10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

OR

 

¨

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)

 

 

 

Delaware   47-0813844

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131

(Address of principal executive office)

(Zip Code)

(402) 346-1400

(Registrant’s 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

x

  

Accelerated filer

 

¨

Non-accelerated filer

 

¨

  

Smaller reporting company

 

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 24, 2013:

 

Class A —

     863,949   

Class B —

     1,169,869,720   

 

 

 


Table of Contents

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

 

     Page No.  
Part I – Financial Information   
Item 1.  Financial Statements   
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets—
September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012

     2   
 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings—
Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2013 and 2012

     3   
 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—
Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2013 and 2012

     4   
 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity—
First Nine Months 2013 and 2012

     4   
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—
First Nine Months 2013 and 2012

     5   
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     6-22   
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      23-39   
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      40   
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures      40   
Part II – Other Information   
Item 1.  

Legal Proceedings

     40   
Item 1A.  

Risk Factors

     40   
Item 2.  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

     40   
Item 3.  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     40   
Item 4.  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     40   
Item 5.  

Other Information

     40   
Item 6.  

Exhibits

     41   
Signature      41   

 

1


Table of Contents

Part I Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in millions)

 

     September 30,
2013
       December 31, 
2012
 
     (Unaudited)           

ASSETS

       

Insurance and Other:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 35,337           $ 42,358   

Investments:

       

Fixed maturity securities

     28,872           31,449   

Equity securities

     104,893           86,467   

Other investments

     23,732           16,057   

Receivables

     27,145           21,753   

Inventories

     9,880           9,675   

Property, plant and equipment

     19,461           19,188   

Goodwill

     33,356           33,274   

Other

     19,016           17,875   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     301,692           278,096   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Railroad, Utilities and Energy:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

     4,691           2,570   

Property, plant and equipment

     91,095           87,684   

Goodwill

     20,343           20,213   

Other

     14,450           13,441   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     130,579           123,908   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Finance and Financial Products:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

     2,051           2,064   

Investments in fixed maturity securities

     663           842   

Other investments

     5,275           4,952   

Loans and finance receivables

     12,838           12,809   

Goodwill

     1,036           1,036   

Other

     3,947           3,745   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     25,810           25,448   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 458,081           $ 427,452   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Insurance and Other:

       

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     $ 64,818           $ 64,160   

Unearned premiums

     11,670           10,237   

Life, annuity and health insurance benefits

     11,326           10,943   

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities

     21,755           21,149   

Notes payable and other borrowings

     13,023           13,535   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     122,592           120,024   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Railroad, Utilities and Energy:

       

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities

     13,533           13,113   

Notes payable and other borrowings

     40,016           36,156   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     53,549           49,269   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Finance and Financial Products:

       

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities

     1,103           1,099   

Derivative contract liabilities

     5,847           7,933   

Notes payable and other borrowings

     12,710           13,045   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     19,660           22,077   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income taxes, principally deferred

     50,849           44,494   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     246,650           235,864   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

       

Common stock

     8           8   

Capital in excess of par value

     36,082           37,230   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     34,897           27,500   

Retained earnings

     138,758           124,272   

Treasury stock, at cost

     (1,363        (1,363
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity

     208,382           187,647   

Noncontrolling interests

     3,049           3,941   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     211,431           191,588   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 458,081           $ 427,452   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2


Table of Contents

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(dollars in millions except per share amounts)

 

     Third Quarter      First Nine Months  
     2013      2012      2013      2012  
     (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)  

Revenues:

           

Insurance and Other:

           

Insurance premiums earned

     $ 9,270        $ 8,851        $ 27,462         $ 25,344  

Sales and service revenues

     23,890        20,982        70,181         61,060  

Interest, dividend and other investment income

     1,119        994        3,740         3,481  

Investment gains/losses

     1,640        725        2,529         720  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     35,919        31,552        103,912         90,605  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Railroad, Utilities and Energy:

           

Operating revenues

     8,984        8,353        25,645         23,971  

Other

     59        66        176         154   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,043        8,419        25,821         24,125  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance and Financial Products:

           

Interest, dividend and other investment income

     341        366        1,024         1,113  

Investment gains/losses

     74        192        182         216  

Derivative gains/losses

     427        (118)        2,094         (184

Other

     737        639        2,068         1,868  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,579        1,079        5,368         3,013  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     46,541        41,050        135,101         117,743  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

           

Insurance and Other:

           

Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses

     5,466        5,016        15,879         14,373  

Life, annuity and health insurance benefits

     1,575        1,284        3,899         3,727  

Insurance underwriting expenses

     1,966        1,943        5,206         5,594  

Cost of sales and services

     19,399        16,992        57,056         49,409  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     2,909        2,573        8,689         7,477  

Interest expense

     109        105        317         314  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     31,424        27,913        91,046         80,894  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Railroad, Utilities and Energy:

           

Cost of sales and operating expenses

     6,429        5,930        18,634         17,567  

Interest expense

     472        439        1,371         1,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     6,901        6,369        20,005         18,873  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance and Financial Products:

           

Interest expense

     125        148        395         459  

Other

     713        684        2,091         2,035  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     838        832        2,486         2,494  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     39,163        35,114        113,537         102,261  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

     7,378        5,936        21,564         15,482  

Income tax expense

     2,225        1,882        6,782         4,831  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings

     5,153        4,054        14,782         10,651  

Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     100        134        296         378  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway

     $ 5,053        $ 3,920        $ 14,486         $ 10,273  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding *

     1,643,779        1,652,184        1,643,522         1,651,549  

Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders *

     $ 3,074        $ 2,373        $ 8,814         $ 6,220  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

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 common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B common share is equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such amount.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


Table of Contents

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

 

     Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net earnings

     $ 5,153       $ 4,054       $ 14,782        $ 10,651   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

        

Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments

     1,598       5,034       12,650        14,888   

Applicable income taxes

     (527     (1,703     (4,371     (5,170

Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings

     (360     (718     (1,135     (693

Applicable income taxes

     126       252       397        243   

Foreign currency translation

     549       446       (304     128   

Applicable income taxes

     (56     (16     37        (9

Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans

     (17     (2     95        47   

Applicable income taxes

     4       (3     (26     (19

Other, net

     46       17       66        (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net

     1,363       3,307       7,409        9,413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     6,516       7,361       22,191        20,064   

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     131       172       296        395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders

     $ 6,385       $ 7,189       $ 21,895        $ 19,669   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

 

    Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity              
    Common stock
and capital in
excess of par
value
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive 
income
    Retained 
earnings
    Treasury 
stock
    Non- 
controlling 
interests
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2011

    $ 37,815       $ 17,654       $ 109,448        $ (67     $ 4,111       $ 168,961  

Net earnings

    —         —         10,273        —         378       10,651  

Other comprehensive income, net

    —         9,396       —          —         17       9,413  

Issuance (repurchase) of common stock

    83       —         —          —         —         83  

Changes in noncontrolling interests:

           

Interests acquired and other transactions

    —         —         —          —         (34     (34
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2012

    $ 37,898       $ 27,050       $ 119,721        $ (67     $ 4,472       $ 189,074  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

    $ 37,238       $ 27,500       $ 124,272        $ (1,363     $ 3,941       $ 191,588  

Net earnings

    —         —         14,486        —         296       14,782  

Other comprehensive income, net

    —         7,409       —         —         —          7,409  

Issuance (repurchase) of common stock

    80       —         —         —         —          80  

Changes in noncontrolling interests:

           

Interests acquired and other transactions

    (1,228     (12     —         —         (1,188     (2,428
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

    $ 36,090       $ 34,897       $ 138,758        $ (1,363     $ 3,049       $ 211,431  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


Table of Contents

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in millions)

 

     First Nine Months  
     2013     2012  
     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 14,782      $ 10,651   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:

    

Investment (gains) losses

     (2,711     (936

Depreciation

     4,036        3,814   

Other

     983        641   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities before business acquisitions:

    

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     682        (435

Deferred charges reinsurance assumed

     (203     204   

Unearned premiums

     1,432        2,136   

Receivables and originated loans

     (359     (1,759

Derivative contract assets and liabilities

     (1,927     (104

Income taxes

     2,566        724   

Other assets

     (280     (316

Other liabilities

     1,736        1,540   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

     20,737        16,160   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of fixed maturity securities

     (5,246     (6,684

Purchases of equity securities

     (7,818     (6,454

Purchases of other investments

     (12,250       

Sales of fixed maturity securities

     2,137        2,607   

Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities

     4,739        4,646   

Sales of equity securities

     2,938        7,006   

Purchases of loans and finance receivables

     (446     (546

Collections of loans and finance receivables

     565        1,098   

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

     (830     (1,831

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (7,727     (7,193

Other

     (1,526     (115
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows from investing activities

     (25,464     (7,466
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from borrowings of insurance and other businesses

     2,608        1,796   

Proceeds from borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses

     5,496        4,699   

Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses

     2,506        2,357   

Repayments of borrowings of insurance and other businesses

     (2,811     (1,962

Repayments of borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses

     (836     (1,137

Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses

     (2,843     (3,009

Change in short-term borrowings, net

     (1,269     (989

Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests and other

     (3,064     (76
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

     (213     1,679   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes

     27        104   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,913     10,477   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year *

     46,992        37,299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of first nine months *

   $ 42,079      $ 47,776   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following:

    

Beginning of year—

    

Insurance and Other

   $ 42,358      $ 33,513   

Railroad, Utilities and Energy

     2,570        2,246   

Finance and Financial Products

     2,064        1,540   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 46,992      $ 37,299   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of first nine months—

    

Insurance and Other

   $ 35,337      $ 41,820   

Railroad, Utilities and Energy

     4,691        4,119   

Finance and Financial Products

     2,051        1,837   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 42,079      $ 47,776   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5


Table of Contents

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

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 controlling financial interests as of the financial statement date. In these notes the terms “us,” “we” or “our” refer to Berkshire and its consolidated subsidiaries. Reference is made to Berkshire’s most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) that included information necessary or useful to understanding Berkshire’s businesses and financial statement presentations. Our significant accounting policies and practices were presented as Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report. In this Report, certain immaterial amounts related to 2012 periods have been reclassified to conform to 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

For a number of reasons, our 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. Variations in the amount and timing of investment gains/losses can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings. Investment gains/losses are recorded when investments are disposed or are other-than-temporarily impaired or when investments are carried at fair value and the unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings. In addition, changes in the fair value of derivative assets/liabilities associated with derivative contracts can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2013-02 requires additional disclosures concerning the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net earnings during the reporting period. We adopted ASU 2013-02 on January 1, 2013 and the required disclosures are included in Note 17.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” and in January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” ASU 2011-11, as clarified, enhances disclosures surrounding offsetting (netting) assets and liabilities. The standard applies to derivatives, repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions and requires companies to disclose gross and net information about financial instruments and derivatives eligible for offset and to disclose financial instruments and derivatives subject to master netting arrangements in financial statements. In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” ASU 2012-02 allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors in determining whether events and circumstances indicate that it is more-likely-than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If an entity determines that it is not more-likely-than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to perform a quantitative impairment test. ASU’s 2011-11 and 2012-02 were adopted on January 1, 2013 and had an immaterial effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance further provides for disclosure of the nature and amount of the obligation. ASU 2013-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11 “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” ASU 2013-11 provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the effect these standards will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 3. Significant business acquisitions

Our long-held acquisition strategy is to acquire businesses with consistent earning power, good returns on equity and able and honest management and at sensible prices. In 2013 and 2012, we completed several smaller-sized business acquisitions, most of which were considered as “bolt-on” acquisitions to several of our existing business operations. Aggregate consideration paid for business acquisitions for the first nine months of 2013 was approximately $830 million and for the year ended December 31, 2012 was approximately $3.2 billion, which included $438 million for entities that will develop, construct and subsequently operate renewable energy generation facilities. We do not believe that these acquisitions were material, individually or in the aggregate, to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized by type below (in millions).

 

    Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Gains
    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 

September 30, 2013

       

U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies

    $ 2,537        $ 21        $ (6     $ 2,552   

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

    2,397        141        (5     2,533   

Foreign governments

    10,225        213        (68     10,370   

Corporate bonds

    10,136        1,806        (10     11,932   

Mortgage-backed securities

    1,918        237        (7     2,148   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 27,213        $ 2,418        $ (96     $ 29,535   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

       

U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies

    $ 2,742        $ 33        $  —         $ 2,775   

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

    2,735        178        —         2,913   

Foreign governments

    11,098        302        (45     11,355   

Corporate bonds

    10,410        2,254        (3     12,661   

Mortgage-backed securities

    2,276        318        (7     2,587   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 29,261        $ 3,085        $ (55     $ 32,291   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2013     2012  

Insurance and other

    $ 28,872        $ 31,449   

Finance and financial products

    663        842   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 29,535        $ 32,291   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments in foreign government securities include securities issued by national and provincial government entities as well as instruments that are unconditionally guaranteed by such entities. As of September 30, 2013, approximately 94% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies and securities issued or guaranteed by Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands represented approximately 81% of the investments. Unrealized losses on all fixed maturity investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $12 million as of September 30, 2013 and $9 million as of December 31, 2012.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at September 30, 2013 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. Amounts are in millions.

 

     Due in one
year or less
     Due after one
year through
five years
     Due after five
years through
ten years
     Due after
ten years
     Mortgage-
backed
securities
     Total  

Amortized cost

     $ 6,733         $ 11,297         $ 4,411         $   2,854         $   1,918         $   27,213   

Fair value

     6,916         12,249         4,970         3,252         2,148         29,535   

 

7


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 5. Investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).

