Berkshire Hathaway is the investment company led for decades by Warren Buffett and known for its unusually high Class A share price and enormous market value.
The modern Berkshire Hathaway developed after Buffett's investment partnership acquired control of the struggling textile manufacturer in the 1960s. Buffett eventually shifted the business away from textiles and toward insurance, investments, and ownership of operating companies.
Berkshire's insurance operations, including GEICO and General Re, provide capital that can be invested. The company also owns businesses in areas such as railroads, utilities, energy, manufacturing, and consumer products. Its large public-equity portfolio is another closely watched feature.
Berkshire's Class A shares are famous because the company has never split them. Class B shares, created in 1996, provide a more affordable alternative and carry different voting rights. Market capitalization includes both share classes, not just the celebrated Class A quotation.