How Greg Abel of Berkshire Should Manage That Cash Reserves
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 21 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CVX?
Source: Barron's
Greg Abel's Leadership: Greg Abel is facing the challenge of leading Berkshire Hathaway as it transitions to a new era following Warren Buffett's long tenure.
Investment Opportunities: Abel is tasked with identifying and capitalizing on new investment opportunities to sustain the company's growth and success.
Succession Planning: The focus is on ensuring a smooth succession plan that maintains the company's culture and operational effectiveness.
Market Challenges: Abel must navigate various market challenges while upholding the legacy and principles established by Buffett.
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Analyst Views on CVX
Wall Street analysts forecast CVX stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 188.150
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
Current: 188.150
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
About CVX
Chevron Corporation is an integrated energy company. The Company produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance its business and industry. The Company’s segments include Upstream and Downstream. Upstream operations consist primarily of exploring for, developing, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with LNG; transporting crude oil by major international oil export pipelines; processing, transporting, storage and marketing of natural gas; carbon capture and storage; and a gas-to-liquids plant. Downstream operations consist primarily of the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufacturing and marketing of renewable fuels, and transporting of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Oil Stock Decline: Major U.S. oil stocks, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, fell between 5% and 14% on Friday, reflecting market concerns over declining oil prices, particularly in light of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Crude Price Plunge: U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped nearly 13%, hovering around $82 per barrel, the lowest in over a month, while Brent crude futures fell about 11%, which could negatively impact oil companies' profitability.
- Market Surge: The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz led to a significant surge in U.S. equities on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average soaring by more than 1,000 points, and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reaching all-time highs, indicating strong market optimism regarding economic recovery.
- Trump's Announcement: President Trump stated on social media that the U.S. and Iran are collaborating to remove sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, eliminating a critical threat to vessels, which may further bolster market confidence.
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- Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude oil prices fell over 13% and Brent crude dropped 12%, with Brent now below $88 and WTI at $82, reflecting a significant decline from just months ago when Brent was priced at $60, indicating a bearish outlook on future oil prices.
- Chevron Stock Decline: Chevron's shares dropped 7% by 11:15 a.m. ET due to falling oil prices, as investors began to factor in the potential for lower oil prices, raising concerns about the company's profitability in a declining price environment.
- Geopolitical Impact: Iranian Foreign Minister confirmed the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial vessels, despite the ongoing U.S. blockade on Iranian ships, leading to market optimism that the conflict in Iran may be nearing resolution, potentially restoring oil supply from the Persian Gulf.
- Investor Sentiment Fluctuation: While the drop in oil prices pressures stocks like Chevron and Conoco, investor sentiment remains mixed, with concerns over Conoco's high valuation at over 28 times earnings, especially given its projected growth rate of under 15%, making it appear expensive in the current market context.
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- Market Recovery: After a consistent downslide since February, the S&P 500 index rebounded this week to reach a new all-time high, currently up nearly 3% year-to-date and almost 32% over the past 12 months, reflecting market resilience and renewed investor confidence.
- Strong Energy Stock Performance: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has driven oil prices higher, leading energy stocks like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips in the S&P 500 to significantly outperform the index, thereby enhancing overall index performance and mitigating declines in other sectors.
- Long-Term Investment Returns: Over the past 25 years, the S&P 500 has delivered total returns exceeding 850%, indicating that a $5,000 investment in an S&P 500 ETF 25 years ago would be worth approximately $48,000 today, highlighting the potential benefits of long-term holding.
- Investment Strategy Recommendation: Despite ongoing short-term volatility, the S&P 500 ETF, with its broad diversification and historical stability, emerges as an ideal investment choice during uncertain times, suitable for investors seeking both stability and potentially lucrative long-term returns.
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- Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude oil prices fell over 13%, while Brent crude dropped 12%, with Brent now below $88 and WTI at $82, indicating a significant decrease from just a few months ago when Brent was priced at $60, yet still down from nearly $110 weeks prior, reflecting market pessimism about future oil prices.
- Strait of Hormuz Reopened: Iranian Foreign Minister confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is now open to all commercial vessels, a decision linked to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which is expected to boost regional commercial activity, although the U.S. blockade on Iranian ships remains in effect.
- Investor Reactions: While the reopening of the Strait is positive for most investors, as evidenced by a 1.2% rise in the S&P 500, it negatively impacts Chevron (CVX), whose shares fell 7% by mid-morning, reflecting concerns over declining oil prices.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: Despite President Trump's confirmation of the Strait's reopening, he stated that this is unrelated to the ceasefire in Lebanon, complicating market expectations for future oil prices and related stocks, particularly given Conoco's high P/E ratio of over 28 and projected growth rate below 15%.
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- Market Highs: The S&P 500 rose by 0.87% and the Nasdaq 100 reached an all-time high, reflecting growing investor optimism regarding a potential US-Iran peace deal, which may enhance risk appetite and further boost stock market momentum.
- Oil Price Plunge: WTI crude prices fell over 10% after Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open for commercial shipping, easing inflation concerns and contributing to a 6 basis point drop in the 10-year Treasury yield, which invigorates the bond market.
- Earnings Optimism: Q1 earnings for the S&P 500 are projected to increase by 12% year-over-year, although excluding the tech sector, growth is only expected at 3%, yet this overall positive outlook may attract more investor interest and bolster market confidence.
- Airline Stocks Surge: With reduced fuel costs, United Airlines (UAL) shares surged over 10%, while other airlines like Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Alaska Air (ALK) also saw significant gains, indicating strong market confidence in the recovery of the airline industry.
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- Surge in Free Cash Flow: Chevron is projected to generate an additional $12.5 billion in free cash flow this year at $70 oil, with current prices exceeding $90, indicating robust profitability in a high oil price environment.
- Gulf of Mexico Expansion: The company expects to produce 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day from the Gulf of Mexico, bolstered by new fields like Anchor, Ballymore, Stampede, and Whale, which will significantly support cash flow growth.
- Venezuela Asset Swap: Through an asset swap with PDVSA, Chevron increases its stake in the Petroindependencia joint venture to 49% and gains development rights for the Ayacucho 8 block, aiming to boost oil production in Venezuela by 50% over the next two years, thereby strengthening its market position in the region.
- Long-Term Growth Outlook: Chevron anticipates a 10% compound annual growth in free cash flow through 2030 at $70 oil, and with new discoveries and asset swaps, the company's long-term growth potential is substantial, making it an attractive investment despite a more than 20% rise in share price this year.
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