e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-14905
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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47-0813844 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68131
(Address of principal executive office)
(Zip Code)
(402) 346-1400
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Act).
Yes o No þ
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of July 28, 2006:
Class A 1,128,301
Class B 12,413,453
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
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Page No. |
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2-3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6-19 |
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20-32 |
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32 |
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32 |
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33-37 |
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37-38 |
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38 |
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38 |
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39-40 |
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41-42 |
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1
Part I Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
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June 30, |
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December 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Audited) |
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(Pro Forma)* |
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ASSETS |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
37,269 |
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$ |
40,471 |
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$ |
40,471 |
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Investments: |
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Fixed maturity securities |
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26,623 |
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27,420 |
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27,420 |
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Equity securities |
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52,039 |
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46,721 |
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46,721 |
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Other |
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993 |
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1,003 |
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1,003 |
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Receivables |
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13,520 |
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12,397 |
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12,372 |
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Inventories |
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4,371 |
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4,143 |
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4,143 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
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7,904 |
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7,500 |
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7,500 |
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Goodwill |
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23,437 |
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22,693 |
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22,693 |
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Deferred charges reinsurance assumed |
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2,253 |
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2,388 |
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2,388 |
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Other |
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5,089 |
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4,937 |
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4,937 |
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173,498 |
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169,673 |
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169,648 |
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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394 |
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358 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
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22,647 |
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11,915 |
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Goodwill |
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5,479 |
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4,156 |
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Other |
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6,544 |
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3,764 |
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Investments in MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company |
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4,125 |
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35,064 |
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4,125 |
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20,193 |
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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4,406 |
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4,189 |
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4,189 |
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Investments in fixed maturity securities |
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3,139 |
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3,435 |
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3,435 |
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Loans and finance receivables |
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11,187 |
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11,087 |
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11,087 |
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Goodwill |
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951 |
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951 |
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951 |
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Other |
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4,086 |
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4,865 |
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4,865 |
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23,769 |
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24,527 |
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24,527 |
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$ |
232,331 |
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$ |
198,325 |
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$ |
214,368 |
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* |
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The Pro Forma Balance Sheet gives effect to the conversion on February 9, 2006 of MidAmerican
Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican) non-voting cumulative convertible preferred stock into
MidAmerican voting common stock as if such conversion had occurred on December 31, 2005. See
Note 2 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. |
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
2
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
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June 30, |
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December 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Audited) |
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(Pro Forma)* |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Losses and loss adjustment expenses |
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$ |
47,673 |
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$ |
48,034 |
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$ |
48,034 |
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Unearned premiums |
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7,795 |
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6,206 |
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6,206 |
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Life and health insurance benefits |
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3,378 |
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3,202 |
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3,202 |
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Other policyholder liabilities |
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3,908 |
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3,769 |
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3,769 |
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Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities |
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8,751 |
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8,699 |
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8,699 |
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Income taxes, principally deferred |
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16,081 |
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12,252 |
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13,649 |
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Notes payable and other borrowings |
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3,613 |
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3,583 |
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3,583 |
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91,199 |
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85,745 |
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87,142 |
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities |
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6,801 |
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3,780 |
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Notes payable and other borrowings |
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16,138 |
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10,296 |
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22,939 |
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14,076 |
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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Derivative contract liabilities |
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3,916 |
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5,061 |
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5,061 |
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Notes payable and other borrowings |
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10,806 |
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10,868 |
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10,868 |
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Other |
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4,005 |
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4,351 |
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4,351 |
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18,727 |
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20,280 |
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20,280 |
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Total liabilities |
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132,865 |
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106,025 |
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121,498 |
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Minority shareholders interests |
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1,853 |
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816 |
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1,386 |
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Shareholders equity: |
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Common stock Class A, $5 par value; Class B, $0.1667 par value |
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8 |
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8 |
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8 |
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Capital in excess of par value |
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26,476 |
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26,399 |
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26,399 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income |
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18,572 |
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17,360 |
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17,360 |
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Retained earnings |
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52,557 |
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47,717 |
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47,717 |
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Total shareholders equity |
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97,613 |
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91,484 |
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91,484 |
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$ |
232,331 |
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$ |
198,325 |
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$ |
214,368 |
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* |
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The Pro Forma Balance Sheet gives effect to the conversion on February 9, 2006 of MidAmerican
Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican) non-voting cumulative convertible preferred stock into
MidAmerican voting common stock as if such conversion had occurred on December 31, 2005. See
Note 2 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. |
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
3
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
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Second Quarter |
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First Six Months |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Unaudited) |
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Revenues: |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Insurance premiums earned |
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$ |
5,836 |
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$ |
5,196 |
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$ |
11,358 |
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$ |
10,527 |
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Sales and service revenues |
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12,736 |
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11,239 |
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|
24,728 |
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21,846 |
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Interest, dividend and other investment income |
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|
1,124 |
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|
850 |
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2,155 |
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|
1,636 |
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Investment gains/losses |
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|
167 |
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|
120 |
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|
609 |
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|
398 |
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19,863 |
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17,405 |
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38,850 |
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34,407 |
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Operating
revenues |
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2,617 |
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4,672 |
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Other revenues |
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71 |
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209 |
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2,688 |
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4,881 |
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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Interest income |
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|
402 |
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|
400 |
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|
800 |
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|
768 |
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Investment gains/losses |
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|
101 |
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|
173 |
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|
108 |
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|
155 |
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Derivative gains/losses |
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|
191 |
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(574 |
) |
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|
545 |
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(951 |
) |
Other |
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|
940 |
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|
724 |
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|
1,764 |
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|
1,383 |
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1,634 |
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|
723 |
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|
3,217 |
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|
|
1,355 |
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24,185 |
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|
18,128 |
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|
46,948 |
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|
35,762 |
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Costs and expenses: |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
3,517 |
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|
|
3,071 |
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|
|
6,867 |
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|
|
6,193 |
|
Life and health insurance benefits |
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|
381 |
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|
|
400 |
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|
|
796 |
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|
822 |
|
Insurance underwriting expenses |
|
|
1,361 |
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|
1,147 |
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|
|
2,607 |
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|
|
2,442 |
|
Cost of sales and services |
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|
10,437 |
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|
|
9,279 |
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|
20,420 |
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|
|
18,113 |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
1,440 |
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|
|
1,242 |
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|
|
2,818 |
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|
|
2,533 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
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|
70 |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
17,182 |
|
|
|
15,179 |
|
|
|
33,598 |
|
|
|
30,173 |
|
|
|
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Cost of sales and
operating expenses |
|
|
2,147 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
444 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
2,410 |
|
|
|
|
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|
|
4,185 |
|
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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|
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Interest expense |
|
|
137 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
274 |
|
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|
291 |
|
Other |
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|
854 |
|
|
|
740 |
|
|
|
1,676 |
|
|
|
1,412 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
991 |
|
|
|
895 |
|
|
|
1,950 |
|
|
|
1,703 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,583 |
|
|
|
16,074 |
|
|
|
39,733 |
|
|
|
31,876 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of
MidAmerican
Energy Holdings Company |
|
|
3,602 |
|
|
|
2,054 |
|
|
|
7,215 |
|
|
|
3,886 |
|
Equity in earnings of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
3,602 |
|
|
|
2,154 |
|
|
|
7,215 |
|
|
|
4,127 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
1,208 |
|
|
|
691 |
|
|
|
2,450 |
|
|
|
1,291 |
|
Minority shareholders interests |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
2,347 |
|
|
$ |
1,449 |
|
|
$ |
4,660 |
|
|
$ |
2,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average common shares outstanding * |
|
|
1,541,641 |
|
|
|
1,539,655 |
|
|
|
1,541,286 |
|
|
|
1,539,377 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per common share * |
|
$ |
1,522 |
|
|
$ |
941 |
|
|
$ |
3,023 |
|
|
$ |
1,827 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Average shares outstanding include average Class A common shares and average Class B common
shares determined on an equivalent Class A common stock basis. Net earnings per share shown
above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B
common share is equal to one-thirtieth (1/30) of such amount. |
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
4
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
$ |
3,451 |
|
|
$ |
3,093 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of securities with fixed maturities |
|
|
(4,693 |
) |
|
|
(2,277 |
) |
Purchases of equity securities |
|
|
(4,648 |
) |
|
|
(3,854 |
) |
Sales of securities with fixed maturities |
|
|
1,218 |
|
|
|
1,247 |
|
Redemptions and maturities of securities with fixed maturities |
|
|
4,928 |
|
|
|
2,162 |
|
Sales of equity securities |
|
|
1,581 |
|
|
|
470 |
|
Purchases of loans and finance receivables |
|
|
(158 |
) |
|
|
(1,756 |
) |
Principal collections on loans and finance receivables |
|
|
595 |
|
|
|
740 |
|
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired |
|
|
(5,759 |
) |
|
|
(224 |
) |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(1,830 |
) |
|
|
(687 |
) |
Other |
|
|
773 |
|
|
|
511 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
(7,993 |
) |
|
|
(3,668 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
5,245 |
|
Proceeds from borrowings of utilities and energy businesses |
|
|
1,711 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from other borrowings |
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses |
|
|
(214 |
) |
|
|
(42 |
) |
Repayments of borrowings of utilities and energy businesses |
|
|
(245 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Repayments of other borrowings |
|
|
(188 |
) |
|
|
(460 |
) |
Change in short term borrowings |
|
|
201 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
Other |
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
1,593 |
|
|
|
4,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(2,949 |
) |
|
|
4,335 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year * |
|
|
45,018 |
|
|
|
43,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first six months * |
|
$ |
42,069 |
|
|
$ |
47,762 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
2,327 |
|
|
$ |
2,056 |
|
Interest of finance and financial products businesses |
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
195 |
|
Interest of utilities and energy businesses |
|
|
434 |
|
|
|
|
|
Interest of insurance and other businesses |
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance and Other |
|
$ |
40,471 |
|
|
$ |
40,020 |
|
Utilities and Energy |
|
|
358 |
|
|
|
|
|
Finance and Financial Products |
|
|
4,189 |
|
|
|
3,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
45,018 |
|
|
$ |
43,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of first six months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance and Other |
|
$ |
37,269 |
|
|
$ |
43,253 |
|
Utilities and Energy |
|
|
394 |
|
|
|
|
|
Finance and Financial Products |
|
|
4,406 |
|
|
|
4,509 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42,069 |
|
|
$ |
47,762 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
5
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2006
Note 1. General
The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Berkshire
Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire or Company) consolidated with the accounts of all its subsidiaries and
affiliates in which Berkshire holds a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement
date.
Reference is made to Berkshires most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K (Annual
Report) that included information necessary or useful to understanding Berkshires businesses and
financial statement presentations. In particular, Berkshires significant accounting policies and
practices were presented as Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual
Report. Certain amounts in 2005 have been reclassified to conform with the current year
presentation.
Financial information in this Report reflects any adjustments (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of
results for the interim periods in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP).
For a number of reasons, Berkshires results for interim periods are not normally indicative
of results to be expected for the year. The timing and magnitude of catastrophe losses incurred by
insurance subsidiaries and the estimation error inherent to the process of determining liabilities
for unpaid losses of insurance subsidiaries can be relatively more significant to results of
interim periods than to results for a full year. Investment gains/losses are recorded when
investments are sold, other-than-temporarily impaired or in certain instances, as required by GAAP,
when investments are marked-to-market. Variations in the amounts and timing of investment
gains/losses can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.
On February 9, 2006, Berkshire converted its investment in MidAmerican Energy
Holdings Company (MidAmerican) non-voting convertible preferred stock into MidAmerican common
stock and upon conversion, owned approximately 83.4% (80.5% diluted) of both the voting and
economic interest of MidAmerican. Although Berkshires economic interests in MidAmerican were
unaffected by the conversion, Berkshire now controls MidAmerican for financial reporting purposes.
Accordingly, the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2006 and the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Cash Flows for the first six months of 2006 reflect the
consolidation of MidAmerican as of January 1, 2006. For periods prior to 2006, Berkshire accounted
for its investments in MidAmerican pursuant to the equity method. Berkshires share of
MidAmericans earnings under consolidated financial reporting does not differ from its share of
MidAmericans earnings under the equity method. Due to the significance of this change on
Berkshires Consolidated Financial Statement presentations, an unaudited pro forma balance sheet as
of December 31, 2005 has been included on the face of the accompanying Consolidated
Balance Sheets reflecting the consolidation of MidAmerican. Berkshire management believes that
such unaudited pro forma information is meaningful and relevant to investors, creditors and other
financial statement users.
Note 2. MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
MidAmerican owns a combined regulated electric and natural gas utility company in the United
States (MidAmerican Energy Company), a regulated electric utility company in the United States
(PacifiCorp which was acquired March 21, 2006 see Note 3 to these Interim Consolidated Financial
Statements), two interstate natural gas pipeline companies in the United States (Kern River and
Northern Natural Gas), two electricity distribution companies in the United Kingdom (Northern
Electric and Yorkshire Electricity), a diversified portfolio of domestic and international electric
power projects and the second largest residential real estate brokerage firm in the United States
(HomeServices). Collectively this group of businesses is referred to as Berkshires utilities and
energy businesses.
During 2005, Berkshire possessed the ability to exercise significant influence on the
operations of MidAmerican through its investments in common and convertible preferred stock of
MidAmerican. The convertible preferred stock, although generally non-voting, was substantially an
identical subordinate interest to a share of common stock and economically equivalent to common
stock. Therefore, during this period, Berkshire accounted for its investments in MidAmerican
pursuant to the equity method. Reference is made to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for the year ending December 31, 2005 included in Berkshires most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K for additional information regarding this investment.
6
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 2. MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (Continued)
As indicated in Note 1 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, Berkshire commenced
consolidation of MidAmerican in 2006 as a result of converting its non-voting preferred stock of
MidAmerican into voting common stock of MidAmerican on February 9, 2006. However, no changes in
MidAmericans operations, management or capital structure occurred as a result of the conversion.
In addition, Berkshire purchased newly issued common shares of MidAmerican for $3.4 billion in
March 2006 and increased its voting and economic interests in MidAmerican to 88.2% (86.6% on a
diluted basis). MidAmericans debt is not guaranteed by Berkshire. However, Berkshire has made a
commitment that allows MidAmerican to request up to $3.5 billion of capital from Berkshire to pay
its debt obligations or make investments in its regulated subsidiaries. The commitment expires in
2011.
A condensed consolidated balance sheet of MidAmerican as of December 31, 2005 follows (in
millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
and shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
Properties, plants, and equipment, net |
|
$ |
11,915 |
|
|
Debt, except debt owed to Berkshire |
|
$ |
10,296 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
4,156 |
|
|
Debt owed to Berkshire |
|
|
1,289 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
4,122 |
|
|
Other liabilities and minority interests |
|
|
5,223 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
20,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
16,808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity |
|
|
3,385 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
20,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A condensed consolidated statement of earnings of MidAmerican for the second quarter and first
six months of 2005 follows (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
Operating revenues and other income |
|
$ |
1,650 |
|
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales and operating expenses |
|
|
1,271 |
|
|
|
2,653 |
|
Interest expense debt held by Berkshire |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
Other interest expense |
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,490 |
|
|
|
3,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before taxes |
|
|
160 |
|
|
|
387 |
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 3. Business acquisitions
Berkshires long-held acquisition strategy is to purchase businesses with consistent earnings,
good returns on equity, able and honest management and at sensible prices. On March 21, 2006, the
acquisition of PacifiCorp, a regulated electric utility providing service to customers in six
Western states, was completed for approximately $5.1 billion in cash. On February 28, 2006, the
acquisition of Business Wire, a leading global distributor of corporate news, multimedia and
regulatory filings was completed. On May 19, 2006, the acquisition of 85% of Applied Underwriters
(Applied), an industry leader in integrated workers compensation solutions was completed. Under
certain conditions, existing minority shareholders of Applied may acquire up to an additional 4%
interest in Applied from Berkshire.
