BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
1
INTERIM REPORT
For the Quarter
Ended March 31, 1996
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
March 31, December 31,
ASSETS 1996 1995
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 1,438.6 $ 2,703.8
Investments:
Securities with fixed maturities . . . . . . . . . . . 5,664.5 1,423.2
Equity securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,704.4 21,017.6
Receivables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,481.3 718.9
Assets of finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863.6 756.7
Goodwill of acquired businesses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,275.1 672.0
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,681.6 1,419.2
---------- ----------
$ 35,109.1 $ 28,711.4
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. . . . . . . . . . .$ 6,031.1 $ 3,698.6
Unearned premiums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,487.9 374.1
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities . . . . 1,440.4 1,039.1
Income taxes, principally deferred . . . . . . . . . . . 5,565.5 4,849.5
Borrowings under investment agreements and other debt. . 1,436.7 1,061.7
Liabilities of finance businesses. . . . . . . . . . . . 752.6 685.2
---------- ----------
16,714.2 11,708.2
---------- ----------
Minority shareholders' interests . . . . . . . . . . . . 276.9 264.5
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock - par value of 1,381,308 issued shares. . 6.9 6.9
Capital in excess of par value . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,001.7 1,001.7
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net. . . . . . 8,931.3 9,220.7
Retained earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,212.8 6,544.1
---------- ----------
18,152.7 16,773.4
Less: Cost of 187,796 common shares in treasury. . . . 34.7 34.7
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity. . . . . . . . . . . . 18,118.0 16,738.7
---------- ----------
$ 35,109.1 $ 28,711.4
========== ==========
See accompanying Notes
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
First Quarter
------------------------
1996 1995
Revenues: ---------- ----------
Insurance premiums earned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 921.9 $ 231.4
Sales and service revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700.1 571.7
Interest, dividend and other investment income . . . . 172.2 141.9
Income from finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 6.3
Realized investment gain (loss). . . . . . . . . . . . 2,339.7 (7.3)
---------- ----------
4,139.7 944.0
---------- ----------
Cost and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses. . . . . 737.9 182.9
Insurance underwriting expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . 161.5 57.7
Cost of products and services sold . . . . . . . . . . 431.5 359.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . 210.9 151.7
Goodwill amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.1 3.2
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.3 13.2
---------- ----------
1,583.2 768.1
---------- ----------
Earnings before income taxes and minority interest . . . 2,556.5 175.9
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 878.1 33.4
Minority interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.7 3.3
---------- ----------
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 1,668.7 $ 139.2
========== ==========
Average shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,193,512 1,177,750
Net earnings per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,398 $118
See accompanying Notes
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
First Quarter
----------------------
1996 1995
--------- ---------
Net cash flows from operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 347.7 $ 314.8
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,077.0) (1,031.7)
Proceeds on sales and maturities of investments . . . . . . . . 1,512.2 703.2
Loans and investments originated in finance businesses. . . . . (211.5) (94.2)
Principal collections on loans and investments originated
in finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98.1 77.1
Acquisition of business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,946.2) -0-
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8.2) (0.7)
--------- ---------
Net cash flows from investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,632.6) (346.3)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses. . . . . . . . . 88.1 25.1
Proceeds from other borrowings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310.5 261.3
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses. . . . . . . . . (54.2) (72.2)
Repayments of other borrowings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (344.7) (303.6)
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0.2) (0.5)
--------- ---------
Net cash flows from financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0.5) (89.9)
--------- ---------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,285.4) (121.4)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year*. . . . . . . . . . . 2,744.5 289.9
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter* . . . . . . . . .$ 1,459.1 $ 168.5
========= =========
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 54.7 $ 35.4
Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.9 22.7
Non-cash investing activity:
Liabilities assumed in connection with acquisition of business. . 3,901.5 -0-
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following:
Beginning of year
Finance businesses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 40.7 $ 16.0
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,703.8 273.9
--------- ---------
$ 2,744.5 $ 289.9
========= =========
End of first quarter
Finance businesses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 20.5 $ 23.3
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,438.6 145.2
--------- ---------
$ 1,459.1 $ 168.5
========= =========
See accompanying Notes
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 1996
Note 1. General
As more fully discussed in Note 2, on January 2, 1996, GEICO Corporation ("GEICO") became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire" or "Company"). Consequently, the Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996 and the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the first quarter of 1996
include the accounts of GEICO. Prior to January 2, 1996, Berkshire owned approximately 50% of the outstanding
common stock of GEICO. Previously the investment in GEICO common stock had been classified as an available-
for-sale security and was carried in Berkshire's Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value.
