Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) vs Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a publicly traded diversified holding company with major businesses and investments across insurance, freight rail, energy, manufacturing, retail, and financial assets. Its shares give investors exposure to the operating performance of its subsidiaries as well as the value of its large public-equity portfolio. The company's performance is influenced by insurance underwriting results, investment returns, economic activity, interest rates, capital allocation, and broader market conditions.

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. The company reports results across Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation, with market share nearing 20% in many product categories. Caterpillar also operates a captive finance subsidiary that helps support equipment sales. Its business has a broad global footprint, with revenue roughly balanced between the United States and international markets. The construction segment is more heavily weighted toward the domestic market, while the other divisions are more geographically diversified. An independent dealer network of more than 150 dealers runs approximately 2,800 locations, extending Caterpillar’s sales and service presence to about 190 countries.