The results of operations for each of these businesses are included in Berkshires
consolidated results from the effective date of each acquisition. The following table sets forth
certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first six months of 2006 and 2005,
as if each acquisition that was completed during 2005 and 2006 was consummated on the same terms at
the beginning of each year. Amounts are in millions, except per share amounts. The earnings data
for the first six months of 2005 also reflects the pro forma consolidation of MidAmerican.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Total revenues |
|
$ |
48,102 |
|
|
$ |
41,812 |
|
Net earnings |
|
|
4,744 |
|
|
|
2,874 |
|
Earnings per equivalent Class A common share |
|
|
3,078 |
|
|
|
1,867 |
|
On April 17, 2006, Berkshire agreed to acquire Russell Corporation (Russell), a leading
branded athletic apparel
and sporting goods company for cash totaling approximately $600 million. The acquisition was
completed on August 2, 2006. On May 5, 2006, Berkshire agreed to acquire 80% of the Iscar
Metalworking Companies (IMC) for cash in a transaction that valued IMC at $5 billion. The
acquisition was completed on July 5, 2006. IMC, headquartered in Israel, is an industry leader in
the metal cutting tools business through its Iscar, TaeguTec, Ingersoll and other IMC companies.
IMC provides a comprehensive range of tools for the full scope of metalworking applications. IMCs
products are manufactured through a global network of world-class, technologically advanced
manufacturing facilities located in Israel, Korea, the United States, Brazil, China, Germany,
India, Italy and Japan, and are sold through subsidiary offices and agents located in 61 major
industrial countries worldwide.
7
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities
Data with respect to investments in fixed maturity securities, which are classified as
available-for-sale, are shown in the tabulation below (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance and other |
|
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
|
Dec. 31, 2005 |
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
|
Dec. 31, 2005 |
|
Amortized cost |
|
$ |
25,343 |
|
|
$ |
25,751 |
|
|
$ |
1,620 |
|
|
$ |
1,887 |
|
Gross unrealized gains |
|
|
1,467 |
|
|
|
1,759 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
Gross unrealized losses |
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
(90 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value |
|
$ |
26,623 |
|
|
$ |
27,420 |
|
|
$ |
1,680 |
|
|
$ |
1,991 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certain other fixed maturity investments of finance businesses are classified as
held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. The carrying value and fair value of these
investments totaled $1,459 million and $1,536 million at June 30, 2006, respectively. At December
31, 2005, the carrying value and fair value of held-to-maturity securities totaled $1,444 million
and $1,624 million, respectively. Gross unrealized losses at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005
consisted primarily of securities whose amortized cost exceeded fair value for less than twelve
months.
Note 5. Investments in equity securities
Data with respect to investments in equity securities are shown in the tabulation below (in
millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Total cost |
|
$ |
24,868 |
|
|
$ |
21,339 |
|
Gross unrealized gains |
|
|
27,661 |
|
|
|
25,892 |
|
Gross unrealized losses |
|
|
(490 |
) |
|
|
(510 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fair value |
|
$ |
52,039 |
|
|
$ |
46,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Express Company |
|
$ |
8,069 |
|
|
$ |
7,802 |
|
The Coca-Cola Company |
|
|
8,604 |
|
|
|
8,062 |
|
Other equity securities |
|
|
35,366 |
|
|
|
30,857 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
52,039 |
|
|
$ |
46,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
losses at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 consisted
primarily of securities
whose cost exceeded fair value for less than twelve months.
Note 6. Loans and Receivables
Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Insurance premiums receivable |
|
$ |
5,202 |
|
|
$ |
4,406 |
|
Reinsurance recoverables |
|
|
2,842 |
|
|
|
2,990 |
|
Trade and other receivables |
|
|
5,807 |
|
|
|
5,340 |
|
Allowances for uncollectible accounts |
|
|
(331 |
) |
|
|
(339 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
13,520 |
|
|
$ |
12,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 6. Loans and Receivables (Continued)
Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of
the following (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Consumer installment loans and finance receivables |
|
$ |
10,004 |
|
|
$ |
9,792 |
|
Commercial loans and finance receivables |
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
1,481 |
|
Allowances for uncollectible loans |
|
|
(172 |
) |
|
|
(186 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,187 |
|
|
$ |
11,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 7. Utilities and energy businesses
Certain matters unique to the utilities and energy businesses include the nature and amount of
property, plant and equipment, environmental matters and regulatory matters. Property, plant and
equipment of the utilities and energy businesses follow (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ranges of |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
estimated useful life |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Pro Forma) |
|
Cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility generation and distribution systems |
|
5-85 years |
|
$ |
26,432 |
|
|
$ |
10,499 |
|
Interstate pipelines |
|
3-67 years |
|
|
5,243 |
|
|
|
5,322 |
|
Independent power plants and other assets |
|
3-30 years |
|
|
1,717 |
|
|
|
1,861 |
|
Construction in progress |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,598 |
|
|
|
847 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,990 |
|
|
|
18,529 |
|
Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,343 |
) |
|
|
(6,614 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22,647 |
|
|
$ |
11,915 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. All construction related
material and direct labor costs as well as indirect construction costs are capitalized. Indirect
construction costs include general engineering, taxes and costs of funds used during construction.
The cost of major additions and betterments are capitalized, while replacements, maintenance, and
repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed.
Depreciation is generally computed using the straight-line method based on economic lives or
regulatorily mandated recovery periods.
The utility generation and distribution system and interstate pipeline assets are the
regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. At June 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2005, accumulated depreciation and amortization related to regulated assets totaled
$11.6 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively. Substantially all of the construction in progress at
June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 relates to the construction of regulated assets.
When regulated properties are retired, original cost plus the cost of retirement, less salvage
value, is charged to the cost of removal accrued regulatory liability, a component of other
liabilities of the utilities and energy businesses in the accompanying Consolidated
Balance Sheet. When regulated assets are sold, or non-regulated assets are sold or retired, the
cost is removed from the property accounts and the related accumulated depreciation and
amortization accounts are reduced. Any gain or loss is recorded as income unless otherwise
required by the applicable regulatory body.
Environmental Matters
MidAmerican Energy Company and PacifiCorp are subject to numerous environmental laws,
including the federal Clean Air Act and various state air quality laws; the Endangered Species Act,
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, and similar state laws
relating to environmental cleanups; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and similar state
laws relating to the storage and handling of hazardous materials; and the Clean Water Act, and
similar state laws relating to water quality. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued
numerous rules regarding air quality. The laws and rules will likely impact the operation of their
generating facilities and will require them to either reduce emissions from those facilities
through the installation of emission controls or purchase additional emission allowances, or some
combination thereof.
While the United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the ratification and implementation
of its requirements in other countries has resulted in increased attention to the climate change
issue in the United States. In 2005, the Senate adopted a resolution supporting an effective
national program of mandatory, market-based limits and incentives on
9
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 7. Utilities and energy businesses (Continued)
emissions of greenhouse gases that slow, stop, and reverse the growth of such emissions at a rate
and in a manner that will not significantly harm the United States economy; and will encourage
comparable action by other nations that are major trading partners and key contributors to global
emissions. It is anticipated that the resolution may be further addressed by Congress in 2006.
While debate continues at the national level over the direction of domestic climate policy, several
states are developing state-specific or regional legislative initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. The outcome of federal and state climate change initiatives cannot be determined at
this time; however, adoption of stringent limits on greenhouse gas emissions could significantly
impact MidAmericans fossil-fueled facilities and, therefore, its results of operations.
Regulatory Matters
MidAmerican
Energy Company and PacifiCorp are subject to the jurisdiction of public utility regulatory
authorities in each of the states in which they conduct retail electric operations. These
authorities regulate various matters, including customer rates, services, accounting policies and
practices, allocation of costs by state, issuances of securities and other matters. In addition,
both MidAmerican Energy Company and PacifiCorp are a licensee and a public utility as those terms are
used in the Federal Power Act and therefore subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) as to accounting policies and practices, certain prices and other matters,
including the terms and conditions of transmission service.
Northern Natural Gas and Kern River are subject to regulation by various federal and state
agencies. As owners of interstate natural gas pipelines, Northern Natural Gas and Kern Rivers
rates, services and operations are subject to regulation by the FERC. The FERC administers, among
other things, the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 giving them jurisdiction
over the construction and operation of pipelines and related facilities used
in the transportation, storage and sale of natural gas in interstate commerce, including the
modification or abandonment of such facilities. The FERC also has jurisdiction over the rates and
charges and terms and conditions of service for the transportation of natural gas in interstate
commerce.
Additionally, interstate pipeline companies are subject to regulation by the United States
Department of Transportation pursuant to the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, which
establishes safety requirements in the design, construction, operations and maintenance of
interstate natural gas transmission facilities, and the Pipeline Safety Integrity Act of 2002,
which implemented additional safety and pipeline integrity regulations for high consequence areas.
The fees charged by Northern Electric and Yorkshire Electricity for use of their distribution
systems are controlled by a formula prescribed by the British electricity regulatory body, the
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, and was last reset on April 1, 2005. The distribution price
control formula is generally reviewed and reset at five-year intervals.
MidAmericans
domestic energy subsidiaries (MidAmerican Energy Company, PacifiCorp, Northern Natural
Gas and Kern River) prepare financial statements in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain
Types of Regulation (SFAS 71), which differs in certain respects from the application of
generally accepted accounting principles by non-regulated businesses. In general, SFAS 71
recognizes that accounting for rate-regulated enterprises should reflect the economic effects of
regulation. As a result, a regulated entity is required to defer the recognition of costs (a
regulatory asset) or the recognition of obligations (a regulatory liability) if it is probable
that, through the rate-making process, there will be a corresponding increase or decrease in future
rates. Accordingly, these subsidiaries have deferred certain costs and accrued certain
obligations, which will be amortized over various future periods. MidAmerican periodically
evaluates the applicability of SFAS 71 and considers factors such as regulatory changes and the
impact of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, these subsidiaries
may have to reduce their asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write-off the
associated regulatory assets and liabilities. At June 30, 2006, MidAmerican had $1,730 million in
regulatory assets and $1,608 million in regulatory liabilities, which are components of other
assets and other liabilities of utilities and energy businesses, respectively.
Management continually assesses whether the regulatory assets are probable of future recovery
by considering factors such as applicable regulatory environmental changes, recent rate orders
received by other regulated entities, and the status of any pending or potential deregulation
legislation. Based upon this continual assessment, management believes the existing regulatory
assets are probable of recovery. If future recovery of costs ceases to be probable, the asset and
liability write-offs would be required to be charged to earnings.
10
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 8. Income taxes, principally deferred
A summary of consolidated income tax liabilities follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Payable currently |
|
$ |
258 |
|
|
$ |
258 |
|
Deferred |
|
|
15,823 |
|
|
|
11,994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,081 |
|
|
$ |
12,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The balances as of June 30, 2006 include MidAmerican as well as liabilities of businesses
acquired in the first six months of 2006.
Note 9. Notes payable and other borrowings
Notes payable and other borrowings of Berkshire and its subsidiaries are summarized below.
Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Insurance and other: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued by Berkshire due 2007-2033 |
|
$ |
977 |
|
|
$ |
992 |
|
Issued by subsidiaries and guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2035 |
|
|
1,779 |
|
|
|
1,696 |
|
Issued by subsidiaries and not guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2041 |
|
|
857 |
|
|
|
895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,613 |
|
|
$ |
3,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance and financial products: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation and guaranteed by Berkshire: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes due 2007 |
|
$ |
700 |
|
|
$ |
700 |
|
Notes due 2008 |
|
|
3,096 |
|
|
|
3,095 |
|
Notes due 2010 |
|
|
1,993 |
|
|
|
1,992 |
|
Notes due 2012-2015 |
|
|
3,040 |
|
|
|
3,038 |
|
Issued by other subsidiaries and guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2027 |
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
417 |
|
Issued by other subsidiaries and not guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2030 |
|
|
1,490 |
|
|
|
1,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10,806 |
|
|
$ |
10,868 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Pro Forma) |
|
Utilities and energy: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued by MidAmerican and its subsidiaries and not guaranteed by Berkshire: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MidAmerican senior unsecured debt due 2007-2036 |
|
$ |
4,477 |
|
|
$ |
2,776 |
|
Operating subsidiary and project debt due 2006-2036 |
|
|
11,044 |
|
|
|
7,150 |
|
Other |
|
|
617 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,138 |
|
|
$ |
10,296 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating subsidiary and project debt of utilities and energy businesses represents amounts
issued by subsidiaries of MidAmerican or otherwise pursuant to separate project financing
agreements. All or substantially all of the assets of
certain utility subsidiaries are or may be pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise provide
the security for project or subsidiary debt. Like all Berkshire subsidiaries, utility and energy
subsidiaries are organized as legal entities separate and apart from Berkshire and its other
subsidiaries. It should not be assumed that any asset of any such subsidiary will be available to
satisfy the obligations of Berkshire or any of its other subsidiaries; provided, however, that
unrestricted cash or other assets which are available for distribution may, subject to applicable
law and the terms of financing arrangements of such parties, be advanced, loaned, paid as dividends
or otherwise distributed or contributed to Berkshire and the minority shareholders. The
restrictions on distributions at these separate legal entities include various covenants including,
but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. As
of June 30, 2006, all of the separate legal entities were in compliance with all applicable
covenants.
11
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 9. Notes payable and other borrowings (Continued)
In late March 2006, MidAmerican issued $1.7 billion par amount of senior unsecured debt due
2036. Notes payable and other borrowings at June 30, 2006 includes approximately $4.3 billion of
debt of PacifiCorp. Estimated repayments of the debt of the utilities and energy businesses for
each of the five years ending December 31 is as follows (in millions): 2006 $841; 2007 $1,090;
2008 $1,980; 2009 $424; and 2010 $139.
Note 10. Common stock
The following table summarizes Berkshires common stock activity during the first six months
of 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock |
|
|
Class B common stock |
|
|
|
(1,650,000 shares authorized) |
|
|
(55,000,000 shares authorized) |
|
|
|
Issued and Outstanding |
|
|
Issued and Outstanding |
|
Balance at December 31, 2005 |
|
|
1,260,920 |
|
|
|
8,394,083 |
|
Conversions of Class A common stock
to Class B common stock and other |
|
|
(2,999 |
) |
|
|
129,481 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2006 |
|
|
1,257,921 |
|
|
|
8,523,564 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each share of Class A common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into thirty
shares of Class B common stock. Class B common stock is not convertible into Class A common stock.
Class B common stock has economic rights equal to one-thirtieth (1/30) of the economic rights of
Class A common stock. Accordingly, on an equivalent Class A common stock basis, there are
1,542,040 shares outstanding at June 30, 2006 and 1,540,723 shares outstanding at December 31,
2005. On July 6, 2006, Berkshires Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett converted 124,998 shares of
Class A common stock into 3,749,940 shares of Class B common stock. Each Class A common share is
entitled to one vote per share. Each Class B common share possesses the voting rights of
one-two-hundredth (1/200) of the voting rights of a Class A share. Class A and Class B common
shares vote together as a single class.
Note 11. Comprehensive income
Berkshires comprehensive income for the second quarter and first six months of 2006 and 2005
is shown in the table below (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
2,347 |
|
|
$ |
1,449 |
|
|
$ |
4,660 |
|
|
$ |
2,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of investments |
|
|
(572 |
) |
|
|
610 |
|
|
|
1,366 |
|
|
|
(572 |
) |
Applicable income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
199 |
|
|
|
(218 |
) |
|
|
(478 |
) |
|
|
194 |
|
Other |
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
(220 |
) |
|
|
385 |
|
|
|
(286 |
) |
Applicable income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(61 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(135 |
) |
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
1,212 |
|
|
|
(698 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
$ |
2,212 |
|
|
$ |
1,605 |
|
|
$ |
5,872 |
|
|
$ |
2,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 12. Pension plans
The components of net periodic pension expense for the second quarter and first six months of
2006 and 2005 are as follows (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
46 |
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
|
$ |
86 |
|
|
$ |
52 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
(45 |
) |
|
|
(184 |
) |
|
|
(91 |
) |
Net amortization, deferral and other |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
112 |
|
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in net periodic pension expense in 2006 over 2005 is primarily attributable to
the consolidation of MidAmerican. Contributions to defined benefit plans for the year ending
December 31, 2006 are expected to total $236 million, which includes $150 million related to
utilities and energy businesses.