Generally accepted accounting principles currently require that prior year financial statements be restated when
control of a business is obtained on a "step-by-step" basis. Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
as of December 31, 1995 and the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the first quarter of 1995 have been
restated to account for Berkshire's previous investment in GEICO common stock under the equity method.
Berkshire's proportionate share of GEICO's net income reduced by amortization of related goodwill is included in the
1995 Consolidated Statement of Earnings as a component of interest, dividends and other investment income. The
effect of the restatement was to decrease shareholders' equity as of December 31, 1995 by about $478 million from
the amount previously reported.
Reference is made to Berkshire's most recently issued Annual Report that included information necessary or
useful to understanding of Berkshire's businesses and financial statement presentations. In particular, Berkshire's
significant accounting policies and practices were presented as Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included in that Report.
Financial information in this Report reflects any adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim periods in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
For a number of reasons, Berkshire's results for interim periods are not normally indicative of results to be
expected for the year. Most significantly, 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 amount and timing of realized securities gains or losses cause significant variations in
periodic net earnings.
Note 2. Business acquisitions
On January 2, 1996, GEICO became a wholly-owned subsidiary as a result of the merger of an indirect wholly-
owned subsidiary of Berkshire with and into GEICO. The date of January 2, 1996 is hereafter referred to as the
"Merger Date". GEICO, through its subsidiaries, is a multiple line property and casualty insurer, the principal
business of which is underwriting private passenger automobile insurance.
The merger was consummated pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") dated August
25, 1995. Pursuant to the Agreement, each issued and outstanding common share of GEICO was converted into
the right to receive $70 per share, or an aggregate amount of $2.3 billion (the "Merger Consideration"). The amount
of Merger Consideration was based upon 33,284,733 outstanding shares held by the public on the Merger Date.
As of the Merger Date, subsidiaries of Berkshire owned 34,250,000 common shares of GEICO, which were
acquired in years prior to 1981 at an aggregate cost of $45.7 million. Up to the Merger Date, neither Berkshire nor
its subsidiaries had acquired any shares of GEICO common stock since 1980. However, Berkshire's ownership
percentage, due to intervening stock repurchases by GEICO, gradually increased from about 33% in 1980 to almost
51% immediately prior to the Merger Date.
The merger has been accounted for by the purchase method. The excess of the purchase cost over the fair
value of net assets acquired at the Merger Date is recorded as goodwill of acquired businesses and will subsequently
be amortized over 40 years. The following sets forth certain consolidated earnings statement information on a pro
forma basis for the first quarter of 1995 as if the GEICO merger had been consummated, on the same terms, at the
beginning of that year. Dollars are in millions, except per share amounts.
Insurance premiums earned . . . . . . . .$ 890.4
Total revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,601.0
Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139.4
Earnings per share. . . . . . . . . . . . 118
During 1995, the Company consummated mergers with Helzberg's Diamond Shops, Inc. ("Helzberg's") and
R.C. Willey Home Furnishings ("R.C. Willey") by reissuing 15,762 shares of its common stock held in treasury in
exchange for 100% of the common stock of each of these companies. Helzberg's consists of a chain of 173 jewelry
stores operating in 28 states and R.C. Willey, through its seven locations, is the dominant retailer of home furnishings
in Utah.
Each of these mergers was accounted for by the purchase method and, accordingly, the operating results
of these businesses are included in the Company's consolidated results of operations from the effective dates of the
mergers (Helzberg's April 30, 1995; R.C. Willey June 29, 1995). Had the results of these businesses been
included commencing with operations at the beginning of 1995, the reported results would not have been materially
affected.
Note 3. Recapitalization
On May 6, 1996, Berkshire shareholders approved a recapitalization plan which creates a new class of
common stock, designated as Class B Common Stock. In connection therewith, Berkshire's existing common stock
was redesignated as Class A Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock is convertible, at the option
of the holder, into thirty shares of Class B Common Stock.
On May 8, 1996, Berkshire completed its previously announced public offering of 450,000 shares (517,500
shares if Salomon Brothers, Inc, the underwriter of the offering, exercises its over-allotment option in full) of Class
B Common Stock. Berkshire will receive proceeds from the offering of approximately $492.0 million ($565.8 million
if Salomon Brothers, Inc exercises its over-allotment option in full). The Company expects that, in time, it will use
the net proceeds for acquisitions of businesses, for augmenting the capital of its insurance subsidiaries, or for other
general corporate purposes. At this time, Berkshire has no immediate or specific plan for the use of the net
proceeds from the offering.
Note 4. Investments in securities with fixed maturities
Data with respect to investments in securities with fixed maturities (other than securities with fixed maturities
held by finance businesses-- See Note 7) are shown in the tabulation below (in millions).