 

     Cost Basis      Unrealized
Gains
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 

September 30, 2013

          

Banks, insurance and finance

     $ 22,424         $ 22,302         $ —         $ 44,726   

Consumer products

     7,173         16,114         —         23,287   

Commercial, industrial and other

     29,128         9,957         (333     38,752   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     $ 58,725         $ 48,373         $ (333     $ 106,765   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

          

Banks, insurance and finance

     $ 18,600         $ 14,753         $ (2     $ 33,351   

Consumer products

     7,546         14,917         —         22,463   

Commercial, industrial and other

     24,361         7,687         (200     31,848   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     $ 50,507         $ 37,357         $ (202     $ 87,662   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2013, approximately 55% of the fair value of our equity securities was concentrated within four companies. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we concluded that there were no unrealized losses that were other-than-temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that it was reasonably possible that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost in a relatively short period of time. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $75 million and $45 million, respectively.

Investments in equity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 

Insurance and other

     $ 104,893         $ 86,467   

Railroad, utilities and energy *

     1,004         675   

Finance and financial products *

     868         520   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 106,765         $ 87,662   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

Included in other assets.

Note 6. Other investments

As of September 30, 2013, other investments include various securities of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”), The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”), Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) and H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”), a newly formed holding company that acquired the H.J. Heinz Company (“Heinz”) on June 7, 2013. A summary of other investments follows (in millions).

 

     Cost
Basis
     Unrealized
Gains
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Value
 

September 30, 2013

           

Fixed maturity and equity securities:

           

Insurance and other

     $ 7,841         $ 3,862         $ 11,703         $ 11,681   

Finance and financial products

     3,052         2,223         5,275         5,275   

Investments in Heinz Holding

     12,250         —          12,250         12,051   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 23,143         $ 6,085         $ 29,228         $ 29,007   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

           

Fixed maturity and equity securities:

           

Insurance and other

     $ 13,109         $ 3,823         $ 16,932         $ 16,057   

Finance and financial products

     3,148         1,804         4,952         4,952   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 16,257         $ 5,627         $ 21,884         $ 21,009   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 6. Other investments (Continued)

 

In October 2008, we acquired 50,000 shares of 10% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of GS (“GS Preferred”) and warrants to purchase 43,478,260 shares of common stock of GS (“GS Warrants”) for a combined cost of $5 billion. In October 2008, we also acquired 30,000 shares of 10% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of GE (“GE Preferred”) and warrants to purchase 134,831,460 shares of common stock of GE (“GE Warrants”) for a combined cost of $3 billion. The GS Preferred and GE Preferred shares were fully redeemed by GS and GE in 2011.

When originally issued, the GS Warrants were exercisable for an aggregate cost of $5 billion ($115/share), and the GE Warrants were exercisable for an aggregate cost of $3 billion ($22.25/share). In the first quarter of 2013, the GE Warrants and GS Warrants agreements were amended to provide solely for cashless exercises, whereupon we would receive shares of GE and GS based on the excess, if any, of the market prices, as defined, over the exercise prices, without payment of additional consideration. In October 2013, the GS Warrants and GE Warrants were exercised and we received 13,062,594 shares of GS common stock and 10,710,644 shares of GE common stock with an aggregate fair value of approximately $2.4 billion. In the first nine months of 2013, the aggregate gains associated with our investments in the GS Warrants and GE Warrants (approximately $1.4 billion) were included in earnings. As a result of the aforementioned exercises, we included our investments in the GE Warrants and the GS Warrants as components of investments in equity securities (see Note 5) beginning as of September 30, 2013.

In October 2008, we acquired $4.4 billion par amount of 11.45% Wrigley subordinated notes due in 2018 and $2.1 billion of 5% Wrigley preferred stock. These investments were made in conjunction with Mars, Incorporated’s (“Mars”) acquisition of Wrigley. On August 30, 2013, the subordinated note agreement was amended to permit a repurchase of all of the Wrigley subordinated notes on October 1, 2013 at a specified price of 115.45% of par. On September 12, 2013, Wrigley and Mars notified us that they were repurchasing all of the subordinated notes on October 1, 2013 for $5.08 billion, plus accrued interest. As a result, we recognized a pre-tax investment gain of $680 million in earnings in the third quarter of 2013. The amount due from the repurchase is included in receivables of Insurance and Other in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Wrigley subordinated notes were previously classified as held-to-maturity and were carried at cost. The Wrigley preferred stock is classified as available-for-sale and recorded in our financial statements at fair value.

In 2009, we also acquired $1.0 billion par amount of Wrigley senior notes due in December 2013 and 2014. We currently own $800 million and an unconsolidated joint venture in which we hold a 50% economic interest owns $200 million of the Wrigley senior notes. The Wrigley senior notes are classified as held-to-maturity and we carry these investments at cost, adjusted for foreign currency exchange rate changes that apply to certain of the senior notes.

In 2009, we acquired 3,000,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock of Dow (“Dow Preferred”) for a cost of $3 billion. Under certain conditions, we can convert each share of the Dow Preferred into 24.201 shares of Dow common stock (equivalent to a conversion price of $41.32 per share). Beginning in April 2014, if Dow’s common stock price exceeds $53.72 per share for any 20 trading days in a consecutive 30-day window, Dow, at its option, at any time, in whole or in part, may convert the Dow Preferred into Dow common stock at the then applicable conversion rate. The Dow Preferred is entitled to dividends at a rate of 8.5% per annum.

On September 1, 2011, we acquired 50,000 shares of 6% Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of BAC (“BAC Preferred”) and warrants to purchase 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”) for a combined cost of $5 billion. The BAC Preferred is redeemable at any time by BAC at a price of $105,000 per share ($5.25 billion in aggregate). The BAC Warrants expire in 2021 and are exercisable for an additional aggregate cost of $5 billion ($7.142857/share).

On February 13, 2013, Berkshire and an affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”), through a newly formed holding company, Heinz Holding, entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Heinz. The transaction to acquire Heinz was completed on June 7, 2013. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Heinz shareholders received $72.50 in cash for each outstanding share of common stock, or approximately $23.25 billion in the aggregate. On June 7, 2013, Berkshire and 3G each made equity investments in Heinz Holding, which, together with debt financing obtained by Heinz Holding, was used to acquire Heinz.

Heinz is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz’s total sales), Ore-Ida® potato products, Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® entrées, T.G.I. Friday’s® snacks, and Plasmon® infant nutrition.

 

9


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 6. Other investments (Continued)

 

Berkshire’s investments in Heinz Holding consist of 425 million shares of common stock, warrants to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock, and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. The aggregate cost of these investments was $12.25 billion. 3G acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. In addition, Heinz Holding has reserved 39.6 million shares of common stock for issuance under stock options to management of Heinz.

The Preferred Stock possesses no voting rights except as required by law or for certain matters specified in the Heinz Holding charter. The Preferred Stock is entitled to dividends at 9% per annum whether or not declared, is senior in priority to the common stock and is callable after June 7, 2016 at the liquidation value plus an applicable premium and any accrued and unpaid dividends. Under the Heinz Holding charter and a shareholders’ agreement entered into as of the acquisition date (the “shareholders’ agreement”), after June 7, 2021, Berkshire can cause Heinz Holding to attempt to sell shares of common stock through public offerings or other issuances (“redemption offerings”), the proceeds of which would be required to be used to redeem any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The warrants are exercisable for one cent per share and expire on June 7, 2018.

Berkshire and 3G each currently own 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock and possess equal voting interests in Heinz Holding. Under the shareholders’ agreement, unless and until Heinz Holding engages in a public offering, Berkshire and 3G each must approve all significant transactions and governance matters involving Heinz Holding and Heinz so long as Berkshire and 3G each continue to hold at least 66% of their initial common stock investments, except for (i) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock, and actions related to a Heinz Holding call of the Preferred Stock, for which Berkshire does not have a vote or approval right, and (ii) redemption offerings and redemptions resulting therefrom, which may only be triggered by Berkshire. No dividends may be paid on the common stock if there are any unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock.

We are accounting for our investments in Heinz Holding common stock and common stock warrants on the equity method. Accordingly, we included our proportionate share of net earnings and other comprehensive income available to common stockholders in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income beginning as of June 7, 2013. We have concluded that our investment in Preferred Stock represents an equity investment and since it does not have a readily determinable market value, it is carried at cost in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Dividends earned in connection with the Preferred Stock and our share of Heinz Holding’s net loss attributable to common stockholders for the period from June 7, 2013 through July 28, 2013 are included in interest, dividend and other investment income of Insurance and Other in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

Heinz’s most recent fiscal year ended April 28, 2013 and its most recently available financial statements are for the quarterly period ending July 28, 2013. Accordingly, we have reported our proportionate share of net earnings and other comprehensive income on a two month lag basis. Summarized financial information of Heinz Holding follows (in millions).

 

     As of July 28,
2013

Assets

   $38,464

Liabilities

     21,862
     For the period
June 7, 2013 through
July 28, 2013

Sales

   $1,527

Net earnings (loss)

          (76)

 

10


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 7. Investment gains/losses

Investment gains/losses, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses, are summarized below (in millions).

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Fixed maturity securities —

   

Gross gains from sales and other disposals

    $ 727        $ 77        $ 809       $ 168  

Gross losses from sales and other disposals

    (55     —         (147 )     (345 )

Equity securities —

   

Gross gains from sales and other disposals

    548        645        918        1,218  

Gross losses from sales and other disposals

    (37     (4     (57 )     (11 )

OTTI losses

    (143     —         (228 )     (337 )

Other

    674        199        1,416       243  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $  1,714        $  917        $  2,711       $ 936  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

    Investment gains/losses are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows (in millions).

  
    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Insurance and other

    $  1,640        $  725        $  2,529       $  720  

Finance and financial products

    74        192        182       216  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $  1,714        $  917        $  2,711       $  936  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We record investments in equity and fixed maturity securities that are classified as available-for-sale at fair value with the difference between fair value and cost recorded in other comprehensive income. OTTI losses recognized in earnings represent reductions in the cost basis of the investment, but not the fair value. Accordingly, the OTTI losses that are included in earnings are generally offset by a corresponding credit to other comprehensive income and therefore have no net effect on shareholders’ equity as of the balance sheet date. In the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, the OTTI losses related to bonds issued by Texas Competitive Electric Holdings. Other investment gains/losses in 2013 primarily consisted of gains related to the valuations of the GS and GE warrants.

Note 8. Receivables

Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

 

     September 30,        December 31,  
     2013        2012  

Insurance premiums receivable

     $ 8,080           $ 7,845   

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

     3,081           2,925   

Trade and other receivables

     16,363           11,369   

Allowances for uncollectible accounts

     (379        (386
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 27,145           $ 21,753   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2013, trade and other receivables included $5.08 billion in connection with Mars/Wrigley’s repurchase of the Wrigley subordinated notes. This receivable was collected in full on October 1, 2013.

 

11


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 8. Receivables (Continued)

 

Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Consumer installment loans and finance receivables

     $ 12,540        $ 12,701   

Commercial loans and finance receivables

     642        469   

Allowances for uncollectible loans

     (344     (361
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     $ 12,838        $ 12,809   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowances for uncollectible loans predominantly relate to consumer installment loans. Provisions for loan losses for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 were $192 million and $243 million, respectively. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, for the first nine months were $209 million in 2013 and $256 million in 2012. Loan amounts are net of unamortized acquisition discounts of $418 million at September 30, 2013 and $459 million at December 31, 2012. At September 30, 2013, approximately 98% of consumer installment loan balances were evaluated collectively for impairment whereas about 70% of commercial loan balances were evaluated individually for impairment. As a part of the evaluation process, credit quality indicators are reviewed and loans are designated as performing or non-performing. At September 30, 2013, approximately 98% of consumer installment and commercial loan balances were determined to be performing and approximately 94% of those balances were current as to payment status.

Note 9. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

 

     September 30,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Raw materials

     $ 1,815         $ 1,699   

Work in process and other

     854         883   

Finished manufactured goods

     3,313         3,187   

Goods acquired for resale

     3,898         3,906   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 9,880         $ 9,675   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 10. Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses is comprised of the following (in millions).

 

     Ranges of
estimated useful life
     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Land

            $ 1,104        $ 1,048   

Buildings and improvements

     2 – 40 years        6,261        6,074   

Machinery and equipment

     3 – 20 years        16,008        15,436   

Furniture, fixtures and other

     2 – 20 years        2,934        2,736   

Assets held for lease

     12 –30 years        7,111        6,731   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        33,418        32,025   

Accumulated depreciation

        (13,957     (12,837
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 19,461        $ 19,188   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expense of insurance and other businesses for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 was $1,497 million and $1,443 million, respectively.

 

12


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 10. Property, plant and equipment (Continued)

 

Property, plant and equipment of our railroad, utilities and energy businesses is comprised of the following (in millions).

 

    Ranges of
estimated useful life
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Railroad:

     

Land

    —         $ 5,968        $ 5,950   

Track structure and other roadway

    5 – 100 years        39,420        38,255   

Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment

    5 – 37 years        7,082        6,528   

Construction in progress

    —         1,112        963   

Utilities and energy:

     

Utility generation, distribution and transmission system

    5 – 80 years        43,899        42,682   

Interstate pipeline assets

    3 – 80 years        6,388        6,354   

Independent power plants and other assets

    3 – 30 years        2,424        1,860   

Construction in progress

    —         3,504        2,647   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      109,797        105,239   

Accumulated depreciation

      (18,702     (17,555
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 91,095        $ 87,684   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Railroad property, plant and equipment includes the land, other roadway, track structure and rolling stock (primarily locomotives and freight cars) of BNSF. The utility generation, distribution and transmission system and interstate pipeline assets are the regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. Depreciation expense of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 was $2,403 million and $2,235 million, respectively.

Note 11. Goodwill and other intangible assets

A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows (in millions).

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Balance at beginning of year

     $ 54,523        $ 53,213   

Acquisitions of businesses

     322        1,442   

Other, including foreign currency translation

     (110     (132
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     $ 54,735        $ 54,523   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are summarized by type as follows (in millions).

