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 June 30, 2011 | |
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 July 28, 2011:
Class A — 939,981 | |
Class B — 1,066,954,104 |
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
Page No. | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
5 | ||
6-19 | ||
20-33 | ||
33 | ||
33 | ||
34 | ||
34 | ||
34 | ||
34 | ||
34 | ||
34 | ||
35 | ||
35 |
1
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Insurance and Other: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 43,193 | $ | 34,767 | ||||
Investments: | ||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | 34,813 | 33,803 | ||||||
Equity securities | 66,364 | 59,819 | ||||||
Other | 13,121 | 19,333 | ||||||
Receivables | 19,396 | 20,917 | ||||||
Inventories | 7,960 | 7,101 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 15,645 | 15,741 | ||||||
Goodwill | 27,999 | 27,891 | ||||||
Other | 14,488 | 13,529 | ||||||
242,979 | 232,901 | |||||||
Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 2,804 | 2,557 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 79,307 | 77,385 | ||||||
Goodwill | 20,095 | 20,084 | ||||||
Other | 12,729 | 13,579 | ||||||
114,935 | 113,605 | |||||||
Finance and Financial Products: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,894 | 903 | ||||||
Investments in fixed maturity securities | 1,041 | 1,080 | ||||||
Other investments | 2,817 | 3,676 | ||||||
Loans and finance receivables | 14,199 | 15,226 | ||||||
Goodwill | 1,031 | 1,031 | ||||||
Other | 3,800 | 3,807 | ||||||
24,782 | 25,723 | |||||||
$ | 382,696 | $ | 372,229 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Insurance and Other: | ||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 65,060 | $ | 60,075 | ||||
Unearned premiums | 9,630 | 7,997 | ||||||
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits | 8,892 | 8,565 | ||||||
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities | 16,494 | 15,826 | ||||||
Notes payable and other borrowings | 10,161 | 12,471 | ||||||
110,237 | 104,934 | |||||||
Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | ||||||||
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities | 12,081 | 12,367 | ||||||
Notes payable and other borrowings | 32,276 | 31,626 | ||||||
44,357 | 43,993 | |||||||
Finance and Financial Products: | ||||||||
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities | 1,143 | 1,168 | ||||||
Derivative contract liabilities | 8,086 | 8,371 | ||||||
Notes payable and other borrowings | 14,280 | 14,477 | ||||||
23,509 | 24,016 | |||||||
Income taxes, principally deferred | 37,809 | 36,352 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 215,912 | 209,295 | ||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Common stock | 8 | 8 | ||||||
Capital in excess of par value | 37,771 | 37,533 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 21,106 | 20,583 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 104,122 | 99,194 | ||||||
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity | 163,007 | 157,318 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 3,777 | 5,616 | ||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 166,784 | 162,934 | ||||||
$ | 382,696 | $ | 372,229 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance and Other: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance premiums earned | $ | 8,949 | $ | 6,864 | $ | 16,431 | $ | 14,290 | ||||||||
Sales and service revenues | 18,336 | 17,210 | 35,108 | 32,741 | ||||||||||||
Interest, dividend and other investment income | 1,426 | 1,514 | 2,703 | 2,809 | ||||||||||||
Investment gains/losses | 1,128 | 381 | 1,214 | 1,696 | ||||||||||||
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments | — | — | (506 | ) | — | |||||||||||
29,839 | 25,969 | 54,950 | 51,536 | |||||||||||||
Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | ||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | 7,436 | 6,724 | 14,813 | 11,734 | ||||||||||||
Other | 32 | 42 | 68 | 82 | ||||||||||||
7,468 | 6,766 | 14,881 | 11,816 | |||||||||||||
Finance and Financial Products: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest, dividend and other investment income | 359 | 401 | 757 | 802 | ||||||||||||
Investment gains/losses | 161 | 2 | 174 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Derivative gains/losses | (184 | ) | (2,176 | ) | 87 | (1,765 | ) | |||||||||
Other | 631 | 747 | 1,145 | 1,352 | ||||||||||||
967 | (1,026 | ) | 2,163 | 394 | ||||||||||||
38,274 | 31,709 | 71,994 | 63,746 | |||||||||||||
Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance and Other: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses | 6,262 | 3,917 | 12,280 | 8,103 | ||||||||||||
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits | 976 | 887 | 1,991 | 2,379 | ||||||||||||
Insurance underwriting expenses | 1,720 | 1,344 | 3,445 | 2,747 | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales and services | 14,955 | 14,192 | 28,814 | 27,098 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,122 | 1,915 | 4,157 | 3,754 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 70 | 68 | 137 | 135 | ||||||||||||
26,105 | 22,323 | 50,824 | 44,216 | |||||||||||||
Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales and operating expenses | 5,651 | 5,060 | 11,223 | 8,892 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 427 | 394 | 852 | 741 | ||||||||||||
6,078 | 5,454 | 12,075 | 9,633 | |||||||||||||
Finance and Financial Products: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 165 | 175 | 331 | 354 | ||||||||||||
Other | 661 | 819 | 1,265 | 1,507 | ||||||||||||
826 | 994 | 1,596 | 1,861 | |||||||||||||
33,009 | 28,771 | 64,495 | 55,710 | |||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 5,265 | 2,938 | 7,499 | 8,036 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 1,725 | 848 | 2,354 | 2,184 | ||||||||||||
Earnings from equity method investment | — | — | — | 50 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings | 3,540 | 2,090 | 5,145 | 5,902 | ||||||||||||
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 123 | 122 | 217 | 301 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway | $ | 3,417 | $ | 1,968 | $ | 4,928 | $ | 5,601 | ||||||||
Average common shares outstanding * | 1,649,052 | 1,647,175 | 1,648,732 | 1,623,171 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders * | $ | 2,072 | $ | 1,195 | $ | 2,989 | $ | 3,451 |
* | 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
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
First Six Months | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 5,145 | $ | 5,902 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows: | ||||||||
Investment (gains) losses and other-than-temporary impairment losses | (882 | ) | (1,701 | ) | ||||
Depreciation | 2,276 | 2,015 | ||||||
Other | 149 | 103 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before business acquisitions: | ||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 4,332 | (103 | ) | |||||
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed | (645 | ) | 237 | |||||
Unearned premiums | 1,580 | 1,050 | ||||||
Receivables and originated loans | (1,981 | ) | (2,691 | ) | ||||
Derivative contract assets and liabilities | (294 | ) | 1,584 | |||||
Income taxes | 599 | (301 | ) | |||||
Other assets and liabilities | (296 | ) | 765 | |||||
Net cash flows from operating activities | 9,983 | 6,860 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of fixed maturity securities | (4,227 | ) | (4,510 | ) | ||||
Purchases of equity securities | (4,453 | ) | (3,282 | ) | ||||
Sales of fixed maturity securities | 1,355 | 3,150 | ||||||
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities | 3,518 | 3,327 | ||||||
Sales of equity securities | 209 | 2,710 | ||||||
