Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B) is a diversified holding company with operations spanning insurance, rail transportation, utilities and energy, manufacturing, services, and retailing. Its insurance businesses include GEICO, General Re, and Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group, which provide property and casualty insurance and reinsurance products to individuals, businesses, and other insurers.
The company also owns BNSF Railway, one of the largest freight railroad systems in North America, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, which operates regulated electric and natural gas utilities, renewable energy projects, and related businesses. Its manufacturing, service, and retail operations include companies such as Precision Castparts, Lubrizol, Marmon, Duracell, Fruit of the Loom, NetJets, and International Dairy Queen. Berkshire also holds a portfolio of investments in publicly traded companies.
Berkshire Hathaway traces its roots to textile companies Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates and Hathaway Manufacturing, which merged in 1955. Warren Buffett transformed the business into a diversified holding company after taking control in the 1960s and served as its chief executive for decades. Greg Abel became chief executive officer in 2026, while Buffett continues to serve as chairman.
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Berkshire Hathaway serves customers primarily in the United States through its operating subsidiaries while conducting insurance, reinsurance, investment, and commercial activities internationally. Its Class B common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRK.B.
