quarter’s $382 billion. Abel referenced this substantial liquidity as “dry powder” positioned for deployment when attractive investment opportunities emerge.

Uncertainty surrounds the matter of portfolio management responsibilities going forward. Abel lacks experience as an investment professional. Investment manager Ted Weschler will oversee approximately 6% of the portfolio, consistent with his allocation during Buffett’s tenure.

Abel stated that “responsibility ultimately rests with me as CEO” regarding capital allocation choices, with Buffett remaining available for consultation.

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STRC’s Monthly Preferred Dividend Rises to 11.5% for March 2026

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Strategy chairman Michael Saylor used social media to announce a dividend adjustment at the Bitcoin treasury vehicle STRC. The company has raised the monthly distribution on STRC (EXCHANGE: STRC) to 11.50% for March 2026, up from 11.25%. STRC is a perpetual preferred stock with a variable yield that changes on a monthly basis, a design intended to balance income with trading dynamics around its $100 par value. The company’s update confirms that the payout remains monthly, with the next distribution scheduled for March 31 to shareholders of record. The move comes amid a broader pivot in Strategy’s financing approach and a continuing expansion of its Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) holdings.

The STRC update, published on the company’s own site, explains that the dividend rate is adjusted monthly to encourage trading activity around the par value and to help dampen price volatility. This mechanism is part of a broader strategy to rely more on preferred stock than common equity for BTC-related funding. The social post from Saylor aligns with Strategy’s stated direction and adds color to a year in which the company has increasingly leaned on structured finance instruments to support its Bitcoin purchases.

On the same subject, February marked a notable shift in Strategy’s funding approach. CEO Phong Le described a transition away from issuing common stock to fund Bitcoin acquisitions toward issuing more preferred shares. The company has argued that the stretch and associated perpetual preferreds have proven effective at raising capital, citing last year’s fundraising results as a proof point.

Le has highlighted the scale of STRC and perpetual issues in the market, noting that last year these instruments raised about $7 billion, representing roughly a third of the entire domestic preferred market. The company’s leadership has signaled that 2026 could see more of a structural emphasis on preferred capital as a means to fund ongoing Bitcoin accumulation while managing shareholder dilution and equity risk. In this context, the market has watched Strategy continue to accumulate BTC, even as Bitcoin’s price has swung lower amid a broader risk-off environment.

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In the meantime, Strategy has faced a tougher market backdrop. The price of Bitcoin itself has slipped significantly since October, and Strategy’s common stock has mirrored a broader downturn in crypto-related equities. The company’s stock, which tracks as a proxy for its Bitcoin holdings and management strategy, has retreated from the highs seen in late 2024 and has traded in a lower range in recent months. Data from Saylor Tracker shows Strategy’s aggregate Bitcoin purchases and the balance sheet moving forward, even as the stock’s price has come under pressure from a challenging macro and crypto market environment.

Looking at the larger picture,Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has fallen by more than a quarter year-to-date, a factor that has weighed on public companies with substantial corporate treasuries. In parallel, the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (EXCHANGE: OWNB) has also declined, underscoring the broader drag on equities tied to crypto balance sheets. The latest data shows Strategy’s BTC holdings continuing to accumulate, even as near-term price movements complicate capital planning. Strategy’s trackers and public disclosures show a continued cadence of purchases and a growing balance sheet despite market headwinds.

From a performance perspective, Strategy has faced a grim year in the stock market. The company reported a net loss of $12.4 billion for Q4 2025, released in February, even as revenue rose modestly to about $123 million for the quarter. The earnings backdrop has weighed on investor sentiment, contributing to a broader decline in Strategy’s share price, which fell sharply from the record highs reached in late 2024. The stock hovered around $129.50 at the end of the week, well below its peak levels, highlighting the contrast between the company’s aggressive BTC accumulation and the market’s appraisal of its profitability trajectory. Within this landscape, the price of BTC remains a critical driver of Strategy’s fortunes, underscoring the sensitivity of a BTC-focused treasury model to macro and crypto volatility. The company’s long-running accumulation strategy has included notable milestones, such as the 100th BTC purchase and the expansion of its balance sheet to 717,722 BTC, a testament to the scale of its framing of corporate treasury capacity around Bitcoin.

