Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS
Investments in fixed maturity securities		$ 18,524		$ 21,353
Investments in equity securities		179,729	[1]	170,540	[2]
Inventories		16,194		16,187
Goodwill		81,250		81,258
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts		14,730		15,278
Total assets		711,932		702,095
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred		56,514		56,607
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		62,737		61,122
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts		42,115		42,937
Total liabilities		350,174		350,141
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		8		8
Capital in excess of par value		35,694		35,694
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(3,808)		58,571
Retained earnings		327,963		255,786
Treasury stock, at cost		(1,763)		(1,763)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity		358,094		348,296
Noncontrolling interests		3,664		3,658
Shareholders' equity		361,758		351,954
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		711,932		702,095
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	[3]	57,918		25,460
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills		45,243		78,515
Investments in fixed maturity securities		18,524		21,353
Investments in equity securities		174,033		164,026
Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company		17,530		17,635
Receivables		31,280		28,578
Inventories		16,194		16,187
Property, plant and equipment		23,948		20,104
Goodwill		54,955		54,985
Other intangible assets		31,925		32,518
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts		14,730		15,278
Other		11,619		11,158
Total assets		497,899		485,797
LIABILITIES
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		62,737		61,122
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts		42,115		42,937
Unearned premiums		18,292		16,040
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		18,061		17,608
Other policyholder liabilities		6,900		7,654
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		26,384		23,099
Notes payable and other borrowings		25,158		27,324
Total liabilities		199,647		195,784
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	[3]	3,363		2,910
Property, plant and equipment		129,216		128,184
Goodwill		24,772		24,780
Regulatory assets		2,929		2,950
Other		15,590		15,589
Total assets		175,870		174,413
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		10,986		11,334
Regulatory liabilities		7,744		7,511
Notes payable and other borrowings		62,664		62,178
Total liabilities		81,394		81,023
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	[3]	3,280		3,213
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills		1,295		5,856
Loans and finance receivables		14,211		13,748
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease		10,065		9,931
Goodwill		1,523		1,493
Other		7,789		7,644
Total assets		38,163		41,885
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		1,662		1,470
Derivative contract liabilities		2,006		2,172
Notes payable and other borrowings		8,951		13,085
Total liabilities		$ 12,619		$ 16,727

[1] Approximately 70% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company - $14.9 billion; Apple Inc. - $47.2 billion; Bank of America Corporation - $19.7 billion; The Coca-Cola Company - $17.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.4 billion).

[2] 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).

[3] Cash and cash equivalents includes U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities of three months or less when purchased of $41.6 billion at June 30, 2018 and $5.7 billion at December 31, 2017.