March 31, December 31,
1996 1995
-------- --------
Amortized cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,465.4 $1,248.1
Gross unrealized gains. . . . . . . . . . . 218.6 178.7
Gross unrealized losses . . . . . . . . . . (19.5) (3.6)
-------- --------
Estimated fair value. . . . . . . . . . . . $5,664.5 $1,423.2
======== ========
Note 5. Investments in equity securities
Data with respect to investments in equity securities are shown in the tabulation below (in millions).
March 31, December 31,
1996 1995
---------- ----------
Total cost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,019.5 $ 7,176.2
Gross unrealized gains. . . . . . . . . . . 13,770.6 13,933.4
Gross unrealized losses . . . . . . . . . . (85.7) (92.0)
---------- ----------
Total carrying value. . . . . . . . . . . .$ 21,704.4 $ 21,017.6
========== ==========
Carrying value:
American Express Company. . . . . . . . .$ 2,441.9 $ 2,046.3
Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. (a). . . . . . . -0- 2,467.5
The Coca-Cola Company . . . . . . . . . . 8,275.0 7,425.0
The Walt Disney Company (a) . . . . . . . 1,572.2 -0-
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. . 1,343.9 1,044.0
GEICO Corporation (b) . . . . . . . . . . -0- 1,175.8
The Gillette Company. . . . . . . . . . . 2,484.0 2,502.0
Wells Fargo & Company . . . . . . . . . . 1,904.4 1,466.9
All others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,683.0 2,890.1
---------- ----------
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 21,704.4 $ 21,017.6
========== ==========
(a) In March 1996, The Walt Disney Company ("Disney") completed its acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.
("Capital Cities"). Subsidiaries of Berkshire received aggregate consideration of $2.5 billion, which included
cash of $1.2 billion and common shares of Disney with a value of $1.3 billion. The Consolidated Statement
of Earnings for the first quarter of 1996 includes a pre-tax realized investment gain of $2.2 billion from the
Disney transaction.
(b) The carrying value of GEICO common stock as of December 31, 1995 has been restated from the amount
previously reported. See Notes 1 and 2.
Note 6. Deferred income tax liability
The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's net deferred tax liability as of March 31, 1996 and
December 31, 1995 are as follows (in millions):
March 31, December 31,
1996 1995
Deferred tax liabilities: -------- ------------
Relating to unrealized appreciation of investments. . . . $4,862.0 $4,908.5
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 695.5 157.0
-------- --------
5,557.5 5,065.5
Deferred tax assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570.4) (302.8)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,987.1 $4,762.7
======== ========
Note 7. Finance businesses
Assets and liabilities of Berkshire's finance businesses are summarized below (in millions).
March 31, December 31,
1996 1995
Assets -------- ------------
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . $ 20.5 $ 40.7
Installment loans and other receivables . . 205.3 185.9
Fixed maturity investments. . . . . . . . . 637.0 529.4
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 0.7
------- -------
$ 863.6 $ 756.7
======= =======
Liabilities
8.125% Notes, payable in 1996 . . . . . . . $ 120.0 $ 120.0
Borrowings under investment agreements. . . 437.5 403.6
Annuity reserves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151.1 116.7
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.0 44.9
------- -------
$ 752.6 $ 685.2
======= =======
Note 8. Unrealized appreciation of investments
Changes in "Unrealized appreciation of investments, net", the balance of which is carried in shareholders' equity,
were as follows during the first quarter of 1996 and 1995 (in millions):
First Quarter
-----------------------
1996 1995
--------- ---------
Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation. . . . . .$ (415.2) $ 1,569.4
(Increase) decrease in deemed applicable income taxes . . 128.7 (554.0)
Increase in minority shareholders' interest . . . . . . . (2.9) (15.7)
--------- ---------
Net increase (decrease). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (289.4) 999.7
Balance at beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,220.7 5,276.9
--------- ---------
Balance at end of first quarter. . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 8,931.3 $ 6,276.6
========= =========
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
Management's Discussion
March 31, 1996
Net earnings for the first quarter of the current and prior year are disaggregated in the following table. Amounts
are in millions and each figure is income tax effected.
First Quarter
---------------------
1996 1995
-------- --------
Insurance, except realized investment gain/loss. .$ 128.6 $ 106.9
Manufacturing, merchandising and services. . . . . 39.9 39.2
Unallocated income/expense, net. . . . . . . . . . 7.1 6.0
Interest expense * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (15.4) (8.1)
-------- --------
Earnings before realized investment gain/loss . . 160.2 144.0
Realized investment gain (loss). . . . . . . . . . 1,508.5 (4.8)
-------- --------
Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,668.7 $ 139.2
======== ========
* For purposes of the above table, interest expense of finance businesses is netted against the directly related service activity revenues.
