Berkshire CEO: AI Data Center Brings Energy Business Opportunity, Plans Long-Term Holding of Japanese Trading Company
BlockBeats News, September 3rd – Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel stated in an interview with CNBC that the company plans to hold stakes in Japan's five major trading houses as a long-term investment, expecting to hold them for decades. Currently, Berkshire holds over 10% of each of the five trading houses and is actively exploring other collaboration opportunities in Japan and overseas with these companies. Abel also mentioned that despite Japan's 10-year government bond yield rising to around 3%, the trading houses do not see the interest rate hike as a fundamental challenge. Berkshire still plans to consider issuing yen-denominated bonds as appropriate.
Regarding AI investments, Abel noted that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and Berkshire's subsidiaries' practical use of AI are among the key reasons the company is optimistic about Alphabet. When it comes to AI data center construction, he highlighted that energy supply and related infrastructure remain major constraints, presenting significant opportunities for Berkshire Hathaway and its energy subsidiary. Abel emphasized that the company is willing to provide energy services to large tech firms' data centers as long as it does not disadvantage other customers and brings net benefits to the local community.
On the U.S. housing market, Abel expressed Berkshire's long-term view on the housing industry, believing that the "American Dream" will persist. However, he expects no rapid recovery in the short term, and the industry may continue to experience fluctuations in the near future. Regarding the overall economy, he stated that most of Berkshire's large businesses performed well through the second quarter, with demand remaining robust. Nevertheless, American consumers are still under significant pressure and need to manage their income more cautiously. Overall, Berkshire currently sees the economic fundamentals as "very strong."
