Greg Abel Is Spending Berkshire Hathaway's Cash on Whole Companies Instead of Stocks. Here's What That Changes for Shareholders.

Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO, is shifting the company's investment strategy toward acquiring whole businesses rather than stocks. With nearly $400 billion in cash, Abel has spent less than $3 billion on stock purchases while acquiring Taylor Morrison for $6.8 billion and completing the OxyChem purchase for $9.7 billion. This approach reflects Abel's preference for long-term operational control over portfolio trading, as he finds greater value in whole companies than in the current richly-valued stock market.

08/03/2026, 1:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Plug Power vs. Occidental Petroleum: Which Energy Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

The article compares two energy stocks with contrasting profiles: Plug Power, a speculative hydrogen pioneer burning cash while pursuing green hydrogen technology, and Occidental Petroleum, a profitable oil giant generating billions in free cash flow. Despite Plug Power's long-term potential in decarbonization, the author recommends Occidental Petroleum for 2026 due to its profitability, strong cash generation, and operational efficiency, while acknowledging commodity price volatility risks.

08/02/2026, 8:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Warren Buffett's Legacy Oil Bet Is Paying Off Under Greg Abel. Nobody's Talking About It.

Since Greg Abel became CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on January 1, 2026, the company's investments in Chevron and Occidental Petroleum have been among its top performers, gaining 20.3% and 27.3% respectively through July 28. Both oil stocks represent Buffett's legacy energy bets, with Chevron offering integrated operations and reliable dividends, while Occidental Petroleum provides exposure to exploration and production with strong cash flow growth.

07/30/2026, 7:05 PM • The Motley Fool

Energy Transfer vs. Occidental Petroleum: The Better Energy Buy for the Second Half of 2026

The article compares two energy sector investments: Occidental Petroleum, an upstream oil and natural gas producer that benefits from rising commodity prices but carries volatility risk, and Energy Transfer, a midstream MLP that charges fees for moving energy and offers stable, high dividend yields. The choice depends on investor risk tolerance and price outlook for the second half of 2026.

07/25/2026, 12:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Prediction: If Oil Holds Above $100, Occidental Petroleum Stock Could Return 20% By Year-End

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) stock could rise approximately 20% to $70 per share by year-end if WTI crude oil remains above $100 per barrel. Currently trading at $58, OXY is highly sensitive to oil prices due to its upstream-focused business model. The company maintains a breakeven point of $40-45 per barrel and generates rapid free cash flow above $60 per barrel. Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz closure support elevated oil prices, while OXY's integration of CrownRock assets and expansion of carbon capture services position it for growth.

07/24/2026, 9:30 AM • The Motley Fool

UWM Walked Away From the Two Harbors Bidding War. That Might Be the Best News for Shareholders.

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) lost a bidding war to acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp to privately-held CrossCountry Mortgage. While UWM's final offer of $12.50 per share was higher than CrossCountry's winning $12 per share bid, analysts view UWM's decision to walk away as prudent. Given UWM's unsustainably high 20% dividend yield and earnings that don't cover dividend payments, avoiding the costs and complexity of a contentious merger protects shareholder value.

07/09/2026, 10:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Why Occidental Petroleum Stock Crushed it on Wednesday

Occidental Petroleum stock surged nearly 4% after analyst Stephen Richardson from Evercore ISI upgraded the company from underperform to outperform with a price target increase to $65 from $58. The upgrade was driven by the company's significantly improved balance sheet through debt reduction, which should boost free cash flow. Richardson also cited the company's attractive valuation and elevated oil prices from geopolitical tensions as supporting factors.

07/08/2026, 6:07 PM • The Motley Fool

ConocoPhillips or Occidental Petroleum: Which Oil Stock Should You Buy Now?

The article compares two major oil producers: ConocoPhillips, a globally diversified company with strong financials and cash flow projections, and Occidental Petroleum, which is pivoting toward carbon capture technologies after divesting its chemical business. The author recommends ConocoPhillips due to its lower debt, higher returns on capital, and reliable dividend payments, despite acknowledging both companies' potential.

