Berkshire Hathaway became the first publicly traded U.S. company outside technology to reach a $1 trillion valuation in 2024.
Its market capitalization surpassed $1 trillion on August 28, 2024, as the company’s Class A shares rose. Berkshire was already one of the world’s largest companies, but the milestone highlighted the scale of its collection of operating businesses and investments.
Warren Buffett has led Berkshire since 1965, transforming it from a struggling textile manufacturer into a diversified holding company. Its businesses include insurance, railroads, utilities, energy, manufacturing, and retail.
Berkshire is often discussed differently from technology giants because much of its value comes from operating subsidiaries and a large investment portfolio. Its Class A shares are famously expensive, while Class B shares provide a lower-priced alternative with fewer voting rights.