Redemptions of other investments | 9,345 | — | ||||||
Purchases of loans and finance receivables | (1,511 | ) | (441 | ) | ||||
Principal collections on loans and finance receivables | 2,494 | 366 | ||||||
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | (172 | ) | (15,363 | ) | ||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (3,444 | ) | (2,716 | ) | ||||
Other | 79 | (141 | ) | |||||
Net cash flows from investing activities | 3,193 | (16,900 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from borrowings of insurance and other businesses | 51 | 8,149 | ||||||
Proceeds from borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses | 1,540 | 750 | ||||||
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses | 1,527 | 1,037 | ||||||
Repayments of borrowings of insurance and other businesses | (2,237 | ) | (322 | ) | ||||
Repayments of borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses | (618 | ) | (218 | ) | ||||
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses | (1,676 | ) | (1,680 | ) | ||||
Change in short term borrowings, net | (524 | ) | (61 | ) | ||||
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests and other | (1,769 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||
Net cash flows from financing activities | (3,706 | ) | 7,581 | |||||
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes | 194 | (146 | ) | |||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 9,664 | (2,605 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year * | 38,227 | 30,558 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first six months * | $ | 47,891 | $ | 27,953 | ||||
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following: | ||||||||
Beginning of year— | ||||||||
Insurance and Other | $ | 34,767 | $ | 28,223 | ||||
Railroad, Utilities and Energy | 2,557 | 429 | ||||||
Finance and Financial Products | 903 | 1,906 | ||||||
$ | 38,227 | $ | 30,558 | |||||
End of first six months— | ||||||||
Insurance and Other | $ | 43,193 | $ | 25,164 | ||||
Railroad, Utilities and Energy | 2,804 | 1,986 | ||||||
Finance and Financial Products | 1,894 | 803 | ||||||
$ | 47,891 | $ | 27,953 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
4
and Subsidiaries
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 | Total | Non- controlling interests | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2009 | $ | 27,082 | $ | 17,793 | $ | 86,227 | $ | 131,102 | $ | 4,683 | ||||||||||
Net earnings | — | — | 5,601 | 5,601 | 301 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net | — | (4,944 | ) | — | (4,944 | ) | (57 | ) | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and other transactions | 11,016 | — | — | 11,016 | — | |||||||||||||||
Changes in noncontrolling interests: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interests acquired and other transactions | (13 | ) | 1 | — | (12 | ) | (176 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2010 | $ | 38,085 | $ | 12,850 | $ | 91,828 | $ | 142,763 | $ | 4,751 | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2010 | $ | 37,541 | $ | 20,583 | $ | 99,194 | $ | 157,318 | $ | 5,616 | ||||||||||
Net earnings | — | — | 4,928 | 4,928 | 217 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net | — | 447 | — | 447 | 20 | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock and other transactions | 377 | — | — | 377 | — | |||||||||||||||
Changes in noncontrolling interests: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interests acquired and other transactions | (139 | ) | 76 | — | (63 | ) | (2,076 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2011 | $ | 37,779 | $ | 21,106 | $ | 104,122 | $ | 163,007 | $ | 3,777 |
(Unaudited)
(dollars in millions)
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway: | ||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 3,417 | $ | 1,968 | $ | 4,928 | $ | 5,601 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments | (54 | ) | (9,032 | ) | 598 | (5,902 | ) | |||||||||
Applicable income taxes | 40 | 3,179 | (177 | ) | 2,069 | |||||||||||
Reclassification of investment appreciation in earnings | (1,353 | ) | (376 | ) | (920 | ) | (711 | ) | ||||||||
Applicable income taxes | 474 | 132 | 322 | 249 | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | 205 | (466 | ) | 644 | (901 | ) | ||||||||||
Applicable income taxes | (22 | ) | 24 | (35 | ) | 24 | ||||||||||
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit plans | 15 | 12 | 11 | 63 | ||||||||||||
Applicable income taxes | (4 | ) | (1 | ) | (4 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||||||
Other, net | (39 | ) | 71 | 8 | 179 | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net | (738 | ) | (6,457 | ) | 447 | (4,944 | ) | |||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway | $ | 2,679 | $ | (4,489 | ) | $ | 5,375 | $ | 657 | |||||||
Comprehensive income of noncontrolling interests | $ | 138 | $ | 45 | $ | 237 | $ | 244 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
5
and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2011
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. Certain immaterial amounts in 2010 have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Financial information in this Report reflects any adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim periods in accordance with 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. In addition, changes in the fair value of derivative assets/liabilities associated with derivative contracts that are not accounted for as hedging instruments can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.
Note 2. New accounting pronouncements
In October 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-26, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts.” ASU 2010-26 modifies the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that may be deferred in the acquiring or renewing of insurance contracts. ASU 2010-26 requires that only direct incremental costs related to successful efforts are capitalized. Capitalized costs may include certain advertising costs which are allowed to be capitalized if the primary purpose of the advertising is to elicit sales to customers proven to have responded directly to the advertising and the probable future revenues generated from the advertising are proven to be in excess of expected future costs to be incurred in realizing those revenues. ASU 2010-26 is effective for Berkshire beginning January 1, 2012 and may be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. We do not believe that the adoption of ASU 2010-26 will have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU 2011-04 attempts to improve the comparability of fair value measurements disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Amendments in ASU 2011-04 clarify the intent of the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, as well as change certain measurement requirements and disclosures. ASU 2011-04 is effective for Berkshire beginning January 1, 2012 and will be applied on a prospective basis. We do not believe that the adoption of ASU 2011-04 will have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2011-05 changes the way other comprehensive income (“OCI”) appears within the financial statements. Companies will be required to show net income, OCI and total comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. Components of OCI may no longer be presented solely in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. Any reclassification between OCI and net income will be presented on the face of the financial statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for Berkshire beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 will not impact the measurement of net earnings or other comprehensive income.