 

    September 30, 2013     December 31, 2012  
    Gross carrying
amount
    Accumulated
amortization
    Gross carrying
amount
    Accumulated
amortization
 

Insurance and other

    $ 12,013        $ 3,525        $ 11,737        $ 2,994   

Railroad, utilities and energy

    2,198        1,147        2,163        913   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 14,211        $ 4,672        $ 13,900        $ 3,907   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trademarks and trade names

    $ 2,865        $ 326        $ 2,819        $ 278   

Patents and technology

    5,162        2,470        5,014        2,059   

Customer relationships

    4,660        1,421        4,565        1,155   

Other

    1,524        455        1,502        415   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 14,211        $ 4,672        $ 13,900        $ 3,907   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

13


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 11. Goodwill and other intangible assets (Continued)

 

Amortization expense was $797 million for the first nine months of 2013 and $760 million for the first nine months of 2012. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were $2,344 million and $2,328 million, respectively.

Note 12. Derivative contracts

Derivative contracts are used primarily in our finance and financial products and energy businesses. Substantially all of the derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses are not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. Changes in the fair values of such contracts are reported in earnings as derivative gains/losses. We entered into these contracts with the expectation that the premiums received would exceed the amounts ultimately paid to counterparties. A summary of derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

 

     September 30, 2013     December 31, 2012  
     Assets (3)      Liabilities      Notional
Value
    Assets (3)      Liabilities      Notional
Value
 

Equity index put options

   $ —        $ 5,355       $ 31,925 (1)    $ —        $ 7,502       $ 33,357 (1) 

Credit default

     4         478         8,510 (2)      41         429         11,691 (2) 

Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency

     8         14           130         2      
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 12       $ 5,847         $ 171       $ 7,933      
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) 

Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of each index is zero at each contract’s expiration date.

(2) 

Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

(3) 

Included in other assets of finance and financial products businesses.

Derivative gains/losses of our finance and financial products businesses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings were as follows (in millions).

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Equity index put options

    $ 519        $ (534     $ 2,155       $ (1,018 )

Credit default

    (128     316        (43 )     827  

Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency

    36        100        (18 )     7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 427        $ (118     $ 2,094       $ (184 )
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The equity index put option contracts are European style options written on four major equity indexes. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the underlying index value is below the strike price at the contract expiration date. We received the premiums on these contracts in full at the contract inception dates and therefore have no counterparty credit risk. We have written no new contracts since February 2008.

The aggregate intrinsic value (which is the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) of our equity index put option contracts was approximately $2.3 billion at September 30, 2013 and $3.9 billion at December 31, 2012. However, these contracts may not be unilaterally terminated or fully settled before the expiration dates which occur between June 2018 and January 2026. Therefore, the ultimate amount of cash basis gains or losses on these contracts will not be determined for many years. The remaining weighted average life of all contracts was approximately 7.25 years at September 30, 2013.

Our credit default contracts were written on various indexes of non-investment grade (or “high yield”) corporate issuers, as well as investment grade corporate and state/municipal debt issuers. These contracts cover the loss in value of specified debt obligations of the issuers arising from default events, which are usually from their failure to make payments or bankruptcy. Loss amounts are subject to contract limits. We have written no new contracts since February 2009.

 

14


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 12. Derivative contracts (Continued)

 

State/municipality credit default contract exposures as of September 30, 2013 currently relate to more than 500 debt issues with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2054 and have an aggregate notional value of approximately $7.8 billion. The underlying debt issues have a weighted average maturity of approximately 18.0 years. Pursuant to the contract terms, future loss payments, if any, cannot be settled before the maturity dates of the underlying obligations.

The aggregate notional value of individual investment grade and high-yield corporate credit default contracts in-force as of September 30, 2013 was $718 million. All of these contracts will expire during the fourth quarter of 2013. Premiums under individual corporate credit default contracts are, generally, due from counterparties on a quarterly basis over the terms of the contracts. Otherwise, we have no counterparty credit risk under our credit default contracts because all premiums were received at the inception of the contracts.

With limited exceptions, our equity index put option and credit default contracts contain no collateral posting requirements with respect to changes in the fair value or intrinsic value of the contracts and/or a downgrade of Berkshire’s credit ratings. As of September 30, 2013, our collateral posting requirements under contracts with collateral provisions were zero compared to $40 million at December 31, 2012. If Berkshire’s credit ratings (currently AA from Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 from Moody’s) are downgraded below either A- by Standard & Poor’s or A3 by Moody’s, additional collateral of up to $1.1 billion could be required to be posted.

Our regulated utility subsidiaries are exposed to variations in the prices of fuel required to generate electricity, wholesale electricity purchased and sold and natural gas supplied for customers. Derivative instruments, including forward purchases and sales, futures, swaps and options, are used to manage a portion of these price risks. Derivative contract assets are included in other assets of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $61 million and $49 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $176 million and $234 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses under the contracts of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery through rates are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Unrealized gains or losses on contracts accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income or in net earnings, as appropriate.

Note 13. Supplemental cash flow information

A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 is presented in the following table (in millions).

 

     First Nine Months  
     2013        2012  

Cash paid during the period for:

       

Income taxes

   $  4,028         $  2,896   

Interest:

       

Insurance and other businesses

     321           290   

Railroad, utilities and energy businesses

     1,507           1,393   

Finance and financial products businesses

     401           471   

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

       

Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions

     275           793   

 

 

15


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 14. Notes payable and other borrowings

Notes payable and other borrowings are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges shown in the following tables are based on borrowings as of September 30, 2013.

 

    Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Insurance and other:

     

Issued by Berkshire parent company due 2013-2047

    2.7     $ 8,305        $ 8,323   

Short-term subsidiary borrowings

    0.3     1,063        1,416   

Other subsidiary borrowings due 2013-2035

    5.9     3,655        3,796   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 13,023        $ 13,535   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In January 2013, Berkshire issued $2.6 billion of senior notes with interest rates ranging from 0.8% to 4.5% and maturities that range from 2016 to 2043. In February 2013, Berkshire repaid $2.6 billion of maturing senior notes.

 

    Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Railroad, utilities and energy:

     

Issued by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MidAmerican”) and its subsidiaries:

     

MidAmerican senior unsecured debt due 2014-2037

    6.3     $ 4,621        $ 4,621   

Subsidiary and other debt due 2013-2043

    5.0     18,329        17,002   

Issued by BNSF due 2013-2097

    5.3     17,066        14,533   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 40,016        $ 36,156   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MidAmerican subsidiary debt represents amounts issued pursuant to separate financing agreements. All, or substantially all, of the assets of certain MidAmerican subsidiaries are, or may be, pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise secure the debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. During the first nine months of 2013, MidAmerican subsidiaries issued term debt of $2.5 billion in the aggregate. MidAmerican and subsidiaries repaid approximately $1.4 billion of debt in 2013. In March 2013, BNSF issued $1.5 billion in debentures consisting of $700 million of 3.0% debentures due in 2023 and $800 million of 4.45% debentures due in 2043. In August 2013, BNSF issued $1.5 billion in debentures consisting of $800 million of 3.85% debentures due in 2023 and $700 million of 5.15% debentures due in 2043. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily unsecured. As of September 30, 2013, BNSF and MidAmerican and their subsidiaries were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants. Berkshire does not guarantee any debt or other borrowings of BNSF, MidAmerican or their subsidiaries.

 

    Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Finance and financial products:

     

Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2013-2043

    3.5     $ 11,182        $ 11,186   

Issued by other subsidiaries due 2013-2036

    4.7     1,528        1,859   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $ 12,710        $ 13,045   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire. During the first nine months of 2013, BHFC issued $2.5 billion aggregate of new senior notes consisting of $275 million of 1.6% senior notes due in 2017, $225 million of 3.0% senior notes due in 2022, $500 million of 1.3% senior notes due in 2018, $500 million of 4.3% senior notes due in 2043, $600 million of 0.95% senior notes due in 2016 and $400 million of 2.0% senior notes due in 2018. During the first nine months of 2013, BHFC repaid $500 million of maturing senior notes in January, $1.0 billion of maturing senior notes in May and $1.0 billion of maturing senior notes in August. In October 2013, an additional $950 million of senior notes matured, and BHFC issued $950 million of additional senior notes at that time.

Our subsidiaries have approximately $5.9 billion in the aggregate of unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity at September 30, 2013, to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. In addition to borrowings of BHFC, as of September 30, 2013, Berkshire guaranteed approximately $4.1 billion of other subsidiary borrowings. Generally, Berkshire’s guarantee of a subsidiary’s debt obligation is an absolute, unconditional and irrevocable guarantee for the full and prompt payment when due of all present and future payment obligations.

 

16


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 15. Fair value measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are considered to be reasonable estimates of their fair values.

 

     Carrying
Value
     Fair Value      Quoted
Prices
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 

September 30, 2013

              

Investments in fixed maturity securities:

              

U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies

   $ 2,552       $ 2,552       $ 2,113       $ 438       $ 1   

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     2,533         2,533         —          2,533         —    

Foreign governments

     10,370         10,370         6,524         3,846         —    

Corporate bonds

     11,932         11,932         —          11,311         621   

Mortgage-backed securities

     2,148         2,148         —          2,148         —    

Investments in equity securities

     106,765         106,765         106,695         63         7   

Other investments carried at fair value

     16,085         16,085         —          —          16,085   

Other investments carried at cost

     12,922         13,143         —          —          13,143   

Loans and finance receivables

     12,838         12,016         —          493         11,523   

Derivative contract assets (1)

     73         73         1         19         53   

Derivative contract liabilities:

              

Railroad, utilities and energy (1)

     176         176         4         164         8   

Finance and financial products:

              

Equity index put options

     5,355         5,355         —          —          5,355   

Credit default

     478         478         —          —          478   

Other

     14         14         —          14         —    

Notes payable and other borrowings:

              

Insurance and other

     13,023         13,357         —          13,357         —    

Railroad, utilities and energy

     40,016         43,098         —          43,098         —    

Finance and financial products

     12,710         13,139         —          12,420         719   

December 31, 2012

              

Investments in fixed maturity securities:

              

U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies

   $ 2,775       $ 2,775       $ 1,225       $ 1,549       $ 1   

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     2,913         2,913         —          2,912         1   

Foreign governments

     11,355         11,355         4,571         6,784         —    

Corporate bonds

     12,661         12,661         —          12,011         650   

Mortgage-backed securities

     2,587         2,587         —          2,587         —    

Investments in equity securities

     87,662         87,662         87,563         64         35   

Other investments carried at fair value

     15,750         15,750         —          —          15,750   

Other investments carried at cost

     5,259         6,134         —          —          6,134   

Loans and finance receivables

     12,809         11,991         —          304         11,687   

Derivative contract assets (1)

     220         220         1         128         91   

Derivative contract liabilities:

              

Railroad, utilities and energy (1)

     234         234         10         217         7   

Finance and financial products:

              

Equity index put options

     7,502         7,502         —          —          7,502   

Credit default

     429         429         —          —          429   

Other

     2         2         —          2         —    

Notes payable and other borrowings:

              

Insurance and other

     13,535         14,284         —          14,284         —    

Railroad, utilities and energy

     36,156         42,074         —          42,074         —    

Finance and financial products

     13,045         14,005         —          13,194         811   

 

(1)

Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.

 

17


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 15. Fair value measurements (Continued)

 

The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value.

The hierarchy for measuring fair value consists of Levels 1 through 3, which are described below.

Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets. Substantially all of our investments in equity securities are traded on an exchange in active markets and fair values are based on the closing prices as of the balance sheet date.

Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities exchanged in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in inactive markets; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Fair values of investments in fixed maturity securities and notes payable and other borrowings are primarily based on price evaluations which incorporate market prices for identical instruments in inactive markets and market data available for instruments with similar characteristics. Pricing evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with similar characteristics, such as credit rating, estimated duration and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities in the same industry sector.

Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or liabilities and we may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in pricing assets or liabilities. Fair value measurements of non-exchange traded derivative contracts and certain other investments are based primarily on valuation models, discounted cash flow models or other valuation techniques that are believed to be used by market participants.

Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 follow (in millions).

 

    Investments
in fixed
maturity
securities
    Investments
in equity
securities
    Other
investments
    Net
derivative
contract
liabilities
 

Balance at December 31, 2011

  $ 784      $ 22      $ 11,669      $ (9,908

Gains (losses) included in:

       

Earnings

    —         —         —         (199

Other comprehensive income

    6        13        2,776        3   

Regulatory assets and liabilities

    —         —         —         —    

Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements

    (8     —         —         186   

Transfers into (out of) Level 3

    (129     —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2012

  $ 653      $ 35      $ 14,445      $ (9,918
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

  $ 652      $ 35      $ 15,750      $ (7,847

Gains (losses) included in:

       

Earnings

    —         3        520        2,119   

Other comprehensive income

    (12     —         1,310        (5

Regulatory assets and liabilities

    —         —         —         1   

Dispositions

    (18     —         —         —    

Settlements, net

    —         (31     —         (56

Transfers into (out of) Level 3

    —         —         (1,495     —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

  $ 622      $ 7      $ 16,085      $ (5,788
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

18


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 15. Fair value measurements (Continued)

 

Gains and losses included in earnings are included as components of investment gains/losses, derivative gains/losses and other revenues, as appropriate and are primarily related to changes in the values of derivative contracts and settlement transactions. Gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are included as components of the net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and the reclassification of investment appreciation in earnings, as appropriate in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

In the second quarter of 2013, we transferred the fair value measurements of the GS Warrants and GE Warrants out of Level 3 because we concluded that the unobservable inputs were no longer significant.

Quantitative information as of September 30, 2013, with respect to assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) follows (in millions).

 

     Fair value     

Principal valuation

techniques

  

Unobservable Input

   Weighted
      Average      
 

Other investments:

           

Preferred stocks

   $ 11,857       Discounted cash flow   

Expected duration

     6 years   
        

Discount for transferability restrictions and subordination

    

 

97 basis

points

  

  

Common stock warrants

     4,228       Warrant pricing model       

Discount for transferability and hedging restrictions

     21%   

Net derivative liabilities:

           

Equity index put options

     5,355       Option pricing model   

Volatility

     21%   

Credit default-states/municipalities

     478       Discounted cash flow   

Credit spreads

    

 

98 basis

points

  

  

For certain credit default and other derivative contracts where we could not corroborate that the fair values or the inputs were observable in the market, fair values were based on non-binding price indications obtained from third party sources. Management reviewed these values relative to the terms of the contracts, the current facts, circumstances and market conditions, and concluded they were reasonable. We did not adjust these prices and therefore, they have been excluded from the preceding table.

