Key Takeaways
- • Bill Ackman recounted on the Equity Mates Investing podcast that Warren Buffett told him, "Bill, I haven't had water in 48 years," when offered still or sparkling water at dinner, per the primary source.
- • Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares rose as much as 3.2% to $543.06 on Wednesday, 28 October, according to Bloomberg, surpassing their previous peak from May 2, 2025.
- • Berkshire invested another $330 million in Bending Spoons, following its $600 million purchase during the company's July stock market listing, Reuters reported.
- • Berkshire's stake in Bending Spoons now stands at 4%, making it the sixth-largest investor per LSEG data.
- • Berkshire is expected to report third-quarter results on November 7 under CEO Greg Abel, who has resumed buybacks and completed two major deals.
Summary
Bill Ackman recalled a dinner with Warren Buffett on the Equity Mates Investing podcast, saying he stocked cola for his guest, knowing Buffett's preference. When Ackman offered still or sparkling water, Buffett declined and chose his favourite soda. Asked whether he drank water at all, Buffett replied, "Bill, I haven't had water in 48 years." The source notes this was Buffett's own claim as recalled by Ackman, and Ackman did not provide further detail on Buffett's water consumption. Buffett has long joked about his cola habit, and in 2015 described himself as "one-quarter" cola, saying the drink supplied 25% of his daily calories.
Separately, Berkshire Hathaway shares reached a new high last week, according to Bloomberg, with Class B shares rising as much as 3.2% to $543.06 on Wednesday, 28 October. The shares crossed their previous peak from May 2, 2025, the day before Buffett announced his planned departure as chief executive. The shares declined for months afterward amid concerns about Berkshire's future without its longtime leader. The recovery offers encouragement for successor Greg Abel, who is less than a year into the role. Abel, 64, has changed senior roles, resumed share buybacks, and begun deploying Berkshire's large cash reserves, completing two major deals per Bloomberg: expanding home-building operations through Taylor Morrison and supporting Alphabet's artificial-intelligence investments.
Reuters reported that Berkshire invested another $330 million in Bending Spoons, the owner of Vimeo and AOL, following its $600 million purchase during the company's July stock market listing. Berkshire's stake now stands at 4%, making it the sixth-largest investor according to LSEG data. Bending Spoons will issue 10 million shares to Berkshire at $33 each, and its shares rallied 34% on Wednesday to $51.10. The company said the proceeds would support acquisitions and strengthen financial flexibility. Its businesses also include Airtable, Tractive and WeTransfer.
Under Abel, Berkshire has increased investments in technology and artificial intelligence. Alphabet has become its third-largest common stock holding, while Apple remains among its largest investments. Berkshire is expected to announce third-quarter results on November 7.
Separately, Berkshire Hathaway shares reached a new high last week, according to Bloomberg, with Class B shares rising as much as 3.2% to $543.06 on Wednesday, 28 October. The shares crossed their previous peak from May 2, 2025, the day before Buffett announced his planned departure as chief executive. The shares declined for months afterward amid concerns about Berkshire's future without its longtime leader. The recovery offers encouragement for successor Greg Abel, who is less than a year into the role. Abel, 64, has changed senior roles, resumed share buybacks, and begun deploying Berkshire's large cash reserves, completing two major deals per Bloomberg: expanding home-building operations through Taylor Morrison and supporting Alphabet's artificial-intelligence investments.
Reuters reported that Berkshire invested another $330 million in Bending Spoons, the owner of Vimeo and AOL, following its $600 million purchase during the company's July stock market listing. Berkshire's stake now stands at 4%, making it the sixth-largest investor according to LSEG data. Bending Spoons will issue 10 million shares to Berkshire at $33 each, and its shares rallied 34% on Wednesday to $51.10. The company said the proceeds would support acquisitions and strengthen financial flexibility. Its businesses also include Airtable, Tractive and WeTransfer.
Under Abel, Berkshire has increased investments in technology and artificial intelligence. Alphabet has become its third-largest common stock holding, while Apple remains among its largest investments. Berkshire is expected to announce third-quarter results on November 7.
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