Insurance Group
The after tax figures shown above for Insurance Group earnings, except realized investment gain/loss, are aggregated in the following table.
Dollar amounts are in millions.
First Quarter
-------------------
1996 1995
-------- --------
Premiums earned from:
Direct insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 805.8 $ 58.3
Reinsurance assumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116.1 173.1
------- --------
$ 921.9 $ 231.4
======= ========
Underwriting gain (loss) attributable to:
Direct insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 40.1 $ 2.1
Reinsurance assumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (17.8) (11.5)
-------- --------
Total underwriting gain (loss). . . . . . . . . 22.3 (9.4)
Net investment income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153.0 131.9
Goodwill amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (10.8) -0-
-------- --------
Earnings before income taxes. . . . . . . . . . 164.5 122.5
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.9 13.3
Minority interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 2.3
-------- --------
Net earnings from Insurance,
except realized investment gain/loss . . . . .$ 128.6 $ 106.9
======== ========
As discussed more fully in the Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, Berkshire acquired control of GEICO Corporation
("GEICO") in January, 1996. The inclusion of GEICO's accounts in Berkshire's consolidated financial statements beginning in 1996 will
have a significant impact on the revenues and operating results of Berkshire's Insurance Group.
In direct insurance activities, Insurance Group members assume risks of loss from parties who are directly subject to the risks. In
reinsurance activities, the members assume defined portions of similar or dissimilar risks to which other insurers or reinsurers have subjected
themselves in their own insuring activities.
GEICO, through its subsidiaries, provides primarily private passenger automobile coverages to insureds in 49 states and the District of
Columbia. Limited amounts of homeowners, fire and boat insurance are also offered. GEICO policies are marketed mainly by direct response
methods, in which customers apply for coverage directly to the company over the telephone or through the mail. This is a significant element
in GEICO's strategy to be a low cost provider of such coverages.
Insurance Group (Continued)
Other direct insurance is provided through several Berkshire subsidiaries. These businesses offer primarily casualty coverages for
commercial accounts and credit card credit insurance and is written through agents, brokers, and financial institutions.
Direct insurance premiums earned during the first quarter 1996 include $740 million from GEICO's businesses. In 1995's first quarter,
GEICO's earned premiums were approximately $659 million. (See Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion
of the 1995 accounting treatment of Berkshire's then approximately 50% ownership of GEICO.) Ongoing marketing efforts for GEICO's
preferred-risk, standard and non-standard risk private passenger auto insurance business are expected to produce continued premium growth.
Direct insurance results for the first quarter of 1996 include a net underwriting gain from GEICO operations of approximately $30 million.
The comparable 1995 amount was approximately $26 million. For the first quarter of 1996, claim and claim settlement costs were 81.3% of
premiums earned and underwriting costs were 14.7% of premiums earned. The comparable prior year ratios were 80.9% and 15.2% respectively.
Berkshire's other direct insurance businesses produced first quarter underwriting gains of about $10.5 million in 1996 and $2.1 million
in 1995. Most of the increase in comparative first quarter underwriting gains was produced by the Group's traditional commercial motor
vehicle/general liability business and by the professional liability/specialty risk operations.
Reinsurance premiums of $116 million earned in the first quarter of 1996 were $57 million less than amounts earned during the first
quarter of 1995. Most of the comparative decrease in premiums earned related to catastrophe excess-of-loss coverages. As reported in previous
discussions, increased levels of industry capital devoted to this type of business has resulted in decreased acceptances by the Group. However,
significant exposure to loss remains with respect to catastrophe reinsurance coverages. Thus, the potential remains for extreme volatility in
periodic underwriting results from this business.
First quarter underwriting results reflect gains from catastrophe excess-of-loss coverages of $14 million in 1996 and $39 million in 1995.
The underwriting gains in both periods reflect relatively minor amounts of catastrophe losses. The comparative decline in underwriting gains
from catastrophe coverages was offset by decreased comparative underwriting losses from quota-share and non-catastrophe excess-of-loss
reinsurance contracts.
Net investment income earned in 1996's first quarter from insurance operations included about $52 million from consolidation of the
investment results of GEICO. Net investment income earned during the first quarter of 1995 included the equity in net earnings of GEICO.
Such earnings were approximately $30 million. The Insurance Group continues to generate significant levels of investment income, reflecting
large amounts of invested assets. Investable policyholder funds (or "float") at March 31, 1996 approximated $6.5 billion and included over
$2.5 billion added upon the acquisition of GEICO in January 1996.
