Atle in Omaha: Buffett’s Lessons on Markets, Leadership, and America’s Future
Every spring, tens of thousands of investors make the pilgrimage to Omaha, Nebraska — to hear from Warren Buffett, the legendary Oracle of Omaha. This year, at 94, Buffett shared not only his views on markets, business, and life but also announced a historic leadership transition at Berkshire Hathaway. From calming market fears to reaffirming faith in America’s future, Buffett’s words once again resonated across the financial world.
On May 3, Atle had the chance to hear from living legend and investing icon Warren Buffett. The atmosphere was electric as attendees gathered to absorb Buffett’s wisdom on business, investing — and life itself. Among those in the audience were notable figures such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, and former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, all there to hear Buffett’s insights firsthand.
At 94, Buffett remains as sharp and steady as ever. Addressing concerns over recent market volatility, he dismissed the turbulence as little more than background noise:
"What’s happened over the last 30, 45 days… is really nothing," he remarked.
He went on to say that even if Berkshire Hathaway’s stock price were to plunge by 50%, it would simply present "a fantastic opportunity. It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest."
When asked about tariffs and the ongoing trade tensions, Buffett was clear: trade, he said, should not be a battleground. "The more prosperous other countries are, the safer the world will be," he observed.
Despite shifts in global perceptions of U.S. leadership — especially in the wake of Trump-era tariffs — Buffett remains bullish on America’s long-term prospects.
"We’ve gone through major recessions, world wars, the development of the atomic bomb — something unimaginable when I was born — so I wouldn’t be discouraged just because it seems like we haven’t solved every challenge yet," he said.
His advice was simple and optimistic: "This is a country that has changed and evolved over 250 years. Don’t lose faith in the United States."
The meeting’s headline news came towards the end, as Buffett formally announced that, after 60 years at the helm, he will hand over the CEO role to Greg Abel, currently chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
But Buffett was quick to reassure his loyal shareholders: he has no intention of selling even a single share of Berkshire Hathaway. His declaration was met with a standing ovation and a roar of applause from the packed auditorium.
Warren Buffett: The Oracle of Omaha
Known as "The Oracle of Omaha," Warren Buffett is widely regarded as one of the greatest investors of all time.
He began his investing journey at just 11 years old and has served as chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway since 1965. What at the time was as a struggling textile firm in New Bedford, Massachusetts, has, under Buffett and his long-time partner Charlie Munger, transformed into a $1 trillion conglomerate spanning insurance, chocolate, airlines, railroads, and even ketchup. Munger, Buffett’s close friend and right-hand man, passed away in late 2023 at the age of 99.
Buffett’s signature investment philosophy is rooted in value: buying great businesses at fair prices, nurturing them, and holding them for the long haul.
His approach was deeply shaped by his mentor, Benjamin Graham, author of the classic investment tome "The Intelligent Investor," first published in 1949 and still considered essential reading for serious investors.
Pictured above: Atle's CEO Gustav Ohlsson, Viggo Hanzon, Head of Institutional Sales, Anna Marcus, Head of Communications and Andreas Nyström, Risk and Data Analyst, with Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO Greg Abel.