Our other investments that are carried at fair value consist of a few relatively large private placement transactions and include perpetual preferred stocks and common stock warrants. These investments are subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and/or provisions that prevent us from economically hedging our investments. In applying discounted estimated cash flow techniques in valuing the perpetual preferred stocks, we made assumptions regarding the expected durations of the investments, as the issuers may have the right to redeem or convert these investments. We also made estimates regarding the impact of subordination, as the preferred stocks have a lower priority in liquidation than investment grade debt instruments of the issuers, which affected the discount rates. In valuing the common stock warrants, we used a warrant valuation model. While most of the inputs to the model are observable, we are subject to the aforementioned contractual restrictions. We have applied discounts with respect to the contractual restrictions. Increases or decreases to these inputs would result in decreases or increases to the fair values of the investments.

Our equity index put option and credit default contracts are not exchange traded and certain contract terms are not standard in derivatives markets. For example, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts and many contracts have long durations, and therefore are illiquid. For these and other reasons, we classified these contracts as Level 3. The methods we use to value these contracts are those that we believe market participants would use in determining exchange prices with respect to our contracts.

We value equity index put option contracts based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Inputs to this model include current index price, contract duration, dividend and interest rate inputs (including a Berkshire non-performance input) which are observable. However, we believe that the valuation of long-duration options using any model is inherently subjective, given the lack of observable transactions and prices, and acceptable values may be subject to wide ranges. Expected volatility inputs represent our expectations after considering the remaining duration of each contract and that the contracts will remain outstanding until the expiration dates without offsetting transactions occurring in the interim. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

 

19


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 15. Fair value measurements (Continued)

 

Our state and municipality credit default contract values reflect credit spreads, contract durations, interest rates, bond prices and other inputs believed to be used by market participants in estimating fair value. We utilize discounted cash flow valuation models, which incorporate the aforementioned inputs as well as our own estimates of credit spreads for states and municipalities where there is no observable input. Increases or decreases to the credit spreads will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

Note 16. Common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued and outstanding common stock during the first nine months of 2013 are shown in the table below.

 

     Class A, $5 Par Value
(1,650,000 shares authorized)
    Class B, $0.0033 Par Value
(3,225,000,000 shares authorized)
 
     Issued     Treasury     Outstanding     Issued      Treasury     Outstanding  

Balance at December 31, 2012

     904,528        (9,573     894,955        1,123,393,956         (1,408,484     1,121,985,472   

Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition

     (30,363     —         (30,363     46,882,626         —         46,882,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

     874,165        (9,573     864,592        1,170,276,582         (1,408,484     1,168,868,098   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Each Class A common share is entitled to one vote per share. Class B common stock possesses dividend and distribution rights equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such rights of Class A common stock. Each Class B common share possesses voting rights equivalent to one-ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of the voting rights of a Class A share. Unless otherwise required under Delaware General Corporation Law, Class A and Class B common shares vote as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into 1,500 shares of Class B common stock. Class B common stock is not convertible into Class A common stock. On an equivalent Class A common stock basis, there were 1,643,837 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and 1,642,945 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2012. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none of which are issued and outstanding.

In 2011, Berkshire’s Board of Directors (“Berkshire’s Board”) approved a common stock repurchase program. Under the program, as amended in December 2012, Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares. Berkshire may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Berkshire’s Board authorization does not specify a maximum number of shares to be repurchased. However, repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. The repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely and the amount of repurchases will depend entirely upon the level of cash available, the attractiveness of investment and business opportunities either at hand or on the horizon, and the degree of discount of the market price relative to management’s estimate of intrinsic value. The repurchase program does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares.

 

20


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 17. Accumulated other comprehensive income

A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income and significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 follows (in millions).

 

    Unrealized
appreciation of
investments, net
    Foreign
currency
translation
    Prior service
and actuarial
gains/losses of
defined benefit
pension plans
    Other     Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
 

Balance at December 31, 2012

    $ 29,254        $ (120     $ (1,601     $ (33     $ 27,500   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

    8,252        (191     (17     49        8,093   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    (738     (31     81        4        (684

Transactions with noncontrolling interests

    —         (12     —         —         (12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    7,514        (234     64        53        7,397   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

    $ 36,768        $ (354     $ (1,537     $ 20        $ 34,897   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings for the first nine months of 2013 are included on the following line items:

         

Investment gains/losses:

         

Insurance and other

    $ (1,062     $ —         $ —         $ —       $ (1,062

Finance and financial products

    (73     —         —         —         (73

Other (1)

    —         (31     114        8        91   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reclassifications before income taxes

    (1,135     (31     114        8        (1,044

Applicable income taxes

    (397     —         33        4        (360
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (738     $ (31     $ 81        $ 4        $ (684
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts are included on various line items, and are immaterial individually and in the aggregate.

Note 18. Contingencies and Commitments

We have owned a controlling interest in Marmon Holdings, Inc. (“Marmon”) since 2008. On June 28, 2013, Berkshire acquired approximately 16% of the then outstanding Marmon noncontrolling interests for approximately $238 million and we currently own about 91.7% of Marmon’s outstanding common stock. We are contractually required to acquire substantially all of the remaining noncontrolling interests of Marmon no later than March 31, 2014, for an amount that will be based on Marmon’s 2013 operating results. On April 29, 2013, Berkshire acquired the remaining noncontrolling interests of IMC International Metalworking Companies B.V., the parent company of Iscar, for consideration of $2.05 billion. Berkshire now owns 100% of IMC International Metalworking Companies B.V. The differences between the consideration paid and the carrying amounts of these acquired noncontrolling interests were recorded as reductions in Berkshire’s shareholders’ equity of approximately $1.2 billion.

On May 29, 2013, MidAmerican announced that it would acquire NV Energy, Inc. (“NV Energy”), an energy holding company serving approximately 1.3 million electric and natural gas customers in Nevada. Under the terms of the agreement, MidAmerican will purchase all outstanding shares of NV Energy’s common stock for $23.75 per share in cash, or approximately $5.6 billion in the aggregate. NV Energy’s shareholders approved the transaction on September 25, 2013. The acquisition is subject to other customary closing conditions and the receipt of required state and federal approvals and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

On October 16, 2013, Marmon announced it would acquire the beverage dispensing and merchandising operations of British engineering company, IMI plc for approximately 690 million Euros ($1.1 billion), subject to certain adjustments for the amounts of working capital, cash and debt at the closing date. The acquisition is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is expected to close in early 2014.

 

21


Table of Contents

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Note 19. Business segment data

Revenues by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in millions).

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Operating Businesses:

       

Insurance group:

       

Premiums earned:

       

GEICO

    $ 4,730        $ 4,240        $ 13,726        $ 12,388   

General Re

    1,454        1,445        4,422        4,342   

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group

    2,219        2,578        6,918        6,983   

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group

    867        588        2,396        1,631   

Investment income

    1,084        981        3,628        3,436   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total insurance group

    10,354        9,832        31,090        28,780   

BNSF

    5,651        5,343        16,257        15,407   

Finance and financial products

    1,078        1,006        3,092        2,981   

Marmon

    1,753        1,795        5,299        5,451   

McLane Company

    11,547        9,534        33,707        26,611   

MidAmerican

    3,392        3,076        9,564        8,718   

Other businesses

    10,691        9,616        31,492        28,800   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    44,466        40,202        130,501        116,748   

Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:

       

Investment and derivative gains/losses

    2,141        799        4,805        752   

Eliminations and other

    (66     49        (205     243   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 46,541        $ 41,050        $ 135,101        $ 117,743   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in millions).

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Operating Businesses:

       

Insurance group:

       

Underwriting gain (loss):

       

GEICO

    $ 307        $ 435        $ 909        $ 714   

General Re

    63        154        182        373   

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group

    (206     (102     1,159        320   

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group

    99        121        228        243   

Net investment income

    1,078        976        3,609        3,421   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total insurance group

    1,341        1,584        6,087        5,071   

BNSF

    1,556        1,508        4,242        3,903   

Finance and financial products

    253        175        631        527   

Marmon

    306        293        886        869   

McLane Company

    126        130        372        305   

MidAmerican

    586        542        1,574        1,349   

Other businesses

    1,363        1,210        3,837        3,609   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    5,531        5,442        17,629        15,633   

Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:

       

Investment and derivative gains/losses

    2,141        799        4,805        752   

Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to operating businesses

    (80     (52     (226     (196

Eliminations and other

    (214     (253     (644     (707
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 7,378        $ 5,936        $ 21,564        $ 15,482   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

22


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

Net earnings attributable to Berkshire are disaggregated in the table that follows. Amounts are after deducting income taxes and exclude earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests. Amounts are in millions.

 

     Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Insurance – underwriting

     $ 170        $ 392        $ 1,601       $ 1,065  

Insurance – investment income

     861        733        2,804       2,592  

Railroad

     989        937        2,671       2,440  

Utilities and energy

     472        438        1,145       1,029  

Manufacturing, service and retailing

     1,162        991        3,180       2,870  

Finance and financial products

     160        108        404       332  

Other

     (152     (200     (442 )     (544 )

Investment and derivative gains/losses

     1,391        521        3,123       489  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Berkshire

     $ 5,053        $ 3,920        $ 14,486       $ 10,273  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Through our subsidiaries, we engage in a number of diverse business activities. Our 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 our corporate headquarters in the day-to-day business activities of the operating businesses. Our senior corporate management team 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. It also is responsible for coordinating Berkshire’s corporate governance efforts, including, but not limited to, communicating the appropriate “tone at the top” messages to its employees and associates, monitoring governance efforts, including those at the operating businesses, and participating in the resolution of governance-related issues as needed. The business segment data (Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) should be read in conjunction with this discussion.

Our insurance businesses generated significant after-tax earnings from underwriting in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012. In the first nine months of 2013, we incurred after-tax losses of approximately $275 million from significant catastrophe events. In the first nine months of 2012, there were no significant catastrophe events. Our railroad and utilities and energy businesses continued to generate significant earnings in 2013. Earnings from our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses in 2013 were generally higher than in 2012. As indicated in the table above, earnings from these businesses increased about 17.3% during the third quarter and 10.8% during the first nine months of 2013, which was partially attributable to bolt-on business acquisitions completed in 2012 and 2013 and reductions in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Investment and derivative gains/losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 included after-tax gains from derivative contracts of $277 million and $1.36 billion, respectively, which were primarily attributable to changes in fair value estimates of our equity index put option derivative contracts. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, after-tax losses from derivative contracts were $76 million and $119 million, respectively. After-tax investment gains (including other-than-temporary impairment losses) for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were approximately $1.11 billion and $1.76 billion, respectively. In 2013, after-tax investment gains of approximately $875 million in the third quarter and $1.35 billion in the first nine months were associated with our investments in GS Warrants, GE Warrants and Wrigley subordinated notes. In the third quarter of 2012, we recognized after-tax investment gains of approximately $600 million from sales of securities and repayments of certain loan portfolios. We believe that realized investment gains/losses and other-than-temporary impairment losses are often meaningless in terms of understanding our reported results or evaluating our economic performance. These gains and losses and changes in the equity and credit markets from period to period have caused and will likely continue to cause significant volatility in our periodic earnings.

Insurance—Underwriting

We engage in both primary insurance and reinsurance of property/casualty, life and health risks. In primary insurance activities, we assume defined portions of the risks of loss from persons or organizations that are directly subject to the risks. In reinsurance activities, we assume defined portions of similar or dissimilar risks that other insurers or reinsurers have subjected themselves to in their own insuring activities. Our insurance and reinsurance businesses are: (1) GEICO, (2) General Re, (3) Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) and (4) Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group.

 

23


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

 

Our management views insurance businesses as possessing two distinct operations – underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers; investing decisions, with limited exceptions, are the responsibility of Berkshire’s Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett. Accordingly, we evaluate the performance of underwriting operations without any allocation of investment income. Underwriting results represent insurance premiums earned less insurance losses, benefits and underwriting expenses incurred.

The timing and amount of catastrophe losses can also produce significant volatility in our periodic underwriting results, particularly with respect to BHRG and General Re. In the first nine months of 2013, we incurred pre-tax losses of approximately $425 million related to floods and a hailstorm in Europe. In the first nine months of 2012, there were no significant catastrophe events. For the purposes of this discussion, we consider catastrophe losses significant if the pre-tax losses incurred from a single event (or series of related events) exceed $75 million on a consolidated basis. Our periodic underwriting results may be affected significantly by changes in estimates for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including amounts established for occurrences in prior years. Periodic underwriting results may also include significant foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from the changes in the valuations of non-U.S. Dollar denominated reinsurance liabilities of certain of our U.S. based insurance subsidiaries as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. These gains and losses are included in underwriting expenses. In addition, BHRG’s results for the first nine months of 2013 included a one-time pre-tax gain of $255 million arising from amendments to a life reinsurance contract. In 2012, GEICO’s underwriting results reflected unusually high underwriting expenses due to a change in U.S. GAAP.

A key marketing strategy followed by all of our insurance businesses is the maintenance of extraordinary capital strength. Statutory surplus of our insurance businesses was approximately $106 billion at December 31, 2012. 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 the unique needs of insurance and reinsurance buyers.

A summary follows of underwriting results from our insurance businesses. Amounts are in millions.

 

     Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
     2013     2012     2013      2012  

Underwriting gain (loss) attributable to:

         

GEICO

     $ 307        $ 435        $ 909         $ 714   

General Re

     63        154        182         373   

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group

     (206     (102     1,159         320   

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group

     99        121        228         243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pre-tax underwriting gain

     263        608        2,478         1,650   

Income taxes and noncontrolling interests

     93        216        877         585   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net underwriting gain

     $ 170        $ 392        $ 1,601         $ 1,065   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

GEICO

Through GEICO, we primarily write private passenger automobile insurance, offering coverages to insureds in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. GEICO’s policies are marketed mainly by direct response methods in which customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet or over the telephone. This is a significant element in our strategy to be a low-cost auto insurer. In addition, we strive to provide excellent service to customers, with the goal of establishing long-term customer relationships. GEICO’s underwriting results are summarized below. Dollars are in millions.

