Berkshire Hathaway vs Honda: Revenue, Profit and Business Model
Berkshire Hathaway reported $371.4B of revenue in FY2025 and $67B of net income. Honda reported ~$146B of revenue in FY2026 and a net loss of ~$2.8B.
Latest financial snapshot
Berkshire Hathaway
- Latest revenue
- $371.4B (FY2025)
- Net income
- $67B
- Net margin
- 18.0%
- Revenue growth
- +6.3% a year, FY2016–FY2025
Honda
- Latest revenue
- ~$146B (FY2026)
- Net income
- ~-$2.8B
- Net margin
- -1.9%
- Revenue growth
- +4.1% a year, FY2016–FY2026
Financial summary
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire reported 2025 revenue of $371.444 billion, operating earnings of $44.486 billion (down from $47.437 billion in 2024 and above the five-year average of about $37.5 billion), and net earnings attributable to shareholders of $66.968 billion. GAAP net earnings swing with the equity portfolio: 2025 included $30.737 billion of after-tax investment gains and $8.255 billion of after-tax impairments on Kraft Heinz and Occidental. The businesses produced $46 billion of net cash from operating activities. Insurance earned $9.460 billion of pre-tax underwriting profit, with GEICO contributing $6.824 billion, and insurance float grew to $176 billion from $171 billion a year earlier. Shareholders' equity ended 2025 at $717.4 billion, up $68.1 billion, and the insurance and other businesses held $369.0 billion of cash, cash equivalents and US Treasury Bills. Berkshire repurchased no stock in 2025 and has paid no dividend since 1967.
Honda
Honda's revenue rose from ~$97.5 billion (JPY 14.55 trillion) in FY2022 to ~$145 billion (JPY 21.69 trillion) in FY2025 as a weaker yen and strong US hybrid demand lifted results. FY2026 revenue edged up to $146 billion (JPY 21.80 trillion), but EV charges of ~$10.6 billion (JPY 1.58 trillion) produced a ~$2.78 billion (JPY 414.3 billion) operating loss and a ~$2.84 billion (JPY 423.9 billion) net loss. Without those charges, adjusted operating profit was ~$6.97 billion (JPY 1.04 trillion). In Q1 FY2027 (April to June 2026) operating profit hit a record ~$3.56 billion (JPY 530.7 billion) and net profit was ~$3.02 billion (JPY 450.9 billion), and Honda raised its FY2027 net profit forecast to ~$2.68 billion (JPY 400 billion).
Revenue and profit by year
Berkshire Hathaway
| Year | Revenue | Net income | Margin | Growth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | $371.4B | $67B | 18.0% | +0.0% | Source |
| FY2024 | $371.4B | $89B | 24.0% | +1.9% | Source |
| FY2023 | $364.5B | $96.2B | 26.4% | +20.7% | Source |
| FY2022 | $302B | -$22.8B | -7.5% | +9.4% | Source |
| FY2021 | $276.2B | $89.9B | 32.6% | +12.5% | Source |
| FY2020 | $245.6B | $42.5B | 17.3% | -3.5% | Source |
| FY2019 | $254.6B | $81.4B | 32.0% | +2.7% | Source |
| FY2018 | $247.8B | $4B | 1.6% | +3.3% | Source |
| FY2017 | $239.9B | $44.9B | 18.7% | +11.5% | Source |
| FY2016 | $215.1B | $24.1B | 11.2% | — | Source |
Honda
| Year | Revenue | Net income | Margin | Growth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | ~$146B | ~-$2.8B | -1.9% | +0.5% | Source |
| FY2025 | ~$145.3B | ~$5.6B | 3.9% | +6.2% | Source |
| FY2024 | ~$136.9B | ~$7.4B | 5.4% | +20.8% | Source |
| FY2023 | ~$113.3B | ~$4.4B | 3.9% | +16.2% | Source |
| FY2022 | ~$97.5B | ~$4.7B | 4.9% | +10.5% | Source |
| FY2021 | ~$88.2B | ~$4.4B | 5.0% | -11.8% | Source |
| FY2020 | ~$100B | ~$3.1B | 3.1% | -6.0% | Source |
| FY2019 | ~$106.5B | ~$4.1B | 3.8% | +3.4% | Source |
| FY2018 | ~$102.9B | ~$7.1B | 6.9% | +9.7% | Source |
| FY2017 | ~$93.8B | ~$4.1B | 4.4% | -4.1% | Source |
| FY2016 | ~$97.8B | ~$2.3B | 2.4% | — | Source |
Where the revenue comes from
Berkshire Hathaway
- Insurance premiums earned23.9%
GEICO, Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group and Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group earned $88.902B of premiums in 2025 and produced $9.460B of pre-tax underwriting earnings.