As the market contends with volatility, Strategy’s approach highlights a broader industry trend: corporate treasuries in the crypto space increasingly lean on structured finance and preferred equity to finance continued accumulation, balancing the goal of owning more BTC with managing equity risk and investor expectations. The broader market environment—characterized by price swings in BTC and a wave of related financial instruments—continues to challenge traditional capital-raising methods, pushing some issuers to rethink balance-sheet financing in favor of instruments like STRC and other perpetual preferreds. The company’s ongoing BTC purchases, including the relatively recent tranches, underscore a willingness to endure short-term price pressures for the longer-term objective of building a sizable Bitcoin reserve. The evolution of Strategy’s capital stack—moving from common equity toward preferred capital—also raises questions about how such a shift will influence liquidity, dividend policy, and the eventual realization of BTC gains in the face of market cycles. The narrative surrounding STRC’s yield adjustments and the related financing strategy paints a picture of a company that remains deeply committed to Bitcoin accumulation, even as it navigates a period of volatile prices and mixed financial results.

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In a landscape where both crypto prices and the equities tied to corporate treasuries face headwinds, Strategy’s strategy remains closely watched by investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin through a corporate balance sheet. The company’s public communications, including updates to STRC’s dividend policy and its pivot toward preferred financing, signal a concerted effort to optimize capital structure while maintaining Bitcoin exposure. For market participants, the question remains how sustainable a perpetual preferred-based approach will be in delivering consistent returns to shareholders as BTC price and macro conditions evolve. The intersection of rising dividend yields, ongoing BTC purchases, and shifting financing sources will continue to shape the trajectory of Strategy and its peers in the crypto treasury space.

Why it matters

Strategy’s renewed emphasis on STRC’s elevated dividend rate and the ongoing shift toward preferred capital exposure matters because it reflects a practical adaptation to the realities of financing a BTC-heavy corporate treasury in a volatile market. By adjusting the monthly yield for STRC and maintaining a steady payout schedule, the company aims to offer income stability to investors while cycling through capital to acquire more BTC. This approach could influence the appetite for similar structures among other corporate treasuries seeking to scale Bitcoin holdings without diluting common equity, potentially shaping the broader landscape of crypto corporate finance.

For investors, the shift away from common stock toward preferred capital signals a potential change in risk and return profiles. Preferreds typically occupy a different position in the capital structure, often offering higher yields with a priority claim on assets and earnings relative to common shares. If Strategy can sustain its BTC accumulation while delivering consistent yields, it could attract institutional investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin through a structured instrument with a predictable income stream. However, the persistent price volatility of BTC and the performance of Strategy’s own equity remain critical inputs in assessing the risk-reward balance of this approach. The ongoing performance of Strategy’s BTC holdings, its Q4 2025 earnings, and the trajectory of its financing strategy will likely influence investor sentiment and the broader adoption of similar mechanisms in the crypto treasury space.

Ultimately, the interplay between BTC price movements, dividend policy, and the company’s financing choices will determine how STRC and other crypto treasury instruments fare over time. The market is watching whether the pivot to preferred capital can deliver a sustainable path to capital formation that supports Bitcoin accumulation while avoiding excessive dilution or cost of capital concerns. As Strategy continues to publish updates on its BTC purchases and balance sheet composition, observers will gauge whether this model can translate into durable value creation for shareholders in a sector still defining its long-term viability.

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What to watch next

  • Monitor STRC’s next monthly dividend adjustment and March 31 payout date for record holders.
  • Watch Strategy’s ongoing pivot toward preferred capital and any subsequent financing rounds or issuances.
  • Track BTC purchases and total holdings, including the 592 BTC purchase in the week of Feb. 16, to see if the pace of accumulation accelerates or slows.
  • Assess Strategy’s Q1 2026 results for any improvement in operating metrics alongside BTC balance sheet expansion.
  • Observe market reactions to STRC dividend changes and any European listings related to STRC ETP developments.

Sources & verification

  • STRC dividend rate and payout schedule confirmation on Strategy’s official Stretch page.
  • Saylor’s post on X (formerly Twitter) confirming the dividend adjustment.
  • Strategy’s February statement about shifting from common stock to preferred stock for BTC funding.
  • Strategy’s public disclosures of BTC purchases, including the 592 BTC purchase and total holdings of 717,722 BTC.
  • Q4 2025 results reporting a net loss of $12.4 billion and revenue of about $123 million.

