Financials
Insurance - Diversified
$1.10T
392K
Berkshire Hathaway Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the insurance, freight rail transportation, and utility businesses worldwide. The company provides property, casualty, life, accident, and health insurance and reinsurance; and operates railroad systems in North America. It also generates, transmits, stores, and distributes electricity from natural gas, coal, wind, solar, hydroelectric, nuclear, and geothermal sources; operates natural gas distribution and storage facilities, interstate pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities, and compressor and meter stations; and holds interest in coal mining assets. In addition, the company manufactures boxed chocolates and other confectionery products; specialty chemicals, metal cutting tools, and components for aerospace and power generation applications; flooring products; insulation, roofing, and engineered products; building and engineered components; paints and coatings; and bricks and masonry products, as well as offers manufactured and site-built home construction, and related lending and financial services. Further, it provides recreational vehicles, apparel and footwear products, jewelry, and custom picture framing products, as well as alkaline batteries; castings, forgings, fasteners/fastener systems, aerostructures, and precision components; and cobalt, nickel, and titanium alloys. Additionally, the company distributes televisions and information; franchises and services quick service restaurants; distributes electronic components; and offers logistics services, grocery and foodservice distribution services, and professional aviation training and shared aircraft ownership programs. It also retails automobiles; furniture, bedding, and accessories; household appliances, electronics, and computers; jewelry, watches, crystal, china, stemware, flatware, gifts, and collectibles; kitchenware; and motorcycle clothing and equipment. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
Key insights and themes extracted from this filing
The 10-K filing indicates a substantial increase in net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, reaching $96.223 billion compared to a loss of $22.759 billion in the previous year. This turnaround suggests a significant improvement in the company's overall financial health and profitability.
The insurance underwriting segment reported earnings of $5.428 billion, a significant improvement from the loss of $30 million in the prior year. This suggests better risk management and pricing strategies within the insurance business.
The 10-K filing indicates that BNSF's after-tax earnings decreased by 14.4% compared to 2022, primarily due to lower overall freight volumes and higher non-fuel operating costs, signaling potential challenges in the railroad business segment.
Berkshire Hathaway increased its ownership in PTC to 80% on January 31, 2023, and further to 100% on January 16, 2024, indicating a strategic focus on fuel distribution and energy products and services. This move could diversify the company's revenue streams and capitalize on the growing demand for energy-related products.
BHE has invested heavily in owned renewable generation and storage, with cumulative investments of $34.1 billion through 2023. This demonstrates a commitment to clean energy and positions the company to benefit from the increasing demand for renewable energy sources.
Berkshire Hathaway acquired Alleghany Corporation on October 19, 2022, adding property and casualty insurance businesses (RSUI and CapSpecialty, TransRe Group) and non-insurance businesses (W&W|AFCO Steel, Jazwares, and IPS) to its portfolio. This acquisition diversifies Berkshire's operations and expands its presence in key markets.
GEICO's underwriting results improved, reflecting premium rate increases and lower claims frequencies, indicating effective management actions to address profitability challenges. Reduced advertising expenditures also contributed to improved expense ratios.
BNSF Railway committed to a broad sustainability model, applying science-based approaches, that will provide a 30% reduction in BNSF Railway's GHG-emissions by 2030 from its baseline year of 2018. This demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.
PTC opened charging stations at 18 travel centers in connection with an agreement with General Motors to develop a nationwide electric vehicle fast charger network of 2,000 charging stations in 500 U.S. locations by 2026. This demonstrates a commitment to innovation and adapting to changing market conditions.
The 10-K filing identifies terrorist acts and cybersecurity risks as potential threats to the company's operations, emphasizing the potential for significant losses through loss of life, destruction of facilities, and disruption of information systems. These risks are shared with all businesses.
The filing acknowledges the rising risks of adverse effects from geopolitical events, including armed conflicts and government policies, which could negatively impact operating businesses through reduced sales, increased costs, and supply chain disruptions. This risk is shared with all businesses.
The 10-K filing highlights the company's dependence on Warren Buffett for major investment and capital allocation decisions, noting that the unavailability of his services could have a material adverse effect on operations. While a succession plan is in place, the transition presents inherent risks.
The 10-K filing indicates that GEICO's market share is the third largest at approximately 13.8%. This demonstrates a strong competitive position in a highly competitive market.
The filing acknowledges that BNSF Railway operates in a highly competitive environment, facing pressure from motor carriers, other railroads, and alternative transportation methods. To remain competitive, BNSF must develop and implement operating efficiencies.
Several factors, including long-standing customer relationships, technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated employees, aid PCC in maintaining competitive advantages.
GEICO's cost-efficient direct response marketing methods and emphasis on customer satisfaction enable it to offer competitive rates and value to its customers.
McLane's business model is based on a high volume of sales, rapid inventory turnover and stringent expense controls. Operations are currently divided into three business units: grocery distribution, foodservice distribution and beverage distribution.
In order to remain competitive, BNSF Railway and other railroads seek to develop and implement operating efficiencies to improve productivity.
FlightSafety strives to maintain and manufacture simulators and develop courseware using state-of-the-art technology, incorporating critical safety standards and procedures. FlightSafety invests in research and development, further advancing the delivery of new equipment and training programs.
With its considerable patent portfolio, Lubrizol uses its technological leadership position and applies its scientific capabilities, formulation know-how and market expertise in product development to improve the demand, quality and value of its solutions.
IMC's staff of scientists and engineers continuously develop and innovate products that are tailored to maximize productivity and meet the technical requirements of customers.
Berkshire's common stock repurchase program permits Berkshire to repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at any time that Warren Buffett, Berkshire's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, believes that the repurchase price is below Berkshire's intrinsic value, conservatively determined.
BHE plans to continue investing in renewable and other low-carbon generation and storage in the future and to cease coal operations at an additional 15 coal generation units between 2025 and 2030 in a reliable and cost-effective manner, thereby achieving a 50% reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels in 2030.
Our railroad business requires significant ongoing capital investment to improve and maintain its railroad network so that transportation services can be safely and reliably provided to customers on a timely basis.
BNSF management has committed to a broad sustainability model, applying science based approaches, that will provide a 30% reduction in BNSF Railway's GHG-emissions by 2030 from its baseline year of 2018.
BHE plans to continue investing in renewable and other low-carbon generation and storage in the future and to cease coal operations at an additional 15 coal generation units between 2025 and 2030 in a reliable and cost-effective manner, thereby achieving a 50% reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels in 2030.
Berkshire's combined U.S. workforce demographics, based on U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, are available on its website (https://www.berkshirehathaway.com), under sustainability.
The effects of significant increases in home mortgage interest rates in the U.S. over the past year has slowed demand for new home construction, partially mitigated by low supplies of pre-existing homes for sale.
Historically, access to key housing inputs such as lumber, steel and resin products has been adequate. During 2021 and the first half of 2022, the availability and pricing of these and other inputs was volatile.
The extent of insurance regulation varies widely among the countries where Berkshire's non-U.S. operations conduct business. Each country imposes licensing, solvency, auditing and financial reporting requirements, although the type and extent of the requirements may differ substantially by jurisdiction.