Here is a comprehensive post detailing the immense scale of Berkshire Hathaway.
How Big is Berkshire Hathaway? A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding a Conglomerate's Colossal Scale
Have you ever wondered just how large a company can get? We're not talking about a single factory or a well-known brand. We're talking about a sprawling empire of businesses, investments, and assets that spans multiple industries and has a value that rivals the GDP of many countries. If you're ready to dive into the world of one of the most powerful and unique companies on the planet, let's explore the colossal size of Warren Buffett's masterpiece, Berkshire Hathaway.
Let's begin this journey to understand the scale of this giant.
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| How Big Is Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 1: Get a Grip on the Numbers - It's More Than Just a Market Cap!
When people talk about the size of a company, they often start with its market capitalization. This is the total value of all its outstanding shares. And in that regard, Berkshire Hathaway is a true behemoth.
As of late June 2025, Berkshire Hathaway's market capitalization is a staggering over $1 trillion. To put that into perspective, it makes it one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world. But that number, while impressive, only tells a fraction of the story. Berkshire Hathaway's size is a combination of many factors, not just its stock price.
Step 2: Unpacking the Conglomerate - The "Wholly Owned" Businesses
Think of Berkshire Hathaway not as a single company, but as a holding company that owns a vast portfolio of businesses, both big and small, outright. These are companies that are 100% owned by Berkshire Hathaway, meaning their entire operations and profits are part of the Berkshire empire.
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
Here's a breakdown of some of the key sectors and notable companies they own:
Insurance is the Foundation: This is the bedrock of Berkshire Hathaway. Companies like GEICO, General Re, and National Indemnity Company provide a massive stream of cash (known as "float") that Warren Buffett and his team can use for investments. GEICO alone is a household name in the US, insuring millions of drivers.
A Rail and Energy Giant: Berkshire owns the largest freight railroad in North America, BNSF, which is critical to the movement of goods across the continent. It also controls Berkshire Hathaway Energy, a massive utility and energy company with operations in electricity, natural gas, and more. These aren't just investments; they are operational, revenue-generating powerhouses.
Consumer Goods and Retail: You'd be surprised by how many brands you know and love are under the Berkshire umbrella. This includes companies like:
Duracell (batteries)
See's Candies (a legendary confectionery brand)
Fruit of the Loom (clothing)
Dairy Queen (ice cream and fast food)
The Pampered Chef (kitchen products)
Manufacturing, Services, and More: The list goes on and on. From industrial components manufacturer Precision Castparts Corp. to building products leader Shaw Industries, and even the world's largest supplier of wholesale food and non-food items, McLane Company, Berkshire's reach is incredibly diverse.
The fact that Berkshire Hathaway owns over 70 companies in full gives you a much better sense of its size than just a market cap figure. It's a vast network of businesses that operate independently but funnel their profits up to the parent company.
Step 3: The Investment Portfolio - A Stock Market Juggernaut
Beyond the companies it owns outright, Berkshire Hathaway holds a massive portfolio of publicly traded stocks. This is what many people think of when they hear "Warren Buffett's investments." This portfolio is managed by Buffett and his team, and its value fluctuates with the market.
As of recent filings, the portfolio's value is in the hundreds of billions of dollars. A few of the largest holdings include:
Apple (AAPL): A colossal stake that makes up a significant portion of Berkshire's portfolio.
Bank of America (BAC): A long-standing position in one of the largest financial institutions.
Coca-Cola (KO): A classic Buffett holding that has been in the portfolio for decades.
American Express (AXP) and Chevron (CVX) are also among the top holdings.
This investment portfolio acts as a second engine for growth and value, adding another layer to the company's already massive size.
Step 4: Looking at the Financials - Assets, Revenue, and Employees
Now, let's get into the hard numbers that truly demonstrate scale.
Total Assets: As of the first quarter of 2025, Berkshire Hathaway reported having over $1.16 trillion in total assets. This includes everything from cash and investments to property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) from all its owned businesses. This is a monumental figure, showing the sheer scale of the company's holdings.
