Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting 2025: What to Expect From the ‘Woodstock for Capitalists’

The financial world turns to Omaha this weekend as Berkshire Hathaway hosts its annual shareholder meeting on Saturday, May 4. Dubbed the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” the gathering has become a marquee event on the investment calendar, offering a rare mix of corporate transparency, market-moving commentary, and homespun spectacle. For CFD and FX traders, it’s not just a celebration of Warren Buffett’s empire — it’s a potential volatility trigger.

A Snapshot of Berkshire’s Reach

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A / BRK.B) is a $900 billion conglomerate with sprawling interests in insurance, railroads, energy, finance, and consumer goods. Founded as a textile company in the 19th century and transformed by Buffett from the 1960s onward, Berkshire today controls subsidiaries like GEICO, BNSF Railway, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, while holding massive equity stakes in Apple, Coca-Cola, American Express, and Occidental Petroleum.

The company is sitting on a cash hoard of over $330 billion, a point of fascination and frustration for investors. It’s also led by a 94-year-old Buffett and his expected successor Greg Abel — a dynamic that adds another layer of interest heading into this year’s meeting.

What the Meeting Is — and Why It Matters

Each spring, tens of thousands of shareholders converge on Omaha to attend the live Q&A session where Buffett and his vice chairmen answer unscripted questions from investors, analysts, and journalists. The event is unique in corporate America: there are no canned statements, no earnings call clichés, and no off-limits topics. That openness, combined with Buffett’s global stature, means his comments frequently ripple across asset classes.

In past years, offhand remarks about inflation, interest rates, consumer trends, or geopolitical risks have moved equities, ETFs, and currencies. For traders, it’s not just about what Berkshire is doing — it’s about what Buffett sees happening in the broader economy and how investors might respond.

What to Watch in 2025

There’s no shortage of storylines going into this year’s event. Buffett is expected to face questions about Berkshire’s cash position and how — or whether — the company plans to deploy it. M&A chatter has picked up again after months of inactivity, though Buffett has signaled that valuations remain too high for his taste. Still, a single line about a potential deal could rattle target sectors.

Attention will also fall on Berkshire’s equity portfolio. The company trimmed its Apple stake in Q1 2025, though the position still exceeds $60 billion. At the same time, Berkshire has been quietly adding to its holdings in Japanese trading houses, Occidental Petroleum, and even expanding insurance bets. Any commentary on tech, energy, or Asian exposure could shift sentiment in those markets.

Succession is another unavoidable theme. Greg Abel is set to take over operational leadership, but details on timing and any expected shifts in strategy remain vague. Shareholders are likely to press for clarity — and any perceived change in investment style could weigh on Berkshire stock and its satellite holdings.

Finally, expect macroeconomic views to dominate the Q&A. Buffett has repeatedly warned about long-term fiscal deficits, but also remains generally optimistic about the U.S. economy. With fresh U.S. tariffs making headlines again and the Federal Reserve holding rates higher for longer, his read on the global economy will be watched closely — especially by currency and commodity traders.

Tips for Traders

• Watch BRK.B shares for post-meeting moves. Berkshire has outperformed the S&P 500 this year, but shares often retrace in the days following the event — a potential short opportunity.

• Pay close attention to Buffett’s comments on the U.S. economy, inflation, or consumer demand. Shifts in tone could move indices and major USD pairs, particularly USD/JPY and EUR/USD.

• Any signals about M&A or equity allocation could affect sector sentiment, especially in energy, financials, and consumer staples. Related CFDs may see elevated volume.

• A bearish or cautious macro view could trigger flows into haven assets like gold (XAU/USD), the Swiss franc (USD/CHF), or short-duration bond proxies.

• Set alerts around the live session window. CNBC will broadcast the Q&A in real-time, and headlines tend to hit fast. Traders should be ready to adjust positions during the event and into Monday's open.