Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 25,963		$ 28,048
Investments in fixed maturity securities	22,933		23,465
Investments in equity securities	135,020	[1]	122,032	[2]
Inventories	16,115		15,727
Goodwill	79,951		79,486
Total assets	654,451		620,854
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred	82,132		77,944
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	93,898		76,918
Total liabilities	358,171		334,495
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	8		8
Capital in excess of par value	35,699		35,681
Accumulated other comprehensive income	43,070		37,298
Retained earnings	215,837		211,777
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,763)		(1,763)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	292,851		283,001
Noncontrolling interests	3,429		3,358
Total shareholders' equity	296,280		286,359
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	654,451		620,854
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	18,362		23,581
U.S. Treasury Bills	61,052		47,338
Total cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills	79,414		70,919
Investments in fixed maturity securities	22,902		23,432
Investments in equity securities	133,393		120,471
Other investments	15,293		14,364
Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company (Fair Value: March 31, 2017 - $29,553; December 31, 2016 - $28,418)	15,431		15,345
Receivables	28,870		27,097
Inventories	16,115		15,727
Property, plant and equipment	19,645		19,325
Goodwill	54,333		53,994
Other intangible assets	33,472		33,481
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	13,830		8,047
Other	7,417		7,126
Total assets	440,115		409,328
LIABILITIES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	93,898		76,918
Unearned premiums	16,106		14,245
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	16,375		15,977
Other policyholder liabilities	7,056		6,714
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	20,627		22,164
Notes payable and other borrowings	27,416		27,175
Total liabilities	181,478		163,193
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	5,584		3,939
Property, plant and equipment	124,277		123,759
Goodwill	24,234		24,111
Regulatory assets	4,617		4,457
Other	13,557		13,550
Total assets	172,269		169,816
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	11,031		11,434
Regulatory liabilities	3,095		3,121
Notes payable and other borrowings	60,925		59,085
Total liabilities	75,051		73,640
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,017		528
U.S. Treasury Bills	9,449		10,984
Total cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills	11,466		11,512
Investments in fixed maturity securities	31		33
Investments in equity and fixed maturity securities	410		408
Investments in equity securities	379		375
Other investments	3,119		2,892
Loans and finance receivables	13,365		13,300
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	9,723		9,689
Goodwill	1,384		1,381
Other	2,600		2,528
Total assets	42,067		41,710
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	1,465		1,444
Derivative contract liabilities	2,430		2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings	15,615		15,384
Total liabilities	$ 19,510		$ 19,718

[1] Approximately 65% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $12.0 billion, Apple Inc. - $19.2 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $17.0 billion, International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") - $11.2 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.8 billion.

[2] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, IBM - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.