Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
ASSETS
Investments in fixed maturity securities		$ 19,415		$ 19,898
Investments in equity securities		191,771	[1]	172,757	[2]
Loans and finance receivables		16,432		16,280
Inventories		19,454		19,069
Equipment held for lease		14,429		14,298
Goodwill		81,220		81,025
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts		13,831		14,104
Total assets		738,724		707,794
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred		56,852		51,375
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		69,535		68,458
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts		41,633		41,834
Total liabilities		366,133		355,294
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock		8		8
Capital in excess of par value		35,622		35,707
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(4,727)		(5,015)
Retained earnings		342,773		321,112
Treasury stock, at cost		(4,799)		(3,109)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity		368,877		348,703
Noncontrolling interests		3,714		3,797
Total shareholders' equity		372,591		352,500
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		738,724		707,794
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	[3]	22,487		27,749
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills		88,029		81,506
Investments in fixed maturity securities		19,415		19,898
Investments in equity securities		191,771		172,757
Equity method investments		17,308		17,325
Loans and finance receivables		16,432		16,280
Other receivables		33,710		31,564
Inventories		19,454		19,069
Property, plant and equipment		20,825		20,628
Equipment held for lease		14,429		14,298
Goodwill		56,449		56,323
Other intangible assets		31,266		31,499
Deferred charges under retroactive reinsurance contracts		13,831		14,104
Other		12,726		9,307
Total assets		558,132		532,307
LIABILITIES
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		69,535		68,458
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts		41,633		41,834
Unearned premiums		20,172		18,093
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		18,918		18,632
Other policyholder liabilities		7,742		7,675
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		25,164		25,776
Derivative contract liabilities		1,682		2,452
Aircraft repurchase liabilities and unearned lease revenues		5,071		4,593
Notes payable and other borrowings		33,847		34,975
Total liabilities		223,764		222,488
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	[3]	3,652		2,612
Receivables		3,460		3,666
Property, plant and equipment		132,170		131,780
Goodwill		24,771		24,702
Regulatory assets		3,154		3,067
Other		13,385		9,660
Total assets		180,592		175,487
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		14,643		11,410
Regulatory liabilities		7,528		7,506
Notes payable and other borrowings		63,346		62,515
Total liabilities		$ 85,517		$ 81,431

[1] Approximately 68% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company - $16.6 billion; Apple Inc. - $48.5 billion; Bank of America Corporation - $25.4 billion; The Coca-Cola Company - $18.7 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $20.9 billion).

[2] Approximately 68% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company - $14.5 billion; Apple Inc. - $40.3 billion; Bank of America Corporation - $22.6 billion; The Coca-Cola Company - $18.9 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $20.7 billion).

[3] Cash and cash equivalents includes U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities of three months or less when purchased of $2.1 billion at March 31, 2019 and $3.9 billion at December 31, 2018.