12
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 13. Life settlement contracts
In March 2006, FASB Staff Position No. FTB 85-4-1, Accounting for Life Settlement Contracts
by Third-Party Investors (FTB 85-4-1) was issued. This pronouncement provides guidance on the
initial and subsequent measurement, financial statement presentation and disclosures for
third-party investors in life settlement contracts. Under FTB 85-4-1, the investor may value such
contracts under the investment method or at fair value based upon an irrevocable election made on
an investment by investment basis. Under the investment method, the initial transaction price plus
all initial and subsequent direct external costs paid by the investor to keep the policy in force
are capitalized. Death benefits received by the investor are applied against the capitalized costs
and the excess is recorded as a gain. Under the fair value method, the investments in the
contracts are measured at fair value each reporting period and the changes in fair value are
reported in earnings. Previously, life settlement contracts were valued at the cash surrender value
of the underlying insurance policy. FTB 85-4-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June
15, 2006 and may be adopted earlier but only if the adoption is in the first quarter of the fiscal
year. Berkshire adopted this FTB effective January 1, 2006 and elected to use the investment
method. The after-tax cumulative effect of adopting FTB 85-4-1 of $180 million is reflected as an
increase in retained earnings as of the beginning of 2006. During the second quarter, certain life
settlement contracts were disposed for proceeds of approximately $330 million. Investments in life
settlement contracts as of June 30, 2006 were approximately $75 million.
Note 14. Accounting pronouncements to be adopted
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets
an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (SFAS 156). SFAS 156 requires an entity to recognize a
servicing asset or liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by
entering into a servicing contract in specified situations. Such servicing assets or liabilities
would be initially measured at fair value, if practicable, and subsequently measured at amortized
value or fair value based upon an election of the reporting entity. SFAS 156 also specifies
certain financial statement presentations and disclosures in connection with servicing assets and
liabilities. SFAS 156 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006 and may be
adopted earlier but only if the adoption is in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Berkshire
does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 156 will have a material effect on its Consolidated
Financial Statements.
In July 2006, the FASB adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for
financial statement recognition of positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns.
Only tax positions meeting a more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained are recognized
under FIN 48. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification of interest and
penalties and accounting and disclosures for annual and interim financial statements. FIN 48 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The cumulative effect of the changes
arising from the initial application of FIN 48 is required to be reported as an adjustment to the
opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Berkshire is currently evaluating
the impact, if any, the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its financial statements.
Note 15. Contingencies
Berkshire and its subsidiaries are parties in a variety of legal actions arising out of the
normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect Berkshires insurance and
reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks to establish liability directly through
insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries.
Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. Berkshire does not believe that such
normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of
operations. Berkshire and certain of its subsidiaries are also involved in other kinds of legal
actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines and penalties in
substantial amounts and are described below.
a) Governmental Investigations
In October 2003, General Reinsurance Corporation (General Reinsurance), a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Re Corporation (General Re) and an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of
Berkshire, and four of its current and former employees, including its former president, received
subpoenas for documents from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond
Division (the EDVA U.S. Attorney) in connection with the EDVA U.S. Attorneys investigation of
Reciprocal of America (ROA). ROA was a Virginia-based reciprocal insurer of physician, hospital
and lawyer professional liability risks.
13
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
General Reinsurance is continuing to cooperate fully with the EDVA U.S. Attorney and the
Department of Justice in Washington (the DOJ) in their ongoing investigation regarding ROA and,
in part, its transactions with General Reinsurance. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have
continued to request additional information from General Reinsurance regarding ROA and its
affiliate, First Virginia Reinsurance, Ltd. (FVR) and General Reinsurances transactions with ROA
and FVR. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have also interviewed a number of current and former
officers and employees of General Re and General Reinsurance. In August 2005, the EDVA U.S.
Attorney issued an additional subpoena to General Reinsurance regarding General Reinsurances
transactions with ROA and FVR. One of the individuals originally subpoenaed in October 2003 has
been informed by the EDVA U.S. Attorney that this individual is a target of the EDVA U.S.
Attorneys investigation. General Reinsurance has also been sued in a number of civil actions
related to ROA, as described below.
General Re, Berkshire, and certain of Berkshires other insurance subsidiaries, including
National Indemnity Company (NICO) have also been continuing to cooperate fully with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the DOJ and the New York State Attorney General
(NYAG) in their ongoing investigations of non-traditional products. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and
the DOJ have also been working with the SEC and the NYAG in connection with these investigations.
General Re originally received subpoenas from the SEC and NYAG in January 2005. General Re,
Berkshire and NICO have been providing information to the government relating to transactions
between General Reinsurance or NICO (or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates) and other
insurers in response to the January 2005 subpoenas and related requests and, in the case of General
Reinsurance (or its subsidiaries or affiliates), in response to subpoenas from other U.S. Attorneys
conducting investigations relating to certain of these transactions. In particular, General Re and
Berkshire have been responding to requests from the government for information relating to certain
transactions that may have been accounted for incorrectly by counterparties of General Reinsurance
(or its subsidiaries or affiliates). Berkshire understands that the government is evaluating the
actions of General Re and its subsidiaries, as well as those of their counterparties to determine
whether General Re or its subsidiaries conspired with others to misstate counterparty financial
statements or aided and abetted such misstatements by the counterparties. The SEC, NYAG, DOJ and
the EDVA U.S. Attorney have interviewed a number of current and former officers and employees of
General Re and General Reinsurance as well as Berkshires Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett, and
have indicated they plan to interview additional individuals.
In one case, a transaction initially effected with American International Group (AIG) in
late 2000 (the AIG Transaction), AIG has corrected its prior accounting for the transaction on
the grounds, as stated in AIGs 2004 10-K, that the transaction was done to accomplish a desired
accounting result and did not entail sufficient qualifying risk transfer to support reinsurance
accounting. General Reinsurance has been named in related civil actions brought against AIG, as
described below. As part of their ongoing investigations, governmental authorities have also
inquired about the accounting by certain of Berkshires insurance subsidiaries for certain assumed
and ceded finite transactions.
In May 2005, General Re terminated the consulting services of its former Chief Executive
Officer, Ronald Ferguson, after Mr. Ferguson invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions
from the SEC and DOJ relating to their investigations. In June 2005, John Houldsworth, the former
Chief Executive Officer of Cologne Reinsurance Company (Dublin) Limited (CRD), a subsidiary of
General Re, pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate
certain AIG financial statements and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with
respect to such matters. Mr. Houldsworth, who had been on administrative leave, was terminated
following this announcement. In June 2005, Richard Napier, a former Senior Vice President of
General Re who had served as an account representative for the AIG account, also pleaded guilty to
a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate certain AIG financial statements
and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with respect to such matters. General
Re terminated Mr. Napier following the announcement of these actions.
In September 2005, Ronald Ferguson, Joseph Brandon, the Chief Executive Officer of General Re,
Christopher Garand, a former Senior Vice President of General Reinsurance, and Robert Graham, a
former Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of General Reinsurance, each received a
Wells notice from the SEC. In addition to Messrs. Houldsworth, Napier, Brandon, Ferguson, Garand
and Graham, Elizabeth Monrad, the former Chief Financial Officer of General Re, also received a
Wells notice from the SEC in May 2005 in connection with its investigation.
On February 2, 2006, the DOJ announced that a federal grand jury had indicted three former
executives of General Re on charges related to the AIG Transaction. The indictment charges Mr.
Ferguson, Ms. Monrad and Mr. Graham, along with one former officer of AIG, with one count of
conspiracy to commit securities fraud, four counts of securities fraud, two counts of causing false
statements to be made to the SEC, four counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud in
connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC also announced on February 2, 2006 that it had filed
an enforcement
action against Mr. Ferguson, Ms. Monrad, Mr. Graham, Mr. Garand and the same former AIG officer,
for aiding and abetting
14
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
AIGs violations of the antifraud provisions and other provisions of the federal securities laws in
connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC complaint seeks permanent injunctive relief,
disgorgement of any ill-gotten gains, civil penalties and orders barring each defendant from acting
as an officer or director of a public company. Each of the individuals indicted by the federal
grand jury was arraigned on February 16, 2006 and each individual pleaded not guilty to all
charges. Trial in this matter is set for March 1, 2007. In July 2006, Mr. Garand was informed
that he is a target of the DOJs investigation of the AIG Transaction.
On February 9, 2006, AIG announced that it had reached a resolution of claims and matters
under investigation with the DOJ, the SEC, the NYAG and the New York State Department of Insurance
in connection with the accounting, financial reporting and insurance brokerage practices of AIG and
its subsidiaries, including claims and matters under investigation relating to the AIG Transaction,
as well as claims relating to the underpayment of certain workers compensation premium taxes and
other assessments. AIG announced that it will make payments totaling approximately $1.64 billion as
a result of these settlements.
Various state insurance departments have issued subpoenas or otherwise requested that General
Reinsurance, NICO and their affiliates provide documents and information relating to
non-traditional products. The Office of the Connecticut Attorney General has also issued a subpoena
to General Reinsurance for information relating to non-traditional products. General Reinsurance,
NICO and their affiliates have been cooperating fully with these subpoenas and requests.
In December 2004, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) advised General Reinsurances
affiliate Faraday Group (Faraday) that it was investigating Milan Vukelic, the then Chief
Executive Officer of Faraday with respect to transactions entered into between General Reinsurance
Australia Limited (GRA), a subsidiary of General Reinsurance and companies affiliated with FAI
Insurance Limited in 1998. Mr. Vukelic previously served as the head of General Res international
finite business unit. In April 2005, the FSA advised General Reinsurance that it was investigating
Mr. Vukelic and John Byrne, successor to Mr. Vukelic as head of General Res international finite
business unit until October 2004, with respect to certain finite risk reinsurance transactions,
including transactions between CRD and several other insurers. In May 2005,
Mr. Vukelic was placed on administrative leave and in July 2005 his employment was terminated. In
addition, the FSA has requested that General Reinsurance affiliates based in the United Kingdom
provide information relating to the transactions involved in their investigations. In July 2006,
the FSA issued an agreed-upon prohibition order to Mr. Byrne (the Byrne Order), prohibiting him
from performing in the UK any controlled function in relation to any regulated activity of the FSA.
The Byrne Order states, among other things, that Mr. Byrne was involved in arranging and
structuring transactions that allowed certain counterparties of General Res non-U.S. subsidiaries
to misrepresent their financial position to regulators, auditors, tax authorities and others,
including investors, and that Mr. Byrne knew the counterparties would be likely to engage in such
misrepresentations. Berkshire understands that the FSA continues to investigate the role of
certain of General Res non-U.S. subsidiaries and of individuals in these transactions. In
connection with the Byrne Order, CRD entered into a related settlement agreement with the FSA in
which it agreed not to make any public statement inconsistent with the facts and matters set out in
the FSAs final notice related to the Byrne Order. General Re and its affiliates are cooperating
fully with the FSA in these matters.
On April 14, 2005, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced an
investigation involving financial or finite reinsurance transactions by GRA. An inspector
appointed by APRA under section 52 of the Insurance Act 1973 has been conducting an investigation,
including a request for the production of documents of GRAs financial or finite reinsurance
business. The inspector examined four directors of GRA in June 2006. GRA has been cooperating
fully with this investigation. On or about the date of the Byrne Order, APRA accepted an
enforceable undertaking from Mr. Byrne, prohibiting him from being or acting as a director or
senior manager of a general insurer, non-operating holding company or agent of a foreign insurer in
Australia for a five year period.
CRD is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Irish Financial Services
Regulatory Authority in its inquiries regarding the activities of CRD. The Office of the Director
of Corporate Enforcement in Ireland is conducting a preliminary evaluation in relation to CRD
concerning, in particular, transactions between CRD and AIG. CRD is cooperating fully with this
preliminary evaluation.
General Reinsurances subsidiary, Kolnische Ruckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Cologne Re),
is also cooperating fully with requests for information from the German Federal Financial
Supervisory Authority regarding the activities of Cologne Re relating to finite reinsurance and
regarding transactions between Cologne Re or its subsidiaries, including CRD, and certain
counterparties.
General Reinsurance is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Office of
the Superintendent of
Financial Institutions Canada in its inquiries regarding the activities of General Re and its
affiliates relating to finite reinsurance.
15
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material adverse
effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period when
these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
b) Civil Litigation
Litigation Related to ROA
General Reinsurance and four of its current and former employees, along with numerous other
defendants, have been sued in a number of civil actions related to ROA pending in federal courts.
Plaintiffs assert various claims in these civil actions, including breach of contract, unjust
enrichment, fraud, conspiracy, and violations of the Racketeer and Corrupt Influenced
Organizations Act against General Reinsurance arising from various reinsurance transactions
General Reinsurance had with ROA and related entities.
Nine putative class actions were initiated by doctors, hospitals and lawyers that purchased
insurance through ROA or certain of its Tennessee-based risk retention groups. These complaints
seek compensatory, treble, and punitive damages in an indefinite amount. General Reinsurance is
also a defendant in actions brought by the Virginia Commissioner of Insurance, as Deputy Receiver
of ROA, the Tennessee Commissioner of Insurance, as Liquidator for three Tennessee risk retention
groups, a federal lawsuit filed by a Missouri-based hospital group and a state lawsuit filed by an
Alabama doctor that was removed to federal court. The first of these actions was filed in March
2003 and additional actions were filed in April 2003 through June 2006. In the action filed by
the Virginia Commissioner of Insurance, the Commissioner asserts in several of its claims that the
alleged damages being sought exceed $200 million in the aggregate as against all defendants.
Twelve of these cases are collectively assigned to the U.S. District Court for the Western
District of Tennessee for pretrial proceedings and the remaining federal action filed in June 2006
in the federal court for the Eastern District of Kentucky is the subject of a transfer request
pending before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. General Reinsurance has filed
motions to dismiss all of the claims against it in all the cases pending in the Tennessee federal
court. On June 12, 2006, the court granted General Reinsurances motion to dismiss the Complaints
of the Virginia and Tennessee receivers. The court granted the Tennessee receiver leave to amend
her Complaint within 60 days of the order. The Virginia receiver has moved for reconsideration of
the dismissal and for leave to amend his Complaint. The court has not yet ruled on General
Reinsurances motion to dismiss the complaints of the other plaintiffs. On June 27, 2006, the
court held a hearing and announced an intention to allow document discovery to proceed in the
coordinated cases. No order permitting that discovery to proceed has yet been entered. General
Reinsurance has not filed a responsive pleading in the case currently pending in the Kentucky
federal court.
General Reinsurance is also a defendant in two lawsuits pending in Alabama state courts. The
first suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County by a group of Alabama hospitals that
are former members of the Alabama Hospital Association Trust (AHAT). This suit (the AHA Action)
alleged violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud, suppression, unjust enrichment
and breach of contract against General Reinsurance and virtually all of the defendants in the
federal suits based on an alleged business combination between AHAT and ROA in 2001 and subsequent
capital contributions to ROA in 2002 by the Alabama hospitals. The allegations of the AHA Action
are largely identical to those set forth in the complaint filed by the Virginia receiver for ROA.
General Reinsurance previously filed a motion to dismiss all of the claims in the AHA Action. The
motion was granted in part by an order in March 2005, which dismissed the Alabama Securities Act
claim against General Reinsurance and ordered plaintiffs to amend their allegations of fraud and
suppression. Plaintiffs in the AHA Action filed their Amended and Restated Complaint in April 2005,
alleging claims of conspiracy, fraud, suppression and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty
against General Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to dismiss all counts of the
Amended and Restated Complaint in May 2005. On July 22, 2005, the Court denied General
Reinsurances motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and served its answer and affirmative
defenses to the Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1, 2005. Discovery has begun. The
second suit, also filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, was initiated by Baptist Health
Systems, Inc. (BHS), a former member of AHAT, and alleged claims identical to those in the
initial AHA Action, plus claims for breach of fiduciary duty and wantonness. These cases have been
consolidated for pretrial purposes. BHS filed its First Amended Complaint in April 2005, alleging
violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud, suppression, breach of fiduciary duty,
wantonness and unjust enrichment against General Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to
dismiss all counts of the Amended and Restated Complaint in May 2005. On July 22, 2005, the Court
granted General Reinsurances motion to dismiss the Alabama Securities Act claim but denied the
remainder of the motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and served its answer and affirmative
defenses to the Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1, 2005. Discovery has begun. The AHA
Action and the BHS complaint claim damages in excess of $60 million in the aggregate as against all
defendants. These cases are scheduled for trial on January 8, 2007.
