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5.0
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. operates in the Financial sector and is categorized under the Insurance (Property & Casualty) industry. The company was originally founded by Oliver Chace.
Its transformation into a diversified conglomerate was led by Warren Buffett starting in the 1960s, turning it into one of the largest and most influential corporations in the world.
The company’s business model is based on the acquisition and management of subsidiaries across multiple sectors, with a strong presence in insurance, energy, rail transportation, manufacturing, retail, and financial services.
In addition, it holds strategic equity positions in major global companies such as Apple, Coca-Cola, American Express, and Bank of America.
Key subsidiaries include GEICO and Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (insurance), BNSF Railway (railroads), Berkshire Hathaway Energy (utilities), Lubrizol (chemicals), Fruit of the Loom (textiles), NetJets (private aviation), and Dairy Queen (food services), among others.
Berkshire Hathaway operates globally, with investments and subsidiaries in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Its performance is influenced by economic cycles, interest rates, capital market activity, and government policies.
The long-term strategy implemented by Warren Buffett and his team focuses on rigorous business evaluation and solid investments in undervalued assets, aiming to maximize shareholder returns.
The company follows a decentralized management model, with each subsidiary operating independently, which enhances agility and operational efficiency.
With more than 390,000 employees, Berkshire Hathaway maintains its investment philosophy centered on sustainable value creation, financial discipline, and a long-term vision, solidifying its position as one of the world’s largest conglomerates.
Berkshire Hathaway is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker BRK-B.
History and Founding of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was founded in 1839 in the United States by Oliver Chace, initially as a textile manufacturing company. For decades, it operated fabric mills in New England, maintaining a steady presence in the manufacturing sector.
During the 20th century, the company faced challenges due to the declining competitiveness of the U.S. textile industry.
In 1965, Warren Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway and began restructuring the company, transforming it from a textile manufacturer into an investment and insurance conglomerate.
During the 1970s and 1980s, portfolio expansion was driven by acquisitions in the insurance sector, including National Indemnity Company and GEICO. These companies became cash-generating engines that funded further investments.
This model enabled Berkshire to make strategic acquisitions across diverse sectors, establishing its position as one of the largest holding companies in the world.
The initial public offering (IPO) of Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares took place in 1996, allowing a broader range of investors to access the company’s stock.
Between 2020 and 2024, Berkshire Hathaway continued expanding its operations, investing in technology, infrastructure, and high-growth companies. It also conducted significant share repurchase programs and maintained its long-term investment philosophy despite global market volatility.
Now positioned as one of the largest financial conglomerates globally, Berkshire Hathaway continues to pursue a strategy of sustainable growth and conservative risk management, ensuring its relevance in the global investment landscape.
Additional Information
The Company Berkshire Hathaway INC. (United States), is listed on NYSE with a market cap of $ 1.09 Trillion, having an equity of $ 700.44 Billions.
With a total of 391.500 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Financial and categorized in industry of Insurance (Prop. & Casualty).
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 400.55 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 67.46 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 16.12, a P/BV ratio of 1.55 and in the last 12 months the Company did not pay dividends.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker BRK-B.