6
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 3. Significant business acquisitions
Our long-held acquisition strategy is to purchase businesses with consistent earning power, good returns on equity and able and honest management at sensible prices.
On February 12, 2010, we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation that we did not already own (about 264.5 million shares or 77.5% of the outstanding shares) for aggregate consideration of $26.5 billion that consisted of cash of approximately $15.9 billion with the remainder in Berkshire common stock (80,931 Class A shares and 20,976,621 Class B shares). Approximately 50% of the cash component was funded with existing cash balances with the remainder funded by proceeds from debt issued by Berkshire. The acquisition was completed through the merger of a wholly-owned merger subsidiary (a Delaware limited liability company) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation. The merger subsidiary was the surviving entity and was renamed Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (“BNSF”). BNSF is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and through BNSF Railway Company operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America with approximately 32,000 route miles (including 23,000 route miles of track owned by BNSF) of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces.
Prior to February 12, 2010, we owned 76.8 million shares of BNSF (22.5% of the outstanding shares), which were acquired between August 2006 and January 2009. We accounted for those shares pursuant to the equity method and as of February 12, 2010, our investment had a carrying value of approximately $6.6 billion. Upon completion of the acquisition of the remaining BNSF shares, we re-measured our previously owned investment in BNSF at fair value as of the acquisition date. In the first quarter of 2010, we recognized a one-time holding gain of approximately $1 billion representing the difference between the fair value of the BNSF shares that we acquired prior to February 12, 2010 and our carrying value under the equity method. BNSF’s financial statements are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning as of February 13, 2010.
In the first quarter of 2011, we acquired 16.5% of the outstanding common stock of Marmon Holdings, Inc. (“Marmon”) for approximately $1.5 billion in cash, thus increasing our ownership to 80.2%. We have owned a controlling interest in Marmon since 2008. We increased our interests in the underlying assets and liabilities of Marmon; however, under current GAAP, the excess of the purchase price over the carrying value of the noncontrolling interests acquired is not allocable to assets or liabilities. Accordingly, we recorded a charge of approximately $600 million to capital in excess of par value in our consolidated shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2010.
On March 13, 2011, Berkshire and The Lubrizol Corporation (“Lubrizol”) entered into a merger agreement, whereby Berkshire will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Lubrizol common stock for cash of $135 per share. The aggregate merger consideration is expected to be approximately $9 billion. The acquisition was approved at a special meeting of Lubrizol shareholders on June 9, 2011. In addition to approval by Lubrizol’s shareholders, the completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration of waiting periods and the receipt of approvals under U.S. and applicable non-U.S. merger control regulations. We expect all such approvals to be obtained within the next one to three months.
Lubrizol is an innovative specialty chemical company that produces and supplies technologies to customers in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. These technologies include lubricant additives for engine oils, other transportation-related fluids and industrial lubricants, as well as fuel additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. In addition, Lubrizol makes ingredients and additives for personal care products and pharmaceuticals; specialty materials, including plastics technology; and performance coatings in the form of specialty resins and additives. Lubrizol’s industry-leading technologies in additives, ingredients and compounds enhance the quality, performance and value of customers’ products, while reducing their environmental impact. For the year ended December 31, 2010, Lubrizol reported consolidated revenues of $5.4 billion and net earnings of $732 million.
In June 2011, we acquired the noncontrolling interests in Wesco Financial Corporation (“Wesco”) for aggregate consideration of $543 million consisting of cash of approximately $298 million and 3.25 million shares of Berkshire Class B common stock. Wesco is now an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire.
7
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities
Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are summarized below (in millions).
Amortized Cost | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 2,225 | $ | 43 | $ | — | $ | 2,268 | ||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 3,083 | 219 | — | 3,302 | ||||||||||||
Foreign governments | 13,264 | 206 | (46 | ) | 13,424 | |||||||||||
Corporate bonds | 11,468 | 2,537 | (23 | ) | 13,982 | |||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 2,573 | 317 | (12 | ) | 2,878 | |||||||||||
$ | 32,613 | $ | 3,322 | $ | (81 | ) | $ | 35,854 | ||||||||
December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 2,151 | $ | 48 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 2,197 | |||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 3,356 | 225 | — | 3,581 | ||||||||||||
Foreign governments | 11,721 | 242 | (51 | ) | 11,912 | |||||||||||
Corporate bonds | 11,773 | 2,304 | (23 | ) | 14,054 | |||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 2,838 | 312 | (11 | ) | 3,139 | |||||||||||
$ | 31,839 | $ | 3,131 | $ | (87 | ) | $ | 34,883 |
Investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Insurance and other | $ | 34,813 | $ | 33,803 | ||||
Finance and financial products | 1,041 | 1,080 | ||||||
$ | 35,854 | $ | 34,883 |
As of June 30, 2011, fixed maturity investments that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months had unrealized losses of $21 million. As of December 31, 2010, fixed maturity investments that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months had unrealized losses of $24 million.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at June 30, 2011 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 | $ | 8,314 | $ | 14,485 | $ | 4,578 | $ | 2,663 | $ | 2,573 | $ | 32,613 | ||||||||||||
Fair value | 8,515 | 15,801 | 5,428 | 3,232 | 2,878 | 35,854 |
Note 5. Investments in equity securities
Investments in equity securities as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).
