Berkshire Hathaway is a financial powerhouse that is an American multinational company headed by the renowned investor Warren Buffett.
With origins dating to the late 1800s, Berkshire Hathaway has grown from a pair of textile businesses into a recognizable conglomerate that is a major force in many different industries.
Due to the investment prowess of Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway is now seen as a success story and is one of the most valuable company in the United States, with Class A shares crossing $500,000 in 2023.
The company started out in the textile industry, but under Buffett’s leadership, it changed course in 1965 and evolved into a conglomerate that makes strategic investments, acquisitions, and management across a variety of industries.
The three main components of Berkshire’s business strategy are minority investments, owning majority stakes, and outright acquisitions. Notable purchases that highlight its varied portfolio are BNSF Railway, Dairy Queen, and GEICO. An important step towards diversification was taken in 2010 with the forty-four-billion-dollar purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Co.
With a significant impact on everything from railroads to confectionaries, Berkshire Hathaway is now a prominent participant in many different industries. The conglomerate owns significant shares in a number of businesses, including:
- Apple
- Kraft Heinz
- Paramount Global
- American Express
- Pilot Flying J
- Bank of America
- Coca-Cola.
With respect to worldwide public firms, its Class A shares are the most expensive per share, which reflects Buffett’s decision to refrain from splitting the stock.
Although textile companies merged to form Berkshire Hathaway in its early years, Buffett’s arrival in 1962 was a game-changer. Buffett started buying up shares after realising the company was undervalued; he eventually joined the leadership in 1965. Due to difficulties in the textile industry, Berkshire developed into a reputable holding firm that prioritises value investing.
Buffett’s approach places a strong emphasis on acquiring large shares in market leaders and purchasing under-appreciated companies. GEICO and National Indemnity Company are two insurance firms that have been essential to Berkshire’s holdings. Since 1965, Buffett’s value investing concept has helped the company’s book value expand at an astounding average rate of 20%.
By acquiring companies like Fruit of the Loom, Benjamin Moore, and Scott Fetzer Company, the company demonstrated its dedication to portfolio diversification and grew larger. The 2010 takeover of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation by Berkshire was indicative of the company’s continued focus on mature markets.
Among the difficulties Berkshire Hathaway has faced is Buffett’s acknowledgement that buying the business in 1965 was his worst investment decision. Buffett has led the company to success, regardless, thanks to its strategy of buying relatively inexpensive companies. Berkshire Hathaway’s continued success as a leading American conglomerate is evidence of Warren Buffett’s unwavering dedication to value investment and smart business strategy. Berkshire Hathaway remains a major American conglomerate, standing as a testament to Warren Buffett’s enduring commitment to value investing and strategic business management.
Berkshire Hathaway Share Price History
| Year | Share Price | Gain / Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | $ 425.00 | |
| 1981 | $ 560.00 | + 31.8% |
| 1982 | $ 775.00 | + 38.4% |
| 1983 | $ 1,310.00 | + 69.0% |
| 1984 | $ 1,275.00 | - 2.7% |
| 1985 | $ 2,470.00 | + 93.7% |
| 1986 | $ 2,820.00 | + 14.2% |
| 1987 | $ 2,950.00 | + 4.6% |
| 1988 | $ 4,700.00 | + 59.3% |
| 1989 | $ 8,675.00 | + 84.6% |
| 1990 | $ 6,675.00 | - 23.1% |
| 1991 | $ 9,050.00 | + 35.6% |
| 1992 | $ 11,750.00 | + 29.8% |
| 1993 | $ 16,325.00 | + 38.9% |
| 1994 | $ 20,400.00 | + 25.0% |
| 1995 | $ 32,100.00 | + 57.4% |
| 1996 | $ 34,100.00 | + 6.2% |
| 1997 | $ 46,000.00 | + 34.9% |
| 1998 | $ 70,000.00 | + 52.2% |
| 1999 | $ 56,100.00 | - 19.9% |
| 2000 | $ 71,000.00 | + 26.6% |
| 2001 | $ 75,600.00 | + 6.5% |
| 2002 | $ 72,750.00 | - 3.8% |
| 2003 | $ 84,250.00 | + 15.8% |
| 2004 | $ 87,900.00 | + 4.3% |
| 2005 | $ 88,620.00 | + 0.8% |
| 2006 | $ 109,990.00 | + 24.1% |
| 2007 | $ 141,600.00 | + 28.7% |
| 2008 | $ 96,600.00 | - 31.8% |
| 2009 | $ 99,200.00 | + 2.7% |
| 2010 | $ 120,450.00 | + 21.4% |
| 2011 | $ 114,755.00 | - 4.7% |
| 2012 | $ 134,060.00 | + 16.8% |
| 2013 | $ 177,900.00 | + 32.7% |
| 2014 | $ 226,000.00 | + 27.0% |
| 2015 | $ 197,800.00 | - 12.5% |
| 2016 | $ 244,121.00 | + 23.4% |
| 2017 | $ 297,600.00 | + 21.9% |
| 2018 | $ 306,000.00 | + 2.8% |
| 2019 | $ 339,590.00 | + 11.0% |
| 2020 | $ 347,815.00 | + 2.4% |
| 2021 | $ 450,662.00 | + 29.6% |
| 2022 | $ 468,711.00 | + 4.0% |
| 2023 | $ 543,129.00 | + 15.9% |
| 2024 | $ 715,880.00 | + 31.8% |
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- During 1980, the share price of Berkshire Hathaway was $ 425.
- If you had bought shares worth $ 2500 in 1980, you would have 59 shares today.
- At the end of 2024, the current value of your shares would be $ 42110588.
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