Revenue: For the twelve months ending March 31, 2025, Berkshire Hathaway's revenue was a staggering over $371 billion. That's more than the GDP of many countries, highlighting the enormous economic activity generated by its diverse operations.
Employees: When you combine all the employees across all of its subsidiaries, Berkshire Hathaway employs a massive workforce. As of fiscal year 2024, the total number of employees was 392,400. This makes it one of the largest employers in the world.
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
Step 5: How to Get a Piece of the Pie - Buying Berkshire Hathaway Stock
So, you're convinced of the company's size and strength and want to invest. Great! But it's not as simple as buying a single share of a regular company. Berkshire Hathaway has two classes of stock:
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Class A (BRK.A): This is the original share, famously known as the most expensive stock in the world. A single share of BRK.A recently traded for over $729,000. Yes, you read that right. One share is worth more than a luxury car or even a small apartment in many cities. It's designed to be a long-term investment, and it has more voting rights.
Class B (BRK.B): This was created to make the stock more accessible to smaller investors. A share of BRK.B is a fraction of a Class A share (specifically, 1/1,500th of a Class A share's economic value and 1/10,000th of its voting power). A single share of BRK.B trades for around $485. This is the more common and practical way for individual investors to get exposure to Berkshire Hathaway.
Here's a simple guide on how to buy BRK.B:
Open a Brokerage Account: If you don't have one, you'll need to open an investment account with a stockbroker (like Zerodha, Groww, etc., if you're in India, or a US-based brokerage like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, or Robinhood).
Fund Your Account: Transfer money from your bank account to your brokerage account.
Search for the Ticker: In your brokerage's platform, search for the ticker symbol "BRK.B".
Place Your Order: You can buy a whole share or, depending on your brokerage, a fractional share for a specific dollar amount. For example, you can choose to buy "$50 worth of BRK.B" instead of a full share.
Submit the Order: Click the buy button and you're now a partial owner of this massive conglomerate!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Calculate Berkshire Hathaway's Net Worth?
You can look at Berkshire Hathaway's "net assets" on its balance sheet, which is the sum of its assets minus its liabilities. As of March 2025, the company's net assets were approximately ₹56.106 trillion (or about $672 billion), giving a clearer picture of its financial strength.
How to See a List of Companies Berkshire Hathaway Owns?
A list of their owned subsidiaries can be found on the official Berkshire Hathaway website. It includes a wide range of companies from insurance and energy to manufacturing and retail.
Tip: Reading on mobile? Zoom in for better comfort.
How to Differentiate Between Class A and Class B Berkshire Hathaway Stock?
Class A (BRK.A) is the original, very expensive share with high voting rights. Class B (BRK.B) is a more affordable, fractional share with fewer voting rights, created for retail investors.
How to Invest in Berkshire Hathaway if I Can't Afford a Class A Share?
You can easily invest by purchasing Class B shares (BRK.B), which are available at a much lower price. Many brokerages also offer fractional shares, allowing you to invest any dollar amount you choose.
How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock from India?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock through brokerage platforms in India that allow for international investing. You can invest as little as $1 by purchasing fractional shares.
How to Understand Warren Buffett's Investment Philosophy?
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
Warren Buffett is known for his value investing philosophy, which involves buying shares of strong companies with competitive advantages at a reasonable price and holding them for the long term.
How to Find Berkshire Hathaway's Financial Reports?
All of Berkshire Hathaway's financial reports, including annual and quarterly filings, can be found on their official investor relations website.
How to Attend the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting?
The annual shareholder meeting, known as the "Woodstock for Capitalists," is held in Omaha, Nebraska. You can attend if you own at least one share of Berkshire Hathaway stock (either Class A or B).
How to Explain Berkshire Hathaway's Business Model?
Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified holding company. It uses the cash flow from its wholly-owned operating businesses (especially insurance) to acquire and invest in other companies, creating a powerful compounding machine.
How to Tell if Berkshire Hathaway is a Good Investment for Me?
This depends on your individual financial goals and risk tolerance. While it has a long track record of success, it's not a guaranteed winner. It's best to research the company's fundamentals and consider if its long-term, value-oriented approach aligns with your own investment strategy.
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