Cost Basis | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
Banks, insurance and finance | $ | 15,562 | $ | 10,334 | $ | (688 | ) | $ | 25,208 | |||||||
Consumer products | 13,227 | 13,607 | — | 26,834 | ||||||||||||
Commercial, industrial and other | 10,716 | 4,830 | (3 | ) | 15,543 | |||||||||||
$ | 39,505 | $ | 28,771 | $ | (691 | ) | $ | 67,585 | ||||||||
December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Banks, insurance and finance | $ | 15,519 | $ | 9,549 | $ | (454 | ) | $ | 24,614 | |||||||
Consumer products | 13,551 | 12,410 | (212 | ) | 25,749 | |||||||||||
Commercial, industrial and other | 6,474 | 4,682 | (6 | ) | 11,150 | |||||||||||
$ | 35,544 | $ | 26,641 | $ | (672 | ) | $ | 61,513 |
8
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 5. Investments in equity securities (Continued)
Investments in equity securities are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Insurance and other | $ | 66,364 | $ | 59,819 | ||||
Railroad, utilities and energy * | 727 | 1,182 | ||||||
Finance and financial products * | 494 | 512 | ||||||
$ | 67,585 | $ | 61,513 |
* | Included in Other assets. |
As of June 30, 2011, there were no equity security investments that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve months where other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses were not recorded. As of December 31, 2010 such unrealized losses were $531 million.
In the first quarter of 2011, we recorded OTTI losses of $506 million related to certain of our investments in equity securities. The OTTI losses recorded in earnings were offset by a reduction in unrealized losses recorded in other comprehensive income resulting in no impact on our consolidated shareholders’ equity. Included in the OTTI losses was $337 million related to 103.6 million shares of our investment in Wells Fargo & Company common stock. These shares had an aggregate original cost of $3,621 million. We also held an additional 255.4 million shares of Wells Fargo which were acquired at an aggregate cost of $4,394 million. These shares had an unrealized gain of $3,704 million as of March 31, 2011. Due to the length of time that certain of our Wells Fargo shares were in a continuous unrealized loss position and because we account for gains and losses on a specific identification basis, accounting regulations required us to record the unrealized losses in earnings. However, the unrealized gains are not reflected in earnings but are instead recorded directly in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Note 6. Other investments
Other investments include fixed maturity and equity securities of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GS”), General Electric Company (“GE”), Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”) and The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”). A summary of other investments follows (in millions).
Cost | Unrealized Gains | Fair Value | Carrying Value | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
Other fixed maturity and equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance and other | $ | 11,809 | $ | 2,396 | $ | 14,205 | $ | 13,121 | ||||||||
Finance and financial products | 2,198 | 631 | 2,829 | 2,817 | ||||||||||||
$ | 14,007 | $ | 3,027 | $ | 17,034 | $ | 15,938 | |||||||||
December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Other fixed maturity and equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance and other | $ | 15,700 | $ | 4,758 | $ | 20,458 | $ | 19,333 | ||||||||
Finance and financial products | 2,742 | 947 | 3,689 | 3,676 | ||||||||||||
$ | 18,442 | $ | 5,705 | $ | 24,147 | $ | 23,009 |
In 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. Under its terms, the GS Preferred was redeemable at any time by GS at a price of $110,000 per share ($5.5 billion in aggregate). In March 2011, GS notified us that it would fully redeem our GS Preferred investment and on April 18, 2011, we received the redemption proceeds of $5.5 billion. The GS Warrants remain outstanding and expire in 2013 and can be exercised for an aggregate cost of $5 billion ($115/share). In 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 GE Preferred may be redeemed by GE beginning in October 2011 at a price of $110,000 per share ($3.3 billion in aggregate). The GE Warrants expire in 2013 and can be exercised for an additional aggregate cost of $3 billion ($22.25/share).
9
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 6. Other investments (Continued)
In 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. In 2009, we also acquired $1.0 billion par amount of Wrigley senior notes due in 2013 and 2014. We currently own $800 million of the Wrigley senior notes and a joint venture in which we have a 50% economic interest owns $200 million of the Wrigley senior notes. The Wrigley subordinated and 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. We carry the Wrigley preferred stock at fair value classified as available-for-sale.
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 (equivalent to a conversion price of $41.32 per share) of Dow common stock. 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.
Note 7. Investment gains/losses
Investment gains/losses are summarized below (in millions).
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities — | ||||||||||||||||
Gross gains from sales and other disposals | $ | 94 | $ | 270 | $ | 176 | $ | 568 | ||||||||
Gross losses from sales and other disposals | (4 | ) | — | (4 | ) | (3 | ) | |||||||||
Equity and other securities — | ||||||||||||||||
Gross gains from sales and other disposals | 1,267 | 123 | 1,268 | 335 | ||||||||||||
Gross losses from sales and other disposals | (4 | ) | (17 | ) | (14 | ) | (189 | ) | ||||||||
Other | (64 | ) | 7 | (38 | ) | 990 | ||||||||||
$ | 1,289 | $ | 383 | $ | 1,388 | $ | 1,701 |
Net investment gains/losses are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows.
Insurance and other | $ | 1,128 | $ | 381 | $ | 1,214 | $ | 1,696 | ||||||||
Finance and financial products | 161 | 2 | 174 | 5 | ||||||||||||
$ | 1,289 | $ | 383 | $ | 1,388 | $ | 1,701 |
Equity and other securities investment gains in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 included $1.25 billion with respect to the redemption of our GS Preferred investment. In 2010, other investment gains included a one-time holding gain of $979 million related to our BNSF acquisition in February.
Note 8. Receivables
Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Insurance premiums receivable | $ | 7,336 | $ | 6,342 | ||||
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses | 2,961 | 2,735 | ||||||
Trade and other receivables | 9,481 | 12,223 | ||||||
Allowances for uncollectible accounts | (382 | ) | (383 | ) | ||||
$ | 19,396 | $ | 20,917 |
As of December 31, 2010, trade and other receivables included approximately CHF 3.7 billion ($3.9 billion) related to the redemption of an investment. The redemption proceeds were received on January 10, 2011.
10
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).
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Consumer installment loans and finance receivables | $ | 13,734 | $ | 14,042 | ||||
Commercial loans and finance receivables | 839 | 1,557 | ||||||
Allowances for uncollectible loans | (374 | ) | (373 | ) | ||||
$ | 14,199 | $ | 15,226 |
Allowances for uncollectible loans primarily relate to consumer installment loans. Provisions for consumer loan losses were $161 million in the first six months of 2011 and $178 million for the first six months of 2010. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $160 million in the first six months of 2011 and $176 million for the first six months of 2010. Consumer loan amounts are net of acquisition discounts of $550 million at June 30, 2011 and $580 million at December 31, 2010. At June 30, 2011, approximately 96% of consumer installment loan balances were evaluated collectively for impairment whereas about 84% 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 June 30, 2011, approximately 98% of consumer installment and commercial loan balances were determined to be performing and approximately 93% of those balances were current as to payment status.
