Berkshire Hathaway is led by Warren Buffett and is known for owning dozens of operating businesses.
Berkshire Hathaway began as a textile manufacturer and was later transformed into a diversified holding company. Warren Buffett began buying shares in the 1960s and became its controlling shareholder and chief executive, building the business around insurance, investments, and wholly owned subsidiaries.
Its businesses have included GEICO, BNSF Railway, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and a large collection of manufacturing, retail, and service companies. Berkshire is often described as an investment company, but it is also an operating conglomerate. Its Class A shares are famous for an unusually high per-share price, while Class B shares provide a more accessible alternative.