Buffett Applauds Tim Cook’s Impact on Apple
New Delhi: At the 2026 annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, legendary investor Warren Buffett underscored the company’s highly profitable investment in Apple Inc., crediting CEO Tim Cook for delivering exceptional value to shareholders.
Buffett openly acknowledged Cook’s contribution, remarking that the Apple chief had generated more wealth for Berkshire than he himself had. In a rare public gesture, he even invited Cook to stand and accept applause from shareholders during the event.
The meeting also marked a significant leadership transition, with Greg Abel formally taking over as CEO earlier this year. Introduced at the gathering, Abel received strong backing from Buffett, who described the transition as entirely smooth.
Buffett emphasized his confidence in Abel’s leadership, stating that the new CEO is not only continuing his legacy but also improving upon it. The endorsement reinforced investor confidence in Berkshire’s future direction.
Buffett revisited Berkshire’s decision to invest heavily in Apple between 2016 and 2018, when the company allocated roughly $35 billion to the tech giant. At the time, Cook was not widely recognized among investors, making the move a calculated but bold bet.
That investment has since grown dramatically, reaching an estimated $185 billion on a pre-tax basis. Buffett highlighted this as one of the most successful investment decisions in Berkshire’s history.
Under Cook’s leadership, Apple has witnessed extraordinary expansion. The company’s market valuation surged from around $350 billion to over $4 trillion, reflecting sustained innovation and strong financial performance.
Buffett also recalled the skepticism surrounding Apple’s future after the passing of co-founder Steve Jobs. He noted that Cook’s tenure has effectively answered those doubts, cementing Apple’s position as a global technology leader.
As Buffett praised Cook, the Apple CEO, seated among attendees, stood to acknowledge the recognition. The moment drew enthusiastic applause from shareholders, highlighting the mutual respect between two of the business world’s most influential figures.