Note 9. Inventories
Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Raw materials | $ | 1,207 | $ | 1,066 | ||||
Work in process and other | 638 | 509 | ||||||
Finished manufactured goods | 2,423 | 2,180 | ||||||
Goods acquired for resale | 3,692 | 3,346 | ||||||
$ | 7,960 | $ | 7,101 |
Note 10. Goodwill and other intangible assets
A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows (in millions).
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of year | $ | 49,006 | $ | 33,972 | ||||
Acquisition of BNSF | — | 14,803 | ||||||
Other | 119 | 231 | ||||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 49,125 | $ | 49,006 |
Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).
June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Gross carrying amount | Accumulated amortization | Gross carrying amount | Accumulated amortization | |||||||||||||
Insurance and other | $ | 7,023 | $ | 2,033 | $ | 6,944 | $ | 1,816 | ||||||||
Railroad, utilities and energy | 2,087 | 470 | 2,082 | 306 | ||||||||||||
$ | 9,110 | $ | 2,503 | $ | 9,026 | $ | 2,122 | |||||||||
Trademarks and trade names | $ | 2,033 | $ | 192 | $ | 2,027 | $ | 166 | ||||||||
Patents and technology | 2,970 | 1,215 | 2,922 | 1,013 | ||||||||||||
Customer relationships | 2,682 | 709 | 2,676 | 612 | ||||||||||||
Other | 1,425 | 387 | 1,401 | 331 | ||||||||||||
$ | 9,110 | $ | 2,503 | $ | 9,026 | $ | 2,122 |
11
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 10. Goodwill and other intangible assets (Continued)
Amortization expense was $374 million for the first six months of 2011 and $340 million for the first six months of 2010. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $1,640 million and $1,635 million, respectively.
Note 11. 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 | June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | |||||||||
Land | — | $ | 760 | $ | 744 | ||||||
Buildings and improvements | 3 – 40 years | 4,842 | 4,661 | ||||||||
Machinery and equipment | 3 – 25 years | 11,707 | 11,573 | ||||||||
Furniture, fixtures and other | 3 – 20 years | 2,061 | 1,932 | ||||||||
Assets held for lease | 12 –30 years | 5,838 | 5,832 | ||||||||
25,208 | 24,742 | ||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (9,563 | ) | (9,001 | ) | |||||||
$ | 15,645 | $ | 15,741 |
Depreciation expense of insurance and other businesses for the first six months of 2011 and 2010 was $791 million and $762 million, respectively.
Property, plant and equipment of our railroad, utilities and energy businesses is comprised of the following (in millions).
Ranges of estimated useful life | June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | |||||||||
Railroad: | |||||||||||
Land | — | $ | 5,913 | $ | 5,901 | ||||||
Track structure and other roadway | 5 – 100 years | 35,952 | 35,463 | ||||||||
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment | 5 – 37 years | 4,757 | 4,329 | ||||||||
Construction in progress | — | 747 | 453 | ||||||||
Utilities and energy: | |||||||||||
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system | 5 – 85 years | 38,542 | 37,643 | ||||||||
Interstate pipeline assets | 3 – 67 years | 5,940 | 5,906 | ||||||||
Independent power plants and other assets | 3 – 30 years | 1,100 | 1,097 | ||||||||
Construction in progress | — | 1,769 | 1,456 | ||||||||
94,720 | 92,248 | ||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (15,413 | ) | (14,863 | ) | |||||||
$ | 79,307 | $ | 77,385 |
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 six months of 2011 was $1,396 million. Depreciation expense for the first six months of 2010 was $1,144 million, which includes depreciation expense of BNSF from February 13, 2010 through June 30, 2010.
12
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 12. Derivative contracts
Derivative contracts are used primarily by our finance and financial products businesses and our railroad, utilities and energy businesses. As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, substantially all of the derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses are not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. These contracts were initially entered into with the expectation that the premiums received would exceed the amounts ultimately paid to counterparties. Changes in the fair values of such contracts are reported in earnings as derivative gains/losses. A summary of derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).
June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets (3) | Liabilities | Notional Value | Assets (3) | Liabilities | Notional Value | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity index put options | $ | — | $ | 6,761 | $ | 35,089 | (1) | $ | — | $ | 6,712 | $ | 33,891 | (1) | ||||||||||
Credit default contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
High yield indexes | — | 110 | 4,841 | (2) | — | 159 | 4,893 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
States/municipalities | — | 1,038 | 16,042 | (2) | — | 1,164 | 16,042 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
Individual corporate | 88 | — | 3,565 | (2) | 84 | — | 3,565 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
Other | 370 | 216 | 341 | 375 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Counterparty netting | (81 | ) | (39 | ) | (82 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 377 | $ | 8,086 | $ | 343 | $ | 8,371 |
(1) | Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of each index is zero at the contract expiration date. |
(2) | Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts. The number of losses required to exhaust contract limits under substantially all of the contracts is dependent on the loss recovery rate related to the specific obligor at the time of a default. |
(3) | Included in Other assets of finance and financial products businesses. |
A summary of derivative gains/losses of our finance and financial products businesses included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings are as follows (in millions).
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Equity index put options | $ | (271 | ) | $ | (1,797 | ) | $ | (48 | ) | $ | (1,619 | ) | ||||
Credit default contracts | 142 | (320 | ) | 212 | (112 | ) | ||||||||||
Other | (55 | ) | (59 | ) | (77 | ) | (34 | ) | ||||||||
$ | (184 | ) | $ | (2,176 | ) | $ | 87 | $ | (1,765 | ) |
The equity index put option contracts are European style options written on four major equity indexes. Future payments, if any, under these contracts will be required if the underlying index value is below the strike price at the contract expiration dates which occur between June 2018 and January 2026. We received the premiums on these contracts in full at the contract inception dates and therefore we have no counterparty credit risk. We entered into no new contracts in 2010 or 2011.