 

 

     Third Quarter      First Nine Months  
     2013      2012      2013      2012  
     Amount      %      Amount      %      Amount      %      Amount      %  

Premiums earned

   $ 4,730         100.0       $ 4,240         100.0       $ 13,726         100.0       $ 12,388         100.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     3,622         76.6         3,011         71.0         10,490         76.4         9,089         73.4   

Underwriting expenses

     801         16.9         794         18.7         2,327         17.0         2,585         20.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total losses and expenses

     4,423         93.5         3,805         89.7         12,817         93.4         11,674         94.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pre-tax underwriting gain

     $ 307            $ 435            $ 909            $ 714      
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

24


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

 

GEICO (Continued)

 

Premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were $5.0 billion and $14.4 billion, respectively, representing increases of 11.3% and 11.4%, respectively, over the premiums written in the corresponding 2012 periods. Premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $490 million (11.6%) and $1,338 million (10.8%), respectively, compared to premiums earned in the corresponding 2012 periods. The growth in premiums earned reflected an increase in voluntary policies-in-force of 8.2% over the past year and, to a lesser degree, higher average premiums per policy. The increase in policies-in-force reflected a 14.4% increase in voluntary auto new business sales. Voluntary auto policies-in-force at September 30, 2013 were approximately 769,000 greater than at December 31, 2012.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $611 million (20.3%) and $1,401 million (15.4%), respectively, from the same periods of 2012. The loss ratio (the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred to premiums earned) was 76.4% in the first nine months of 2013 compared to 73.4% in 2012. In the first nine months of 2013, claims frequencies for property damage and collision coverages generally increased in the two to three percent range compared to the first nine months of 2012. Physical damage claim severities increased in the three to five percent range in 2013. In addition, average bodily injury claims frequencies increased in the one to two percent range. Bodily injury claims severities increased in the two to three percent range, although severities for personal injury protection coverage declined, primarily in Florida.

Underwriting expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2013 were relatively unchanged from the third quarter of 2012, and declined $258 million (10.0%) in the first nine months of 2013 compared with the first nine months of 2012. Underwriting expenses in 2012 were impacted by a change in U.S. GAAP concerning deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”). DPAC represents the underwriting costs that are eligible to be capitalized and expensed as premiums are earned over the policy period. The new accounting standard, which was adopted on a prospective basis as of January 1, 2012, accelerates the timing of when certain underwriting costs are recognized in earnings. We estimate that GEICO’s underwriting expenses for the first nine months of 2012 would have been about $410 million less had we computed DPAC under the prior accounting standard. The effect of transitioning to this new accounting standard was substantially completed as of September 30, 2012. Excluding the effects of the accounting change in 2012, the ratio of underwriting expenses to premiums earned in the first nine months of 2013 declined by approximately 0.6 percentage points from the first nine months of 2012.

General Re

Through General Re, we conduct a reinsurance business offering property and casualty and life and health coverages to clients worldwide. We write property and casualty reinsurance in North America on a direct basis through General Reinsurance Corporation and internationally through Germany-based General Reinsurance AG and other wholly-owned affiliates. Property and casualty reinsurance is also written through brokers with respect to Faraday in London. Life and health reinsurance is written in North America through General Re Life Corporation and internationally through General Reinsurance AG. General Re strives to generate underwriting profits in essentially all of its product lines. Our management does not evaluate underwriting performance based upon market share and our underwriters are instructed to reject inadequately priced risks. General Re’s underwriting results are summarized in the following table. Amounts are in millions.

 

     Premiums earned      Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)  
     Third Quarter      First Nine Months      Third Quarter      First Nine Months  
     2013      2012      2013      2012      2013      2012      2013      2012  

Property/casualty

     $ 743         $ 727         $ 2,236         $ 2,164         $ 4         $ 118         $ 66         $ 354   

Life/health

     711         718         2,186         2,178         59         36         116         19   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 1,454         $ 1,445         $ 4,422         $ 4,342         $ 63         $ 154         $ 182         $ 373   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property/casualty

Property/casualty premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $16 million (2.2%) and $72 million (3.3%), respectively, versus the corresponding 2012 periods. Excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes, premiums earned in the first nine months of 2013 increased $66 million (3.1%), which was primarily due to increases in international treaty business. Price competition in most property and casualty lines persists. Our underwriters continue to exercise discipline by declining offers to write business where prices are deemed inadequate. However, we remain prepared to increase premium volumes should market conditions improve.

 

25


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

 

General Re (Continued)

 

Property/casualty (Continued)

 

Property/casualty operations in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 produced net underwriting gains of $4 million and $66 million, respectively, compared to net underwriting gains of $118 million and $354 million, respectively, in the corresponding 2012 periods. For the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, property business generated net underwriting gains of $23 million and $343 million, respectively. In 2013, property underwriting results included losses of approximately $400 million from a hail storm in Europe in the third quarter and floods in Europe in the second quarter. There were no significant catastrophe events in the first nine months of 2012. The timing and magnitude of catastrophe and large individual losses has produced and is expected to continue to produce significant volatility in periodic underwriting results. In the first nine months, property underwriting results also included gains from reductions in prior years’ loss reserves of $247 million in 2013 and $224 million in 2012 as a result of lower than expected losses reported from ceding companies.

Our casualty/workers’ compensation business produced net underwriting gains of $43 million in the first nine months of 2013 and $11 million in the corresponding 2012 period. Underwriting results in each year included gains from the reductions of estimated unpaid losses for prior years’ events and underwriting losses for current year business. The gains associated with prior years’ events were attributable to lower than anticipated claim reports. However, casualty/workers’ compensation business tends to have long claim-tails and it should not be assumed that favorable loss experience in a given period means that the loss reserve estimates currently established will continue to develop favorably.

Life/health

Premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were $711 million and $2,186 million, respectively, which were relatively unchanged from premiums earned in the comparable 2012 periods. Adjusting for the effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes, premiums earned in the first nine months of 2013 increased $34 million (1.6%) versus 2012, which was primarily attributable to increased non-U.S. life business.

Life/health operations produced net underwriting gains of $59 million in the third quarter and $116 million during the first nine months of 2013. The underwriting gains in 2013 were driven by lower than expected mortality in both the U.S. and international life businesses, offset in part by discount accretion in the long-term care business. The underwriting gain in 2012 reflected favorable claims experience across most regions in Europe and reductions in liability estimates related to the 2011 earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan. However, underwriting results in 2012 were negatively impacted by greater than expected claims frequency and duration in the individual and group disability business in Australia and to a lesser extent, by losses in the U.S. health business.

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”)

Through BHRG, we underwrite excess-of-loss reinsurance and quota-share coverages on property and casualty risks for insurers and reinsurers worldwide. BHRG’s business includes catastrophe excess-of-loss reinsurance and excess primary insurance and facultative reinsurance for large or otherwise unusual property risks referred to as individual risk. BHRG also writes retroactive reinsurance, which provides indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events. Multi-line property/casualty refers to various coverages written on both a quota-share and excess basis and includes a 20% quota-share contract with Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“Swiss Re”) covering substantially all of Swiss Re’s property/casualty risks that incepted between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012. The Swiss Re quota-share contract was not renewed in 2013 and is now in run-off. BHRG’s underwriting activities also include life reinsurance and annuity businesses. Amounts are in millions.

 

 

     Premiums earned      Pre-tax underwriting gain/loss  
     Third Quarter      First Nine Months      Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
     2013      2012      2013      2012      2013     2012     2013     2012  

Catastrophe and individual risk

     $ 195        $ 215        $ 568        $ 600        $ 80       $ 86        $ 372        $ 342   

Retroactive reinsurance

     1        278        320        649        (74     (48     (226     (160

Multi-line property/casualty

     939        1,341        3,367        3,734        (170     (85     666        311   

Life and annuity

     1,084        744        2,663        2,000        (42     (55     347        (173
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     $ 2,219        $ 2,578        $ 6,918        $ 6,983        $ (206     $ (102     $ 1,159        $ 320   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

26


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

 

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) (Continued)

 

Premiums earned in the first nine months of 2013 from catastrophe and individual risk contracts declined 5% compared to the first nine months of 2012. The level of business written in a given period will vary significantly due to changes in market conditions and management’s assessment of the adequacy of premium rates. Catastrophe and individual risk contracts may provide exceptionally large limits of indemnification. The timing and magnitude of losses produces extraordinary volatility in periodic underwriting results of this business. Underwriting results for the first nine months of 2013 included an estimated loss of $26 million from floods in Europe. In the first nine months of 2012, there were no significant losses from catastrophe events. The first nine months’ underwriting results also included a gain of $16 million in 2013 and a loss of $45 million in 2012 from changes in estimates of prior years’ catastrophe loss reserves.

Retroactive reinsurance policies provide indemnification of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events, and related claims are generally expected to be paid over long periods of time. Premiums and limits of indemnification are often very large in amount. Substantially all of the premiums earned in the first nine months of 2013 were attributed to a single contract written in the first quarter covering workers’ compensation exposures that are expected to have a very long duration.

Underwriting results attributable to retroactive reinsurance include the recurring periodic amortization of deferred charges that are established with respect to these contracts. At the inception of a contract, deferred charges represent the difference between the premium received and the estimated ultimate losses payable. Deferred charges are subsequently amortized over the estimated claims payment period using the interest method, which reflects estimates of the timing and amount of loss payments. The original estimates of the timing and amount of loss payments are periodically analyzed against actual experience and revised based on an actuarial evaluation of the expected remaining losses. Amortization charges and deferred charge adjustments resulting from changes to the estimated timing and amount of future loss payments are included as a component of losses and loss adjustment expenses.

The underwriting losses from retroactive policies for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 primarily represented the amortization of deferred charges. In the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, the amortization charges were partially offset by reductions in unpaid loss estimates related to one large contract. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, unamortized deferred charges for retroactive contracts were approximately $4.1 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively. Gross unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $17.8 billion at September 30, 2013 compared to approximately $18.0 billion as of December 31, 2012.

In 2013, premiums earned from multi-line property/casualty business declined $402 million (30%) in the third quarter and $367 million (10%) for the first nine months compared to premiums earned in the comparable 2012 periods. As previously noted, the Swiss Re 20% quota-share contract expired on December 31, 2012. As a result, premiums earned in 2013 from that contract declined $560 million (66%) in the third quarter and $1,102 million (46%) for the first nine months compared with 2012. Premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 from multi-line business, other than from the Swiss Re quota-share contract, increased $158 million (32%) and $735 million (55%), respectively, over 2012, which was primarily attributable to increased property quota-share business.

In the third quarter, multi-line property/casualty generated pre-tax underwriting losses of $170 million in 2013 and $85 million in 2012. For the first nine months, this business generated underwriting gains of $666 million in 2013 and $311 million in 2012. Multi-line property/casualty underwriting results regularly include foreign currency transaction gains or losses associated with the changes in the valuation of certain reinsurance liabilities of U.S.-based subsidiaries (including liabilities arising under retroactive reinsurance contracts), which are denominated in foreign currencies.

In 2013, multi-line property/casualty underwriting results included foreign currency transaction losses of $186 million in the third quarter and foreign currency transaction gains of $31 million for the first nine months. In 2012, multi-line property and casualty underwriting results included foreign currency transaction losses of $118 million in the third quarter and $81 million in the first nine months. Multi-line property/casualty periodic underwriting results can be significantly impacted by the timing and magnitude of catastrophe losses. There were no significant catastrophe loss events in the first nine months of 2013 or 2012. For the first nine months of 2013, the Swiss Re quota-share contract contributed a net underwriting gain of $336 million, an increase of $91 million over 2012. The underwriting results attributable to the Swiss Re quota-share contract included gains of $219 million and $84 million in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, from reductions in estimated liabilities for prior years’ losses.

In 2013, life and annuity premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $340 million (46%) and $663 million (33%), respectively over premiums earned in the comparable 2012 periods. Premiums earned in the third quarter of 2013 included $470 million from one annuity reinsurance contract, which was partially offset by a decrease in life reinsurance premiums earned. In the first quarter of 2013, premiums of $1.7 billion were earned in connection with a new reinsurance contract

 

27


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

 

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) (Continued)

 

under which BHRG assumed certain guaranteed minimum death benefit coverages on a portfolio of variable annuity reinsurance contracts that have been in run-off for a number of years. Substantially all of the premiums expected under this contract were earned at the inception of the contract. In addition, in the first quarter of 2013, BHRG agreed to amend certain provisions of its reinsurance agreement with Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (“SRLHA”) covering yearly renewable life insurance business. The amendments essentially commuted coverage with respect to a number of the underlying contracts in exchange for payments to SRLHA of $675 million and also resulted in a reversal of previously recorded premiums of approximately $1.3 billion.

The life and annuity business produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $347 million in the first nine months of 2013 and underwriting losses of $173 million in the corresponding period in 2012. The underwriting gains in the first nine months of 2013 included a one-time pre-tax gain of $255 million attributable to the aforementioned amendments to the SRLHA contract as the reversal of premiums earned was more than offset by the reversal of life benefits incurred. This one-time underwriting gain of $255 million partially offset the significant underwriting losses incurred under this contract over the previous three years, including $57 million for the first nine months of 2012.

