Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 31,583		$ 28,048
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	84,400
Investments in fixed maturity securities	21,353		23,432
Investments in equity securities	170,540	[1]	139,288	[2]
Inventories	16,187		15,727
Goodwill	81,258		79,486
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts	15,278		8,047
Total assets	702,095		620,854
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred	56,607		77,442
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	61,122		53,379
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts	42,937		24,972
Total liabilities	350,141		335,426
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	8		8
Capital in excess of par value	35,694		35,681
Accumulated other comprehensive income	58,571		37,298
Retained earnings	255,786		210,846
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,763)		(1,763)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	348,296		282,070
Noncontrolling interests	3,658		3,358
Total shareholders' equity	351,954		285,428
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	702,095		620,854
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	25,460		23,581
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	78,515		47,338
Investments in fixed maturity securities	21,353		23,432
Investments in equity securities	164,026		134,835
Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company (Fair Value: 2017 - $25,306; 2016 - $28,418)	17,635		15,345
Receivables	28,578		27,097
Inventories	16,187		15,727
Property, plant and equipment	20,104		19,325
Goodwill	54,985		53,994
Other intangible assets	32,518		33,481
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts	15,278		8,047
Other	11,158		7,126
Total assets	485,797		409,328
LIABILITIES
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	61,122		53,379
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts	42,937		24,972
Unearned premiums	16,040		14,245
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	17,608		15,977
Other policyholder liabilities	7,654		6,714
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	23,099		22,164
Notes payable and other borrowings	27,324		27,175
Total liabilities	195,784		164,626
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,910		3,939
Property, plant and equipment	128,184		123,759
Goodwill	24,780		24,111
Regulatory assets	2,950		4,457
Other	15,589		13,550
Total assets	174,413		169,816
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	11,334		11,434
Regulatory liabilities	7,511		3,121
Notes payable and other borrowings	62,178		59,085
Total liabilities	81,023		73,640
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	3,213		528
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	5,856		10,984
Loans and finance receivables	13,748		13,300
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	9,931		9,689
Goodwill	1,493		1,381
Other	7,644		5,828
Total assets	41,885		41,710
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	1,470		1,444
Derivative contract liabilities	2,172		2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings	13,085		15,384
Total liabilities	$ 16,727		$ 19,718

[1] Approximately 65% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company - $15.1 billion; Apple Inc. - $28.2 billion; Bank of America Corporation - $20.7 billion; The Coca-Cola Company - $18.4 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $29.3 billion).

[2] Approximately 60% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company - $11.2 billion; Bank of America Corporation - $14.5 billion; The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion).