CEOs celebrate Buffett as he calls an end to record run

Historic run included 5,500,000% growth

- LOUKIA GYFTOPOULOU AMANDA CANTRELL

Apple's Tim Cook called him inspiring. Oaktree’s Howard Marks dubbed him “the Isaac Newton of investing.” JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon said he’s “everything that is good about American capitalism”.

As Warren Buffett called an end to his historic run atop Berkshire Hathaway Inc, luminaries from the technology and banking worlds rushed to praise the man whose lessons they partially credit for their success.

The famed investor delivered a return of more than 5,500,000% on Berkshire's stock as he turned a once-failing textile firm into the most valuable company in the world that isn’t either a tech giant or state oil producer. In the process, he became the rare investor who crossed over into public consciousness through his folksy wisdom and witticisms.

Mr Buffett, 94, has drawn scores of imitators and become synonymous with many of the investing themes that still dominate the financial industry: being greedy while others are fearful, practising patience in allowing investments to compound and identifying insurance as a source of stable funds.

Mr Cook, Bank of America Corp's Brian Moynihan and JPMorgan Chase & Co's Dimon were among those who said they had personally leaned from Mr Buffett.