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group

The Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (“BH Primary”) consists of a wide variety of independently managed insurance businesses. These businesses include: Medical Protective Company and Princeton Insurance Company, providers of healthcare malpractice insurance coverages; National Indemnity Company’s primary group, writers of commercial motor vehicle and general liability coverages; U.S. Investment Corporation, whose subsidiaries underwrite specialty insurance coverages; a group of companies referred to internally as “Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies,” providers of commercial multi-line insurance, including workers’ compensation; Central States Indemnity Company, a provider of credit and disability insurance; Applied Underwriters, a provider of integrated workers’ compensation solutions; and BoatU.S., a writer of insurance for owners of boats and small watercraft. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we acquired GUARD Insurance Group (“GUARD”), a provider of workers’ compensation and complimentary commercial property and casualty insurance coverage to small and mid-sized businesses. In the second quarter of 2013, we formed Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance which concentrates on providing large scale capacity solutions for commercial property and casualty risks.

Premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 by BH Primary aggregated $867 million and $2,396 million, respectively, representing increases of $279 million (47%) and $765 million (47%), respectively, over 2012. The increases were primarily due to the inclusion of GUARD and increased volume from the Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, as well as from increased premium volume from several other primary group business units. For the first nine months, our primary insurers produced underwriting gains of $228 million in 2013 and $243 million in 2012.

Insurance—Investment Income

A summary of net investment income of our insurance operations follows. Amounts are in millions.

 

     Third Quarter      First Nine Months  
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Investment income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests

     $ 1,078        $ 976        $ 3,609        $ 3,421  

Income taxes and noncontrolling interests

     217        243        805        829  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

     $ 861        $ 733        $ 2,804        $ 2,592  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment income consists of interest and dividends earned on cash and investments of our insurance businesses. Pre-tax investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $102 million (10.5%) and $188 million (5.5%), respectively, compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2012. The increases in pre-tax investment income in 2013 were primarily attributable to increased dividends earned on equity investments. The increases reflected increased dividend rates for certain of our major equity holdings as well as increased overall investments in equity securities. Our investment income was somewhat greater in the second quarter of 2013 and 2012 than the first or third quarters of each year, as annual dividends were paid by certain foreign equity security issuers during the second quarter. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013, investment income will no longer include interest from the Wrigley 11.45% subordinated notes ($4.4 billion par), as a result of the repurchase of those notes. Accordingly, investment income will be negatively impacted in the future, given that alternative investment opportunities currently available will generate considerably lower yields. We continue to hold significant cash and cash equivalents balances earning near zero yields. However, our management believes that maintaining ample liquidity is paramount and strongly insists on safety over yield with respect to cash and cash equivalents.

 

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Item 2. Management’s 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 under insurance contracts or “float.” The major components of float are unpaid losses, life, annuity and health benefit liabilities, 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 approximated $77 billion at September 30, 2013 and $73 billion at December 31, 2012. In the first nine months of 2013, the cost of float, as represented by the ratio of our underwriting gain or loss to average float, was negative as our insurance group generated a net underwriting gain.

A summary of cash and investments held in our insurance businesses follows. As of September 30, 2013, other investments include investments in Wrigley, Dow Chemical and Bank of America as well as warrants to acquire common shares of Bank of America (See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). Amounts are in millions.

 

 

    September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 26,795        $ 26,458   

Equity securities

    104,369        86,080   

Fixed maturity securities

    27,061        29,984   

Other investments

    11,681        16,057   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 169,906        $ 158,579   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities as of September 30, 2013 were as follows. Amounts are in millions.

 

    Amortized 
cost
    Net
unrealized 
gains
    Fair
value
 

U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies

    $ 2,537        $ 15        $ 2,552   

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

    2,397        136        2,533   

Foreign governments

    8,957        146        9,103   

Corporate bonds, investment grade

    6,205        626        6,831   

Corporate bonds, non-investment grade

    3,033        1,160        4,193   

Mortgage-backed securities

    1,648        201        1,849   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 24,777        $ 2,284        $ 27,061   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

All U.S. government obligations are rated AA+ or Aaa by the major rating agencies and approximately 85% of all state, municipal and political subdivisions, foreign government obligations and mortgage-backed securities were rated AA or higher. Non-investment grade securities represent securities that are rated below BBB- or Baa3.

Railroad (“BNSF”)

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (“BNSF”) operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America with approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF’s major business groups are classified by product/commodity shipped and include consumer products, coal, industrial products and agricultural products. Earnings of BNSF are summarized below (in millions).

 

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Revenues

    $ 5,651        $ 5,343        $ 16,257       $ 15,407  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

       

Compensation and benefits

    1,197        1,149        3,464       3,344  

Fuel

    1,145        1,089        3,343       3,286  

Purchased services

    618        601        1,852       1,784  

Depreciation and amortization

    493        475        1,465       1,408  

Equipment rents

    205        204        608       605  

Materials and other

    256        160        747       617  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    3,914        3,678        11,479       11,044  

Interest expense

    181        157        536       460  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    4,095        3,835        12,015       11,504  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax earnings

    1,556        1,508        4,242       3,903  

Income taxes

    567        571        1,571       1,463  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

    $ 989        $ 937        $ 2,671       $ 2,440  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Railroad (“BNSF”) (Continued)

 

Revenues during the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were approximately $5.7 billion and $16.3 billion, respectively, representing increases of $308 million (5.8%) and $850 million (5.5%), respectively, over 2012. The overall year-to-date increase in revenues reflected a 4% increase in cars/units handled and a 1% increase in average revenue per car/unit, attributable to rates and business mix. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, BNSF generated higher revenues from industrial products, consumer products and coal, partially offset by lower revenues from agricultural products.

In 2013, industrial products revenues increased approximately 12% in the third quarter and 15% for the first nine months, driven by a 12% increase in year-to-date volume, reflecting significantly higher petroleum products volumes. In 2013, consumer products revenues increased approximately 6% for the third quarter and first nine months, primarily attributable to volume increases, which were due primarily to domestic intermodal volume increases. In 2013, coal revenues increased 5% in the third quarter and 3% for the first nine months, which were largely due to increased volume. The volume increases were primarily due to increased coal demand as a result of higher natural gas prices and reduced utility stockpiles, partially offset by the impacts of weather, including flooding on the rail network. In 2013, agricultural products revenues declined 5% in the third quarter and 7% for the first nine months due to volume declines. The volume declines were mainly attributable to lower grain exports as a result of the drought conditions in the U.S. in 2012 and strong global competition. Revenues (and revenues per car/unit) in each period include fuel surcharges to customers under programs intended to recover incremental fuel costs when fuel prices exceed threshold fuel prices. Surcharges vary by product/commodity, and therefore amounts earned in a given period are impacted by business mix and volume as well as fuel costs. Fuel surcharges increased by 4% in the first nine months of 2013 as compared to 2012.

Operating expenses in 2013 were $3.9 billion for the third quarter and $11.5 billion for the first nine months, representing increases of $236 million (6%) and $435 million (4%), respectively, over 2012. Compensation and benefits expenses increased $48 million (4%) and $120 million (4%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, over 2012, reflecting volume-related costs and inflation, partially offset by cost savings initiatives. Fuel expenses increased $56 million (5%) in the third quarter and $57 million (2%) in the first nine months of 2013. The increases were principally due to higher volume in 2013. Purchased services expenses increased 3% in the third quarter and 4% for the first nine months of 2013, due primarily to volume-related costs, including purchased transportation for BNSF Logistics LLC, a wholly-owned, third-party logistics business. In 2013, materials and other expenses increased $96 million (60%) and $130 million (21%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively. The increases were primarily due to reductions in accruals for environmental and personal injury costs in 2012 and to higher property taxes and material expenses in 2013.

Interest expense in 2013 increased $24 million (15%) in the third quarter and $76 million (17%) in the first nine months compared to 2012. The increases reflected higher average outstanding debt balances.

Utilities and Energy (“MidAmerican”)

We hold an 89.8% ownership interest in MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MidAmerican”), which operates an international energy business. MidAmerican’s domestic regulated energy interests are comprised of two regulated utility companies, PacifiCorp and MidAmerican Energy Company (“MEC”) and two interstate natural gas pipeline companies. In Great Britain, MidAmerican operates two regulated electricity distribution businesses, owned by Northern Powergrid Holdings Company (“Northern Powergrid”). The rates that our regulated businesses charge customers for energy and services are based in large part on the costs of business operations, including a return on capital, and are subject to regulatory approval. To the extent these operations are not allowed to include such costs in the approved rates, operating results will be adversely affected. In addition, MidAmerican also operates a diversified portfolio of independent power projects and the second-largest residential real estate brokerage firm and franchise network in the United States.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Utilities and Energy (“MidAmerican”) (Continued)

 

Revenues and earnings of MidAmerican are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    Revenues     Earnings     Revenues     Earnings  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2013     2012     2013     2012  

PacifiCorp

    $ 1,413       $ 1,344       $ 317       $ 307       $ 3,893       $ 3,721       $ 782       $ 695  

MidAmerican Energy Company

    837       836       97       109       2,535       2,431       186       209  

Natural gas pipelines

    197       209       54       51       701       706       265       261  

Northern Powergrid

    243       240       76       82       797       747       320       305  

Real estate brokerage

    558       378       56       31       1,352       986       128       65  

Other

    144       69       58       41       286       127       105       55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 3,392       $ 3,076           $ 9,564       $ 8,718      
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

     

Earnings before corporate interest and income taxes

  

      658       621           1,786       1,590  

Corporate interest

        72       79           212       241  

Income taxes

        49       47           272       188  

Noncontrolling interests

        65       57           157       132  
     

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Berkshire

        $ 472       $ 438           $ 1,145       $ 1,029  
     

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

PacifiCorp’s revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $69 million (5%) and $172 million (5%), respectively, over revenues in the same periods of 2012. The comparative increases were primarily due to higher retail revenues of $76 million for the third quarter and $225 million for the first nine months, partially offset by decreases in wholesale and other revenues. The increases in retail revenues reflected higher prices approved by regulators and, to a lesser degree, higher customer loads. The declines in wholesale and other revenues reflected lower renewable energy credit revenue and declines in wholesale volumes, partially offset by higher average wholesale prices. PacifiCorp’s earnings before corporate interest and taxes (“EBIT”) in 2013 increased $10 million (3%) in the third quarter and $87 million (13%) in the first nine months compared to the corresponding periods in 2012. The year-to-date increase in EBIT reflected increased revenues and lower other operating expenses, partially offset by higher energy costs and depreciation and amortization expense (due to increased plant in service). The decline in other operating expenses was primarily attributable to lower charges for certain litigation, fire and other damage claims and lower maintenance expenses in 2013.

MEC’s revenues in the third quarter of 2013 were essentially unchanged from 2012, while revenues for the first nine months of 2013 increased $104 million (4%) over 2012. Revenues in 2013 reflected higher regulated electric and natural gas revenues and lower nonregulated and other revenues. In the first nine months of 2013, regulated retail electric operating revenues increased $46 million, primarily due to rate adjustment clauses in Iowa and Illinois, and, to a lesser degree, increases in customer load and higher interim rates in Iowa. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, regulated natural gas revenues increased $11 million and $114 million, compared to 2012, due to increases in recoveries through adjustment clauses as a result of a higher average per-unit cost of gas sold and higher volumes. The increases in volumes reflected the comparatively colder weather conditions in the first half of 2013. Nonregulated and other operating revenues in 2013 declined $60 million for the first nine months compared to 2012 due to lower electricity volumes and prices, partially offset by higher natural gas prices and volumes. MEC’s EBIT declined $12 million (11%) in the third quarter and $23 million (11%) in the first nine months of 2013 compared to 2012. In the third quarter of 2013, the decline in EBIT was attributable to lower regulated gas and nonregulated and other operating earnings. In the first nine months of 2013, the decline in EBIT was due primarily to lower regulated electric operating earnings as increases in energy costs, depreciation and other operating expenses outpaced the increases in revenues, particularly in the second quarter.

In 2013, natural gas pipelines’ revenues declined $12 million in the third quarter and $5 million in the first nine months. The decline in third quarter revenues was due to contract expirations, lower storage revenue and lower transportation revenue. In the first nine months of 2013, EBIT of the natural gas pipelines reflected lower operating earnings, which was more than offset by a gain from a contract restructuring and lower interest expense.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Utilities and Energy (“MidAmerican”) (Continued)

 

Northern Powergrid’s revenues increased $3 million (1%) in the third quarter of 2013 and $50 million (7%) in the first nine months of 2013, compared to 2012. The increases were primarily due to higher distribution revenue, partially offset by the foreign currency translation effect of a stronger U.S. Dollar versus the U.K. Pound Sterling. EBIT of Northern Powergrid in the third quarter of 2013 declined $6 million (7%) from the third quarter of 2012, while EBIT for the first nine months of 2013 increased $15 million (5%) over 2012. In the first nine months of 2013, the increase in revenues was partially offset by higher distribution operating expenses, increased pension costs and higher depreciation expenses. EBIT in 2013 also included a $6 million loss from the write-off of hydrocarbon well exploration costs in the third quarter.

Real estate brokerage revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $180 million (48%) and $366 million (37%), respectively, over the same periods in 2012. In 2013, EBIT of the real estate brokerage business increased $25 million (81%) for the third quarter and $63 million (97%) for the first nine months as compared to the corresponding 2012 periods. The increase in revenues and EBIT was attributable to increases in closed brokerage transactions, higher average home prices and the impact of businesses acquired during 2012 and 2013. Other activities of MEHC include a portfolio of independent power projects. The increases in revenues and EBIT of MEHC’s other activities in 2013 were primarily attributable to additional solar and wind-powered electricity generation projects placed in service.

Income tax expense as percentages of pre-tax earnings for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 were 17% and 14%, respectively. In each year, MidAmerican’s utility subsidiaries generated significant production tax credits. In addition, pre-tax earnings of Northern Powergrid are taxed at lower rates in the U.K. and each year also benefitted from reductions of deferred income taxes as a result of lower enacted corporate income tax rates.

