The Most Underappreciated Engine Inside Berkshire Hathaway Isn't the Cash Pile

Berkshire Hathaway's core strength lies not in its stock portfolio or cash reserves, but in its insurance business and the 'float' it generates. With insurance float growing at 16.5% annually since 1970 to $176 billion, this stable cash-generating operation has been a major contributor to shareholder returns, often outperforming individual equity holdings. CEO Greg Abel continues this strategy by acquiring cash-flow-generating businesses like Taylor Morrison Home.