Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-229396
Registration Statement No. 333-229396-01

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated March 6, 2019

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated January 28, 2019

$                

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation

4.250% Senior Notes due 2049

Unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

We are offering $         of our 4.250% Senior Notes due 2049 (the “new notes”). The new notes are being offered as add on securities under the indenture pursuant to which we previously issued $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 4.250% Senior Notes due 2049 (the “existing notes”). The existing notes were issued on January 11, 2019. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “the notes” refers to both the new notes and the existing notes. The new notes constitute a further issuance of, and will be fungible with, the existing notes and form a single class of debt securities with the existing notes for all purposes under the indenture governing the notes. Immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the new notes by this prospectus supplement, we will have $        in aggregate principal amount of the notes outstanding.

Interest on the new notes will accrue from January 11, 2019, the issuance date of the existing notes, and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2019.

The notes will mature on January 15, 2049. All of Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation’s obligations under the notes will be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices as described under “Description of the Notes and Guarantees—Optional Redemption.”

The notes will be senior unsecured indebtedness of Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation and will rank equally with all of its other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The guarantees will be senior unsecured obligations of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and will rank equally with all of its other existing and future senior unsecured obligations.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

The risks involved in investing in our debt securities are described in the “Risk Factors” section on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the new notes to purchasers through the book-entry delivery system of The Depository Trust Company and its participants, including Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, on or about                 , 2019.

Joint Book-Running Managers

Prospectus Supplement dated                 , 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

Prospectus

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any related free writing prospectus we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) carefully before you invest in the

notes. This document contains or incorporates by reference important information you should consider before making your investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any such free writing prospectus. None of Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”), Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”), and the underwriters has authorized anyone else to provide you with any different or additional information. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus (as updated by this prospectus supplement), or any such free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than its respective date or the date that is specified in those documents, or that the information Berkshire previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference or the date that is specified in such document. The business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Berkshire and BHFC may have changed since those dates.

We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer of the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering or sale of the notes in some jurisdictions may be restricted by law. The notes are offered globally for sale in those jurisdictions in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere where it is lawful to make such offers. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus come are required by us and the underwriters to inform themselves about, and to observe, any applicable restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by any person in any jurisdiction in which that offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make that offer or solicitation. See “Underwriting—Offering Restrictions” in this prospectus supplement.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future actions by BHFC or Berkshire, which may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about BHFC and Berkshire, economic and market factors and the industries in which they do business, among other things, that may cause actual events and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal risk factors that could cause Berkshire’s actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continuing volatility in the capital or credit markets and other changes in the securities and capital markets, changes in market prices of Berkshire’s investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, losses realized from derivative contracts, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events, such as an earthquake, hurricane, or act of terrorism that causes losses insured by Berkshire’s insurance subsidiaries, changes in laws or regulations affecting Berkshire’s insurance, railroad, utilities and energy and finance subsidiaries, changes in tax laws (possibly with retroactive effect), and changes in general economic and market factors that affect the prices of securities or the industries in which Berkshire and its affiliates do business. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures Berkshire makes in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Neither BHFC nor Berkshire undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or developments after the date of this prospectus supplement, except as required by law.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the offering of the notes and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides more general information. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated herein and therein by reference, on the other hand, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement.

In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise implies, references to “dollars” and “$” are to U.S. dollars. Unless we indicate otherwise or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are references to either Berkshire or BHFC or both. However, in the “Description of the Notes and Guarantees” and related summary sections of this prospectus supplement, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BHFC only.

This prospectus supplement is based on information provided by us and by other sources that we believe are reliable. We cannot assure you that this information is accurate or complete. This prospectus supplement summarizes certain documents and other information and we refer you to them for a more complete understanding of what we discuss in this prospectus supplement.

S-i

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

In this document BHFC and Berkshire “incorporate by reference” the information that Berkshire files with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date Berkshire files that document, and later information filed with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.

BHFC and Berkshire incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by either of them with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of any offering of securities made by this prospectus (in each case, excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, including, but not limited to, information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and any corresponding information furnished with respect to such Items under Item 9.01 or as an exhibit):

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request and at no cost to such person, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. You may request a copy of such information by writing or telephoning Berkshire at:

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

3555 Farnam Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

Attn: Corporate Secretary

Tel: (402) 346-1400

S-ii

S-1

S-2

S-3

S-4

S-5

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves some degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in any prospectus supplement and the risks described in Berkshire’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, in each case as these risk factors are amended or supplemented by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The occurrence of any of these risks could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or operations. Any adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results could result in a decline in the value of our securities and the loss of all or part of your investment.

An Active Trading Market for the Notes May Not Be Maintained.

Any trading of any of the notes, including the new notes, may be at a discount from their initial offering price, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors. In addition, we do not know whether an active trading market will be maintained for the notes. To the extent that an active trading market is not maintained for the notes, the liquidity and trading prices for the notes may be harmed.

The existing notes are not listed on any securities exchange or quoted on any quotation system. We do not intend to apply for the new notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to continue to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so, and may discontinue any market making with respect to the notes at any time, for any reason or for no reason, without notice. If the underwriters cease to act as a market maker for the notes, we cannot assure you another firm or person will make a market in the notes.

