Berkshire Hathaway was the first U.S. business outside the technology sector to surpass a $1 trillion market capitalization.
Berkshire Hathaway crossed the $1 trillion mark in August 2024. The milestone was notable because the company is a diversified holding business rather than a conventional technology platform or chip maker.
The company is led by Warren Buffett and owns or invests in businesses across insurance, railroads, utilities, energy, manufacturing, retail, and finance. Its insurance operations, especially property and casualty businesses, have historically supplied funds that Berkshire can invest elsewhere.
Berkshire Hathaway’s share structure also matters when comparing its valuation. The company has Class A and Class B shares, with Class A shares carrying substantially greater voting power and a much higher per-share price. Market capitalization combines both classes when valuing the whole company.