16
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
Actions related to AIG
General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint on
April 29, 2005, in the matter captioned In re American International Group Securities Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-8141-(LTS), United States District Court, Southern District of New York. This is a
putative class action asserted on behalf of investors who purchased publicly-traded securities of
AIG between October 1999 and March 2005. On June 7, 2005, General Reinsurance received a second
Summons and Class Action Complaint in a putative class action asserted on behalf of investors who
purchased AIG securities between October 1999 and March 2005, captioned San Francisco Employees
Retirement System, et al. vs. American International Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 05-CV-4270
(LTS), United States District Court, Southern District of New York. At a July 2005 conference, the
court ruled that the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 would be lead plaintiffs. On September 27,
2005, the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 filed a Consolidated Second Amended Complaint (the
Complaint). The Complaint asserts various claims against AIG, and various of its officers,
directors, investment banks and other parties. Included among the defendants are General
Reinsurance and Messrs. Ferguson, Napier and Houldsworth (whom the Complaint defines as the
General Re Defendants). The Complaint alleges that the General Re Defendants violated Section
10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under that Act through their
activities in connection with the AIG transaction described in Governmental Investigations,
above. The Complaint seeks damages and other relief in unspecified amounts. The General Re
Defendants moved to dismiss the Complaint on the grounds that it failed to state a claim on which
relief can be granted against these defendants. The motion was heard on April 20, 2006, and was
denied by the Court. General Reinsurance has answered the Complaint, denying liability and
asserting various affirmative defenses. No discovery has taken place, and no trial date has been
scheduled.
On July 27, 2005, General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Verified and Amended
Shareholder Derivative Complaint in In re American International Group, Inc. Derivative Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-08406, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, naming Gen Re
Corporation as a defendant. It is unclear whether the plaintiffs are asserting claims against
General Reinsurance or its parent, General Re. This case is assigned to the same judge as the class
actions described above. The complaint, brought by several alleged shareholders of AIG, seeks
damages, injunctive and declaratory relief against various officers and directors of AIG as well as
a variety of individuals and entities with whom AIG did business, relating to a wide variety of
allegedly wrongful practices by AIG. The allegations against Gen Re Corporation focus on the late
2000 transaction with AIG described above, and the complaint purports to assert causes of action
against Gen Re Corporation for aiding and abetting other defendants breaches of fiduciary duty
and for unjust enrichment. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages or the nature of
any other relief sought against Gen Re Corporation. In August 2005, General Reinsurance received
a Summons and First Amended Consolidated Shareholders Derivative Complaint in In re American
International Group, Inc. Consolidated Derivative Litigation, Case No. 769-N, Delaware Chancery
Court. The claims asserted in the Delaware complaint are substantially similar to those asserted
in the New York derivative complaint described earlier in this paragraph, except that the Delaware
complaint makes clear that the plaintiffs are asserting claims against both General Reinsurance and
General Re. Proceedings in both the New York derivative suit and the Delaware derivative suit are
stayed until August 31, 2006.
FAI/HIH Matter
In December 2003, the Liquidators of both FAI Insurance Limited (FAI) and HIH Insurance
Limited (HIH) advised GRA and Cologne Re that they intended to assert claims arising from
insurance transactions GRA entered into with FAI in May and June 1998. In August 2004, the
Liquidators filed claims in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in order to avoid the expiration
of a statute of limitations for certain plaintiffs. The focus of the Liquidators allegations
against GRA and Cologne Re are the 1998 transactions GRA entered into with FAI (which was acquired
by HIH in 1999). The Liquidators contend, among other things, that GRA and Cologne Re engaged in
deceptive conduct that assisted FAI in improperly accounting for such transactions as reinsurance,
and that such deception led to HIHs acquisition of FAI and caused various losses to FAI and HIH.
The Liquidator of HIH served its Complaint on GRA and Cologne Re in June 2006. A defense to the
Complaint and the filing of cross claims are currently due on August 18, 2006. At that time, the
Court will hold a directions hearing. The FAI Liquidator has until September 30, 2006 to serve his
Complaint on GRA and Cologne Re.
Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation
Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance are defendants in this multi-district
litigation, In Re: Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1663 (D.N.J.). In February
2005, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred several different cases to the
District of New Jersey for coordination and consolidation. Each consolidated case concerned
allegations of an industry-wide scheme on the part of commercial insurance brokers and insurance
companies to defraud a purported class of insurance purchasers through bid-rigging and contingent
commission arrangements. Berkshire,
17
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
General Re and General Reinsurance were not parties to the original, transferred cases. On August
1, 2005, the named plaintiffsfourteen businesses, two municipalities, and three
individualsfiled their First Consolidated Amended Commercial Class Action Complaint, and
Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance (along with a large number of insurance companies and
insurance brokers) were named as defendants in the Amended Complaint. The plaintiffs claim that
all defendants engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity, in violation of RICO, and that they
conspired to restrain trade. They further allege that the broker defendants breached fiduciary
duties to the plaintiffs, that the insurer defendants aided and abetted that breach, and that all
defendants were unjustly enriched in the process. Plaintiffs seek treble damages in an unspecified
amount, together with interest and attorneys fees and expenses. They also seek a declaratory
judgment of wrongdoing as well as an injunction against future anticompetitive practices. On
November 29, 2005, General Re, General Reinsurance and Berkshire, together with the other
defendants, filed motions to dismiss the complaint. The Court held a hearing on July 26, 2006, and
took the motions under the submission without specifying when the Court would rule. On February 1,
2006, plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a Second Consolidated Amended Complaint. Among
other things, plaintiffs sought leave to add numerous new defendants, including several additional
Berkshire subsidiaries including, among others, NICO. Berkshire opposed the motion for leave to
amend, and the Court has denied the motion without prejudice to plaintiffs renewing it following a
ruling on defendants motion to dismiss the First Consolidated Amended Complaint.
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss, if any, and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material
adverse effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period
when these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
18
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 16. Business segment data
A disaggregation of Berkshires consolidated data for the second quarter and first six months
of 2006 and 2005 is as follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Operating Businesses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEICO |
|
$ |
2,737 |
|
|
$ |
2,490 |
|
|
$ |
5,375 |
|
|
$ |
4,878 |
|
General Re |
|
|
1,487 |
|
|
|
1,615 |
|
|
|
2,921 |
|
|
|
3,273 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group |
|
|
1,145 |
|
|
|
782 |
|
|
|
2,165 |
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group |
|
|
467 |
|
|
|
309 |
|
|
|
897 |
|
|
|
609 |
|
Investment income |
|
|
1,110 |
|
|
|
856 |
|
|
|
2,133 |
|
|
|
1,648 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total insurance group |
|
|
6,946 |
|
|
|
6,052 |
|
|
|
13,491 |
|
|
|
12,175 |
|
Apparel |
|
|
592 |
|
|
|
597 |
|
|
|
1,124 |
|
|
|
1,156 |
|
Building products |
|
|
1,332 |
|
|
|
1,245 |
|
|
|
2,530 |
|
|
|
2,354 |
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
1,345 |
|
|
|
1,106 |
|
|
|
2,567 |
|
|
|
2,125 |
|
Flight services |
|
|
1,138 |
|
|
|
917 |
|
|
|
2,057 |
|
|
|
1,684 |
|
McLane Company |
|
|
6,291 |
|
|
|
5,869 |
|
|
|
12,398 |
|
|
|
11,521 |
|
Retail |
|
|
691 |
|
|
|
637 |
|
|
|
1,346 |
|
|
|
1,240 |
|
Shaw Industries |
|
|
1,539 |
|
|
|
1,432 |
|
|
|
2,978 |
|
|
|
2,726 |
|
Utilities and energy * |
|
|
2,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,881 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other businesses |
|
|
1,386 |
|
|
|
748 |
|
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
|
1,463 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,948 |
|
|
|
18,603 |
|
|
|
45,992 |
|
|
|
36,444 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment and derivative gains/losses |
|
|
459 |
|
|
|
(260 |
) |
|
|
1,264 |
|
|
|
(366 |
) |
Eliminations and other |
|
|
(222 |
) |
|
|
(215 |
) |
|
|
(308 |
) |
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
24,185 |
|
|
$ |
18,128 |
|
|
$ |
46,948 |
|
|
$ |
35,762 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before taxes and minority interests |
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Operating Businesses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting gain: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEICO |
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
$ |
358 |
|
|
$ |
599 |
|
|
$ |
670 |
|
General Re |
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group |
|
|
137 |
|
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
231 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
Net investment income |
|
|
1,102 |
|
|
|
851 |
|
|
|
2,120 |
|
|
|
1,638 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total insurance group |
|
|
1,679 |
|
|
|
1,429 |
|
|
|
3,208 |
|
|
|
2,708 |
|
Apparel |
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
164 |
|
Building products |
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
436 |
|
|
|
394 |
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
343 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
|
594 |
|
|
|
398 |
|
Flight services |
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
McLane Company |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
Retail |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
Shaw Industries |
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
324 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
Utilities and energy * |
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
696 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
Other businesses |
|
|
211 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
194 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,196 |
|
|
|
2,440 |
|
|
|
6,034 |
|
|
|
4,580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment and derivative gains/losses |
|
|
459 |
|
|
|
(245 |
) |
|
|
1,264 |
|
|
|
(365 |
) |
Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to business segments |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
Eliminations and other |
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,602 |
|
|
$ |
2,154 |
|
|
$ |
7,215 |
|
|
$ |
4,127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Pre-tax earnings for 2005 of the utilities and energy businesses represents Berkshires
equity in net earnings of MidAmerican, which was accounted for under the equity method during this
period (see Notes 1 and 2). |
19
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Results of Operations
Net earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2006 and 2005 are disaggregated in
the table that follows. Amounts are after deducting minority interests and income taxes. Amounts
are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Insurance underwriting |
|
$ |
371 |
|
|
$ |
376 |
|
|
$ |
701 |
|
|
$ |
695 |
|
Insurance investment income |
|
|
782 |
|
|
|
585 |
|
|
|
1,485 |
|
|
|
1,139 |
|
Utilities and energy |
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
391 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
Manufacturing, services and retailing |
|
|
554 |
|
|
|
452 |
|
|
|
932 |
|
|
|
777 |
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
124 |
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
248 |
|
Unallocated interest expense and other |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(28 |
) |
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
|
(51 |
) |
Investment and derivative gains/losses |
|
|
294 |
|
|
|
(160 |
) |
|
|
820 |
|
|
|
(237 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
2,347 |
|
|
$ |
1,449 |
|
|
$ |
4,660 |
|
|
$ |
2,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berkshires operating businesses are managed on an unusually decentralized basis. There are
essentially no centralized or integrated business functions (such as sales, marketing, purchasing,
legal or human resources) and there is minimal involvement by Berkshires corporate headquarters in
the day-to-day business activities of the operating businesses. Berkshires corporate office
management participates in and is ultimately responsible for significant capital allocation
decisions, investment activities and the selection of the Chief Executive to head each of the
operating businesses.
Accordingly, Berkshires reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects
how Berkshires top management views those business activities. Certain businesses have been
grouped based upon similar products or product lines, marketing, selling and distribution
characteristics even though those businesses are operated by separate local management. There are
over 40 separate reporting units. The business segment data (Note 16 to the Interim Consolidated
Financial Statements) should be read in conjunction with this discussion. Utilities and energy
results include MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and its subsidiaries (MidAmerican). See
Notes 1, 2, 3 and 7 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Insurance Underwriting
A summary follows of underwriting results from Berkshires insurance businesses for the second
quarter and first six months of 2006 and 2005. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Underwriting gain attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEICO |
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
$ |
358 |
|
|
$ |
599 |
|
|
$ |
670 |
|
General Re |
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group |
|
|
137 |
|
|
|
140 |
|
|
|
231 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting gain pre-tax |
|
|
577 |
|
|
|
578 |
|
|
|
1,088 |
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
206 |
|
|
|
202 |
|
|
|
387 |
|
|
|
375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net underwriting gain |
|
$ |
371 |
|
|
$ |
376 |
|
|
$ |
701 |
|
|
$ |
695 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berkshire engages in both primary insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty risks.
Through General Re, Berkshire also reinsures life and health risks. In primary insurance
activities, Berkshire subsidiaries assume defined portions of the risks of loss from persons or
organizations that are directly subject to the risks. In reinsurance activities, Berkshire
subsidiaries assume defined portions of similar or dissimilar risks that other insurers or
reinsurers have subjected themselves to in their own insuring activities. Berkshires principal
insurance and reinsurance businesses are: (1) GEICO, one of the four largest auto insurers in the
U.S., (2) General Re, (3) Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG) and (4) Berkshire Hathaway
Primary Group. On June 30, 2005, Berkshire acquired Medical Protective Corporation (Med Pro), a
provider of professional liability insurance to physicians, dentists and other healthcare
providers. Underwriting results from this business are included in Berkshires consolidated
results beginning July 1, 2005.
Berkshires management views insurance businesses as possessing two distinct operations -
underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers;
investing, with limited exceptions at GEICO and at General Res international operations, is the
responsibility of Berkshires Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett.
Accordingly, Berkshire evaluates performance of underwriting operations without any allocation
of investment income.
20
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Insurance Underwriting (Continued)
A significant marketing strategy followed by all of these businesses is the maintenance of
extraordinary capital strength. Statutory surplus of Berkshires insurance businesses totaled
approximately $52 billion at December 31, 2005. This superior capital strength creates
opportunities, especially with respect to reinsurance activities, to negotiate and enter into
insurance and reinsurance contracts specially designed to meet unique needs of insurance and
reinsurance buyers. Additional information regarding Berkshires insurance and reinsurance
operations follows.
Periodic underwriting results can be affected significantly by changes in estimates for unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses, including amounts established for occurrences in prior years.
In addition, the timing and amount of catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in
periodic underwriting results. Hurricanes and tropical storms affecting the United States and
Caribbean tend to occur between June and December. Berkshire experienced significant losses from
such events during the third and fourth quarters of the last two years.
GEICO
GEICO provides primarily private passenger automobile coverages to insureds in 49 states and
the District of Columbia. GEICO policies are marketed mainly by direct response methods in which
customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet, over the telephone or
through the mail. This is a significant element in GEICOs strategy to be a low cost insurer. In
addition, GEICO strives to provide excellent service to customers, with the goal of establishing
long-term customer relationships.
GEICOs pre-tax underwriting results for the second quarter and first six months of 2006 and
2005 are summarized in the table below. Dollar amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
Premiums earned |
|
$ |
2,737 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
$ |
2,490 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
$ |
5,375 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
$ |
4,878 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss expenses |
|
|
1,968 |
|
|
|
71.9 |
|
|
|
1,714 |
|
|
|
68.8 |
|
|
|
3,802 |
|
|
|
70.7 |
|
|
|
3,365 |
|
|
|
69.0 |
|
Underwriting expenses |
|
|
481 |
|
|
|
17.6 |
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
16.8 |
|
|
|
974 |
|
|
|
18.2 |
|
|
|
843 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total losses and expenses |
|
|
2,449 |
|
|
|
89.5 |
|
|
|
2,132 |
|
|
|
85.6 |
|
|
|
4,776 |
|
|
|
88.9 |
|
|
|
4,208 |
|
|
|
86.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax underwriting gain |
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
358 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
599 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
670 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned in 2006 exceeded amounts earned in 2005 by $247 million (9.9%) for the second
quarter and $497 million (10.2%) for the first six months. The growth in premiums earned for
voluntary auto was 10.0% and reflects a 12.3% increase in policies-in-force during the past year.
Policies-in-force over the last twelve months increased 13.8% in the preferred risk auto line and
7.9% in the standard and nonstandard auto lines. Voluntary auto new business sales in the first
six months of 2006 increased 12.4% compared to 2005. Voluntary auto policies-in-force at June 30,
2006 were 431,000 higher than at December 31, 2005. Over the past two years, GEICO reduced premium
rates in certain markets to better match price with the underlying risk resulting in relatively
lower premiums per policy.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in 2006 exceeded 2005 by $254 million for the
second quarter and $437 million for the first six months. The loss ratio was 70.7% in the first
six months of 2006 compared to 69.0% in 2005. Claims frequencies in 2006 for physical damage
coverages decreased in the two to five percent range from 2005 while frequencies for injury
coverages decreased in the three to five percent range. Injury severity in 2006 increased in the
three to five percent range over 2005 while physical damage severity increased in the four to eight
percent range. Catastrophe losses in the first six months of 2006 were $39 million compared to $17
million in 2005. Underwriting expenses increased 15.5% in the first six months of 2006 to $974
million, reflecting increased underwriting, policy issuance and advertising costs associated with
new business.