The liquidity of any market for the notes will depend upon the number of holders of the notes, our results of operations and financial condition, the market for similar securities, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the notes and other factors. An active or liquid trading market for the notes may not be maintained. We cannot assure you that you will be able to sell your notes at favorable prices or at all.

Deterioration of general economic conditions may significantly reduce our operating earnings and impair our ability to access capital markets at a reasonable cost.

Our operating businesses are subject to normal economic cycles affecting the economy in general or the industries in which they operate. To the extent that the economy deteriorates for a prolonged period of time, including as a result of tariffs or trade disputes, one or more of our significant operations could be materially harmed. In addition, our utilities and energy businesses and our railroad business regularly utilize debt as a component of their capital structures. These businesses depend on having access to borrowed funds through the capital markets at reasonable rates. To the extent that access to the capital markets is restricted or the cost of funding increases, these operations could be adversely affected.

S-6

USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering to refinance, in whole or in part, (i) our 1.700% Senior Notes due 2019 ($1,250 million aggregate principal amount) and (ii) our Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2019 ($500 million aggregate principal amount), each due to mature on March 15, 2019.

S-7

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES

The following description of certain material terms of the notes and the guarantees does not purport to be complete. As used herein, and unless the context otherwise requires, the term “the notes” refers to both the new notes and the existing notes.

This description of the notes and guarantees is intended to be an overview of the material provisions of the notes and the guarantees and is intended to supplement, and to the extent of any inconsistency replace, the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus, to which we refer you. The notes and the guarantees will be issued under an indenture, dated as of January 26, 2016 (the “indenture”), among Berkshire, BHFC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the “trustee”). Since this description of the notes and guarantees is only a summary, we urge you to read the indenture (including definitions of terms used therein) and the forms of notes and guarantees because they, and not this description, define your rights as a beneficial owner of the notes. You may request copies of these documents from us at our address set forth above under “Summary—Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation.” The indenture and the forms of the notes, including the guarantees to be endorsed thereon, are included or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part.

General

The new notes constitute a further issuance of, and will be fungible with, the existing notes and form a single class of debt securities with the existing notes for all purposes under the indenture governing the notes. The new notes will also be designated by the same CUSIP number as our existing notes. Upon the issuance of the new notes, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the notes will be $        .

We may at any time, without notice to or consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional notes of the same series as the series of notes offered hereby. Any such additional notes will have the same ranking, interest rate, maturity date and other terms as the notes offered hereby, except for possible variations permitted under the indenture. Any such additional notes, together with the new notes and the existing notes, will constitute a single series of notes under the indenture.

Unless earlier redeemed, the entire principal amount of the notes will mature and become due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on January 15, 2049. The notes will have the benefit of an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee from Berkshire.

The notes will be evidenced by one or more global notes deposited with a custodian for and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except as described herein, beneficial interests in the global notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its direct and indirect participants. See “—Book-Entry Delivery and Form.”

You will not have the right to cause us to repurchase the notes in whole or in part at any time before they mature. The notes are not subject to a sinking fund provision.

Interest

The notes will accrue interest at a rate of 4.250% per annum. The new notes will accrue interest on their stated principal amount from January 11, 2019, the issuance date of the existing notes, or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, which we refer to as “interest payment dates,” commencing on July 15, 2019.

Interest on the notes will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on the January 1 and July 1 (whether or not a business day), which we refer to as “record dates,” immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date.

S-8

The amount of interest payable on the notes for any full semi-annual interest period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any period shorter than a full semi-annual interest period for which interest is computed will be computed on the basis of 30-day months and, for periods of less than a month, the actual number of days elapsed per 30-day month. If any date on which interest is payable on the notes is not a business day, then payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on such interest payment date. For purposes of this prospectus supplement, a “business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is not a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Guarantee of Notes

Berkshire will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the payment of all of BHFC’s obligations under the notes offered hereby pursuant to a guarantee to be endorsed on the notes offered hereby, the form of which is included in the indenture, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. If we default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such notes when and as the same shall become due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, without the necessity of action by the trustee or any holder of such notes, Berkshire shall be required promptly and fully to make such payment.

Ranking

The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all of our unsubordinated, unsecured indebtedness and will be senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness. As of December 31, 2018, BHFC had no secured indebtedness and $10.6 billion of indebtedness.

The guarantees will be senior unsecured obligations of Berkshire, will rank pari passu with all of Berkshire’s unsubordinated, unsecured indebtedness and senior to all of Berkshire’s subordinated indebtedness, and will be effectively subordinated to all of Berkshire’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of Berkshire’s subsidiaries (secured or unsecured). As of December 31, 2018, Berkshire had no secured indebtedness and $16.9 billion of indebtedness, and its subsidiaries had $80.6 billion of indebtedness.

Optional Redemption

We will have the option to redeem the notes in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Par Call Date, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (A) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (B) as determined by the quotation agent described below, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed that would be due if the notes matured on the Par Call Date, not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date on which the notes are to be redeemed, discounted to the date on which the notes are to be redeemed on a semi-annual basis assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the adjusted treasury rate described below plus 25 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date on which such notes are to be redeemed.

At any time on or after the Par Call Date, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption on the principal amount of the notes being redeemed.

We will utilize the following procedures to calculate the adjusted treasury rate described in the previous paragraph. We will appoint Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or their respective successors, and one or more

S-9

other primary U.S. Government securities dealers in New York City as reference dealers, and we will appoint Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its successor to act as our quotation agent. If any of the foregoing or their respective successors are no longer a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City, we will substitute another primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City in its place as a reference dealer.

