Cautious optimism: Berkshire investors weigh future under new CEO Greg Abel

berkshire hathaway's annual meeting kicked off friday with a noticeably thinner crowd in omaha. shareholders expressed cautious optimism about the company's direction under new ceo greg abel, who took over in january. many attendees voiced skepticism that abel will match warren buffett and charlie munger's stage presence. but they also expressed confidence in buffett's pick. robert hagstrom, chief investment officer at equitycompass investment management, called abel "the right guy at the right time." peter yang, who traveled 18 hours from hong kong, said he's at ease with the transition because buffett "wouldn't hand over the reins to someone who isn't capable." kim shannon of sionna investment managers noted the annual report suggested the legacy was "structured to withstand the test of time." a farmer from wahoo, nebraska, who bought berkshire stock five years ago, said she hopes abel will address inflation and affordability more directly. wanda lee and susan chan, longtime attendees, decided to stream the meeting this year instead of traveling to omaha.