Omaha, Nebraska – Thousands of eager shareholders converged in downtown Omaha for Berkshire Hathaway’s much-anticipated annual meeting, eager to catch a glimpse of legendary investor Warren Buffett. The highly-anticipated event marked Buffett’s 60th meeting since taking the reins of Berkshire in 1965, showcasing the iconic investor alongside his expected successor.

Despite his age of 93, Buffett remains a key figure at Berkshire Hathaway, where he has famously steered the conglomerate to success over the years. As shareholders awaited Buffett’s insights, Berkshire reported first-quarter earnings that revealed a staggering cash pile of $189 billion as of March 31. While the conglomerate’s stake in Apple experienced a dip, investors remained attentive to Buffett’s views on the tech giant’s market dominance.

Downtown Omaha was abuzz with excitement as hundreds of shareholders lined up overnight, eagerly anticipating the doors to open. Among them was Serena Lam, an investment portfolio manager from Hong Kong, who arrived in the early hours to secure a prime spot to hear from Buffett. The upcoming meeting would feature a five-hour Q&A session with Buffett, Vice Chairman Greg Abel, and Vice Chairman Ajit Jain, with a focus on Berkshire’s future trajectory and challenges.

For attendees like Bill Gunther from Vermont, Berkshire’s diversified business portfolio and strong company culture were key attractions. As the meeting unfolded, shareholders sought answers on Berkshire’s growth strategies, cash deployment decisions, and the absence of Buffett’s longtime confidant, Charlie Munger, who passed away in November at the age of 99.

With the spotlight on Buffett’s succession plan, shareholders weighed in on Berkshire’s performance and future outlook, considering factors such as major investments, interest rates, and corporate governance. The event also featured shareholder voting on proposals related to climate, diversity, and China, alongside opportunities to shop at exhibits featuring Berkshire-owned companies.

As shareholders like Ruth Gearhart stocked up on Berkshire merchandise and shared their confidence in Buffett’s leadership, the annual meeting served as a platform for insights, discussions, and reflections on the conglomerate’s past achievements and future prospects. With anticipation high and curiosity piqued, attendees looked to Buffett, Abel, and Jain for strategic guidance and clarity on Berkshire’s path ahead.