| USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Dec 31, 2018 | Dec 31, 2017 | Dec 31, 2016 | Dec 31, 2015 | Dec 31, 2014 | Dec 31, 2013 | Dec 31, 2012 | Dec 31, 2011 | Dec 31, 2010 | Dec 31, 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Investments in fixed maturity securities | 17,816 | 15,364 | 23,758 | ||||||||||||||
Investments in equity securities | 297,778 | 271,588 | 353,842 | ||||||||||||||
Equity method investments | 19,978 | 31,134 | 29,066 | ||||||||||||||
Loans and finance receivables | 29,836 | 27,798 | 24,681 | ||||||||||||||
Other investments | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Inventories | 24,424 | 24,008 | 24,159 | ||||||||||||||
Equipment held for lease | 18,535 | 17,828 | 16,947 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill | 83,074 | 83,880 | 84,626 | ||||||||||||||
Deferred charges - retroactive reinsurance | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 1,222,176 | 1,153,881 | 1,069,978 | ||||||||||||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' equity: | |||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits | 17,890 | 17,616 | 20,213 | ||||||||||||||
Payable for purchase of U.S. Treasury Bills | 167 | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses under retroactive reinsurance contracts | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||
Income taxes, principally deferred | 86,955 | 85,870 | 93,009 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 502,473 | 502,226 | 499,208 | ||||||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests | - | - | 3,261 | ||||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | |||||||||||||||||
Common stock at par value | 8 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
Capital in excess of par value | 35,612 | 35,665 | 34,480 | ||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | (2,448) | (3,584) | (3,763) | ||||||||||||||
Retained earnings | 763,186 | 696,218 | 607,350 | ||||||||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost | 78,939 | 78,939 | 76,802 | ||||||||||||||
Berkshire shareholders' equity | 717,419 | 649,368 | 561,273 | ||||||||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 2,284 | 2,287 | 6,236 | ||||||||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 719,703 | 651,655 | 567,509 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 1,222,176 | $ 1,153,881 | $ 1,069,978 |