Berkshire Hathaway became the first U.S. company outside technology to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization.
Berkshire Hathaway passed the $1 trillion valuation threshold in August 2024. Its achievement was notable because the company is a diversified conglomerate rather than a technology platform or chip manufacturer.
The business owns or invests in companies across insurance, railroads, utilities, energy, manufacturing, retail, and services. Warren Buffett transformed Berkshire from a struggling textile manufacturer into a major investment and operating company after acquiring control in the 1960s.
Berkshire’s market capitalization reflects both its operating subsidiaries and the public securities held by its insurance businesses. Its unusual structure means that comparisons with a single-product technology company can be misleading, even though both are ranked by the same basic market-cap calculation.