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
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders decreased from $35.912 billion in Q2 2023 to $30.348 billion in Q2 2024. This decrease is significant and suggests potential headwinds or changes in the company's performance.
Insurance underwriting earnings increased from $1.247 billion in Q2 2023 to $2.263 billion in Q2 2024. This substantial increase indicates improved profitability and risk management within the insurance segment.
Investment gains decreased from $33.061 billion in Q2 2023 to $23.857 billion in Q2 2024. This decrease is primarily due to changes in market prices of equity securities and can significantly impact overall net earnings.
BHE is increasingly focused on renewable energy and regulated utilities. The company is currently 92% owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and is a global energy business.
Berkshire Hathaway increased its ownership in Pilot Travel Centers to 100% on January 16, 2024, indicating a strategic move to consolidate and fully control this energy-related business.
BNSF is focused on improving employee productivity and managing costs effectively. The company is focused on improving operating efficiencies and managing expenses.
GEICO's improved operating results, including higher average premiums and lower claims frequencies, indicate effective management execution in enhancing underwriting profitability.
BNSF's focus on improving employee productivity and managing costs effectively. The company is focused on improving operating efficiencies and managing expenses.
BHE is focused on cost management and improved operating efficiencies. The company is focused on improving operating efficiencies and managing expenses.
PacifiCorp faces substantial potential liabilities related to the 2020 Wildfires in Oregon and California. The company has recorded cumulative estimated probable Wildfire losses of approximately $2.7 billion to date.
HomeServices of America is currently defending against several antitrust cases, all in federal district courts. In each case, plaintiffs claim HomeServices and certain of its subsidiaries conspired with co-defendants to artificially inflate real estate commissions.
The company's earnings are significantly impacted by the volatility in equity security investments. Changes in market prices can significantly impact overall net earnings.
GEICO faces competitive challenges in the auto insurance market. GEICO markets its policies mainly by direct response methods where most customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet or over the telephone.
BNSF operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America. BNSF classifies its major business groups by type of product shipped including consumer products, industrial products, agricultural products and coal.
McLane operates a wholesale distribution business that provides grocery and non-food consumer products to retailers and convenience stores and to restaurants. The retail and restaurant distribution businesses generate high sales and very low profit margins and operate in a highly competitive environment.
GEICO's improved operating results, including higher average premiums and lower claims frequencies, indicate effective management execution in enhancing underwriting profitability.
BNSF is focused on improving employee productivity and managing costs effectively. The company is focused on improving operating efficiencies and managing expenses.
McLane's focus on cost management and improved operating efficiencies. The company is focused on improving operating efficiencies and managing expenses.
The filing does not explicitly mention any significant innovation or technology initiatives. However, there are mentions of improved operating efficiencies at GEICO, BNSF, and BHE.
GEICO markets its policies mainly by direct response methods where most customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet or over the telephone.
BHE's focus on renewable energy and regulated utilities. The company is currently 92% owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and is a global energy business.
Berkshire paid $2.9 billion in the first six months of 2024 to repurchase its common stock. The program does not specify a maximum number of shares to be repurchased or obligate Berkshire to repurchase any specific dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares and there is no expiration date to the repurchase program.
Berkshire acquired the remaining 20% noncontrolling ownership interest in Pilot for $2.6 billion. The company paid $4.3 billion to acquire equity securities and received $97.1 billion from sales of equity securities.
BHE and BNSF maintain very large investments in capital assets and regularly make significant capital expenditures in the normal course of business.
BHE's focus on renewable energy and regulated utilities. The company is currently 92% owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and is a global energy business.
The filing does not explicitly mention any significant ESG initiatives. However, there are mentions of improved operating efficiencies at GEICO, BNSF, and BHE.
PacifiCorp is focused on vegetation management and other wildfire mitigation costs, legal and insurance expenses, and general and plant maintenance costs.
Our periodic operating results may be affected in future periods due to impacts of ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical events, as well as changes in industry or company-specific factors or events. We cannot reliably predict the future economic effects of these factors or events on our businesses.
After-tax earnings from insurance investment income increased $951 million in the second quarter and $1.6 billion in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023, driven by higher interest income from our short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills.
Economic factors affecting BNSF's business. Operating revenues from coal were $608 million in the second quarter and $1.4 billion in the first six months of 2024, declines of 35.0% and 30.1%, respectively, from 2023. The revenue declines were attributable to reduced volumes of 28.9% in the second quarter and 24.7% in the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023 and lower average revenue per car/unit.