TMCnet News

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. News Release
[February 28, 2015]

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. News Release


Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A; BRK.B) -

We show below summary financial data for the fourth quarter and full year. However, we urge investors and reporters to carefully read our Annual Report, which has been posted on the Internet at www.berkshirehathaway.com. The limited information that follows in this press release is totally inadequate for making an informed investment judgment or for an evaluation of 2014 business performance. Earnings are stated on an after-tax basis. (Dollar amounts are in millions, except for per share amounts).





 

Fourth Quarter

 

Full Year

2014

 

2013

2014

 

2013

 
Operating earnings $ 3,963   $ 3,776   $ 16,551   $ 15,139  
Investment and derivative gains/losses
Investment gains 285 880 2,992 2,642
Derivative gains/losses   (93 )   334     329     1,695  
  192     1,214     3,321     4,337  
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders $ 4,155   $ 4,990   $ 19,872   $ 19,476  
 
 
Operating earnings per Class A equivalent share $ 2,412 $ 2,297 $ 10,071 $ 9,211
Investment and derivative gains per Class A equivalent share   117     738     2,021     2,639  
Net earnings per Class A equivalent share attributable to Berkshire shareholders

$

2,529

 

$

3,035

 

$

12,092

 

$

11,850

 
 
Average Class A equivalent shares outstanding 1,642,859 1,643,883 1,643,456 1,643,613
Book value per Class A equivalent share at December 31 $ 146,186   $ 134,973  
 

Note: Per share amounts for the Class B shares are 1/1,500th those shown for the Class A.

 
An analysis of Berkshire's operating earnings follows (dollar amounts are in millions).
 

Fourth Quarter

Full Year

2014

2013

2014

2013

 
Insurance-underwriting $ 191 $ 394 $ 1,692 $ 1,995
Insurance-investment income 880 904 3,542 3,708
Non-insurance businesses 3,027 2,748 11,462 10,148
Other   (135 )   (270 )   (145 )   (712 )
Operating earnings $ 3,963   $ 3,776   $ 16,551   $ 15,139  
 

In the table at the top of the page (which, as noted, reports after-tax results), we give investment and derivative gains (losses) lines of their own because the amounts of these in any given quarter or year are often meaningless.

At December 31, 2014, our book value had increased by 8.3% since yearend 2013 to $146,186 per Class A equivalent share. Insurance float (the net liabilities we assume under insurance contracts) at December 31, 2014 was approximately $84 billion.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliations of such measures to the most comparable GAAP figures in accordance with Regulation G are included herein.

Berkshire presents its results in the way it believes will be most meaningful and useful, as well as most transparent, to the investing public and others who use Berkshire's financial information. That presentation includes the use of certain non-GAAP financial measures. In addition to the GAAP presentations of net earnings, Berkshire shows operating earnings defined as net earnings exclusive of investment and derivative gains/losses.

Although the investment of insurance and reinsurance premiums to generate investment income and investment gains or losses is an integral part of Berkshire's operations, the generation of investment gains or losses is independent of the insurance underwriting process. Moreover, under applicable GAAP accounting requirements, losses can be created as the result of other-than-temporary declines in value without actual realization or when certain types of investments are marked-to-market through earnings. In sum, investment and derivative gains/losses for any particular period are not indicative of quarterly business performance.

About Berkshire

Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries engage in diverse business activities including property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, utilities and energy, freight rail transportation, finance, manufacturing, retailing and services. Common stock of the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading symbols BRK.A and BRK.B.

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release are "forward looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guaranties of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those forecasted.


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