General Re
General Re conducts a reinsurance business offering property and casualty and life and health
coverages to clients worldwide. In North America, property and casualty reinsurance is written on
a direct basis through General Reinsurance Corporation. Internationally, property and casualty
reinsurance is written on a direct basis through 94% owned Cologne Re (based in Germany) and other
wholly-owned affiliates as well as through brokers with respect to Faraday in London. Life and
health reinsurance is written for clients worldwide through Cologne Re.
21
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
General Re (Continued)
General Res pre-tax underwriting results for the second quarter and first six months of 2006
and 2005 are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned |
|
|
Pre-tax underwriting gain/loss |
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Property/casualty: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North American |
|
$ |
435 |
|
|
$ |
558 |
|
|
$ |
902 |
|
|
$ |
1,138 |
|
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
78 |
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
International |
|
|
475 |
|
|
|
492 |
|
|
|
881 |
|
|
|
1,019 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
Life/health |
|
|
577 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
|
|
1,138 |
|
|
|
1,116 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,487 |
|
|
$ |
1,615 |
|
|
$ |
2,921 |
|
|
$ |
3,273 |
|
|
$ |
109 |
|
|
$ |
43 |
|
|
$ |
180 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Re strives to generate pre-tax underwriting gains in essentially all of its product
lines. Underwriting performance is not evaluated based upon market share and underwriters are
instructed to reject inadequately priced risks. North American and International property/casualty
premiums written in the first six months of 2006 declined approximately 10% compared to 2005 and
was attributable to maintaining underwriting and pricing discipline.
North American property/casualty
North American premiums earned in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 decreased by
$123 million (22.0%) and $236 million (20.7%), respectively, from the same periods in 2005.
Approximately 50% of the decline was due to cancellations and non-renewals exceeding new contracts,
with minimal effect from rate changes. The rest of the decline was due to a significant decrease
in the finite risk business. Premiums written during the first six months of 2006 declined 17.0%
from amounts written in the first six months of 2005. Continued current market conditions may
result in further declines in written and earned premiums during 2006 as compared with 2005.
The North American property/casualty business produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $40
million in the second quarter and $78 million in the first six months of 2006 compared with
underwriting gains of $22 million in the second quarter and $41 million in the first six months of
2005. The results for the first six months of 2006 consisted of $133 million in property gains and
$55 million in casualty losses, including workers compensation. The casualty losses included $69
million in reserve discount accretion and deferred charge amortization. Results for the comparable
2005 period consisted of $174 million in gains from property lines and $133 million of losses from
casualty lines (including $60 million in reserve discount accretion and deferred charge
amortization). Results for both 2006 and 2005 benefited from good property results, favorable
reserve run-off and pricing and underwriting discipline.
International property/casualty
Premiums earned decreased $17 million (3.5%) in the second quarter and $138 million (13.5%) in
the first six months of 2006 compared with the same periods in 2005. In local currencies, premiums
earned in the first six months of 2006 declined 10.0% from 2005 amounts. The declines were primarily due
to maintaining underwriting discipline, which included the non-renewal of unprofitable business.
The International property/casualty operations produced pre-tax underwriting gains in the
second quarter and first six months of 2006 of $33 million and $38 million, respectively, compared
with an underwriting gain of $4 million in the second quarter and an underwriting loss of $9
million in the first six months of 2005. Underwriting results for the first six months of 2006
benefited from gains of $96 million in property and aviation lines of business. Partially
offsetting these gains were $58 million of net losses in casualty lines. Results for the first six
months of 2005 included catastrophe losses of $32 million from winter storm Erwin, which affected
Northern Europe in January 2005.
Life/health
Premiums earned increased approximately 2.0% in both the second quarter and first six months
of 2006 from the comparable 2005 amounts. Adjusting for the effects of foreign currency exchange,
premiums earned increased 4.0% in 2006. The increase in premiums earned occurred in international
life business.
The global life/health operations produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $36 million in the
second quarter and $64 million in the first six months of 2006, compared with $17 million and $30
million in the comparable 2005 periods. The results for the first six months of 2006 reflected $66
million in gains from international business, and $2 million in losses from U.S. business. The
favorable international results consisted of gains primarily in life business, due to favorable
mortality. The U.S. losses were primarily driven by the health business.
22
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group
The Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG) underwrites excess-of-loss reinsurance and
quota-share coverages for insurers and reinsurers worldwide. BHRGs business includes catastrophe
excess-of-loss reinsurance and excess direct and facultative reinsurance for large or otherwise
unusual discrete property risks referred to as individual risk. Retroactive reinsurance policies
provide indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events.
Other multi-line refers to other business written on both a quota-share and excess basis,
participations in and contracts with Lloyds syndicates as well as aviation and workers
compensation programs. The timing and amount of catastrophe losses can produce extraordinary
volatility in the periodic underwriting results of the BHRG, and, in particular, in the catastrophe
and individual risk business.
BHRGs pre-tax underwriting results for the second quarter and first six months of 2006 and
2005 are summarized in the table below. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned |
|
|
Pre-tax underwriting gain/loss |
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Catastrophe and
individual risk |
|
$ |
483 |
|
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
$ |
908 |
|
|
$ |
644 |
|
|
$ |
239 |
|
|
$ |
129 |
|
|
$ |
439 |
|
|
$ |
270 |
|
Retroactive reinsurance |
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(72 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
(159 |
) |
|
|
(144 |
) |
Other multi-line |
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
494 |
|
|
|
1,183 |
|
|
|
1,123 |
|
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,145 |
|
|
$ |
782 |
|
|
$ |
2,165 |
|
|
$ |
1,767 |
|
|
$ |
137 |
|
|
$ |
140 |
|
|
$ |
231 |
|
|
$ |
283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned from catastrophe and individual risk contracts increased $195 million (68%) in
the second quarter of 2006 and $264 million (41%) for the first six months of 2006 as compared to
the same periods in 2005. Premiums written for the first six months of 2006 totaled $1.7 billion,
an increase of approximately 110% over the prior year. Much of the increase in volume was
attributable to improved rates in the U.S. and limited industry capacity for catastrophe
reinsurance which led to more opportunities to write new business. The underwriting results in the
first six months of 2006 reflect losses incurred of approximately $245 million attributable to
pre-2006 catastrophes, primarily Hurricane Wilma which occurred during the fourth quarter of 2005.
BHRGs estimates of its losses as well as the estimate of the industry losses from Hurricane Wilma
have increased considerably since December 31, 2005.
Management does not currently believe that further increases will be necessary. The underwriting results from catastrophe
and individual risk business for the first six months of 2005 included losses of $79 million from
2005 events, primarily European winter storm Erwin as well as approximately $104 million of
additional losses incurred from 2004 events including the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean hurricanes
and the Southeast Asia tsunami. Although there were no significant losses from catastrophe events
occurring during the first six months of 2006, there is much greater potential for losses from
hurricanes and tropical storms during the June to December period. Accordingly, exceptional
volatility in underwriting results from this business over the remainder of 2006 is possible.
Retroactive policies normally provide very large, but limited, indemnification of unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events which are generally expected
to be paid over long periods of time. The underwriting losses from retroactive reinsurance are
primarily attributable to the recurring amortization of deferred charges established on retroactive
reinsurance contracts written over the past several years and predominantly prior to 2004. The
deferred charges are amortized over the expected claim payment period using the interest method.
The amortization charges are recorded as losses incurred and, therefore, produce underwriting
losses. The amount of amortization charges in a given period is based upon estimates of the timing
and amount of future loss payments. Underwriting losses for the second quarter and first six
months of 2005 from retroactive contracts included a pre-tax gain of approximately $46 million
related to the settlement of remaining unpaid losses under a certain retroactive reinsurance
agreement. At June 30, 2006, unamortized deferred charges were approximately $2.0 billion and gross
unpaid losses with respect to retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $8.7 billion.
Premiums earned from multi-line business in the second quarter and first six months of 2006
exceeded premiums earned in the comparable 2005 periods by
$94 million and $60 million,
respectively. The comparative increases were attributable to increased volume from workers
compensation programs, partially offset by decreased volume from Lloyds syndicate participations.
Multi-line business produced a pre-tax underwriting loss for the first six months of 2006 of $49
million or approximately 4% of earned premiums. Net underwriting results in the first six months
of 2005 reflected underwriting gains from property coverages due to favorable loss experience as
well as a gain from the reduction of prior year reserve estimates for certain casualty exposures.
23
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group
Premiums earned in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 by Berkshires various
primary insurers were $467 million and $897 million, respectively, increases of $158 million (51%)
and $288 million (47%) over the corresponding prior year periods. Premiums earned in the first six
months of 2006 included $283 million from Med Pro, which was acquired June 30, 2005. Berkshires
primary insurers produced underwriting gains of $43 million and $78 million for the second quarter
and first six months of 2006, respectively, as compared to $37 million and $55 million in the
comparable prior year periods. The increase in underwriting gains in 2006 versus 2005 was
primarily attributable to underwriting gains generated by Med Pro, somewhat offset by decreased
underwriting gains from National Indemnitys auto and general liability business and USICs
commercial insurance business.
Insurance Investment Income
Net investment income of Berkshires insurance businesses for the second quarter and first six
months of 2006 and 2005 is summarized in the table below. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Investment income before taxes and minority interests |
|
$ |
1,102 |
|
|
$ |
851 |
|
|
$ |
2,120 |
|
|
$ |
1,638 |
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
635 |
|
|
|
499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
$ |
782 |
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
|
$ |
1,485 |
|
|
$ |
1,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax investment income earned in 2006 by Berkshires insurance businesses exceeded amounts
earned in 2005 by $251 million (29.5%) in the second quarter and $482 million (29.4%) in the first
six months. The increase in investment income in 2006 primarily reflects higher short-term
interest rates in the United States and increased dividends during the first six months of 2006 as
compared to 2005.
A summary of investments held in Berkshires insurance businesses follows. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
Dec. 31, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
34,154 |
|
|
$ |
38,814 |
|
|
$ |
41,671 |
|
Equity securities |
|
|
51,714 |
|
|
|
46,412 |
|
|
|
41,034 |
|
Fixed maturity securities |
|
|
26,600 |
|
|
|
27,385 |
|
|
|
22,741 |
|
Other |
|
|
906 |
|
|
|
918 |
|
|
|
2,056 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
113,374 |
|
|
$ |
113,529 |
|
|
$ |
107,502 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturity securities as of June 30, 2006 were as follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost |
|
|
Gains/Losses |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
U.S. Treasury, government corporations and agencies |
|
$ |
7,314 |
|
|
$ |
(42 |
) |
|
$ |
7,272 |
|
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
|
|
3,440 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
3,464 |
|
Foreign governments |
|
|
8,216 |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
8,177 |
|
Corporate bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, investment grade |
|
|
3,019 |
|
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
3,162 |
|
Corporate bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, non-investment grade |
|
|
1,891 |
|
|
|
1,177 |
|
|
|
3,068 |
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
1,439 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
1,457 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
25,319 |
|
|
$ |
1,281 |
|
|
$ |
26,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All U.S. government obligations are rated AAA by the major rating agencies and approximately
96% of all state, municipal and political subdivisions, foreign government obligations and
mortgage-backed securities were rated AA or higher by the major rating agencies. Non-investment
grade securities represent securities that are rated below BBB- or Baa3. Fair value reflects
quoted market prices where available or, if not available, prices obtained from independent pricing
services.
24
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Insurance Investment Income (Continued)
Invested
assets derive from shareholder capital and reinvested earnings as
well as net liabilities assumed under insurance contracts or float. The major components of float are unpaid
losses, unearned premiums and other liabilities to policyholders less premiums and reinsurance
receivables, deferred charges assumed under retroactive reinsurance contracts and deferred policy
acquisition costs. Float totaled approximately $49.5 billion at June 30, 2006, $49.3 billion at
December 31, 2005 and $46.5 billion at June 30, 2005. The cost of float, as represented by the
ratio of pre-tax underwriting gain or loss to average float, was negative in both the first six
months of 2006 and for the full year of 2005, as Berkshires insurance businesses generated pre-tax
underwriting gains.
Utilities and Energy
Revenues and earnings from utilities and energy businesses for the second quarter and first
six months of 2006 and 2005 are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
U.S. electricity and gas generation
and distribution |
|
$ |
1,622 |
|
|
$ |
620 |
|
|
$ |
210 |
|
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
$ |
2,740 |
|
|
$ |
1,476 |
|
|
$ |
367 |
|
|
$ |
158 |
|
Natural gas pipelines |
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
482 |
|
|
|
421 |
|
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
247 |
|
U.K. electricity distribution |
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
426 |
|
|
|
454 |
|
|
|
231 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
Real estate brokerage |
|
|
518 |
|
|
|
554 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
916 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
Other |
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
360 |
|
|
|
220 |
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
129 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(263 |
) |
|
|
(179 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(444 |
) |
|
|
(366 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,688 |
|
|
$ |
1,650 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
$ |
4,881 |
|
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
|
|
696 |
|
|
|
468 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
100 |
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
227 |
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
158 |
|
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
391 |
|
|
$ |
241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Includes an income tax charge of $9 million for the second quarter and $22 million for the first six
months of 2005 related to Berkshires accounting for its investments in MidAmerican under the
equity method. |
Berkshires 2005 Consolidated Financial Statements reflect Berkshires share of
MidAmericans net earnings as determined under the equity method. In 2006, MidAmericans revenues
and expenses are included in Berkshires Consolidated Financial Statements. Interest expense on
debt securities held by Berkshire and other Berkshire subsidiaries has been eliminated. For
comparative purposes, revenues and earnings of MidAmerican for 2005 are provided in the table
above. Revenues and earnings of the utilities and energy businesses are, to some extent, seasonal
depending on weather-induced demand. Revenues from electricity sales can be higher in the
June-September period and revenues from gas sales and pipelines can be greater in the
November-March period. Real estate brokerage revenues tend to be greater in the second and third
quarters.
Revenues in 2006 from the U.S. electricity and gas generation and distribution business
increased $1,002 million (162%) in the second quarter and $1,264 million (86%) for the first six
months over the comparable 2005 periods. The increases were primarily attributable to (1) the
acquisition of PacifiCorp on March 21, 2006 ($860 million for the second quarter and $936 million
for the first six months) and (2) higher regulated wholesale electricity sales, due to higher
prices and unit sales. In addition, non-regulated energy sales increased in 2006 periods
due primarily to a change in managements strategy related to certain end-use natural gas
contracts, which resulted in prospective revenues and costs being recorded on a gross rather than
net basis.
Pre-tax earnings of utilities and energy businesses for the second quarter and first six
months of 2006 increased $78 million (39%) and $228 million
(49%), respectively, over the comparable
2005 periods. Pre-tax earnings in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 from U.S.
electricity and gas generation and distribution business increased approximately $151 million and
$209 million, respectively, as compared to 2005 periods. The increases were due primarily to the inclusion
of PacifiCorp ($131 million for the second quarter and $153 million for the first six months of
2006) and to higher operating margins on retail and wholesale electricity sales. Earnings from
other activities in 2006 included a pre-tax gain of $28 million for the second quarter and $117
million for the first six months from the disposal of equity securities. Partially offsetting the
aforementioned increases in pre-tax earnings was increased interest expense in 2006 ($84 million
for the second quarter and $78 million for the first six months). Interest expense in 2006
includes interest
expense of PacifiCorp as well as interest on $1.7 billion of MidAmericans 6.125% bonds due 2036
issued in late March 2006.