The quotation agent will select a United States Treasury security which has a maturity comparable to the remaining maturity of the notes to be redeemed (assuming, for this purpose, that the notes mature on the Par Call Date) which would be used in accordance with customary financial practice to price new issues of corporate debt securities with a maturity comparable to the remaining maturity of such notes (assuming, for this purpose, that the notes mature on the Par Call Date). The reference dealers will provide us with the bid and asked prices for that comparable United States Treasury security as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the third business day before the redemption date. We will calculate the average of the bid and asked prices provided by each reference dealer, eliminate the highest and the lowest reference dealer quotations and then calculate the average of the remaining reference dealer quotations. However, if we obtain fewer than three reference dealer quotations, we will calculate the average of all the reference dealer quotations and not eliminate any quotations. We call this average quotation the comparable treasury price. The adjusted treasury rate with respect to the notes to be redeemed prior to the Par Call Date will be the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of a security whose price is equal to the applicable comparable treasury price, in each case expressed as a percentage of its principal amount.

“Par Call Date” means July 15, 2048. The Par Call Date is approximately six months prior to the maturity date of the notes.

We may redeem the notes at any time on a redemption date of our choice. However, we must give the holders of such notes notice of the redemption not less than 30 days or more than 60 days before the redemption date. We will give the notice in the manner described under “—Notices.” If we elect to redeem fewer than all the notes, the particular notes to be redeemed shall be selected by lot or pursuant to applicable depositary procedures.

Book-Entry Delivery and Form

General

The notes offered hereby will be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will be issued on the issue date therefor only against payment in immediately available funds.

The notes offered hereby initially will be represented by one or more permanent global certificates (which may be subdivided) in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons, which we refer to as the “global notes.”

The global notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC (including the Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”)), as described below under “—Depositary Procedures.”

Except as set forth below, the global notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to DTC, to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below under “—Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes.”

Transfers of beneficial interests in the global notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

S-10

Depositary Procedures

The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream is provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the systems or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations, referred to as “participants,” and facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between DTC’s participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly, which entities are referred to as “indirect participants.” Persons who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through participants or indirect participants. DTC has no knowledge of the identity of beneficial owners of securities held by or on behalf of DTC. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of its participants to whose accounts securities are credited. The ownership interests and transfer of ownership interests of each beneficial owner of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of DTC’s participants and indirect participants.

Pursuant to procedures established by DTC:

Investors in the global notes may hold their interests therein directly through DTC, if they are participants in such system, or indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) that are participants or indirect participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests in the notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositaries. The depositaries, in turn, will hold interests in the notes in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

All interests in a global note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, will be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream will also be subject to the procedures and requirements of these systems. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain persons take physical delivery of certificates evidencing securities they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of beneficial owners of interests in a global note to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests. For certain other restrictions on the transferability of the notes, see “—Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes.”

Except as described below, owners of interests in the global notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the indenture for any purpose.

Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest on, a global note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable by the trustee (or the paying agent if other than the trustee) to DTC in its capacity as the

S-11

registered holder under the indenture. We and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither we nor the trustee or any of our respective agents has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant participants with the payment on the payment date in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or us. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their depositaries. Cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in that system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of that system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositaries to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream.

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a global note from a participant in DTC will be credited and reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account with DTC interests in the global notes are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction.

S-12

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and the procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of us, Berkshire or the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

The information in this section concerning DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes

The global notes are exchangeable for certificated notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons only in the following limited circumstances:

In all cases, certificated notes delivered in exchange for any global note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of DTC (in accordance with its customary procedures).

Notices

Except as otherwise described herein, notice to registered holders of the notes will be given by mail to the addresses as they appear in the security register. Notices will be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing.

S-13

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to initial holders of the new notes. The summary is limited to holders that purchase new notes in the initial offering for cash at their initial offering price and that hold the new notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which generally means as property held for investment. The summary does not purport to address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular holder or to deal with the tax considerations that may be relevant to holders in special tax situations, such as banks, thrifts, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, partnerships and other pass-through entities, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities electing to use a mark-to-market method of accounting, accrual basis taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code, foreign persons (except to the extent specifically provided below), tax-exempt organizations, United States expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States, persons holding new notes as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, “synthetic security” or other integrated investment, persons deemed to sell the new notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, or U.S. holders (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, nor does it address federal estate, gift or alternative minimum taxes or state, local, or foreign taxes.

If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or pass-through entity holds new notes, the tax treatment of a partner or a member in that partnership or pass-through entity generally will depend upon the status of the partner or the member and upon the activities of the partnership or pass-through entity. A partnership or pass-through entity considering a purchase of the new notes, and partners or members in such a partnership or pass-through entity, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the new notes.

This summary is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings and pronouncements and administrative and judicial decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) or possible differing interpretations. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the new notes. As a result, the IRS could disagree with portions of this discussion.

This discussion is for general purposes only. Persons considering a purchase of the new notes should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the new notes in light of their own particular circumstances, including the tax consequences under federal, state, local and foreign tax laws and tax treaties and the possible effects of any changes in applicable tax laws.