At June 30, 2011, the aggregate intrinsic value (the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled on their future expiration dates based on the June 30, 2011 index values and foreign currency exchange rates) was approximately $3.9 billion. However, these contracts may not be unilaterally terminated or fully settled before the expiration dates and therefore the ultimate amount of cash basis gains or losses on these contracts may not be determined for many years. The remaining weighted average life of all contracts was approximately 9.5 years at June 30, 2011.
Our credit default contracts pertain to various indexes of non-investment grade (or “high yield”) corporate issuers, as well as investment grade state/municipal and individual corporate 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 aggregate contract limits. We entered into no new contracts in 2010 or 2011.
13
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 12. Derivative contracts (Continued)
The high yield index contracts are comprised of specified North American corporate issuers (usually 100 in number at inception) whose obligations are rated below investment grade. High yield contracts remaining in-force at June 30, 2011 expire in 2012 and 2013. State and municipality contracts are comprised of over 500 state and municipality issuers and had a weighted average contract life at June 30, 2011 of approximately 9.7 years. Potential obligations related to approximately 50% of the notional value of the state and municipality contracts cannot be settled before the maturity dates of the underlying obligations, which range from 2019 to 2054.
Premiums on the high yield index and state/municipality contracts were received in full at the inception dates of the contracts and, as a result, we have no counterparty credit risk. Our payment obligations under certain of these contracts are on a first loss basis. Losses under other contracts are subject to aggregate deductibles that must be satisfied before we have any payment obligations.
Individual corporate credit default contracts primarily relate to issuers of investment grade obligations. In most instances, premiums are due from counterparties on a quarterly basis over the terms of the contracts. As of June 30, 2011, all of the remaining contracts in-force will expire in 2013.
With limited exceptions, our equity index put option and credit default contracts contain no collateral posting requirements with respect to changes in either the fair value or intrinsic value of the contracts and/or a downgrade of Berkshire’s credit ratings. As of June 30, 2011, our collateral posting requirement under contracts with collateral provisions was $25 million compared to $31 million at December 31, 2010. As of June 30, 2011, had Berkshire’s credit ratings (currently AA+ from Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 from Moody’s) been downgraded below either A- by Standard & Poor’s or A3 by Moody’s an additional $1.1 billion would have been required to be posted as collateral.
Our railroad and regulated utility subsidiaries are exposed to variations in the market prices in the purchases and sales of natural gas and electricity and in the purchases of fuel. Derivative instruments, including forward purchases and sales, futures, swaps and options, are used to manage these price risks. Unrealized gains and losses under the contracts of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery through rates are recorded as a regulatory net asset or liability. Unrealized gains or losses on contracts accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or in net earnings, as appropriate. Derivative contract assets included in other assets of railroad, utilities and energy businesses were $142 million and $231 million as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Derivative contract liabilities included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities of railroad, utilities and energy businesses were $464 million as of June 30, 2011 and $621 million as of December 31, 2010.
Note 13. Supplemental cash flow information
A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first six months of 2011 and 2010 is presented in the following table (in millions).
First Six Months | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||
Income taxes | $ | 802 | $ | 2,319 | ||||
Interest of insurance and other businesses | 115 | 80 | ||||||
Interest of railroad, utilities and energy businesses | 904 | 790 | ||||||
Interest of finance and financial products businesses | 340 | 361 | ||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Liabilities assumed in connection with acquisition of BNSF | — | 30,968 | ||||||
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition of BNSF | — | 10,577 | ||||||
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition of noncontrolling interests in Wesco Financial Corporation | 245 | — |
14
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 14. Notes payable and other borrowings
Notes payable and other borrowings are summarized below (in millions). The average interest rates shown in the following tables are the weighted average interest rates on outstanding debt as of June 30, 2011. Maturity date ranges are based on borrowings as of June 30, 2011.
Average Interest Rate | June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||
Insurance and other: | ||||||||||||
Issued by Berkshire parent company due 2012-2047 | 1.9 | % | $ | 6,287 | $ | 8,360 | ||||||
Short-term subsidiary borrowings | 0.3 | % | 1,532 | 1,682 | ||||||||
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2011-2036 | 5.3 | % | 2,342 | 2,429 | ||||||||
$ | 10,161 | $ | 12,471 |
In connection with the BNSF acquisition, the Berkshire parent company issued $8.0 billion aggregate par amount of senior unsecured notes, including $2.0 billion par amount of floating rate notes that matured in February 2011.
Average Interest Rate | June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||
Railroad, utilities and energy: | ||||||||||||
Issued by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (“MidAmerican”) and its subsidiaries: | ||||||||||||
MidAmerican senior unsecured debt due 2012-2037 | 6.1 | % | $ | 5,371 | $ | 5,371 | ||||||
Subsidiary and other debt due 2011-2039 | 5.7 | % | 14,389 | 14,275 | ||||||||
Issued by BNSF due 2011-2097 | 6.0 | % | 12,516 | 11,980 | ||||||||
$ | 32,276 | $ | 31,626 |
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. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily unsecured. As of June 30, 2011, BNSF and MidAmerican and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all applicable covenants. Berkshire does not guarantee any debt or other borrowings of BNSF, MidAmerican or their subsidiaries.
Average Interest Rate | June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||
Finance and financial products: | ||||||||||||
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2012-2040 | 4.3 | % | $ | 11,529 | $ | 11,535 | ||||||
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2011-2036 | 5.1 | % | 2,751 | 2,942 | ||||||||
$ | 14,280 | $ | 14,477 |
BHFC is a 100% owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, which has fully and unconditionally guaranteed its securities. In January 2011, BHFC issued $1.5 billion par amount of notes and repaid $1.5 billion of maturing notes. The new notes are unsecured and are comprised of $750 million par amount of 4.25% senior notes due in 2021, $375 million par amount of 1.5% senior notes due in 2014 and $375 million par amount of floating rate senior notes due in 2014.
Our subsidiaries have approximately $5.9 billion of available unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity in the aggregate at June 30, 2011, to support our short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. 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.
15
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Fair value measurements
The estimated fair values of our financial instruments are shown in the following table (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are deemed to be reasonable estimates of their fair values.