25
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Manufacturing, Services and Retailing
A comparison of second quarter and first six months revenues and pre-tax earnings of
Berkshires diverse manufacturing, services and retailing businesses follows. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Apparel |
|
$ |
592 |
|
|
$ |
597 |
|
|
$ |
65 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
1,124 |
|
|
$ |
1,156 |
|
|
$ |
116 |
|
|
$ |
164 |
|
Building products |
|
|
1,332 |
|
|
|
1,245 |
|
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
2,530 |
|
|
|
2,354 |
|
|
|
436 |
|
|
|
394 |
|
Flight services |
|
|
1,138 |
|
|
|
917 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
2,057 |
|
|
|
1,684 |
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
McLane Company |
|
|
6,291 |
|
|
|
5,869 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
12,398 |
|
|
|
11,521 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
Retail |
|
|
691 |
|
|
|
637 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
1,346 |
|
|
|
1,240 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
Shaw Industries |
|
|
1,539 |
|
|
|
1,432 |
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
2,978 |
|
|
|
2,726 |
|
|
|
324 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
Other businesses |
|
|
1,386 |
|
|
|
748 |
|
|
|
211 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
|
1,463 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
194 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,969 |
|
|
$ |
11,445 |
|
|
$ |
896 |
|
|
$ |
712 |
|
|
$ |
25,053 |
|
|
$ |
22,144 |
|
|
$ |
1,536 |
|
|
$ |
1,233 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes and minority
interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
342 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
604 |
|
|
|
456 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
554 |
|
|
$ |
452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
932 |
|
|
$ |
777 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apparel
Apparel business revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 decreased $5
million (1%) and $32 million (3%), respectively, compared with 2005 periods. In 2006, clothing
revenues declined $8 million for the second quarter and $61 million for the first six months from
2005 and was partially offset by increased footwear revenues. Pre-tax earnings of apparel
businesses in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 were $65 million and $116 million,
respectively, decreases of $27 million (29%) and
$48 million (29%), respectively, from 2005. The
declines in pre-tax earnings were attributable to lower earnings from clothing, reflecting lower
average net selling prices and product mix changes as well as higher advertising costs and
facilities closure costs related to certain of Fruit of the Looms manufacturing facilities. As
discussed in Note 3 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, during the second quarter
Berkshire agreed to acquire Russell Corporation (Russell), a manufacturer of athletic uniforms,
apparel, athletic footwear, sporting goods, athletic equipment, and accessories for a variety of
sports, outdoor and fitness activities. The acquisition of Russell was completed on August 2,
2006. For the year ending December 31, 2005, Russell reported revenues of approximately $1.4
billion and pre-tax earnings of approximately $43 million.
Building Products
Revenues and pre-tax earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2006 of the
building products group increased over revenues and pre-tax earnings for the corresponding 2005
periods. Increased revenues were generated by all of the major businesses included in this
segment. The increase in revenues in 2006 is primarily attributable to higher average selling
prices and increased unit volume for insulation products, connector plates, and truss machinery.
Selling price increases have generally been in response to raw material and energy cost inflation,
which has driven manufacturing and delivery costs higher.
The increase in pre-tax earnings in the first six months of 2006 over 2005 periods was
primarily attributable to general increases in volume. However, escalating costs for raw
materials, labor and fuel related costs as well as product mix changes produced declines in 2006
pre-tax earnings from the paint/coatings business of Benjamin Moore of $15 million (27%) for the
second quarter and $10 million (12%) for the first six months compared with 2005. During the
second quarter of 2006, residential housing construction continued to show signs of weakness in
certain areas of the U.S. Changes in housing construction conditions as well as sources and prices
of raw materials and energy can have a significant effect on the operating results of the building
products group.
Flight Services
Flight services revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 increased $221
million (24%) and $373 million (22%) over 2005 periods. Revenues from NetJets fractional aircraft
ownership business for the first six months of 2006 increased $347 million (26%) over 2005,
reflecting a 23% increase in flight operations and management service
26
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Manufacturing, Services and Retailing (Continued)
Flight Services (Continued)
revenues and increased fractional aircraft sales. In 2006, occupied flight
hours increased 16% and
average hourly rates increased as well. The number of aircraft managed within the NetJets program
over the past twelve months has increased 12.6%. Revenues for the second quarter and first six
months of 2006 from training (FlightSafety) increased 8% over the comparable 2005 periods. The
revenue increases were primarily due to increased corporate aviation demand and price increases.
In 2006, pre-tax earnings of the flight services businesses totaled $110 million in the second
quarter and $131 million for the first six months compared to $51 million for the second quarter
and $58 million for the first six months of 2005. The NetJets fractional ownership business
generated a pre-tax gain of $48 million for the second quarter and $29 million for the first six
months of 2006. In 2005, this business produced pre-tax losses of $1 million for the second
quarter and $31 million for the first six months. The improvement in operating results at NetJets
reflected a comparative decline in losses from subcontracted flights ($27 million
decline for the first six months) which are necessary to meet peak customer demand, increased
management and usage revenues and increased margins from fractional aircraft sales, somewhat offset
by higher interest, depreciation and payroll expenses. Pre-tax earnings from FlightSafety training
services for the first six months of 2006 increased $13 million versus 2005.
McLane Company
Revenues from the McLane distribution business increased $422 million (7%) for the second
quarter of 2006 and $877 million (8%) for the first six months over the comparable 2005 periods.
Pre-tax earnings of $56 million for the second quarter and $111 million for the first six months of
2006 decreased $3 million (5%) and $17 million (13%) from the comparable 2005 periods. McLanes
business is marked by high sales volume and low profit margins and has been subject to increased
price competition in recent periods. Approximately one-third of McLanes total sales are to
Wal-Mart. The increases in revenues in 2006 were primarily due to growth in the grocery business
and were partially offset by a reduction in the restaurant food service business due to the loss of
a large customer in mid-2005. The net increase in revenues in 2006 was offset by a 0.25% reduction
in gross margin percentage primarily attributable to increased competition. Pre-tax earnings in
2005 included a $10 million gain from a litigation settlement in the first quarter.
Retail
Berkshires retail operations consist of several home furnishings and jewelry retailers.
Revenues of the home furnishings businesses in the second quarter and first six months of 2006
increased $45 million (10%) and $91 million (10%), respectively, over 2005. Revenues for the first
six months of 2006 included sales from two new RC Willey stores of $30 million. Aggregate same
store sales of home furnishings businesses for the first six months of 2006 increased approximately
7% compared to 2005. Revenues from jewelry businesses were $182 million and $346 million for the
second quarter and first six months of 2006, representing increases of $9 million (5%) and $15
million (4%), respectively, over the corresponding 2005 periods. Pre-tax earnings of the retail
group for the second quarter were $40 million and for the first six months of 2006 were $77
million, increases of $1 million (3%) and $9 million (13%) over corresponding 2005 periods. The
comparative increase in pre-tax earnings was produced by the home furnishings operations and was
partially offset by slight decreases at the jewelry businesses as well as costs incurred in
connection with opening a new RC Willey store in Sacramento, California.
Shaw Industries
Revenues of Shaw Industries in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 increased $107
million (7%) and $252 million (9%) over the corresponding 2005 periods. For the first six months
of 2006, the increases were primarily due to increased average net
selling prices for carpet,
partially offset by a 2% reduction in volume. Pre-tax earnings for the second quarter and first
six months of 2006 increased $30 million (22%) and $97 million (43%) over the corresponding 2005
periods. Since the beginning of 2004, manufacturing costs have risen significantly, primarily from
higher costs of petrochemical-based raw materials. Selling price increases generally lag cost
increases and operating margins have been generally depressed over that period. Raw material costs
have stabilized somewhat and the effects of recent price increases helped produce higher operating
margins. In addition, Shaw benefited from the integration of carpet backing and nylon-fiber
manufacturing operations acquired in the fourth quarter of 2005. These two acquisitions allow Shaw
to internally produce most of its carpet-backing needs and to secure a more stable source of raw
material and are expected to result in relatively lower production costs in the future.
Other
Businesses
Aggregate revenues of Berkshires other numerous and diversified businesses in the second
quarter and first six months of 2006 increased $638 million and $1,157 million, respectively, over
2005. Pre-tax earnings of the group increased $98 million for the second quarter and $147 million
for the first six months. These increases were primarily attributable to the inclusion of the
results of Forest River and Business Wire. Berkshire acquired Forest River, a leading manufacturer
of leisure vehicles in the U.S., on August 31, 2005 and Business Wire, a leading global distributor
of corporate news, multimedia and regulatory filings, on February 28, 2006.
27
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Finance and Financial Products
A summary of revenues and earnings from Berkshires finance and financial products businesses
for the second quarter and first six months of 2006 and 2005 follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Manufactured housing and finance |
|
$ |
912 |
|
|
$ |
770 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
|
$ |
116 |
|
|
$ |
1,771 |
|
|
$ |
1,431 |
|
|
$ |
259 |
|
|
$ |
204 |
|
Furniture/transportation equipment
leasing |
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
430 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
Other |
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,345 |
|
|
$ |
1,106 |
|
|
|
343 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
$ |
2,567 |
|
|
$ |
2,125 |
|
|
|
594 |
|
|
|
398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
222 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
215 |
|
|
$ |
124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
372 |
|
|
$ |
248 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2006 from manufactured housing and
finance activities (Clayton Homes) increased $142 million (18%) and $340 million (24%),
respectively, over 2005. For the first six months of 2006, manufactured housing sales increased
($254 million) compared to 2005 as a result of increases in both units sold (19%) and average
prices (11%). Additionally, interest income generated from installment loans originated and
purchased increased $84 million in the first six months of 2006 over 2005 due to comparatively
higher average installment loan balances primarily from loan portfolio acquisitions during the
first six months of 2005. As a result, pre-tax earnings from Clayton of $141 million for the
second quarter of 2006 and $259 million for the first six months of 2006, increased $25 million
(22%) and $55 million (27%), respectively, over the corresponding 2005 periods.
Pre-tax earnings from furniture and transportation equipment leasing activities for the first
six months of 2006 increased $10 million over 2005, reflecting higher rental income, partially
offset by higher depreciation and other operating expenses. Pre-tax earnings from other finance
activities in the first six months of 2006 was $256 million, an increase of $131 million over 2005.
Approximately 50% of the increase was due to lower pre-tax losses of the General Re derivatives
business, as remaining derivative positions continue to run-off, and from an increase in
Berkshires earnings from its investment in Value Capital. The General Re derivatives business has
reduced its open trades from over 23,000 when the run-off program began in 2002 to 317 at June 30,
2006. Value Capital is in the process of liquidation and Berkshires investment at June 30, 2006
has been reduced to $37 million as a result of receiving a $336 million distribution during the
second quarter. The remaining increase relates to a fee of $67 million from USG Corporation
(USG) in connection with an Equity Commitment Agreement that Berkshire entered into with USG. In
connection with the Equity Commitment Agreement, Berkshire agreed to purchase no less than 6.5
million and up to 44.9 million additional shares of USG common stock to facilitate a rights
offering whereby USG issued to each of its shareholders the right to purchase one common share of
USG common stock for each share owned for $40.00 per share. The rights offering expired on July
27, 2006. On August 2, 2006, Berkshire acquired 6.97 million additional shares of USG common stock for
an aggregate cost of $278.8 million.
Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses
A summary of investment and derivative gains and losses follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter |
|
|
First Six Months |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Investment gains/losses from - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and other disposals of investments |
|
$ |
294 |
|
|
$ |
354 |
|
|
$ |
733 |
|
|
$ |
631 |
|
Life settlement contracts |
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
(52 |
) |
Other |
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
Derivative gains/losses from - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency forward contracts |
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
(619 |
) |
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
(926 |
) |
Other |
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
309 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gains/losses before income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
459 |
|
|
|
(245 |
) |
|
|
1,264 |
|
|
|
(365 |
) |
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
444 |
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gains/losses |
|
$ |
294 |
|
|
$ |
(160 |
) |
|
$ |
820 |
|
|
$ |
(237 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment gains or losses are recognized upon the sales of investments or as otherwise
required under GAAP. The timing of realized gains or losses from sales can have a material effect
on periodic earnings. However, such gains or losses usually have little, if any, impact on total
shareholders equity because most equity and fixed maturity investments are carried at fair value,
with the unrealized gain or loss included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
28
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses (Continued)
As discussed in Note 13 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, Berkshire adopted
FTB 85-4-1 in the first quarter of 2006. As a result, the carrying value of investments in life
settlement contracts was increased $277 million through the application of the investment (or cost)
method. The cumulative after tax effect of the increase in carrying value as of December 31, 2005
of $180 million was credited directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of 2006. The
pre-tax gain for the second quarter of 2006 reflects the disposition of a portfolio of life
settlement contracts.
Prior to 2006, life settlement contract investments were carried at the cash surrender value
of the underlying life insurance contract (often a small fraction of the cost of acquiring the
policy). The excess of the cash paid to purchase these contracts over the cash surrender value at
the purchase date was recognized as a loss immediately and future periodic maintenance costs, such
as premiums necessary to keep the underlying policies in force, were charged to earnings
immediately when incurred.
Derivative gains and losses from foreign currency forward contracts arise as the value of the
U.S. dollar changes against certain foreign currencies. Small changes in certain foreign currency
exchange rates produce material changes in the fair value of these contracts and consequently can
produce exceptional volatility in reported earnings. During the first six months of 2006, the
notional value of open contracts declined approximately $12.6 billion to $1.2 billion as of
June 30, 2006. The notional value of open contracts at June 30, 2005 was approximately $21.5
billion. During the first six months of 2005, the value of most foreign currencies decreased
relative to the U.S. dollar and, accordingly, forward contracts produced pre-tax losses.
Berkshire has also entered into other derivative contracts pertaining to credit default risks
of other entities as well as equity price risk associated with major equity indexes. Such
contracts are carried at estimated fair value and the change in estimated fair value is included in
earnings in the period of the change. These contracts are not traded on an exchange and
independent market prices are not consistently available. Accordingly, considerable judgment is
required in estimating fair value.
Financial Condition
Berkshires balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and a strong capital
base. Consolidated shareholders equity at June 30, 2006 was $97.6 billion and $91.5 billion at
December 31, 2005. Cash and investments of insurance and other businesses was approximately $116.9
billion at June 30, 2006 (including cash and cash equivalents of $37.3 billion) and $115.6 billion
at December 31, 2005 (including cash and cash equivalents of $40.5 billion).
On March 21, 2006, PacifiCorp was acquired for approximately $5.1 billion in cash. On March
24, 2006, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican) issued $1.7 billion of senior notes
due in 2036. Berkshire has not provided and does not intend to guaranty debt issued by the
entities comprising the utilities and energy businesses. However, Berkshire has made a commitment
that allows MidAmerican to request up to $3.5 billion of capital until February 28, 2011 to pay its
debt obligations or to provide funding to its regulated subsidiaries.
On July 5, 2006, Berkshire acquired 80% of Iscar Metalworking Companies (IMC) for $4 billion
in cash. On August 2, 2006, Berkshire completed the acquisition
of Russell for $600 million in cash. In
addition, it is expected that approximately $520 million of term debt and revolving credit loans of
Russell will be repaid during the third quarter of 2006. Berkshire utilized existing cash balances
to fund the IMC and Russell acquisitions and intends to use existing cash to repay the Russell
obligations.
Berkshire maintains a large amount of shareholder capital in insurance subsidiaries for
strategic purposes and in support of reserves for unpaid losses. Insurance businesses are subject
to regulation. In the United States, in particular, dividend payments by insurance companies are
subject to prior approval by state regulators. For the six months ending June 30, 2006, insurance
subsidiaries paid dividends of $5.5 billion to Berkshire.
During the first six months of 2006, capital expenditures of the utilities and energy
businesses were $917 million. Forecasted capital expenditures, construction and other development
costs for the year ending December 31, 2006 are approximately $2.4 billion. Capital expenditure
needs are reviewed regularly by management and may change significantly as a result of such
reviews. MidAmerican expects to fund these capital expenditures with cash flows from
operations and the issuance of debt.
Assets of the finance and financial products businesses were $23.8 billion at June 30, 2006
and $24.5 billion as of December 31, 2005, consisting primarily of loans and finance receivables,
fixed maturity investment securities and cash and cash equivalents. Liabilities were $18.7 billion
as of June 30, 2006 and $20.3 billion as of December 31, 2005 and include notes and other
borrowings of $10.8 billion at June 30, 2006 and $10.9 billion at December 31, 2005. Notes payable
include $8.85 billion of medium term notes issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation
(BHFC). The notes mature at various dates beginning in 2007 ($700 million par) through 2015.
The proceeds from these notes were used to finance originated and acquired loans of Clayton. Full
and timely payment of principal and interest on the notes
issued by BHFC is guaranteed by Berkshire.
29
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Contractual Obligations
Berkshire and its subsidiaries are parties to contracts associated with ongoing business and
financing activities, which will result in cash payments to counterparties in future periods.
Certain obligations reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, such as notes payable,
require future payments on contractually specified dates and in fixed and determinable amounts.
The timing and amount of the payment of other obligations such as unpaid property and casualty loss
reserves are contingent upon the outcome of future events. Other obligations pertain to the
acquisition of goods or services in the future, which are not currently reflected in the financial
statements, such as minimum rentals under operating leases. Berkshires consolidated contractual
obligations as of June 30, 2006 did not change materially from those disclosed in Contractual
Obligations, included in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations contained in Berkshires Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31,
2005, except as discussed in the following paragraphs.