Payments Under Certain Events

Under the terms of the new notes, we may be obligated in certain circumstances to pay amounts in excess of stated interest or principal on the new notes. It is possible that the IRS could assert that the payment of such excess amounts is a “contingent payment” and the new notes are therefore contingent payment debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the applicable Treasury regulations, however, for purposes of determining whether a debt instrument is a contingent payment debt instrument, remote or incidental contingencies (determined as of the date the debt instrument is issued) are ignored. Although the issue is not free from doubt, we believe that the possibility of making additional payments is remote and/or incidental. Accordingly, we do not intend to treat the new notes as contingent payment debt instruments. Our position will be binding on holders of the new notes, unless a holder timely and explicitly discloses to the IRS that it takes a position different from ours. Our position, however, is not binding on the IRS. If the IRS successfully challenges this position, the timing and amount of income included and the character of the income recognized with respect to the new notes may be materially different from the consequences discussed herein. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the new notes being treated as contingent payment debt instruments. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the new notes are not treated as contingent payment debt instruments.

S-14

Qualified Reopening

We intend to treat the issuance of the new notes as a “qualified reopening” of the existing notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the issuance of the new notes is so treated, then the new notes will be deemed to have the same issue date (January 11, 2019) and issue price (98.978%) as the existing notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the issuance of the new notes will be treated as a qualified reopening of the existing notes.

Consequences to U.S. Holders

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a U.S. holder. For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the new notes that is (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in each case, that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (3) a trust if it (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person (as defined in the Code), or (4) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source.

Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest

The initial offering price for the new notes offered by this prospectus supplement will include amounts attributable to interest accrued from January 11, 2019, which we call “pre-issuance accrued interest.” Pre-issuance accrued interest will be included in the accrued interest to be paid on the new notes on the first interest payment date after the issuance of the new notes. In accordance with applicable Treasury regulations, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will treat the new notes as having been purchased for a price that does not include any pre-issuance accrued interest. If the new notes are so treated, the portion of the first stated interest payment equal to the pre-issuance accrued interest will be treated as a nontaxable return of such pre-issuance accrued interest and, accordingly, will not be taxable as interest on the new notes.

Payments or Accruals of Interest

Payments or accruals of interest on a new note (other than any pre-issuance accrued interest excluded from the purchase price of the new notes, as discussed above under “—Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest”) will generally be taxable to U.S. holders as ordinary interest income at the time such U.S. holders receive or accrue such amounts (in accordance with a holder’s regular method of tax accounting).

Amortizable Premium

If a U.S. holder’s initial purchase price for a new note (less any amount attributable to pre-issuance accrued interest that is excluded from the purchase price of the new note, as discussed above under “—Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest”) exceeds the stated principal amount of such new note, such U.S. holder will be considered to have amortizable bond premium equal to such excess. A U.S. holder generally may elect to amortize any amortizable bond premium over the remaining term of such new note on a constant yield method (based on the new note’s yield to maturity) as an offset to stated interest when includible in income under such U.S. holder’s regular method of tax accounting. However, because the new notes may be redeemed by us prior to maturity at a premium, special rules apply that may reduce, eliminate or defer the amount of premium that a U.S. holder may amortize with respect to the new notes. If a U.S. holder makes the election to amortize bond premium with respect to a new note, such U.S. holder will be required to reduce its adjusted tax basis in such new note by the amount of the premium amortized in any taxable year. If a U.S. holder does not make this election, the premium will be included in its basis and will therefore decrease the capital gain or increase the capital loss such U.S.

S-15

holder would otherwise recognize on disposition of such new note. An election to amortize bond premium on a constant yield method will also apply to all other taxable debt instruments held or subsequently acquired by a U.S. holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year for which the election is made. Such an election may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors about this election.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Disposition of the New Notes

When a U.S. holder disposes of a new note by sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition, the holder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount the holder realizes on the transaction (less any amount attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which will be taxable as described above) and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the new note. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a new note will generally equal the cost of the new note to the holder (less any amount attributable to pre-issuance accrued interest that is excluded from the purchase price of the new note, as discussed above under “—Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest”), reduced by any amortized bond premium.

The gain or loss that a U.S. holder recognizes on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of a new note will generally be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder held the new note for more than one year on the date of disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) are subject to taxation at preferential rates. The tax deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

3.8% Medicare Tax On “Net Investment Income”

U.S. holders that are individuals, estates, and certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on the lesser of (a) such holder’s “net investment income” (or undistributed “net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust) for the relevant taxable year and (b) the excess of the U.S. holder’s modified gross income for the taxable year over certain thresholds (generally $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), or $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return). Net investment income will generally include interest income and net gains from the disposition of the new notes, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). U.S. holders should consult their advisors with respect to their consequences with respect to the 3.8% Medicare tax.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Unless a U.S. holder is an exempt recipient, payments under the new notes or proceeds received from the sale of the new notes will generally be subject to information reporting and will generally also be subject to U.S. federal backup withholding tax if such U.S. holder fails to supply an accurate taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with applicable U.S. information reporting or certification requirements. Any amounts so withheld do not constitute a separate tax and will generally be allowed as a refund or a credit against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a non-U.S. holder. For purposes of this discussion, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the new notes that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation, or a trust or estate that is not a U.S. holder.