Strategy’s evolving capital mix and ongoing BTC accumulation

Strategy’s leadership has publicly framed 2026 as a year of structural evolution, with STRC (EXCHANGE: STRC) and other perpetual preferred instruments playing a central role in capital formation. The company’s chairman, Michael Saylor, communicated through a social post that STRC’s dividend rate is being adjusted monthly, targeting an 11.50% yield for March 2026. This adjustment follows a formal update posted on Strategy’s Stretch site, which notes that the payout is aligned with a par value of $100 and that the rate changes are designed to encourage trading around that level while dampening volatility. The monthly cadence remains intact, providing a predictable income stream for holders and a predictable funding mechanism for ongoing BTC acquisitions.

The broader policy shift toward preferred capital aligns with remarks from Strategy’s leadership in February, when CEO Phong Le described the company’s decision to pivot away from common stock issuances as a primary funding source for Bitcoin purchases. As the company continues to accumulate BTC, the balance sheet now holds a substantial stake—717,722 BTC—reflecting a disciplined approach to building a corporate treasury anchored by the world’s leading cryptocurrency. The latest tranche, a 592 BTC purchase in the week of February 16, underscores the ongoing emphasis on scalable BTC accumulation even as market prices fluctuate, with the company’s decision to finance purchases through preferred stock helping to manage dilution concerns and investor expectations.

While the macro backdrop has pressured crypto and related equities, Strategy’s financing strategy highlights a broader industry shift toward asset-backed, income-generating structures that can sustain long-term BTC holdings. The company’s stock performance and the price actions of related instruments—including the Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (EXCHANGE: OWNB), which is also down—reflect the challenging environment for investor sentiment around crypto corporate treasuries. Nevertheless, Strategy’s approach demonstrates a commitment to leveraging preferred income to support a growing Bitcoin reserve, an approach that could influence other corporate treasuries seeking scalable, income-generating financing alternatives as the crypto industry matures.

Risk & affiliate notice: Crypto assets are volatile and capital is at risk. This article may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure

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Strategy Raises STRC Yield by 25 Basis Points to 11.50%

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Bitcoin Price, MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, Companies

Strategy chairman Michael Saylor said in a social media post on Sunday that the largest Bitcoin (BTC) treasury company is raising the dividend on its STRC preferred stock, also known as “Stretch,” to 11.50% for March 2026, from the previous 11.25%.

STRC is perpetual, meaning the company is not obligated to buy back the stock at any specified date, and features a variable yield that changes monthly.

A Friday update on the company’s website confirmed Saylor’s post. “STRC’s dividend rate is adjusted monthly to encourage trading around STRC’s $100 par value and to help strip away price volatility,” according to the website. The dividend is also paid monthly. with the next payout date on March 31, to shareholders of record

In February, Strategy CEO Phong Le said the company is pivoting away from issuing common stock to fund its BTC purchases and toward issuing more preferred shares.

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Bitcoin Price, MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, Companies
Source: X.com, @saylor (Michael Saylor)

“Last year, a stretch and our perpetual preferreds raised $7 billion. That’s 33% of the entire preferred market,” Le said.

“As we go throughout the course of this year, we expect structure to be a big product for us,” he said, adding, “We will start to transition from equity capital to preferred capital.”

To be sure, the company continues to accumulate Bitcoin amid a market drawdown that has nearly halved the price of Bitcoin since October and driven down the share prices of digital asset treasury companies.

In the year to date, BTC has lost 23.2% of its value, while the share price of Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB) is down 16.1%. That exchange-traded fund provides exposure to public companies holding significant amounts of Bitcoin on their balance sheets.

Bitcoin Price, MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, Companies
A history of Strategy’s BTC purchases. Source: Strategy

Related: Strategy yield wrapper lands in Europe as 21Shares lists STRC ETP

Strategy records $12.4 billion loss in Q4 2025

Strategy in early February reported a net loss of $12.4 billion for the fourth quarter of 2025, leading to investors pushing the company’s share price down by 13% to about $107 per share. 

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Despite revenue for the quarter increasing 1.9% year-over-year to about $123 million, the company’s stock has been in freefall.

Strategy’s (MSTR) common stock price briefly hit a high of $543 per share during intraday trading in November 2024, before falling back down below $300 in February 2025.

The company’s stock has fallen by about 75% since the November 2024 peak, closing on Friday at $129.50 a shares.

Bitcoin Price, MicroStrategy, Michael Saylor, Companies
Strategy’s stock performance over the last year. Source: Yahoo Finance

The price of BTC is trading well below Strategy’s average purchase cost of $76,020 per Bitcoin, according to data from the company.

Strategy’s last bought BTC during the week of Feb. 16, when the company purchased 592 BTC, valued at over $39.8 million, bringing its total holdings to 717,722 BTC, and marking its 100th BTC acquisition. 

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