As described earlier, Berkshire entered into an agreement whereby it was contingently
obligated to purchase no less than 6.5 million and up to 44.9 million newly issued shares of USG in
connection with a USG rights offering. The potential maximum amount of this commitment was $1.8
billion. The rights offering expired on July 27, 2006 and Berkshire acquired additional shares of
USG for total consideration of $278.8 million.
As a result of Berkshires consolidation of MidAmerican in 2006, Berkshires consolidated
contractual obligations have changed significantly from December 31, 2005. The table below
summarizes the contractual obligations of MidAmerican as of June 30, 2006. The actual timing and
amount of payments may differ materially from the amounts shown in the table. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated payments due by period |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007-2008 |
|
|
2009-2010 |
|
|
After 2010 |
|
Notes payable and other borrowings, including interest |
|
$ |
29,888 |
|
|
$ |
1,103 |
|
|
$ |
4,931 |
|
|
$ |
2,089 |
|
|
$ |
21,765 |
|
Operating leases |
|
|
435 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
133 |
|
Purchase obligations |
|
|
11,448 |
|
|
|
926 |
|
|
|
2,731 |
|
|
|
1,895 |
|
|
|
5,896 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
41,771 |
|
|
$ |
2,077 |
|
|
$ |
7,823 |
|
|
$ |
4,077 |
|
|
$ |
27,794 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Critical Accounting Policies
In applying certain accounting policies, Berkshires management is required to make estimates
and judgments regarding transactions that have occurred and ultimately will be settled several
years in the future. Amounts recognized in the financial statements from such estimates are
necessarily based on assumptions about numerous factors involving varying, and possibly
significant, degrees of judgment and uncertainty. Accordingly, the amounts currently recorded in
the financial statements may prove, with the benefit of hindsight, to be inaccurate. The balance
sheet items most significantly affected by these estimates are property and casualty insurance and
reinsurance related liabilities, deferred charges on retroactive reinsurance, and goodwill.
Berkshires Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2006 includes estimated liabilities for
unpaid losses from property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts of $47.7 billion
($48.0 billion at December 31, 2005) and reinsurance
recoverables of $2.8 billion ($3.0 billion at
December 31, 2005). Due to the inherent uncertainties in the process of establishing these
amounts, the actual ultimate claim amounts will likely differ from the currently recorded amounts.
A small percentage change in estimates of this magnitude will result in a material effect on
reported earnings. For instance, a 1% change in the June 30, 2006 net estimate would produce a
$450 million change in pre-tax earnings. Future effects from changes in these estimates will be
recorded as a component of losses incurred in the period of the change. Unamortized deferred
charges on retroactive reinsurance policies assumed totaled $2.3 billion at June 30, 2006.
Significant changes in either the timing or ultimate amount of loss payments may have a significant
effect on unamortized deferred charges and the amount of periodic amortization.
Berkshires Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2006 includes goodwill of acquired
businesses of approximately $29.9 billion. Such amount includes $5.5 billion of goodwill related
to MidAmerican. A significant amount of judgment is required in performing goodwill impairment
tests. Such tests include periodically estimating and reviewing the fair value of Berkshires
reporting units. There are several methods of estimating a reporting units fair value, including
market quotations, asset and liability fair values and other valuation techniques, such as
discounted projected future net earnings and multiples of earnings. If the carrying amount of a
reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the estimated fair value, then individual assets,
including identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities of the reporting unit are estimated at
fair value. The excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit over the estimated fair
value of net assets would establish the implied value of goodwill. The excess of the recorded
amount of goodwill over the implied value is then charged to earnings as an impairment loss.
30
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Critical Accounting Policies (Continued)
Berkshires consolidated financial position reflects very significant amounts of invested
assets. A substantial portion of these assets are carried at fair values based upon current market
quotations and, when not available, based upon fair value pricing models. Certain of Berkshires
fixed maturity securities are not actively traded in the financial markets. Further, Berkshires
finance businesses maintain significant balances of finance receivables, which are carried at
amortized cost. Considerable judgment is required in determining the assumptions used in certain
pricing models, including interest rate, loan prepayment speed, credit risk and liquidity risk
assumptions. Significant changes in these assumptions can have a significant effect on carrying
values.
In
connection with Berkshires consolidation of MidAmerican, accounting policies regarding
regulatory assets and liabilities and the evaluation of long-lived assets have gained importance.
Reference is made to Note 7 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to the
discussion that follows.
MidAmerican
Energy Company, PacifiCorp, Kern River and Northern Natural Gas prepare financial
statements in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain
Types of Regulation (SFAS 71), which differs in certain respects from the application of GAAP by
non-regulated businesses. In general, SFAS 71 recognizes that accounting for rate-regulated
enterprises should reflect the economic effects of regulation.
Long-lived
assets of utilities and energy businesses consist primarily of property, plant and
equipment. Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Upon the occurrence of a triggering
event, the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is reviewed to assess whether the recoverable
amount has declined below its carrying amount. The recoverable amount is the estimated recoverable
net future cash flows from the future use of the asset, undiscounted and without interest, plus the
assets estimated residual value upon disposal. Where the recoverable amount is less than the
carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized to write down the asset to its fair value
based on discounted estimated cash flows from the future use of the asset.
The estimate of cash flows arising from future use of the asset in the impairment analysis
requires judgment regarding the expected recoveries from the future use. Any changes in the
estimates of cash flows arising from the future use or the residual
value of the asset upon disposal
based on changes in market conditions, changes in the use of the asset, managements plans, the
determination of the useful life of the asset and technology changes in the industry could
significantly change the estimated fair value or recoverable amount of the asset and the resulting
impairment loss. The determination of whether impairment has occurred is primarily based on an
estimate of undiscounted cash flows attributable to the asset as compared to the carrying value of
the asset. An impairment analysis of generating facilities requires estimates of possible future
market prices, load growth, competition and many other factors over the lives of the facilities. A
resulting impairment loss is highly dependent on these underlying assumptions.
For additional information on Berkshires critical accounting estimates, reference is made to
Critical Accounting Policies in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations contained in Berkshires Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending
December 31, 2005.
Information concerning recently issued accounting pronouncements which are not yet effective
is included in Note 14 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this document as well as some
statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements of Berkshire officials during
presentations about Berkshire, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Act). Forward-looking statements include
statements which are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or
conditions, which 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 Berkshire actions, which may be provided by management are also
forward-looking statements as defined by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and
assumptions about Berkshire, economic and market factors and the industries in which Berkshire does
business, among other things. These statements are not guaranties of future performance and
Berkshire has no specific intention to update these statements.
31
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Forward-Looking Statements (Continued)
Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in
forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal important risk factors that
could cause Berkshires actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from
such forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, changes in market prices of
Berkshires significant equity investees, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events, such
as an earthquake or hurricane that causes losses insured by Berkshires insurance subsidiaries,
changes in insurance laws or regulations, changes in Federal income tax laws, 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, especially those affecting the property and casualty
insurance industry.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Reference is made to Berkshires most recently issued Annual Report and in particular the
Market Risk Disclosures included in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations. As of June 30, 2006, there are no material changes in the market risks
described in Berkshires most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending
December 31, 2005, except as discussed in the following paragraph.
Through MidAmerican, Berkshire is exposed to market risks associated with electric and natural
gas commodity prices as well as fuel costs to generate electricity. In addition, MidAmericans
regulated utility subsidiaries may be required to purchase additional electricity beyond their
generating capacity to meet customer needs. Such risks are mitigated to the extent that the costs
of commodities are recoverable through regulated rates charged to customers. Derivative
instruments are also utilized to further mitigate commodity price risks and to help balance energy
supplies with customer demands.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Corporation
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporations
management, including the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Vice President-Treasurer
(Chief Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporations
disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that
evaluation, the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Vice President-Treasurer (Chief
Financial Officer) concluded that the Corporations disclosure controls and procedures are
effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Corporation (including
its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Corporations periodic SEC filings.
During the quarter, there have been no significant changes in the Corporations internal control
over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect internal control over
financial reporting except that the Corporations General Re subsidiary completed its migration to
a new financial reporting system as of June 30, 2006. This implementation was subject to various
testing and review, including parallel testing in conjunction with the previous financial reporting
system. Implementation of this new financial reporting system necessarily involves changes to
General Res financial reporting procedures and controls. The Corporations management believes
that appropriate internal controls are in place with the new financial reporting system.
32
Part II Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
a) Governmental Investigations
In October 2003, General Reinsurance Corporation (General Reinsurance), a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Re Corporation (General Re) and an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of
Berkshire, and four of its current and former employees, including its former president, received
subpoenas for documents from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond
Division (the EDVA U.S. Attorney) in connection with the EDVA U.S. Attorneys investigation of
Reciprocal of America (ROA). ROA was a Virginia-based reciprocal insurer of physician, hospital
and lawyer professional liability risks.
General Reinsurance is continuing to cooperate fully with the EDVA U.S. Attorney and the
Department of Justice in Washington (the DOJ) in their ongoing investigation regarding ROA and,
in part, its transactions with General Reinsurance. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have
continued to request additional information from General Reinsurance regarding ROA and its
affiliate, First Virginia Reinsurance, Ltd. (FVR) and General Reinsurances transactions with ROA
and FVR. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have also interviewed a number of current and former
officers and employees of General Re and General Reinsurance. In August 2005, the EDVA U.S.
Attorney issued an additional subpoena to General Reinsurance regarding General Reinsurances
transactions with ROA and FVR. One of the individuals originally subpoenaed in October 2003 has
been informed by the EDVA U.S. Attorney that this individual is a target of the EDVA U.S.
Attorneys investigation. General Reinsurance has also been sued in a number of civil actions
related to ROA, as described below.
General Re, Berkshire, and certain of Berkshires other insurance subsidiaries, including
National Indemnity Company (NICO) have also been continuing to cooperate fully with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the DOJ and the New York State Attorney General
(NYAG) in their ongoing investigations of non-traditional products. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and
the DOJ have also been working with the SEC and the NYAG in connection with these investigations.
General Re originally received subpoenas from the SEC and NYAG in January 2005. General Re,
Berkshire and NICO have been providing information to the government relating to transactions
between General Reinsurance or NICO (or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates) and other
insurers in response to the January 2005 subpoenas and related requests and, in the case of General
Reinsurance (or its subsidiaries or affiliates), in response to subpoenas from other U.S. Attorneys
conducting investigations relating to certain of these transactions. In particular, General Re and
Berkshire have been responding to requests from the government for information relating to certain
transactions that may have been accounted for incorrectly by counterparties of General Reinsurance
(or its subsidiaries or affiliates). Berkshire understands that the government is evaluating the
actions of General Re and its subsidiaries, as well as those of their counterparties to determine
whether General Re or its subsidiaries conspired with others to misstate counterparty financial
statements or aided and abetted such misstatements by the counterparties. The SEC, NYAG, DOJ and
the EDVA U.S. Attorney have interviewed a number of current and former officers and employees of
General Re and General Reinsurance as well as Berkshires Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett, and
have indicated they plan to interview additional individuals.
In one case, a transaction initially effected with American International Group (AIG) in
late 2000 (the AIG Transaction), AIG has corrected its prior accounting for the transaction on
the grounds, as stated in AIGs 2004 10-K, that the transaction was done to accomplish a desired
accounting result and did not entail sufficient qualifying risk transfer to support reinsurance
accounting. General Reinsurance has been named in related civil actions brought against AIG, as
described below. As part of their ongoing investigations, governmental authorities have also
inquired about the accounting by certain of Berkshires insurance subsidiaries for certain assumed
and ceded finite transactions.
In May 2005, General Re terminated the consulting services of its former Chief Executive
Officer, Ronald Ferguson, after Mr. Ferguson invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions
from the SEC and DOJ relating to their investigations. In June 2005, John Houldsworth, the former
Chief Executive Officer of Cologne Reinsurance Company (Dublin) Limited (CRD), a subsidiary of
General Re, pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate
certain AIG financial statements and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with
respect to such matters. Mr. Houldsworth, who had been on administrative leave, was terminated
following this announcement. In June 2005, Richard Napier, a former Senior Vice President of
General Re who had served as an account representative for the AIG account, also pleaded guilty to
a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate certain AIG financial statements
and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with respect to such matters. General
Re terminated Mr. Napier following the announcement of these actions.
33
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
In September 2005,
Ronald Ferguson, Joseph Brandon,
the Chief Executive Officer of General Re,
Christopher Garand, a former Senior Vice President of General Reinsurance, and Robert Graham, a
former Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of General Reinsurance, each received a
Wells notice from the SEC. In addition to Messrs. Houldsworth, Napier, Brandon, Ferguson, Garand
and Graham, Elizabeth Monrad, the former Chief Financial Officer of General Re, also received a
Wells notice from the SEC in May 2005 in connection with its investigation.
On February 2, 2006, the DOJ announced that a federal grand jury had indicted three former
executives of General Re on charges related to the AIG Transaction. The indictment charges Mr.
Ferguson, Ms. Monrad and Mr. Graham, along with one former officer of AIG, with one count of
conspiracy to commit securities fraud, four counts of securities fraud, two counts of causing false
statements to be made to the SEC, four counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud in
connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC also announced on February 2, 2006 that it had filed
an enforcement action against Mr. Ferguson, Ms. Monrad, Mr. Graham, Mr. Garand and the same former
AIG officer, for aiding and abetting AIGs violations of the antifraud provisions and other
provisions of the federal securities laws in connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC
complaint seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement of any ill-gotten gains, civil penalties
and orders barring each defendant from acting as an officer or director of a public company. Each
of the individuals indicted by the federal grand jury was arraigned on February 16, 2006 and each
individual pleaded not guilty to all charges. Trial in this matter is set for March 1, 2007. In
July 2006, Mr. Garand was informed that he is a target of the DOJs investigation of the AIG
Transaction.
On February 9, 2006, AIG announced that it had reached a resolution of claims and matters
under investigation with the DOJ, the SEC, the NYAG and the New York State Department of Insurance
in connection with the accounting, financial reporting and insurance brokerage practices of AIG and
its subsidiaries, including claims and matters under investigation relating to the AIG Transaction,
as well as claims relating to the underpayment of certain workers compensation premium taxes and
other assessments. AIG announced that it will make payments totaling approximately $1.64 billion as
a result of these settlements.
Various state insurance departments have issued subpoenas or otherwise requested that General
Reinsurance, NICO and their affiliates provide documents and information relating to
non-traditional products. The Office of the Connecticut Attorney General has also issued a subpoena
to General Reinsurance for information relating to non-traditional products. General Reinsurance,
NICO and their affiliates have been cooperating fully with these subpoenas and requests.
In December 2004, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) advised General Reinsurances
affiliate Faraday Group (Faraday) that it was investigating Milan Vukelic, the then Chief
Executive Officer of Faraday with respect to transactions entered into between General Reinsurance
Australia Limited (GRA), a subsidiary of General Reinsurance and companies affiliated with FAI
Insurance Limited in 1998. Mr. Vukelic previously served as the head of General Res international
finite business unit. In April 2005, the FSA advised General Reinsurance that it was investigating
Mr. Vukelic and John Byrne, successor to Mr. Vukelic as head of General Res international finite
business unit until October 2004, with respect to certain finite risk reinsurance transactions,
including transactions between CRD and several other insurers. In May 2005,
Mr. Vukelic was placed on administrative leave and in July 2005 his employment was terminated. In
addition, the FSA has requested that General Reinsurance affiliates based in the United Kingdom
provide information relating to the transactions involved in their investigations. In July 2006,
the FSA issued an agreed-upon prohibition order to Mr. Byrne (the Byrne Order), prohibiting him
from performing in the UK any controlled function in relation to any regulated activity of the FSA.
The Byrne Order states, among other things, that Mr. Byrne was involved in arranging and
structuring transactions that allowed certain counterparties of General Res non-U.S. subsidiaries
to misrepresent their financial position to regulators, auditors, tax authorities and others,
including investors, and that Mr. Byrne knew the counterparties would be likely to engage in such
misrepresentations. Berkshire understands that the FSA continues to investigate the role of
certain of General Res non-U.S. subsidiaries and of individuals in these transactions. In
connection with the Byrne Order, CRD entered into a related settlement agreement with the FSA in
which it agreed not to make any public statement inconsistent with the facts and matters set out in
the FSAs final notice related to the Byrne Order. General Re and its affiliates are cooperating
fully with the FSA in these matters.