S-16

Payments of Interest

Subject to the discussions below under “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act”, payments of interest on the new notes made to a non-U.S. holder will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income and withholding tax, provided that:

If a non-U.S. holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to such non-U.S. holder will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless such non-U.S. holder provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed:

If payments of interest on the new notes are effectively connected with the conduct by a non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States (and, where an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment), then such non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest payments on a net income basis in the same manner as a U.S. holder (but without regard to the 3.8% Medicare tax, described above), although such non-U.S. holder will be exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax if the certification requirements discussed above are satisfied. In addition, a non-U.S holder that is a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable tax treaty rate) of such interest, subject to adjustments.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Disposition of the New Notes

Subject to the discussions below under “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act”, any gain realized by a non-U.S. holder upon a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the new notes will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless:

S-17

Any gain realized by a non-U.S. holder upon a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the new notes that is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States (and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment) will generally be taxable as discussed above with respect to effectively connected interest on the new notes. If a non-U.S. holder is subject to U.S. federal income tax because the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition, any gain realized by the non-U.S. holder on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the new notes that is not effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from such disposition (or lower applicable tax treaty rate), which gain may be offset by United States-source capital losses.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Generally, information reporting will apply to the amount of interest paid to each non-U.S. holder and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. These reporting requirements apply regardless of whether withholding is reduced or eliminated by the Code or an applicable income tax treaty or otherwise. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty or agreement.

In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal backup withholding with respect to payments of interest on the new notes if the non-U.S. holder provides an IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or a successor form) with respect to such payments or otherwise satisfies applicable documentation requirements. In addition, no information reporting or backup withholding will generally be required with respect to the proceeds of a sale or other disposition of the new notes by a non-U.S. holder made within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries if the payor receives such a form or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts so withheld will generally be allowed as a refund or a credit against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or “FATCA”) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on payments of interest on, or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, a new note paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Withholding under FATCA generally will apply to payments of interest on a new note regardless of when they are made. Under the applicable final Treasury regulations, withholding under FATCA generally applies to

S-18

payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of a new note on or after January 1, 2019. However, pursuant to recently proposed Treasury regulations (upon which taxpayers may generally rely until applicable final regulations are issued or such proposed Treasury regulations are rescinded), gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of a new note will not be subject to withholding under FATCA. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in the new notes.

S-19

UNDERWRITING

BHFC and Berkshire have entered into an underwriting agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC with respect to the notes. Subject to certain conditions, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter and each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase from us the principal amount of the notes that appears opposite its name in the table below.

The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the notes if any of them are purchased. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to, among other customary conditions, the delivery of certain legal opinions by their counsel. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may offer the notes to selected dealers at the public offering price minus a concession of up to     % of the principal amount of the new notes. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow, a concession of up to     % of the principal amount of the new notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering, the underwriters may change the public offering price and any other selling terms. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates. The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, we will indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering of notes:

We estimate that we will spend approximately $         million for printing, rating agency fees, trustee and legal fees and other expenses related to this offering.

We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to continue to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at

S-20

any time in their sole discretion. Therefore, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will be maintained for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the underwriters have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Each underwriter and its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Each underwriter and certain of its affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for Berkshire and BHFC, for which they have received or will receive customary fees and expenses reimbursements. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. The underwriters and their affiliates may hold our outstanding securities, including our 2019 Notes, and, consequently, may receive some of the offering proceeds. See “Use of Proceeds.”

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer or its affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby.

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about , 2019, which is the business day following the date of this prospectus supplement (such settlement cycle being referred to as “T+ ”). Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes on any date prior to the second business day before delivery hereunder will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+ , to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the notes who wish to trade the notes prior to the second business day before their date of delivery hereunder should consult their own advisors.

Offering Restrictions

Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of

S-21

the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

PRIIPs Regulation / Prospectus Directive / Prohibition of sales to EEA retail investors

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC (as amended or superseded, the “Insurance Mediation Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended or superseded, the “Prospectus Directive”). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. This prospectus supplement and the underlying prospectus are not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive.

United Kingdom

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other material in relation to the notes is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons in the United Kingdom that are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”), or (ii) high net worth entities or other persons falling within Articles 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it would otherwise be lawful to distribute it, all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”. The notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and their contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by any recipients to any other person in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or their contents. The notes are not being offered to the public in the United Kingdom.

In addition, in the United Kingdom, the notes may not be offered other than by an underwriter that:

S-22

Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended, the “FIEL”) and, accordingly, have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan or any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, a resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and any other applicable laws, regulations and governmental guidelines in Japan.

Hong Kong

No underwriter nor any of their affiliates (i) have offered or sold, or will offer or sell, in Hong Kong, by means of any document, our notes other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance or (ii) have issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, or will issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes that is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to our securities that are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance. The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement or any other offering material relating to the notes has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the notes will be offered in Singapore pursuant to the exemptions under Section 274 and Section 275 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”). Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for the subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, as amended (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is

S-23

an accredited investor, securities of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Notes under Section 275 except:

(1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; (3) by operation of law; (4) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or (5) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification—Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Taiwan

The notes have not been, and will not be, registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan, the Republic of China (“Taiwan”) pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations. No person or entity in Taiwan is authorized to distribute or otherwise intermediate the offering of the notes or the provision of information relating to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The notes may be made available for purchase outside Taiwan by investors residing in Taiwan (either directly or through properly licensed Taiwan intermediaries acting on behalf of such investors), but may not be issued, offered or sold in Taiwan. No subscription or other offer to purchase the notes shall be binding on us until received and accepted by us or any underwriter outside of Taiwan (the “Place of Acceptance”), and the purchase/sale contract arising therefrom shall be deemed a contract entered into in the Place of Acceptance.