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing

A summary of revenues and earnings of our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    Revenues     Earnings     Revenues     Earnings  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Marmon

    $ 1,753       $ 1,795       $ 306       $ 293       $ 5,299        $ 5,451        $ 886        $ 869   

McLane Company

    11,547       9,534       126       130       33,707        26,611        372        305   

Other manufacturing

    7,512       6,776       1,046       921       21,909        20,277        2,838        2,738   

Other service

    2,235       2,041       269       253       6,649        6,019        802        719   

Retailing

    944       799       48       36       2,934        2,504        197        152   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 23,991       $ 20,945           $ 70,498        $ 60,862       
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

     

Pre-tax earnings

        1,795       1,633           5,095        4,783   

Income taxes

        604       564           1,788        1,671   

Noncontrolling interests

        29       78           127        242   
     

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 1,162       $ 991           $ 3,180        $ 2,870   
     

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Marmon

Through Marmon, we operate approximately 160 manufacturing and service businesses within eleven diverse business sectors that are further organized in three separate companies. Those companies and constituent sectors are:

 

Company

  

Sector

Marmon Engineered Industrial & Metal Components (“Engineered Components”)

  

Electrical & Plumbing Products, Distribution Services, Industrial Products

Marmon Natural Resources & Transportation Services (“Natural Resources”)

  

Transportation Services & Engineered Products, Engineered Wire & Cable, Crane Services

Marmon Retail & End User Technologies (“Retail Technologies”)

  

Highway Technologies, Water Treatment, Retail Store Fixtures, Food Service Equipment, Retail Home Improvement Products

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

 

Marmon (Continued)

 

Marmon’s consolidated revenues for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2013 were $1.8 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, representing decreases of $42 million (2%) and $152 million (3%), respectively, compared with the corresponding 2012 periods. Consolidated pre-tax earnings for the third quarter were $306 million, an increase of $13 million (4%) over 2012 and for the first nine months of 2013 were $886 million, an increase of $17 million (2%) over 2012. Pre-tax earnings in 2013 as percentages of revenues were 17.5% in the third quarter and 16.7% for the first nine months compared with 16.3% in the third quarter and 15.9% for the first nine months of 2012. Marmon’s business model (referred to internally as “80/20”) focuses on niche products/markets, product/service innovation, and improvement in operating efficiency and productivity. The revenues and earnings information in the following paragraphs is before intercompany eliminations and Marmon’s corporate unallocated expenses.

Engineered Components’ third quarter and first nine months of 2013 revenues were $593 million and $1,801 million, respectively, which represented declines of $15 million (2%) and $99 million (5%), respectively, as compared to 2012. The revenue declines were primarily due to reductions in volume and steel pricing in Distribution Services and lower copper prices in Electrical & Plumbing Products. Engineered Components’ pre-tax earnings were $51 million and $159 million during the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, representing declines of $3 million (7%) and $17 million (10%) from earnings in the comparable 2012 periods. The decline in pre-tax earnings for the first nine months of 2013 reflected reduced margins in the Distribution Services sector, which were attributable to lower sales volumes and steel price reductions. Electrical & Plumbing Products sector pre-tax earnings in the first nine months of 2013 increased slightly over 2012, despite lower revenues. Restructuring actions taken in 2012 and again in the first nine months of 2013 have provided the impetus for improved pre-tax earnings in this sector.

Natural Resources’ revenues were $638 million and $1,903 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, which represented declines of $22 million (3%) and $73 million (4%), respectively, compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2012. These declines reflected lower external tank car sales, unusually large prior year projects in the Transportation, Services & Engineered Products and the Engineered Wire & Cable sectors and lower demand from key customers in the Engineered Wire & Cable sector, partially offset by an increase in leasing revenue attributable to higher lease rates and new tank car fleet additions. Natural Resources’ pre-tax earnings were $189 million and $530 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, slightly higher than earnings in the corresponding prior year periods. Earnings in 2013 reflected higher rail leasing rates, new tank car fleet additions, higher margins on specialty and utility cable products and reduced interest expense due to lower debt levels, substantially offset by higher railroad repair costs and the fact that earnings in 2012 benefitted from unusually large projects.

Retail Technologies’ revenues were $551 million and $1,682 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, which represented a decrease of $6 million (1%) and an increase of $23 million (1%) as compared to 2012 periods. The third quarter revenue decrease is primarily the result of the Retail Home Improvement Products sector’s application of the 80/20 model, which led to reduced exposure to lower margin products. In 2013, the year-to-date revenue increase reflects growth in Highway Technologies’ automotive clutch and heavy duty truck axle products, a significant store fixture display product rollout for a key customer as well as rebounding demand from the largest customer in the Retail Store Fixtures sector and growth in the Water Treatment sector primarily driven by growth in residential products. Retail Technologies’ pre-tax earnings in 2013 were $75 million in the third quarter and $222 million for the first nine months, which represented increases of $12 million (19%) and $24 million (12%), respectively, over the comparable 2012 periods. The pre-tax earnings increases were primarily due to revenue growth in the Highway Technologies, Retail Store Fixtures and Water Treatment sectors, as well as favorable mix and cost savings related to 2012 restructuring actions taken in the Retail Store Fixtures sector.

McLane Company

Through McLane, we operate a wholesale distribution business that provides grocery and non-food products to retailers, convenience stores and restaurants. Through its subsidiaries, McLane also operates as a wholesale distributor of distilled spirits, wine and beer. On August 24, 2012, McLane acquired Meadowbrook Meat Company, Inc. (“MBM”). MBM, based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is a large customized foodservice distributor for national restaurant chains with annual revenues of approximately $6 billion. MBM’s revenues and earnings are included in McLane’s results beginning as of the acquisition date. McLane’s grocery and foodservice businesses are marked by high sales volume and very low profit margins and have several significant customers, including Wal-Mart, 7-Eleven and Yum! Brands. A curtailment of purchasing by Wal-Mart or another of its significant customers could have a material adverse impact on McLane’s periodic revenues and earnings.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

 

McLane Company (Continued)

 

McLane’s revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were approximately $11.5 billion and $33.7 billion, respectively, representing increases of approximately $2.0 billion (21%) and $7.1 billion (27%), respectively, over revenues in comparable 2012 periods. The increases in revenues in 2013 periods reflected the inclusion of MBM, as well as year-to-date revenue increases ranging from 9% to 13% in the grocery, other foodservice and beverage businesses, which were primarily related to new customers at each of the businesses. McLane’s pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2013 declined $4 million (3%) compared to 2012, while earnings for the first nine months of 2013 increased $67 million (22%) over the comparable 2012 period. The increase in year-to-date pre-tax earnings reflected increased revenues, partially offset by slightly lower overall net operating margins, the inclusion of MBM and from a second quarter gain from the sale of McLane’s Brazil-based logistics business.

Other manufacturing

Our other manufacturing businesses include several manufacturers of building products (Acme Building Brands, Benjamin Moore, Johns Manville, Shaw and MiTek) and apparel (led by Fruit of the Loom which includes Russell athletic apparel and Vanity Fair Brands women’s intimate apparel). Also included in this group are Lubrizol Corporation (“Lubrizol”), a specialty chemical manufacturer that we acquired in 2011, IMC International Metalworking Companies (“Iscar”), an industry leader in the metal cutting tools business with operations worldwide, Forest River, a leading manufacturer of leisure vehicles and CTB, a manufacturer of equipment and systems for the livestock and agricultural industries.

Other manufacturing revenues in the third quarter of 2013 increased $736 million (11%) to $7.5 billion, while revenues for the first nine months of 2013 increased $1.6 billion (8%) to $21.9 billion compared with revenues in the corresponding 2012 periods. Over the first nine months of 2013, Forest River generated a 24% increase in revenues over 2012 due to increased volume and average sales prices. Revenues in 2013 also included the impact of bolt-on business acquisitions in 2012 and 2013 and revenue increases from our building products businesses (10% for the third quarter and 7% for the first nine months).

Pre-tax earnings of our other manufacturing businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were $1,046 million and $2,838 million, respectively, representing increases of $125 million (14%) and $100 million (4%), respectively, versus the corresponding 2012 periods. Forest River and our building products businesses as a whole generated higher earnings in 2013 periods. In addition, bolt-on acquisitions in 2012 and 2013 contributed to the increased earnings in 2013. In the third quarter of 2013, our apparel business generated a 15% increase in pre-tax earnings over 2012, while pre-tax earnings in the first nine months of 2013 were essentially unchanged versus 2012. Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2013 of Iscar and Lubrizol increased 5% in the aggregate versus 2012, while pre-tax earnings for the first nine months of 2013 decreased 4% from 2012.

Other service

Our other service businesses include NetJets, the world’s leading provider of fractional ownership programs for general aviation aircraft and FlightSafety, a provider of high technology training to operators of aircraft. Among the other businesses included in this group are: TTI, a leading electronic components distributor; Business Wire, a leading distributor of corporate news, multimedia and regulatory filings; Dairy Queen, which licenses and services a system of over 6,200 stores that offer prepared dairy treats and food; the Buffalo News; the BH Media Group (“BH Media”), which currently includes the Omaha World-Herald, as well as 29 other daily newspapers and numerous other publications; and businesses that provide management and other services to insurance companies.

Revenues of our other service businesses in 2013 were $2,235 million in the third quarter and $6,649 million in the first nine months, representing increases of $194 million (9.5%) and $630 million (10.5%), respectively, over revenues in the corresponding 2012 periods. The year-to-date increases in revenues were driven by increased sales of fractional aircraft shares at NetJets, the impact of business acquisitions in 2012 and 2013 with respect to BH Media and increased sales by TTI.

Pre-tax earnings of $269 million in the third quarter and $802 million in the first nine months of 2013 increased $16 million (6%) and $83 million (11.5%), respectively, compared to the corresponding 2012 periods. The increases in earnings for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were primarily attributable to BH Media, FlightSafety and TTI. The increased earnings of BH Media were attributed to bolt-on acquisitions in 2012 and 2013. TTI’s earnings in the third quarter of 2013 increased 19%, due to higher sales and changes in product mix. TTI continues to be impacted by price competition, which pressures overall gross sales margins. The increases in earnings in 2013 at FlightSafety reflected increased training revenues and relatively unchanged operating expenses. During the third quarter of 2013, NetJets recorded higher impairment charges for writedowns of aircraft values which resulted in lower earnings compared to the third quarter of 2012. For the first nine months of 2013, NetJets’ earnings increased 4% as improved flight operations margins, fractional sales margins and reduced net financing costs more than offset the increase in comparative third quarter aircraft value impairment charges.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

 

Retailing

Our retailing operations consist of four home furnishings businesses (Nebraska Furniture Mart, R.C. Willey, Star Furniture and Jordan’s), three jewelry businesses (Borsheims, Helzberg and Ben Bridge), See’s Candies, Pampered Chef, a direct seller of high quality kitchen tools and Oriental Trading Company (“OTC”), a direct retailer of party supplies, school supplies and toys and novelties, which we acquired on November 27, 2012. Revenues of our retailing businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased 18% and 17%, respectively, over the third quarter and first nine months of 2012. Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 of these businesses increased $12 million (33%) and $45 million (30%), respectively, as compared to earnings in the comparable periods in 2012. The comparative increases in revenues and earnings were primarily attributable to the inclusion of OTC and improved comparative results of the home furnishings and jewelry business groups.

Finance and Financial Products

Our finance and financial products businesses include manufactured housing and finance (Clayton Homes), transportation equipment leasing (XTRA), furniture leasing (CORT) as well as various miscellaneous financing activities. A summary of earnings from our finance and financial products businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.

 

 

    Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Manufactured housing and finance

    $  119        $ 55        $ 293       $ 159   

Furniture/transportation equipment leasing

    44        39        120       100   

Other

    90        81        218       268   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax earnings

    253        175        631       527   

Income taxes

    93        67        227       195   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $  160        $  108        $  404       $  332   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Clayton Homes’ pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 increased $64 million (116%) and $134 million (84%), respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2012. In 2013, Clayton Homes’ earnings benefitted from lower loan loss provisions and an increase in net interest income, as lower interest expense more than offset reductions in interest income on loan portfolios. In addition, Clayton Homes’ results in 2013 were favorably impacted by a year-to-date 9% increase in units sold. Clayton Homes’ manufactured housing business continues to operate at a competitive disadvantage compared to traditional single family housing markets, which receive significant interest rate subsidies from the U.S. government through government agency insured mortgages. For the most part, these subsidies are not available to factory built homes. Nevertheless, Clayton Homes remains the largest manufactured housing business in the United States and we believe that it will continue to operate profitably, even under the prevailing conditions.

In the first nine months of 2013, pre-tax earnings of CORT and XTRA increased $20 million (20%) versus 2012. The increase reflected increased lease revenues and earnings of XTRA, which benefitted from increases in working units and average rental rates, relatively stable operating expenses and a foreign currency related gain in the second quarter of 2013.

Other earnings in 2013 and 2012 include interest and dividends from a portfolio of fixed maturity and equity investments and our share of the earnings of a commercial mortgage servicing business in which we own a 50% interest. In addition, other earnings includes income from interest rate spreads charged to Clayton Homes on borrowings by a Berkshire financing subsidiary that are used to fund loans to Clayton Homes and guaranty fees charged to NetJets. Corresponding expenses are included in Clayton Homes’ and NetJets’ results. Guaranty fees charged to NetJets for the first nine months were $10 million in 2013 and $26 million in 2012 and interest spreads charged to Clayton Homes for the first nine months were $61 million in 2013 and $70 million in 2012. In 2012, other earnings also included interest income from a relatively small number of long-held commercial real estate loans, which were repaid in full during the third and fourth quarters of 2012.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses

A summary of investment and derivative gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments follows. Amounts are in millions.

 

     Third Quarter     First Nine Months  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Investment gains/losses

     $ 1,857       $ 917       $ 2,939       $ 1,273  

Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments

     (143 )     —         (228 )     (337 )

Derivative gains/losses

     427       (118 )     2,094       (184 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gains/losses before income taxes and noncontrolling interests

     2,141       799       4,805       752  

Income taxes and noncontrolling interests

     750       278       1,682       263  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net gains/losses

     $ 1,391       $ 521       $ 3,123       $ 489  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pre-tax investment gains/losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 were $1,857 million and $2,939 million, respectively, representing increases of $940 million and $1,666 million over the corresponding 2012 periods. Investment gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 included approximately $1.4 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, related to our investments in General Electric and Goldman Sachs common stock warrants and Wrigley subordinated notes. Beginning in 2013, the unrealized gains or losses associated with the warrants are included in earnings. During October, the warrants were exercised on a cashless basis in exchange for shares of General Electric and Goldman Sachs common stock with an aggregate value of approximately $2.4 billion.

