Berkshire Hathaway's Stock Portfolio Is Worth About 3 Times What It Paid. The Gains Alone Equal About 19% of the Company.

Berkshire Hathaway holds $361.3 billion in stocks with unrealized gains of $217.3 billion, representing a significant future tax liability. However, the company's stock portfolio is actually the smallest component of its $1.2 trillion market cap, with $365.5 billion in cash and $463.2 billion in privately owned businesses generating approximately $48 billion in annual operating earnings. The company's slow approach to selling positions means shareholders are unlikely to notice the tax impact.