Berkshire Hathaway became the first non-technology U.S. company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization.
Berkshire Hathaway crossed the landmark valuation in August 2024. The company is an investment conglomerate led for decades by Warren Buffett, and its businesses span insurance, railroads, utilities, energy, manufacturing, retail, and other industries.
Insurance is central to Berkshire’s structure. Its large insurance operations generate investable funds known as float, while the company also owns substantial public-stock investments and wholly owned operating businesses. This combination makes Berkshire different from a conventional single-industry corporation.
Berkshire’s Class A shares are among the most expensive publicly traded shares because the company has never carried out a conventional stock split for that class. Class B shares, introduced in 1996, trade at a much lower price and provide broader access while representing the same overall corporate ownership.