Berkshire Hathaway’s successor is putting more cash to work, and Macy’s is the latest test

Berkshire Hathaway’s recent moves underscore a shift in how the conglomerate’s managers are deploying its large cash hoard, with CEO Greg Abel taking a more hands-on approach than the late-era model associated with Warren Buffett’s longtime role at the helm. A recent market report highlighted Berkshire’s purchase of a new stake in Macy’s during the first quarter, describing it as part of a broader effort to put capital to work rather than leaving it idle.

Buffett, the company’s chairman, stepped back from the chief executive role, the market report said, while remaining in charge as chairman. Abel, who took over as CEO, is widely viewed as the executive most likely to translate Berkshire’s balance-sheet strength into new equity positions. The report credited that change in temperament for the company’s readiness to buy shares of stocks it previously did not own.

On the portfolio side, the report said Berkshire bought more than 3 million shares of Macy’s in the first quarter and that the retailer had not held a position in the stock before the purchase. Macy’s, meanwhile, is in the middle of a multi-year strategy it has labeled its “Bold New Chapter.” According to the market report, the plan focuses on improving the Macy’s brand by adjusting its assortment, enhancing the in-store and digital shopping experience, and closing locations that were not performing well.

The same report linked Berkshire’s interest in Macy’s to progress the retailer has been reporting, including a return to positive same-store sales, or comps, last year that continued into the current period. “Same-store sales” are a way to measure sales growth from stores open in comparable time periods, excluding the effects of new openings or closings. In the report, Macy’s fiscal first-quarter comps rose 3.1%, and growth was described as stronger at its Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury brands, with those segments showing 10.2% and 6.4% comp growth respectively. The period referenced in the report ended May 2.

The market post also said Macy’s improved its forward-looking view by increasing its guidance for the year. It described an updated comp-sales outlook of 0.5% to 1.2%, compared with an earlier forecast range of minus 0.5% to 0.5%. The report further noted investor reaction, saying Macy’s shares have gained 85.7% over the past year through July 2, outpacing the S&P 500’s 19.2% gain over the same span, as quoted in the post.

For Berkshire specifically, the purchase matters less as a one-off trade than as evidence of how its leadership is thinking about risk and opportunity. Retail equities can be difficult to underwrite because margins and consumer spending are sensitive to the macro environment. Yet Berkshire’s willingness to initiate a stake in a department-store operator suggests management sees enough traction in Macy’s execution to justify adding a new name to the portfolio.

Still, important details are not disclosed in the market report itself. It does not provide the cost basis for Berkshire’s Macy’s stake, the number of shares Berkshire holds afterward, whether the position was built in one tranche or multiple buys, or what portion of Berkshire’s cash deployment this represents relative to other opportunities. It also does not attribute any specific return assumptions to Berkshire or spell out the internal underwriting case behind the purchase.

Looking ahead, investors will be watching whether Macy’s comp trends and guidance translate into sustained cash generation and whether Berkshire’s stake changes with results. If the retailer continues to deliver positive comps and maintains its outlook range, the Berkshire bet could be viewed as a sign of confidence in the turnaround. If results wobble, the stakes could test the limits of a capital deployment strategy that relies on operational improvements translating into durable shareholder value.