On April 14, 2005, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced an
investigation involving financial or finite reinsurance transactions by GRA. An inspector
appointed by APRA under section 52 of the Insurance Act 1973 has been conducting an investigation,
including a request for the production of documents of GRAs financial or finite reinsurance
business. The inspector examined four directors of GRA in June 2006. GRA has been cooperating
fully with this investigation. On or about the date of the Byrne Order, APRA accepted an
enforceable undertaking from Mr. Byrne, prohibiting him from being or acting as a director or
senior manager of a general insurer, non-operating holding company or agent of a foreign insurer in
Australia for a five year period.
CRD is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Irish Financial Services
Regulatory Authority in its inquiries regarding the activities of CRD. The Office of the Director
of Corporate Enforcement in Ireland is conducting a preliminary evaluation in relation to CRD
concerning, in particular, transactions between CRD and AIG. CRD is cooperating fully with this
preliminary evaluation.
34
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
General Reinsurances subsidiary, Kolnische Ruckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Cologne Re),
is also cooperating fully with requests for information from the German Federal Financial
Supervisory Authority regarding the activities of Cologne Re relating to finite reinsurance and
regarding transactions between Cologne Re or its subsidiaries, including CRD, and certain
counterparties.
General Reinsurance is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Office of
the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada in its inquiries regarding the activities of
General Re and its affiliates relating to finite reinsurance.
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material adverse
effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period when
these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
b) Civil Litigation
Litigation Related to ROA
General Reinsurance and four of its current and former employees, along with numerous other
defendants, have been sued in a number of civil actions related to ROA pending in federal courts.
Plaintiffs assert various claims in these civil actions, including breach of contract, unjust
enrichment, fraud, conspiracy, and violations of the Racketeer and Corrupt Influenced
Organizations Act against General Reinsurance arising from various reinsurance transactions
General Reinsurance had with ROA and related entities.
Nine putative class actions were initiated by doctors, hospitals and lawyers that purchased
insurance through ROA or certain of its Tennessee-based risk retention groups. These complaints
seek compensatory, treble, and punitive damages in an indefinite amount. General Reinsurance is
also a defendant in actions brought by the Virginia Commissioner of Insurance, as Deputy Receiver
of ROA, the Tennessee Commissioner of Insurance, as Liquidator for three Tennessee risk retention
groups, a federal lawsuit filed by a Missouri-based hospital group and a state lawsuit filed by an
Alabama doctor that was removed to federal court. The first of these actions was filed in March
2003 and additional actions were filed in April 2003 through June 2006. In the action filed by
the Virginia Commissioner of Insurance, the Commissioner asserts in several of its claims that the
alleged damages being sought exceed $200 million in the aggregate as against all defendants.
Twelve of these cases are collectively assigned to the U.S. District Court for the Western
District of Tennessee for pretrial proceedings and the remaining federal action filed in June 2006
in the federal court for the Eastern District of Kentucky is the subject of a transfer request
pending before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. General Reinsurance has filed
motions to dismiss all of the claims against it in all the cases pending in the Tennessee federal
court. On June 12, 2006, the court granted General Reinsurances motion to dismiss the Complaints
of the Virginia and Tennessee receivers. The court granted the Tennessee receiver leave to amend
her Complaint within 60 days of the order. The Virginia receiver has moved for reconsideration of
the dismissal and for leave to amend his Complaint. The court has not yet ruled on General
Reinsurances motion to dismiss the complaints of the other plaintiffs. On June 27, 2006, the
court held a hearing and announced an intention to allow document discovery to proceed in the
coordinated cases. No order permitting that discovery to proceed has yet been entered. General
Reinsurance has not filed a responsive pleading in the case currently pending in the Kentucky
federal court.
General Reinsurance is also a defendant in two lawsuits pending in Alabama state courts. The
first suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County by a group of Alabama hospitals that
are former members of the Alabama Hospital Association Trust (AHAT). This suit (the AHA Action)
alleged violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud, suppression, unjust enrichment
and breach of contract against General Reinsurance and virtually all of the defendants in the
federal suits based on an alleged business combination between AHAT and ROA in 2001 and subsequent
capital contributions to ROA in 2002 by the Alabama hospitals. The allegations of the AHA Action
are largely identical to those set forth in the complaint filed by the Virginia receiver for ROA.
General Reinsurance previously filed a motion to dismiss all of the claims in the AHA Action. The
motion was granted in part by an order in March 2005, which dismissed the Alabama Securities Act
claim against General Reinsurance and ordered plaintiffs to amend their allegations of fraud and
suppression. Plaintiffs in the AHA Action filed their Amended and Restated Complaint in April 2005,
alleging claims of conspiracy, fraud, suppression and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty
against General Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to dismiss all counts of the
Amended and Restated Complaint in May 2005. On July 22, 2005, the Court denied General
Reinsurances motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and served its answer and affirmative
defenses to the Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1, 2005. Discovery has begun. The
second suit, also filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, was initiated by Baptist Health
Systems, Inc. (BHS), a former member of AHAT, and alleged claims identical to those in the
initial AHA Action, plus claims for breach of fiduciary duty and wantonness. These cases have been
consolidated for pretrial purposes. BHS filed its First Amended Complaint in April 2005, alleging
violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud, suppression, breach of fiduciary duty,
wantonness and unjust
35
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
enrichment against General
Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to dismiss all counts of
the Amended and Restated Complaint in May 2005. On July 22, 2005, the Court granted General
Reinsurances motion to dismiss the Alabama Securities Act claim but denied the remainder of
the motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and served its answer and affirmative defenses to the
Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1, 2005. Discovery has begun. The AHA Action and the
BHS complaint claim damages in excess of $60 million in the aggregate as against all defendants.
These cases are scheduled for trial on January 8, 2007.
Actions related to AIG
General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint on
April 29, 2005, in the matter captioned In re American International Group Securities Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-8141-(LTS), United States District Court, Southern District of New York. This is a
putative class action asserted on behalf of investors who purchased publicly-traded securities of
AIG between October 1999 and March 2005. On June 7, 2005, General Reinsurance received a second
Summons and Class Action Complaint in a putative class action asserted on behalf of investors who
purchased AIG securities between October 1999 and March 2005, captioned San Francisco Employees
Retirement System, et al. vs. American International Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 05-CV-4270
(LTS), United States District Court, Southern District of New York. At a July 2005 conference, the
court ruled that the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 would be lead plaintiffs. On September 27,
2005, the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 filed a Consolidated Second Amended Complaint (the
Complaint). The Complaint asserts various claims against AIG, and various of its officers,
directors, investment banks and other parties. Included among the defendants are General
Reinsurance and Messrs. Ferguson, Napier and Houldsworth (whom the Complaint defines as the
General Re Defendants). The Complaint alleges that the General Re Defendants violated Section
10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under that Act through their
activities in connection with the AIG transaction described in Governmental Investigations,
above. The Complaint seeks damages and other relief in unspecified amounts. The General Re
Defendants moved to dismiss the Complaint on the grounds that it failed to state a claim on which
relief can be granted against these defendants. The motion was heard on April 20, 2006, and was
denied by the Court. General Reinsurance has answered the Complaint, denying liability and
asserting various affirmative defenses. No discovery has taken place, and no trial date has been
scheduled.
On July 27, 2005, General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Verified and Amended
Shareholder Derivative Complaint in In re American International Group, Inc. Derivative Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-08406, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, naming Gen Re
Corporation as a defendant. It is unclear whether the plaintiffs are asserting claims against
General Reinsurance or its parent, General Re. This case is assigned to the same judge as the class
actions described above. The complaint, brought by several alleged shareholders of AIG, seeks
damages, injunctive and declaratory relief against various officers and directors of AIG as well as
a variety of individuals and entities with whom AIG did business, relating to a wide variety of
allegedly wrongful practices by AIG. The allegations against Gen Re Corporation focus on the late
2000 transaction with AIG described above, and the complaint purports to assert causes of action
against Gen Re Corporation for aiding and abetting other defendants breaches of fiduciary duty
and for unjust enrichment. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages or the nature of
any other relief sought against Gen Re Corporation. In August 2005, General Reinsurance received
a Summons and First Amended Consolidated Shareholders Derivative Complaint in In re American
International Group, Inc. Consolidated Derivative Litigation, Case No. 769-N, Delaware Chancery
Court. The claims asserted in the Delaware complaint are substantially similar to those asserted
in the New York derivative complaint described earlier in this paragraph, except that the Delaware
complaint makes clear that the plaintiffs are asserting claims against both General Reinsurance and
General Re. Proceedings in both the New York derivative suit and the Delaware derivative suit are
stayed until August 31, 2006.
FAI/HIH Matter
In December 2003, the Liquidators of both FAI Insurance Limited (FAI) and HIH Insurance
Limited (HIH) advised GRA and Cologne Re that they intended to assert claims arising from
insurance transactions GRA entered into with FAI in May and June 1998. In August 2004, the
Liquidators filed claims in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in order to avoid the expiration
of a statute of limitations for certain plaintiffs. The focus of the Liquidators allegations
against GRA and Cologne Re are the 1998 transactions GRA entered into with FAI (which was acquired
by HIH in 1999). The Liquidators contend, among other things, that GRA and Cologne Re engaged in
deceptive conduct that assisted FAI in improperly accounting for such transactions as reinsurance,
and that such deception led to HIHs acquisition of FAI and caused various losses to FAI and HIH.
The Liquidator of HIH served its Complaint on GRA and Cologne Re in June 2006. A defense to the
Complaint and the filing of cross claims are currently due on August 18, 2006. At that time, the
Court will hold a directions hearing. The FAI Liquidator has until September 30, 2006 to serve his
Complaint on GRA and Cologne Re.
Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation
Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance are defendants in this multi-district
litigation, In Re: Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1663 (D.N.J.). In February
2005, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
36
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
transferred several different cases to the District of New Jersey for coordination and
consolidation. Each consolidated case concerned allegations of an industry-wide scheme on the part
of commercial insurance brokers and insurance companies to defraud a purported class of insurance
purchasers through bid-rigging and contingent commission arrangements. Berkshire, General Re and
General Reinsurance were not parties to the original, transferred cases. On August 1, 2005, the
named plaintiffsfourteen businesses, two municipalities, and three individualsfiled their First
Consolidated Amended Commercial Class Action Complaint, and Berkshire, General Re and General
Reinsurance (along with a large number of insurance companies and insurance brokers) were named as
defendants in the Amended Complaint. The plaintiffs claim that all defendants engaged in a pattern
of racketeering activity, in violation of RICO, and that they conspired to restrain trade. They
further allege that the broker defendants breached fiduciary duties to the plaintiffs, that the
insurer defendants aided and abetted that breach, and that all defendants were unjustly enriched in
the process. Plaintiffs seek treble damages in an unspecified amount, together with interest and
attorneys fees and expenses. They also seek a declaratory judgment of wrongdoing as well as an
injunction against future anticompetitive practices. On November 29, 2005, General Re, General
Reinsurance and Berkshire, together with the other defendants, filed motions to dismiss the
complaint. The Court held a hearing on July 26, 2006, and took the motions under the submission
without specifying when the Court would rule. On February 1, 2006, plaintiffs filed a motion for
leave to file a Second Consolidated Amended Complaint. Among other things, plaintiffs sought leave
to add numerous new defendants, including several additional Berkshire subsidiaries including,
among others, NICO. Berkshire opposed the motion for leave to amend, and the Court has denied the
motion without prejudice to plaintiffs renewing it following a ruling on defendants motion to
dismiss the First Consolidated Amended Complaint.
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss, if any, and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material
adverse effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period
when these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Berkshires significant business risks are described in Item 1A to Form 10-K for the year
ending December 31, 2005 to which reference is made herein. During 2006, Berkshires risk from
unstable international economic and political conditions increased and is further discussed below.
Also, due to the inclusion of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company in Berkshires consolidated
financial statements as of January 1, 2006, certain risks unique to the utilities and energy
business are included herein.
Unfavorable economic and political conditions in international markets could hurt Berkshires
businesses.
Historically, Berkshire has derived a relatively small amount of its revenues and earnings
from international markets. In recent years, international business was concentrated in the
insurance businesses, which are conducted primarily in Western Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan,
Australia and other regions where relatively stable political and economic conditions have
prevailed. As a result of Berkshires acquisition of 80% of IMC on July 5, 2006, Berkshire
is subject to increased risks from unstable political conditions and civil unrest in international
markets. IMCs headquarters are located in Israel and substantial business operations are
conducted in Israel and Korea.
Current unstable economic and political conditions, civil unrest and political activism,
particularly in the Middle East, could adversely impact Berkshires businesses, including
internationally based businesses. Further, terrorism activities deriving from unstable conditions
could produce significant losses to Berkshires worldwide operations, including manufacturing,
service and insurance operations based in the United States.
The instability that has persisted in the Middle East increased notably in recent weeks.
Business operations could be adversely affected directly through the loss of human resources and
destruction of production facilities. In addition, since a significant source of the worlds oil
is currently produced in the Middle East, the price of oil has increased in recent weeks from
already historically high levels. Several of Berkshires operations utilize petroleum based
products in their manufacturing processes, including most significantly the production of carpet
and paint products. Further, many of Berkshires other manufacturing and service
businesses are affected by fuel prices, which have added to the cost of shipping as well as to the
cost of delivering services. Continuing unfavorable economic and political conditions in these
markets, including war, civil unrest and governmental changes, could undermine consumer confidence
and reduce consumers purchasing power, thereby reducing product demand.
Risks unique to utilities and energy businesses.
For the most part, Berkshires utilities and energy businesses, which generate and distribute
electricity and natural gas, are highly regulated by numerous federal, state, and local
governmental authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and other jurisdictions in which
operations are conducted. Regulations govern the rates that may be charged to customers.
Regulations also concern safety, environmental and operational compliance or remediation as well as
other matters, for
37
Item 1A. Risk Factors (Continued)
Risks unique to utilities and energy businesses. (Continued)
which costs are incurred. Such costs may prove to be unrecoverable through rates. In the regulatory
process, governmental bodies through regulation or expropriation may otherwise intercede in ways
that ultimately prove financially detrimental to the business. Adverse new regulations or
reinterpretations of existing regulations as well as the nature of the regulatory process can have
a significant impact on periodic results of operations.
The nature of the utilities and energy business is that significant amounts of capital are
employed to construct, operate and maintain sufficient electricity and gas generation and
distribution systems. Usually, large amounts of borrowed funds are employed in the process. Such
systems may need to be operational for very long periods of time in order to justify the financial
cost. The risk of financial failure of capital projects is not necessarily recoverable through
rates that are chargeable to customers.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
At the annual meeting of shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire), held May 6,
2006, Berkshires shareholders re-elected Berkshires directors in an uncontested election.
Proxies for the meeting had previously been solicited pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Following are the votes cast for and against each director. There were no votes withheld,
abstentions or broker non-votes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors |
|
For |
|
Against |
Warren E. Buffett |
|
|
1,138,371.41 |
|
|
|
995.52 |
|
Howard G. Buffett |
|
|
1,138,324.33 |
|
|
|
1,042.60 |
|
Malcolm G. Chace |
|
|
1,135,588.64 |
|
|
|
3,778.29 |
|
William H. Gates III |
|
|
1,138,679.22 |
|
|
|
687.71 |
|
David S. Gottesman |
|
|
1,138,676.91 |
|
|
|
690.02 |
|
Charlotte Guyman |
|
|
1,138,396.96 |
|
|
|
969.97 |
|
Donald R. Keough |
|
|
1,135,956.84 |
|
|
|
3,410.09 |
|
Charles T. Munger |
|
|
1,138,349.92 |
|
|
|
1,017.01 |
|
Thomas S. Murphy |
|
|
1,136,365.94 |
|
|
|
3,000.99 |
|
Ronald L. Olson |
|
|
1,138,294.61 |
|
|
|
1,072.32 |
|
Walter Scott, Jr. |
|
|
1,136,540.43 |
|
|
|
2,826.50 |
|
Item 6. Exhibits
a. Exhibits
|
|
|
31.1
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
|
|
|
31.2
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
|
|
|
32.1
|
Section 1350 Certifications |
|
|
|
32.2
|
Section 1350 Certifications |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. |
|
|
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date August 4, 2006
|
|
/s/ Marc D. Hamburg |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Signature) |
|
|
|
|
Marc D. Hamburg, Vice President |
|
|
|
|
and Principal Financial Officer |
|
|
38