S-24

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, Los Angeles, California, and for the underwriters by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York.

Ronald L. Olson, a partner of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, is one of Berkshire’s directors. Mr. Olson and the other attorneys at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP who are representing BHFC and Berkshire in connection with the offering of the notes beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 342 shares of Berkshire’s Class A common stock and approximately 48,469 shares of Berkshire’s Class B common stock as of March 6, 2019.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the effectiveness of Berkshire’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

S-25

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation

Debt Securities

Guaranteed by

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation may, from time to time, offer to sell debt securities. Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation may sell these debt securities in one or more offerings at prices and on other terms to be determined at the time of offering. All of Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation’s obligations under the debt securities will be guaranteed by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms and conditions that apply to these debt securities. Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation will provide the specific terms of the debt securities to be offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you make an investment decision.

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” starting on page 5 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, before making a decision to invest in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated January 28, 2019

Table of Contents

We are responsible for the information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in any related free writing prospectus we prepare or authorize. We have not authorized anyone to give you any other information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus, the date of the relevant document incorporated by reference, or another that is otherwise specified, as applicable. Our financial condition, results of operations or business prospects may have changed since those dates.

If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not extend to you.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future actions by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) or Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”), which may be provided by management are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about BHFC and Berkshire, economic and market factors and the industries in which we do business, among other things, that may cause actual events and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal risk factors that could cause Berkshire’s actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continuing volatility in the capital or credit markets and other changes in the securities and capital markets, changes in market prices of Berkshire’s investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, losses realized from derivative contracts, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events, such as an earthquake, hurricane, or act of terrorism that causes losses insured by Berkshire’s insurance subsidiaries, changes in laws or regulations affecting Berkshire’s insurance, railroad, utilities and energy and finance subsidiaries, changes in tax laws (possibly with retroactive effect), and changes in general economic and market factors that affect the prices of securities or the industries in which Berkshire and its affiliates do business. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures we make in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Neither of Berkshire nor BHFC undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or developments after the date of this prospectus, except as required by law.

ii

About this Prospectus

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process. By using this shelf registration process, we may, at any time and from time to time, sell our debt securities in one or more offerings.

This prospectus only provides a general description of the debt securities that we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities under the shelf registration, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus containing specific information about the terms of the securities, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

Before purchasing any securities, you should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, references to “dollars” and “$” are to U.S. dollars. Unless we indicate otherwise or unless the context implies otherwise, references in this prospectus to “we,” “us” or “our” are references to either Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”) or Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) or both.

Where You Can Find More Information

BHFC is not subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, pursuant to Rule 12h-5 thereunder. Berkshire is, however, subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, Berkshire files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These SEC filings are also available, free of charge, on Berkshire’s website at http://www.berkshirehathaway.com. Except to the extent of any SEC filings available on Berkshire’s website that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus as described under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” information on Berkshire’s website is not intended to be, and does not constitute, a part of this prospectus and should not be considered a part of this prospectus.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act relating to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. Some information has been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information, please refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with it.

1

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

In this document BHFC and Berkshire “incorporate by reference” the information that Berkshire files with the SEC, which means that they can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus from the date we file that document, and later information filed with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.

BHFC and Berkshire incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by either of them with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, including, but not limited to, information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and any corresponding information furnished with respect to such Items under Item 9.01 or as an exhibit) prior to the termination of any offering of securities made by this prospectus:

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request and at no cost to such person, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. You may request a copy of such information by writing or telephoning Berkshire at:

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

3555 Farnam Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68131

Attn: Corporate Secretary

Tel: (402) 346-1400

2

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Berkshire, a Delaware corporation, is a holding company owning subsidiaries that engage in a number of diverse business activities including insurance and reinsurance, freight rail transportation, utilities and energy, finance, manufacturing, services and retailing. Included in the group of subsidiaries that underwrite insurance and reinsurance is GEICO, the second largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States and two of the largest reinsurers in the world, General Re and the Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group. Other subsidiaries that underwrite insurance include National Indemnity Company, Columbia Insurance Company, National Fire & Marine Insurance Company, National Liability and Fire Insurance Company, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company, Cypress Insurance Company, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, Medical Protective Company, the Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies, Applied Underwriters, U.S. Liability Insurance Company, Central States Indemnity Company, Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska and MLMIC Insurance Company.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (“BNSF”) is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries, is engaged primarily in the freight rail transportation business. BNSF’s rail operations make up one of the largest railroad systems in North America. Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) is an international energy holding company owning a wide variety of operating companies engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of energy. Among BHE’s operating energy businesses are Northern Powergrid; MidAmerican Energy Company; PacifiCorp; NV Energy; BHE Pipeline Group; BHE Renewables; and AltaLink. In addition, BHE owns HomeServices of America, a real estate brokerage firm. McLane Company is a wholesale distributor of groceries and nonfood items to discount retailers, convenience stores, restaurants and others. Marmon is a global industrial organization comprising 13 diverse business sectors and more than 100 autonomous manufacturing and service businesses. The Lubrizol Corporation is a specialty chemical company that produces and supplies chemical products for transportation, industrial and consumer markets. IMC International Metalworking Companies is an industry leader in the metal cutting tools business. Precision Castparts Corp. (“PCC”) is a worldwide diversified manufacturer of complex metal components and products serving the aerospace, power and general industrial markets.

