Berkshire Hathaway became the first publicly traded U.S. business outside technology to exceed a $1 trillion market capitalization in 2024.
Berkshire Hathaway crossed the $1 trillion valuation during trading on August 28, 2024. The company is led by a large insurance operation and owns or invests in businesses spanning railroads, utilities, manufacturing, retail, and financial assets.
Its unusual structure makes the milestone especially notable. Berkshire is not a conventional technology growth company and does not pay a regular cash dividend. Instead, investors have historically focused on the company’s retained earnings, disciplined acquisitions, insurance float, and diversified portfolio.
The achievement is often associated with Warren Buffett, who became Berkshire’s chairman and chief executive in 1965. The company’s Class A shares are among the highest-priced publicly traded shares, while Class B shares provide a lower-priced alternative.