Carrying Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | June 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | |||||||||||||
Investments in fixed maturity securities | $ | 35,854 | $ | 34,883 | $ | 35,854 | $ | 34,883 | ||||||||
Investments in equity securities | 67,585 | 61,513 | 67,585 | 61,513 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | 15,938 | 23,009 | 17,034 | 24,147 | ||||||||||||
Loans and finance receivables | 14,199 | 15,226 | 13,436 | 14,453 | ||||||||||||
Derivative contract assets (1) | 519 | 574 | 519 | 574 | ||||||||||||
Notes payable and other borrowings: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance and other | 10,161 | 12,471 | 10,424 | 12,705 | ||||||||||||
Railroad, utilities and energy | 32,276 | 31,626 | 34,619 | 33,932 | ||||||||||||
Finance and financial products | 14,280 | 14,477 | 15,061 | 15,191 | ||||||||||||
Derivative contract liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Railroad, utilities and energy (2) | 464 | 621 | 464 | 621 | ||||||||||||
Finance and financial products | 8,086 | 8,371 | 8,086 | 8,371 |
(1) | Included in Other assets |
(2) | Included in Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities |
Fair values for 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 herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of different 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.
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 for our investments in fixed maturity securities 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.
16
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Fair value measurements (Continued)
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 or related observable inputs that can be corroborated at the measurement date. 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. Measurements of non-exchange traded derivative contracts and certain other investments carried at fair value are based primarily on valuation models, discounted cash flow models or other valuation techniques that are believed to be used by market participants. We value equity index put option contracts based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model which we believe is widely used by market participants. Inputs to this model include current index price, expected volatility, dividend and interest rates and contract duration. Our credit default contracts are primarily valued based on models that incorporate observable credit default spreads, contract durations, interest rates and other inputs believed to be used by market participants in estimating fair value. Our credit default and equity index put option 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. For these reasons, we classified these contracts as Level 3.
Financial assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis in our financial statements are summarized, according to the hierarchy previously described, as follows (in millions).
Total Fair Value | Quoted Prices (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
June 30, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 2,268 | $ | 694 | $ | 1,571 | $ | 3 | ||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 3,302 | — | 3,302 | — | ||||||||||||
Foreign governments | 13,424 | 5,554 | 7,749 | 121 | ||||||||||||
Corporate bonds | 13,982 | 32 | 13,297 | 653 | ||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 2,878 | — | 2,878 | — | ||||||||||||
Investments in equity securities | 67,585 | 67,463 | 82 | 40 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | 10,704 | — | — | 10,704 | ||||||||||||
Net derivative contract (assets)/liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Railroad, utilities and energy | 322 | 4 | 85 | 233 | ||||||||||||
Finance and financial products: | ||||||||||||||||
Equity index put options | 6,761 | — | — | 6,761 | ||||||||||||
Credit default obligations | 1,060 | — | — | 1,060 | ||||||||||||
Other | (112 | ) | — | (26 | ) | (86 | ) | |||||||||
December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Investments in fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 2,197 | $ | 535 | $ | 1,658 | $ | 4 | ||||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 3,581 | — | 3,581 | — | ||||||||||||
Foreign governments | 11,912 | 5,633 | 6,167 | 112 | ||||||||||||
Corporate bonds | 14,054 | 23 | 13,346 | 685 | ||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 3,139 | — | 3,139 | — | ||||||||||||
Investments in equity securities | 61,513 | 61,390 | 88 | 35 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | 17,589 | — | — | 17,589 | ||||||||||||
Net derivative contract (assets)/liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
Railroad, utilities and energy | 390 | 7 | 52 | 331 | ||||||||||||
Finance and financial products: | ||||||||||||||||
Equity index put options | 6,712 | — | — | 6,712 | ||||||||||||
Credit default obligations | 1,239 | — | — | 1,239 | ||||||||||||
Other | 77 | — | 137 | (60 | ) |
17
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Fair value measurements (Continued)
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 six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 follow (in millions).
Investments in fixed maturity securities | Investments in equity securities | Other investments | Net derivative contract liabilities | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2009 | $ | 918 | $ | 304 | $ | 18,562 | $ | (9,196 | ) | |||||||
Gains (losses) included in: | ||||||||||||||||
Earnings | — | — | — | (1,777 | ) | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 20 | (2 | ) | (1,521 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Regulatory assets and liabilities | — | — | — | (49 | ) | |||||||||||
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements | 9 | (1 | ) | — | 89 | |||||||||||
Transfers into (out of) Level 3 | (137 | ) | (260 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2010 | $ | 810 | $ | 41 | $ | 17,041 | $ | (10,933 | ) | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2010 | $ | 801 | $ | 35 | $ | 17,589 | $ | (8,222 | ) | |||||||
Gains (losses) included in: | ||||||||||||||||
Earnings | — | — | — | 194 | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 3 | 5 | (1,385 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Regulatory assets and liabilities | — | — | — | 83 | ||||||||||||
Acquisitions | 6 | — | — | (34 | ) | |||||||||||
Dispositions | (33 | ) | — | — | 11 | |||||||||||
Transfers into (out of) Level 3 | — | — | (5,500 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2011 | $ | 777 | $ | 40 | $ | 10,704 | $ | (7,968 | ) |
Gains and losses included in net earnings are included as components of investment gains/losses, derivative gains/losses and other revenues, as appropriate and are related to changes in valuations of derivative contracts and disposal or settlement transactions. Other investments with Level 3 measurements at December 31, 2010 included our investments in GS, GE, Dow and Wrigley preferred stock and the GS and GE warrants. As of March 31, 2011, we transferred our investment in GS Preferred Stock to Level 2 measurements given the then pending redemption of that investment which occurred on April 18, 2011.
Note 16. Common stock
Changes in issued and outstanding Berkshire common stock during the first six months of 2011 are shown in the table below.
Class A, $5 Par Value | Class B, $0.0033 Par Value | |||||||
(1,650,000 shares authorized) Shares Issued and Outstanding | (3,225,000,000 shares authorized) Shares Issued and Outstanding | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2010 | 947,460 | 1,050,990,468 | ||||||
Shares issued to acquire noncontrolling interests of Wesco Financial Corporation | — | 3,253,472 | ||||||
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in the BNSF acquisition | (6,698 | ) | 11,522,505 | |||||
Balance at June 30, 2011 | 940,762 | 1,065,766,445 |
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 A common share is entitled to one vote per share. 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 1,651,273 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2011 and 1,648,120 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2010. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none of which are issued and outstanding.