Numerous business activities are conducted through Berkshire’s other manufacturing, services and retailing subsidiaries. Clayton Homes offers site built and prefabricated housing and provides consumer lending. Shaw Industries is the world’s largest manufacturer of tufted broadloom carpet. Benjamin Moore is a formulator, manufacturer and retailer of architectural and industrial coatings. Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer of insulation and building products. Acme Building Brands is a manufacturer of face brick and concrete masonry products. MiTek produces steel connector products and engineering software for the building components market. Fruit of the Loom, Russell Athletic, Vanity Fair, Garan, Fechheimer, H.H. Brown Shoe Group, and Brooks manufacture, license and distribute apparel and footwear under a variety of brand names. FlightSafety International provides training to aircraft operators. NetJets provides fractional ownership programs for general aviation aircraft. Nebraska Furniture Mart, R.C. Willey Home Furnishings, Star Furniture and Jordan’s Furniture are retailers of home furnishings. Borsheims, Helzberg Diamond Shops and Ben Bridge Jeweler are retailers of fine jewelry.

In addition, other manufacturing, service and retail businesses include: Buffalo News and the BH Media Group, publishers of daily and Sunday newspapers; See’s Candies, a manufacturer and seller of boxed chocolates and other confectionery products; Scott Fetzer, a diversified manufacturer and distributor of commercial and industrial products; Larson-Juhl, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of picture framing products; CTB International, a manufacturer of equipment for the livestock and agricultural industries; International Dairy Queen, a licensor and service provider to over 6,900 stores that offer prepared dairy treats and food; Pampered Chef, a direct seller of kitchen tools in the United States; Forest River, a manufacturer of leisure vehicles in the United States; Business Wire, a global distributor of corporate news, multimedia and regulatory filings; TTI, Inc., a distributor of electronic components; XTRA, a leading provider of over-the-road trailers for rent or lease; CORT, a leading provider of rental furniture for home and office; Richline Group, a jewelry manufacturer;

3

Oriental Trading Company, a direct retailer of party supplies and novelties; Charter Brokerage, a global trade services company; Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, which includes 82 automobile dealerships located in 10 states; Detlev Louis Motorrad, a retailer of motorcycle accessories based in Germany; and Duracell, a leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries.

Operating decisions for the various Berkshire businesses are made by managers of the business units. Investment decisions and all other capital allocation decisions are made for Berkshire and its subsidiaries by the Berkshire senior management team which is led by Warren E. Buffett, in consultation with Charles T. Munger. Mr. Buffett is Chairman and Mr. Munger is Vice Chairman of Berkshire’s Board of Directors. The Berkshire businesses collectively employ approximately 389,000 people.

Berkshire’s executive offices are located at 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, and its telephone number is (402) 346-1400.

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation

BHFC is a Delaware corporation that was created by Berkshire on August 4, 2003. Assets of BHFC consist of term loans to Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. (“Vanderbilt”) and 21st Mortgage Corporation (“21st Mortgage”), indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Clayton Homes, Inc. and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Berkshire. BHFC also provides financing to the tank car and crane leasing business of Berkshire’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, UTLX Company. BHFC currently charges Vanderbilt, 21st Mortgage and UTLX interest at a rate which is either 50 or 100 basis points higher than it pays on its related debt obligations.

4

Risk Factors

Investing in our securities involves risks. Prior to making a decision to invest in our securities, in addition to the other information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should carefully consider the risks described in the section entitled “Risk factors” in any prospectus supplement and the risks described in Berkshire’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, in each case as these risk factors are amended or supplemented by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, which have been or will be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The occurrence or realization of any of these risks could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, which are not described in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, may also impair our business or operations. Any adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results could result in a decline in the value of our securities and the loss of all or part of your investment.

5

Use of Proceeds

Except as any applicable prospectus supplement may indicate otherwise, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of debt securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes.

6

Description of the Debt Securities

BHFC will issue debt securities on a senior unsecured basis under an indenture, dated as of January 26, 2016, by and among Berkshire, BHFC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “trustee”).

We have summarized material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities, including the guarantee, below. This summary is not complete, and is subject, and qualified in its entirety by reference, to all the provisions of the indenture, including the definition of certain terms. We have filed the indenture with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of BHFC’s debt securities offered by this prospectus. The particular terms of any debt securities being offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those offered debt securities.

Provisions Applicable to Indenture

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued under that indenture, nor does it limit the amount of other unsecured debt or securities that BHFC may issue. BHFC may issue debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount authorized prior to issuance.

Terms

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

7

Guarantee of Debt Securities

Berkshire will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the payment of all of BHFC’s obligations under the debt securities offered hereby pursuant to a guarantee to be endorsed on the debt securities offered hereby, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. If BHFC defaults in the payment of the principal of, or interest on, such debt securities when and as the same shall become due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, without the necessity of action by the trustee or any holder of such debt securities, Berkshire shall be required promptly and fully to make such payment.

Ranking

The debt securities will be BHFC’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all of BHFC’s unsubordinated, unsecured indebtedness and will be senior in right of payment to all of BHFC’s subordinated indebtedness.

