Why did Abel sell Visa and Mastercard?

The official reason was not disclosed, but it may be due to portfolio rebalancing or a preference for American Express's business model.

Did Abel keep his American Express shares?

Yes, the filing showed no change in his American Express holdings, indicating he retained them.

What did Warren Buffett say about American Express?

Buffett said he would never sell American Express, calling it one of Berkshire's best investments.

Greg Abel Sells Visa and Mastercard, Keeps American Express

Regulatory filings show that Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway's vice chairman, sold his shares in Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) while keeping his stake in American Express (AXP), a company Warren Buffett once said he would never sell. The move signals continued confidence in Amex as a long-term holding.

By: Wrqti Editorial

May 31, 2026

2 min read

Source: Motley Fool

Greg Abel, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) and the presumed successor to Warren Buffett, has sold his stakes in Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) while retaining his shares in American Express (AXP), according to a recent SEC filing.

Details

The filing reveals that Abel liquidated nearly all of his holdings in Visa and Mastercard during the last quarter. The exact number of shares sold and the total value were not disclosed, but Abel's positions in both companies were relatively small. Meanwhile, his American Express stake remained unchanged.

Context

Abel's move comes as he takes on more responsibilities at Berkshire, widely seen as Buffett's heir apparent. Buffett has repeatedly praised American Express as one of Berkshire's best investments, citing its strong brand and customer loyalty. In contrast, Visa and Mastercard face increasing regulatory scrutiny in several markets.

What It Means for Investors

Abel's decision to sell Visa and Mastercard while keeping American Express may reflect a preference for Amex's subscription-based model and travel services over traditional payment networks. However, investors should view this as a personal portfolio move rather than an investment recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greg Abel is the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and the leading candidate to succeed Warren Buffett as CEO.

Found this useful? Share it

This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.