Investment gains/losses arise primarily from the sale or redemption of investments or when investments are carried at fair value with the periodic changes in fair values recorded in earnings. The timing of investment gains or losses can have a material effect on periodic earnings. Investment gains and losses usually have a minimal impact on the periodic changes in our consolidated shareholders’ equity since most of our investments are regularly recorded at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

We believe the amount of investment gains/losses included in earnings in any given period typically has little analytical or predictive value. Our decisions to sell securities are not motivated by the impact that the resulting gains or losses will have on our reported earnings. Although our management does not consider investment gains and losses in a given period as necessarily meaningful or useful in evaluating periodic earnings, we are providing information to explain the nature of such gains and losses when they are reflected in earnings.

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses in 2013 and 2012 were related to our investments in Texas Competitive Electric Holdings bonds. As of September 30, 2013, gross unrealized losses on our investments in equity and fixed maturity securities (determined on an individual purchase lot basis) were relatively insignificant. Although we have periodically recorded OTTI losses in earnings in the past, we continue to hold positions in certain of the related securities. In cases where the market values of these investments have increased since the dates the OTTI losses were recorded in earnings, these increases are not reflected in earnings but are instead included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. When recorded, OTTI losses have no impact whatsoever on the asset values otherwise recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets or on our consolidated shareholders’ equity. In addition, the recognition of such losses in earnings rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income does not necessarily indicate that sales are imminent or planned and sales ultimately may not occur for a number of years. Furthermore, the recognition of OTTI losses does not necessarily indicate that the loss in value of the security is permanent or that the market price of the security will not subsequently increase to and ultimately exceed our original cost.

In 2013, our derivative contracts generated pre-tax gains of $427 million in the third quarter and $2,094 million in the first nine months. In 2013, our equity index put option contracts produced pre-tax gains of $519 million in the third quarter and $2,155 million for the first nine months, reflecting overall higher equity index values, favorable currency movements and modestly higher interest rate assumptions. Our credit default contracts generated pre-tax losses of $128 million and $43 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, due primarily to increases in estimated liabilities related to municipality/state issues. Our remaining credit default contract exposures associated with corporate issuers expire in December 2013 and we believe our remaining risks are insignificant. Thereafter, our credit default derivative contract exposures will be limited to municipality/state issues.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses (Continued)

 

In 2012, our derivative contracts generated pre-tax losses of $118 million in the third quarter and $184 million in the first nine months. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, our equity index put option contracts produced losses of $534 million and $1,018 million, respectively, which were due to lower interest rate assumptions, partially offset by increased index values. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, we recognized gains of $316 million and $827 million on credit default contracts, respectively. Such gains were attributable to narrower spreads and the passage of time (reduced time exposure), as well as from terminations of certain contracts in the third quarter.

Financial Condition

Our balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and a strong capital base. Our consolidated shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2013 was $208.4 billion, an increase of $20.7 billion since the beginning of the year. Our consolidated shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2013 is net of a reduction of approximately $1.2 billion as a result of acquisitions of noncontrolling interests as discussed below and in Note 18 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated cash and investments of our insurance and other businesses approximated $192.8 billion at September 30, 2013, including cash and cash equivalents of $35.3 billion. As of September 30, 2013, our insurance subsidiaries held approximately $169.9 billion of invested assets. During the second quarter of 2013, we used cash of approximately $14.5 billion in the aggregate to fund Berkshire’s investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”) and to acquire certain noncontrolling interests in our subsidiaries. On June 7, 2013, we invested $12.25 billion in Heinz Holding which acquired H.J. Heinz Company. Our investments in Heinz Holding consist of common stock, common stock warrants and preferred stock. Berkshire currently holds 50% of the voting interests in Heinz Holding. On October 1, 2013, we received cash of approximately $5.1 billion in connection with Mars/Wrigley’s repurchase of our investment in Wrigley subordinated notes.

In January 2013, Berkshire issued $2.6 billion of parent company senior unsecured notes with maturities ranging from 2016 to 2043. The proceeds were used to fund the repayment of $2.6 billion of notes that matured in February 2013.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, Berkshire acquired 10% of the outstanding shares of Marmon held by noncontrolling interests for aggregate consideration of approximately $1.4 billion, of which approximately $800 million was paid in the fourth quarter, with the remainder paid in March 2013. On June 28, 2013, Berkshire acquired additional noncontrolling interests in Marmon for approximately $238 million. Substantially all of the remaining noncontrolling interests in Marmon will be acquired in the first quarter of 2014. On April 29, 2013, we acquired the remaining noncontrolling interests of IMC International Metalworking Companies B.V., the parent company of Iscar for consideration of $2.05 billion.

Our Board of Directors has authorized Berkshire to repurchase its Class A and Class B common shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares. Berkshire may repurchase shares at management’s discretion. The repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely, but does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B common shares. Repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash and cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. Financial strength and redundant liquidity will always be of paramount importance at Berkshire. There were no share repurchases during the first nine months of 2013.

Our railroad, utilities and energy businesses (conducted by BNSF and MidAmerican) maintain very large investments in capital assets (property, plant and equipment) and will regularly make capital expenditures in the normal course of business. In the first nine months of 2013, aggregate capital expenditures of these businesses were $5.7 billion, including $2.9 billion by MidAmerican and $2.8 billion by BNSF. Aggregate capital expenditures by BNSF and MidAmerican of approximately $3.0 billion are forecasted over the remainder of 2013. Future capital expenditures are expected to be funded by cash flows from operations and debt issuances. In the first nine months of 2013, BNSF issued $3.0 billion in new debentures consisting of $1.5 billion of debentures due in 2023 and $1.5 billion of debentures due in 2043. BNSF’s outstanding debt was approximately $17.1 billion as of September 30, 2013. In the first nine months of 2013, MidAmerican and its subsidiaries issued new term debt of approximately $2.5 billion and repaid borrowings of approximately $1.4 billion and its aggregate outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2013 were approximately $23.0 billion. BNSF and MidAmerican have aggregate debt and capital lease maturities over the remainder of 2013 of about $760 million. Berkshire has committed until February 28, 2014 to provide up to $2 billion of additional capital to MidAmerican to permit the repayment of its debt obligations or to fund its regulated utility subsidiaries. Berkshire does not guarantee the repayment of debt issued by BNSF, MidAmerican or any of their subsidiaries.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Financial Condition (Continued)

 

On May 29, 2013, MidAmerican announced that it would acquire NV Energy, Inc. (“NV Energy”), an energy holding company serving approximately 1.3 million electric and natural gas customers in Nevada. Under the terms of the agreement, MidAmerican will purchase all outstanding shares of NV Energy’s common stock for $23.75 per share in cash, or approximately $5.6 billion in the aggregate. It is currently anticipated that the purchase price will be funded through a combination of cash provided by MidAmerican’s shareholders ($3.6 billion, of which Berkshire currently expects to provide approximately $3.5 billion) and the issuance by MidAmerican of senior unsecured debt. The NV Energy acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the transaction by NV Energy’s shareholders, which was granted on September 25, 2013, and the receipt of required state and federal approvals. On October 16, 2013, Marmon announced it would acquire the beverage dispensing and merchandising operations of British engineering company IMI plc for approximately 690 million Euros ($1.1 billion), subject to certain adjustments for the amounts of working capital, cash and debt at the closing date. Both of the acquisitions are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

Assets of the finance and financial products businesses, which consisted primarily of loans and finance receivables, cash and cash equivalents, fixed maturity investments and equity investments, were approximately $25.8 billion and $25.4 billion as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Liabilities were $19.7 billion as of September 30, 2013 and $22.1 billion as of December 31, 2012. As of September 30, 2013, notes payable and other borrowings of finance and financial products businesses were $12.7 billion and included approximately $11.2 billion of notes issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”). Over the first nine months of 2013, BHFC issued $2.5 billion aggregate of new senior notes and repaid $2.5 billion of maturing senior notes. In October 2013, an additional $950 million of BHFC debt matured and was refinanced with a corresponding amount of new debt. We currently intend to issue additional new debt through BHFC to replace some or all of its upcoming debt maturities. The proceeds from the BHFC notes are used to finance originated loans and acquired loans of Clayton Homes. The full and timely payment of principal and interest on the BHFC notes is guaranteed by Berkshire.

As described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are party to several equity index put option and credit default contracts. With limited exception, these contracts contain no collateral posting requirements under any circumstances, including changes in either the fair value or intrinsic value of the contracts or a downgrade in Berkshire’s credit ratings. Substantially all of these contracts were entered into prior to December 31, 2008. At September 30, 2013, the net liabilities recorded for such contracts were approximately $5.8 billion and we had no collateral posting requirements.

We regularly access the credit markets, particularly through our railroad, utilities and energy and finance and financial products businesses. Restricted access to credit markets at affordable rates in the future could have a significant negative impact on our operations.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law financial regulatory reform legislation, known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Reform Act”). The Reform Act reshapes financial regulations in the United States by creating new regulators, regulating new markets and market participants and providing new enforcement powers to regulators. Virtually all major areas of the Reform Act are subject to extensive rulemaking proceedings being conducted both jointly and independently by multiple regulatory agencies, some of which have been completed and others that are expected to be finalized during the next several months. Although the Reform Act may adversely affect some of our business activities, it is not currently expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial results or financial condition.

Contractual Obligations

We are party to contracts associated with ongoing business and financing activities, which will result in cash payments to counterparties in future periods. Certain obligations reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, such as notes payable, require future payments on contractually specified dates and in fixed and determinable amounts. The timing and/or amount of the payment of other obligations, such as losses arising from unpaid property and casualty loss insurance contracts and credit default and equity index put option derivatives contracts, are contingent upon the outcome of future events. Actual payments will likely vary, perhaps significantly, from the liability estimates currently recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 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. Our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013 were, in the aggregate, not materially different from those disclosed in the “Contractual Obligations” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Reference is also made to Notes 14 and 18 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Critical Accounting Policies

Certain accounting policies require us to make estimates and judgments regarding transactions that have occurred and ultimately will be settled several years in the future or concerning the recoverability of assets. 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. Reference is made to “Critical Accounting Policies” discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for additional discussion regarding these estimates.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 includes estimated liabilities for unpaid losses from property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts of $64.8 billion. Due to the inherent uncertainties in the process of establishing loss reserve amounts, the actual ultimate claim amounts will likely differ from the currently recorded amounts. A small percentage change in estimates of this magnitude may result in a material effect on reported earnings. The effects from changes in these estimates are recorded as a component of losses incurred in the period of the change.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 includes goodwill of acquired businesses of $54.7 billion. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually and conducted our most recent annual review during the fourth quarter of 2012. Although we believe that the goodwill reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 is not impaired, goodwill may subsequently become impaired as a result of changes in facts and circumstances affecting the valuation of the reporting unit. A goodwill impairment charge could have a material effect on periodic net earnings.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include significant amounts of derivative contract liabilities that are measured at fair value. As of September 30, 2013, our most significant derivative contract exposures relate to equity index put option contracts written between 2004 and 2008. These contracts were entered into in over-the-counter markets and certain elements in the terms and conditions of such contracts are not standard. In particular, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts. Furthermore, there is no source of independent data available to us showing trading volume and actual prices of completed transactions. As a result, the values of these liabilities are based on valuation models that are believed to be used by market participants. Such models or other valuation techniques may use inputs that are observable in the marketplace, while others are unobservable. Unobservable inputs require us to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in establishing prices. Changes in assumptions may have a significant effect on values.

Information concerning new accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the accompanying 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 or its subsidiaries 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 and its subsidiaries, economic and market factors and the industries in which we do business, among other things. These statements are not guaranties of future performance and we have no specific intention to update these statements.

Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal important risk factors that could cause our 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 our investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, losses realized from derivative contracts, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events, such as an earthquake, hurricane or act of terrorism that causes losses insured by our insurance subsidiaries, changes in laws or regulations affecting our insurance, railroad, utilities and energy and finance subsidiaries, 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 we do business.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Reference is made to Berkshire’s most recently issued Annual Report and in particular the “Market Risk Disclosures” included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” As of September 30, 2013, there were no material changes in the types or nature of the market risks described in Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

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 Corporation’s management, including the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Senior Vice President (Chief Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Senior Vice President (Chief Financial Officer) concluded that the Corporation’s 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 Corporation’s periodic SEC filings. During the quarter, there have been no significant changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect internal control over financial reporting.

Part II Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Berkshire and its subsidiaries are party in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our 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. We do not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our significant business risks are described in Item 1A to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 to which reference is made herein.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

In 2011, Berkshire’s Board of Directors (“Berkshire’s Board”) approved a common stock repurchase program. Under the program, as amended in December 2012, Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares. Berkshire may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Berkshire’s Board authorization does not specify a maximum number of shares to be purchased. However, repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. The repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely and the amount of purchases will depend entirely upon the level of cash available, the attractiveness of investment and business opportunities either at hand or on the horizon, and the degree of discount of the market price from management’s estimate of intrinsic value. The repurchase program does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares. There were no share repurchases in the first nine months of 2013.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Information regarding the Company’s mine safety violations and other legal matters disclosed in accordance with Section  1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Reform Act is included in Exhibit 95 to this Form 10-Q.

Item 5. Other Information

None

 

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Part II Other Information (Continued)

 

Item 6. Exhibits

a. Exhibits

 

12    Calculation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Consolidated Fixed Charges
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
95    Mine Safety Disclosures
101   

The following financial information from Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and detail.

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: November 1, 2013    

/S/ MARC D. HAMBURG

   

(Signature)

Marc D. Hamburg,

Senior Vice President and

Principal Financial Officer

 

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