The guarantee will be a senior unsecured obligation of Berkshire, will rank pari passu with all of Berkshire’s unsubordinated, unsecured indebtedness and senior to all of Berkshire’s subordinated indebtedness, and will be effectively subordinated to all of Berkshire’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of Berkshire’s subsidiaries (secured or unsecured).

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Except as otherwise provided in the indenture or the debt securities, neither BHFC nor Berkshire may merge into or consolidate with any other entity, or convey, transfer or lease our respective properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any individual, corporation, partnership or other entity, unless:

Events of Default

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

8

If an event of bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of us has occurred, the principal of the then-outstanding debt securities and any other amounts payable under the indenture will become immediately due and payable. If any other event of default shall occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series (or, if such default is not applicable to all series of the debt securities, the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series to which such default is applicable) (in each case, voting as a single class) may declare the principal amount payable under the indenture on those then outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default due and payable.

Defeasance

BHFC’s obligations with respect to the payment of the principal and interest on the debt securities, and Berkshire’s obligations with respect to such debt securities under the indenture and the guarantee, will terminate if BHFC irrevocably deposits or causes to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds specifically held in trust for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of the debt securities:

in each case sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal and interest on the debt securities.

The discharge of the debt securities is subject to certain other conditions, including, without limitation,

9

Modification and Waiver

Modification of Indenture

The indenture provides that BHFC, Berkshire and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders of debt securities, enter into supplemental indentures for the purposes, among other things, of adding to BHFC’s or Berkshire’s covenants, adding additional events of default and curing ambiguities or inconsistencies in the indenture. BHFC, Berkshire and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders of debt securities, also make other changes to the indenture that do not have a material adverse effect on the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities.

In addition, modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by BHFC, Berkshire and the trustee by entering into a supplemental indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment, acting as one class, provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder of debt securities outstanding that is affected thereby,

Waiver of Default

The holders of not less than a majority of aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all such series of debt securities, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to such series of debt securities, except a default:

Assumption by Berkshire

The indenture provides that Berkshire may, without the consent of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities, assume all of BHFC’s rights and obligations under the indenture and the debt securities if, after giving effect to such assumption, no event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an event of default will have occurred and be continuing. In addition, Berkshire will assume all of BHFC’s rights and obligations under the indenture and a series of debt securities if, upon a default by BHFC in the due and punctual payment of the principal of, sinking fund payment, if any, premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities, Berkshire is prevented by any court order or judicial proceeding from fulfilling its obligations under the guarantee. Such assumption shall result in such debt securities becoming the direct obligations of Berkshire and shall be effected without the consent of the trustee or the holders of any debt securities. Upon any such assumption, Berkshire will execute a supplemental indenture evidencing its assumption of all such rights and obligations and BHFC will be released from its liabilities under the indenture and such debt securities as obligor on such debt securities.

10

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless BHFC informs you otherwise, payments on the debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars at the office or agency maintained by BHFC in New York, New York (or, if BHFC fails to maintain such office or agency, at the corporate trust office of the trustee in New York, New York or if the trustee does not maintain an office in New York, at the office of a paying agent in New York). At BHFC’s option, however, it may make payments by check mailed to the holder’s registered address or, with respect to global notes, by wire transfer. BHFC will make any required interest payments to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

Unless BHFC informs you otherwise, the trustee will be designated as BHFC’s paying agent for payments on the debt securities. BHFC may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent shall pay to BHFC or Berkshire upon written request any money held by them for payments on the debt securities that remain unclaimed for one year after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to BHFC or Berkshire, holders entitled to the money must look to BHFC or Berkshire for payment. In that case, all liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.

Notices

Except as otherwise described herein, notice to registered holders of the debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses as they appear in the security register. Notices will be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing.

Governing Law

The indenture, the debt securities and the guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

11

Plan of Distribution

We may sell debt securities securities from time to time in one or more transactions separately or in combination. The debt securities may be sold in any one or more of the following ways:

each as may be identified in a prospectus supplement relating to an issuance of debt securities.

If the debt securities described in a prospectus supplement are underwritten, the prospectus supplement will name each underwriter of the debt securities. Only underwriters named in a prospectus supplement will be deemed to be underwriters of the debt securities offered by that prospectus supplement. Underwriters may sell debt securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions (which may be changed from time to time) from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

Prospectus supplements relating to underwritten offerings of securities will also describe:

Debt securities may be sold directly by us through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of securities, and any commission or agents’ fees payable by us to such agent, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent involved in the offer or sale of securities will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the debt securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus, we will sell the debt securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

If indicated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters will be subject to conditions precedent. With respect to a sale of securities, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all securities offered if any are purchased.

We may have agreements with underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to reimburse them for certain expenses. Underwriters and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our subsidiaries and affiliated companies in the ordinary course of business.

12

Legal Matters

Certain matters with respect to the legality of the debt securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP.

Ronald L. Olson, a partner of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, is a director of Berkshire. Mr. Olson and the other attorneys at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP who are representing us in connection with the offering of debt securities beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 342 shares of Berkshire’s Class A common stock and approximately 47,250 shares of Berkshire’s Class B common stock as of January  28, 2019.

Experts

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of Berkshire’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

13

$                

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation

4.250% Senior Notes due 2049

Unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Joint Book-Running Managers