Berkshire Hathaway became the first American non-technology business to reach a $1 trillion market value in 2024.
Its Class A shares pushed the conglomerate above the milestone in August 2024. Berkshire had already become one of the most valuable public companies through a long-term portfolio of insurance, railroads, utilities, manufacturing, and investments.
Warren Buffett has led Berkshire Hathaway since 1965, while Charlie Munger was a major vice-chairman and investment partner until his death in 2023. The company’s structure differs from that of a focused technology firm because it owns operating subsidiaries as well as marketable securities.
The milestone is commonly described as a market-cap achievement, not a measure of cash holdings. Berkshire’s two share classes also have different prices and voting rights.