Berkshire Hathaway became the first publicly traded U.S. company founded in the 19th century to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization.
The milestone was reached in August 2024, when Berkshire shares rose above the level required for a $1 trillion valuation. Berkshire dates its corporate origins to 1839, when the Valley Falls Company was established in Rhode Island.
Warren Buffett transformed Berkshire from a struggling textile manufacturer into a diversified holding company. Its businesses include insurance, railroads, utilities, energy, manufacturing, and retail operations, while its investment portfolio owns stakes in major public companies.
Berkshire’s Class A shares are famous for their exceptionally high price, while Class B shares provide a lower-priced alternative. The two classes represent different share structures, but both relate to the same overall corporate group.