Berkshire Hathaway became the first U.S. non-technology company to surpass a $1 trillion market value in 2024.
Berkshire Hathaway crossed the milestone in August 2024 as investors continued to value its collection of operating businesses, insurance operations, investments, and large cash reserves. Unlike a conventional single-industry company, Berkshire owns or invests in businesses across sectors.
Warren Buffett transformed Berkshire from a struggling textile manufacturer into a diversified holding company. Its major wholly owned businesses have included GEICO, BNSF Railway, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and manufacturing and service companies.
The company’s market value is often discussed alongside its per-share book value, but those are different measures. Market capitalization reflects what investors are willing to pay for all outstanding shares, while book value records accounting values for assets and liabilities.