Manufacturing, Merchandising and Services
Results of operations of Berkshire's diverse non-insurance businesses are aggregated in the following table.
Dollar amounts are in millions.
First Quarter
-------------------------------
1996 1995
-------------- --------------
Amount % Amount %
------- ----- ------- -----
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 706.9 100.0 $ 579.6 100.0
Costs and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 638.9 90.4 515.0 88.8
------- ----- ------- -----
Earnings before income taxes . . . . . . . . 68.0 9.6 64.6 11.2
Applicable income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . 27.3 3.9 24.5 4.2
Applicable minority interest . . . . . . . . 0.8 0.1 0.9 0.2
------- ----- ------- -----
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 39.9 5.6 $ 39.2 6.8
======= ===== ======= =====
Revenues from these several and diverse business activities during 1996's first quarter were greater by $127.3
million (22.0%) than revenues recorded during the corresponding 1995 period. The comparative increase is primarily
due to the acquisitions during 1995's second quarter of Helzberg's Diamond Shops, Inc. ("Helzberg's") and R.C.
Willey Home Furnishings ("R.C. Willey"). Helzberg's operates a chain of 173 jewelry stores and R.C. Willey is the
dominant retailer of home furnishings in Utah. (See Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information regarding these acquisitions).
Net earnings from this group of businesses was relatively unchanged in 1996 as compared to 1995. The
inclusion of Helzberg's and R.C. Willey had a favorable impact on comparative results as did improved comparative
results for Berkshire's encyclopedia and home cleaning systems segments. However, offsetting these increases
were comparative declines in Berkshire's shoe and newspaper segments.
Realized Investment Gain/Loss
Realized investment gain/loss has been a recurring element in Berkshire's net earnings for many years. The
amount - recorded when securities are sold or other than temporarily impaired - may fluctuate significantly from
period to period, with a meaningful effect upon Berkshire's consolidated net earnings. But, the amount of realized
investment gain or loss for any given period has no predictive value, and variations in amount from period to period
have no practical analytical value, particularly in view of the net unrealized price appreciation now existing in
Berkshire's consolidated investment portfolio.
The 1996 Consolidated Statement of Earnings reflects a pre-tax realized investment gain of $2.3 billion ($1.5
billion after tax). Most of this gain resulted from The Walt Disney Company's ("Disney") acquisition of Capital
Cities/ABC, Inc. ("Capital Cities"). Prior to the acquisition, subsidiaries of Berkshire owned common stock of Capital
Cities which had been acquired in 1986 for an aggregate cost of $345.0 million. In exchange for the Capital Cities
common stock, Berkshire subsidiaries received cash and Disney common stock having an aggregate value of $2.5
billion.
While the effect of this transaction is material to the Consolidated Statement of Earnings, the completion of the
acquisition had a minimal impact on Berkshire's shareholders' equity. This is due to the fact that Berkshire's
investment in Capital Cities had been carried in the prior periods' consolidated financial statements at market value
with unrealized gains, net of tax, reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. As of December 31,
1995, the pre-tax unrealized gain related to Berkshire's investment in Capital Cities was approximately $2.1 billion.
Financial Condition
As discussed in the Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, on May 8, 1996, Berkshire completed
a public offering of a new class of common stock. The net proceeds from the offering will range between $492.0
million and $565.8 million. The Company expects that in time it will use the net proceeds for acquisitions of
businesses, for augmenting the capital of its insurance subsidiaries, or for other general corporate purposes. At this
time, Berkshire has no immediate or specific plan for the use of the net proceeds from the offering.
Berkshire's balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and above average capital strength.
Shareholders' equity at March 31, 1996, was $18.1 billion or $15,180 per share. Over the past twelve months, net
book value per share has grown by 39.8%.
* * * * *
1996 SHAREHOLDER-DESIGNATED CONTRIBUTIONS PROGRAM
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class A Common Stock shareholders of
record as of August 31, 1996, other than Nominee-owners, will receive
information in September about the Company's 1996 Shareholder-
Designated Contributions Program. Shares of the recently issued
Class B Common Stock are not eligible to participate in the program.
In order to participate in this program, the Class A Berkshire shares
with respect to which designations are made must be registered on
August 31, 1996, in the name of the owning individual, trust,
corporation, partnership or estate, as applicable. Class A shares
registered in street name are not eligible to participate. To qualify,
Class A shares must be registered with our Registrar on August 31 in
the owner's individual name(s) or the name of an owning trust,
corporation, partnership or estate, as applicable.
CONTACT: Marc Hamburg, 402-346-1400