Aug 10, 2026 · 7 min
Berkshire buys equities as AI demand lifts chip stocks
Berkshire Reports; TSMC Rises: Verisk Slides
The episode connects Berkshire’s capital decisions and semiconductor demand with a wider look at how technology is reshaping cities.
- 1Berkshire reports earnings as Greg Abel’s early leadership coincides with reduced cash, share buybacks, and increased equity purchases.
- 2TSMC posts strong July sales amid sustained AI-chip demand, while its slightly softer-than-expected growth limits the stock’s reaction.
- 3SpaceX and Rocket Lab rally as the episode shifts from market movers to AI-enabled urban planning and Dubai’s rapid growth.
Don't miss
The episode pivots from Berkshire’s capital allocation and AI-chip demand to Dubai’s long-term plan for managing rapid urban growth.
The brief
The episode opens with a question about rapid urbanization: how can cities build smarter infrastructure while populations and technology change quickly?
Nathan Hager and Dan Curtis review Berkshire Hathaway after earnings, focusing on Greg Abel’s early impact, a smaller cash pile, buybacks, and increased equity purchases.
TSMC’s July sales show continued AI-chip demand, though growth slightly below expectations helps explain the stock’s muted reaction; SpaceX and Rocket Lab also rally.
The market discussion broadens into smart cities, where AI, long-term planning, and urban innovation meet Dubai’s response to rapid population growth.
The episode’s central tension is whether ambitious urban blueprints can turn technological momentum into infrastructure that scales with metropolitan growth.
What was said on this episode
13 statements · 9 positive · 3 negative · 1 mixed
Berkshire Hathaway’s cash pile fell to $365 billion.
“The cash pile for the company dipped to $365 billion from nearly $400 billion.”
Listen at 0:56
Berkshire Hathaway spent $4.5 billion on share buybacks.
“And part of that was $4.5 billion in a buyback.”
Listen at 1:02
Berkshire Hathaway bought approximately $20 billion in equities.
“the company also bought about $20 billion in equity”
Listen at 1:06
Berkshire Hathaway bought $10 billion of Alphabet in a private placement.
“alphabet was a big buy 10 billion dollars in a private placement”
Listen at 1:14
Berkshire Hathaway’s pre-tax underwriting profits fell 45%.
“Pre-tax underwriting profits fell by 45 percent.”
Listen at 1:33
Taiwan Semiconductor reported 45% year-over-year July sales growth.
“It reported a 45% rise in July sales.”
Listen at 1:56
Taiwan Semiconductor’s July sales growth was below the 47% market expectation.
“So the street was looking for 47% growth. So that was a little bit softer.”
Listen at 2:00
Rocket Lab continues growing but has not yet become profitable.
“The company is still growing. It's still not really... posting profit yet.”
Listen at 3:28
Rocket Lab has an $8 billion deal to acquire Iridium.
“It has an $8 billion deal to buy Iridium.”
Listen at 3:35
Rocket Lab’s Iridium acquisition is expected to close next year.
“That deal was announced recently, and it's expected to close next year.”
Listen at 3:40
AI will compress processes and increase speed in smart-city systems.
“AI will allow in the smart city space to compress a lot of things. The speed will change.”
Listen at 4:43
Dubai responded very effectively to its sudden population increase.
“they reacted very well to it.”
Listen at 5:10
Dubai has a long-term urban planning vision.
“They have a long-term urban planning vision”
Listen at 5:12
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
Nathan Hager
Greg AbelBooks & mentions
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