- Sales and service revenues53.7%
Manufacturing, service and retailing businesses, plus McLane and Pilot distribution, generated $199.524B of sales and service revenue in 2025, the largest revenue line and a thin-margin one.
- Interest, dividend and other investment income6.3%
Investment income of $23.261B in 2025 came mostly from US Treasury Bills and dividends on the equity portfolio.
- Freight rail transportation6.3%
BNSF produced $23.330B of freight revenue in 2025 hauling consumer products, industrial products, agricultural and energy products and coal.
- Utility and energy operating revenues5.9%
Berkshire Hathaway Energy's regulated utilities and pipelines produced $21.856B in 2025, serving about 5.4 million retail customers.
- Leasing revenues2.7%
Leasing businesses including XTRA trailer leasing and other equipment lessors produced $10.034B in 2025.
- Railroad, utilities and energy service revenues and other income1.2%
Service revenues and other income inside the railroad, utilities and energy group added $4.537B in 2025.
Honda
- Automobiles~65%
Passenger vehicles, hybrids, EVs, SUVs, parts, accessories, and related service revenue sold through global dealer networks.
- Motorcycles~17%
Motorcycles, scooters, parts, and related products sold globally, especially in Asia and other high-volume mobility markets.
- Financial Services~16%
Vehicle loans, leases, dealer financing, and related finance products that support automobile and motorcycle demand.
- Power Products and Other~2%
Power equipment, marine engines, aircraft-related activity, and other mobility-adjacent operations.
Business model and strategy
Berkshire Hathaway
How it makes money
Berkshire's business model is capital allocation on top of a decentralized group of operating companies. Subsidiary managers run their own businesses, with no corporate budget submissions and no committee structure at headquarters, and send surplus cash to Omaha.
Growth strategy
Berkshire's size limits what can move its results, so growth comes from large purchases, reinvestment inside existing businesses and buying back its own stock. Buffett described the 2009 BNSF agreement, a $34 billion investment in the railroad, as an all-in wager on the economic future of the United States.
Competitive advantage
Berkshire's advantages are permanent capital, a balance sheet that stays liquid by design, and a reputation that brings sellers to it.
Honda
How it makes money
Honda earns money in four reportable segments. Automobiles (Honda and Acura cars and light trucks, led by the CR-V, Civic, Accord and hybrid e:HEV models) generate most revenue, with North America the largest profit market. Motorcycles generate high-volume, high-margin sales, especially in India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brazil, and posted record profit in FY2026.
Growth strategy
Honda reset its electrification plan in 2026. In March it cancelled the US-built Honda 0 SUV, 0 Saloon and Acura RSX EVs, and in May it scrapped its 2030 and 2040 EV sales targets, including the goal of selling only battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles by 2040. The new plan leans on hybrids, a next-generation e:HEV system, motorcycles in emerging markets, and more flexible EV timing.
Competitive advantage
Honda's edge comes from three things. It leads the global motorcycle market with roughly 40% unit share, which gives it a profit base most automakers lack. Its two-motor hybrid system is competitive in the markets where hybrid demand is growing fastest, especially the US.
Questions about Berkshire Hathaway vs Honda
Which company has higher revenue — Berkshire Hathaway Inc. or Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. reported $371.4B (FY2025), while Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reported ~$146B (FY2026). By last reported revenue, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is the larger business, with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reporting a smaller revenue base. Note: these are from different fiscal years and are not a direct like-for-like comparison.
What is the market cap of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. vs Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s market capitalisation stands at $1.07T, while Honda Motor Co., Ltd.'s is $50.3B. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. carries the higher market valuation, reflecting investors' expectations of its future earnings power relative to Honda Motor Co., Ltd..
Which is more financially efficient — Berkshire Hathaway Inc. or Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. generates $958k / employee in revenue per employee, while Honda Motor Co., Ltd. generates $748k / employee. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shows higher revenue efficiency per headcount, though this reflects business model differences — capital-light software companies routinely outperform labour-intensive manufacturers on this metric.
How do Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. make money?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. generate revenue in fundamentally different ways. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.: Berkshire's business model is capital allocation on top of a decentralized group of operating companies. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.: Honda earns money in four reportable segments.
Which company is valued higher relative to revenue — Berkshire Hathaway Inc. or Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
On a price-to-sales (P/S) basis, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. trades at 2.9x P/S and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. at 0.3x P/S. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. commands a higher revenue multiple, typically indicating that investors expect faster growth or higher future margins compared to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. A higher multiple is not inherently better — it may also signal that the stock is priced for perfection.
Is Berkshire Hathaway Inc. bigger than Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
By last reported revenue, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ($371.4B (FY2025)) is the larger company compared to Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (~$146B (FY2026)). Revenue scale is one dimension of size — market capitalisation, employee count, and geographic reach are also relevant depending on the context.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Berkshire Hathaway vs Honda overview