07/01/2026, 3:24 PM • The Motley Fool

This 3% Yielding Energy Stock Has Hiked Its Dividend for 43 Straight Years. Here's Why I'd Buy It Without Hesitation Right Now.

ExxonMobil has raised its dividend for 43 consecutive years and is on track to become a Dividend King. The company's diversified business model across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, combined with geographic diversification across 56 countries, provides resilience against oil price volatility. Trading at 12x forward earnings with a 3% yield, the stock is viewed as an attractive value investment even as crude oil prices have pulled back from recent highs.

07/01/2026, 2:08 PM • The Motley Fool

Berkshire Hathaway has 9% of its Portfolio in These Oil Stocks. Should it Sell Now That the War With Iran is Winding Down?

Berkshire Hathaway's energy holdings in Chevron and Occidental Petroleum have declined from 13% to 9% of its portfolio due to stock price movements and strategic trimming under new CEO Greg Abel. Despite the winding down of Middle East conflict, the article argues these investments are based on long-term strategic value rather than geopolitical timing, and suggests Abel is unlikely to make dramatic changes to the energy positions.

07/01/2026, 11:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Does the Tech Stock Frenzy Make You Nervous? Here Are 3 Steady, High-Yield Dividend Pipeline Stocks to Invest In Instead.

As tech stocks surge and IPO markets heat up, concerns about market frothiness and an AI bubble are rising. The article recommends three master limited partnership (MLP) pipeline stocks as alternatives: Energy Transfer, Enterprise Products Partners, and Western Midstream Partners. These companies offer high dividend yields (6-8.7%), attractive valuations, and steady growth prospects in the midstream energy sector.

06/24/2026, 9:15 AM • The Motley Fool

ProPetro vs. Expion360: Is an Old Energy or New Energy Stock the Way to Go?

The article compares ProPetro, a traditional oilfield services company, with Expion360, a lithium battery manufacturer. While Expion360 shows strong revenue growth (72% YoY), it remains unprofitable with negative cash flow and faces intense competition from established battery giants. ProPetro, despite declining revenues and thin margins, maintains positive free cash flow and benefits from rising oil prices and emerging opportunities in AI data center microgrids. The author recommends ProPetro as the better investment choice for 2026.

06/18/2026, 1:24 PM • The Motley Fool

NFWF Awards $20 Million in Grants to Restore Longleaf Pine Habitat across the Southeast

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $20 million in conservation grants to restore longleaf pine forests across nine southern states, leveraging $18.6 million in matching contributions for a total impact of $38.6 million. The 25 projects will impact over 380,000 acres, supporting wildlife habitat restoration and rural communities through prescribed fire management and seedling plantings.

06/17/2026, 10:00 AM • GlobeNewswire

Brent Oil Just Fell Below $90 a Barrel. 3 Top Oil Stocks to Buy Now.

With Brent crude oil falling from a March peak of $119.50 to around $87 per barrel due to easing Middle East tensions, the article recommends three oil stocks: Energy Transfer and Enbridge (midstream pipeline companies with steady toll-based revenues and high dividend yields) and Chevron (a diversified integrated energy giant with global operations and 39 years of consecutive dividend increases).

06/10/2026, 1:30 PM • The Motley Fool

The Most Underappreciated Engine Inside Berkshire Hathaway Isn't the Cash Pile

Berkshire Hathaway's core strength lies not in its stock portfolio or cash reserves, but in its insurance business and the 'float' it generates. With insurance float growing at 16.5% annually since 1970 to $176 billion, this stable cash-generating operation has been a major contributor to shareholder returns, often outperforming individual equity holdings. CEO Greg Abel continues this strategy by acquiring cash-flow-generating businesses like Taylor Morrison Home.

06/08/2026, 6:15 AM • The Motley Fool