Berkshire's Energy Holdings Are Worth More Than Most Stand-Alone Utilities. Here's the Math.

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) manages a portfolio of hand-picked stocks. You might even keep tabs on these holdings -- and how they change -- in an effort to poach a few ideas for yourself. What many investors might often forget is that Berkshire's stock holdings are only part of what this company is -- and does. It is first and foremost a conglomerate consisting of several dozen businesses including fast-food chain Dairy Queen, Shaw flooring, Duracell batteries, Fruit of the Loom, GEICO insurance, Pilot travel centers, and more. These wholly owned privatized companies are on pace to contribute nearly $50 billion in net operating earnings this year alone. Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again.