18
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 17. Business segment data
Revenues by business segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 and 2010 follow (in millions).
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Operating Businesses: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance group: | ||||||||||||||||
Premiums earned: | ||||||||||||||||
GEICO | $ | 3,818 | $ | 3,554 | $ | 7,493 | $ | 7,008 | ||||||||
General Re | 1,444 | 1,373 | 2,881 | 2,813 | ||||||||||||
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group | 3,268 | 1,546 | 5,212 | 3,653 | ||||||||||||
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group | 419 | 391 | 845 | 816 | ||||||||||||
Investment income | 1,410 | 1,500 | 2,676 | 2,802 | ||||||||||||
Total insurance group | 10,359 | 8,364 | 19,107 | 17,092 | ||||||||||||
Burlington Northern Santa Fe | 4,790 | 4,094 | 9,323 | 6,167 | * | |||||||||||
Finance and financial products | 991 | 1,149 | 1,904 | 2,126 | ||||||||||||
Marmon | 1,781 | 1,562 | 3,455 | 2,959 | ||||||||||||
McLane Company | 8,444 | 8,293 | 16,211 | 15,723 | ||||||||||||
MidAmerican | 2,678 | 2,672 | 5,558 | 5,649 | ||||||||||||
Other businesses | 8,009 | 7,185 | 15,217 | 13,711 | ||||||||||||
37,052 | 33,319 | 70,775 | 63,427 | |||||||||||||
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment and derivative gains/losses | 1,105 | (1,793 | ) | 969 | (64 | ) | ||||||||||
Eliminations and other | 117 | 183 | 250 | 383 | ||||||||||||
$ | 38,274 | $ | 31,709 | $ | 71,994 | $ | 63,746 |
Earnings before income taxes by business segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 and 2010 follow (in millions).
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Operating Businesses: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance group: | ||||||||||||||||
Underwriting gain (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
GEICO | $ | 159 | $ | 329 | $ | 496 | $ | 628 | ||||||||
General Re | 132 | 222 | (194 | ) | 183 | |||||||||||
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group | (354 | ) | 117 | (1,697 | ) | 169 | ||||||||||
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group | 54 | 48 | 110 | 81 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 1,404 | 1,494 | 2,665 | 2,777 | ||||||||||||
Total insurance group | 1,395 | 2,210 | 1,380 | 3,838 | ||||||||||||
Burlington Northern Santa Fe | 1,070 | 974 | 2,035 | 1,450 | * | |||||||||||
Finance and financial products | 177 | 164 | 333 | 285 | ||||||||||||
Marmon | 273 | 219 | 495 | 409 | ||||||||||||
McLane Company | 105 | 109 | 187 | 189 | ||||||||||||
MidAmerican | 320 | 338 | 771 | 733 | ||||||||||||
Other businesses | 976 | 860 | 1,651 | 1,443 | ||||||||||||
4,316 | 4,874 | 6,852 | 8,347 | |||||||||||||
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment and derivative gains/losses | 1,105 | (1,793 | ) | 969 | (64 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to operating businesses | (50 | ) | (53 | ) | (101 | ) | (102 | ) | ||||||||
Eliminations and other | (106 | ) | (90 | ) | (221 | ) | (145 | ) | ||||||||
$ | 5,265 | $ | 2,938 | $ | 7,499 | $ | 8,036 |
* | Includes revenues and earnings from February 13, 2010. |
19
Results of Operations
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway are disaggregated in the table that follows. Amounts are after deducting income taxes and exclude earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests. Amounts are in millions.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Insurance – underwriting | $ | (7 | ) | $ | 462 | $ | (828 | ) | $ | 688 | ||||||
Insurance – investment income | 995 | 1,088 | 1,947 | 2,076 | ||||||||||||
Railroad | 690 | 603 | 1,297 | 885 | * | |||||||||||
Utilities and energy | 215 | 233 | 516 | 456 | ||||||||||||
Manufacturing, service and retailing | 789 | 671 | 1,347 | 1,148 | ||||||||||||
Finance and financial products | 110 | 103 | 206 | 178 | ||||||||||||
Other | (88 | ) | (86 | ) | (188 | ) | (135 | ) | ||||||||
Investment and derivative gains/losses | 713 | (1,106 | ) | 631 | 305 | |||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway | $ | 3,417 | $ | 1,968 | $ | 4,928 | $ | 5,601 |
* | BNSF’s earnings are for the period from February 13 through June 30. |
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 establishing and monitoring 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 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) should be read in conjunction with this discussion.
On February 12, 2010, we completed the acquisition of the 77.5% of BNSF common stock that we did not already own. Beginning as of February 13, 2010, BNSF’s results and net earnings are included fully in our consolidated results. Prior to February 13, 2010, our share of net earnings related to our previously held investments in BNSF was determined under the equity method and is included as a component of insurance investment income in the preceding table.
During the first six months of 2011, insurance underwriting results of our reinsurance operations included after-tax losses of approximately $1.2 billion from several significant catastrophe events. After-tax losses from catastrophes occurring in the first six months of 2010 were approximately $400 million.
Our after-tax investment and derivative gains for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 were $713 million and $631 million, respectively. In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded an after-tax gain of approximately $806 million from the redemption of our investment in Goldman Sachs 10% Preferred Stock. After-tax investment and derivative gains in 2011 also included other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses related to certain equity securities of approximately $322 million recorded in the first quarter. These OTTI losses had no impact on our consolidated shareholders’ equity. In the second quarter of 2010, our after-tax net investment and derivative losses of $1,106 million were primarily due to the changes in estimated fair value of our equity index put option contracts. In the first quarter of 2010, we recognized a one-time holding gain of approximately $1 billion related to our acquisition of BNSF. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe that investment and derivative gains/losses are often meaningless in terms of understanding our reported results or evaluating our economic performance. These gains and losses have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility in our periodic earnings.
Insurance—Underwriting
We engage in both primary insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty 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. Through General Re and BHRG, we also reinsure life and health risks.
Our management views insurance businesses as possessing two distinct operations – underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers; investing, with very limited exceptions, is the responsibility of Berkshire’s Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett. Accordingly, we evaluate the performance of our underwriting operations without any allocation of investment income.
20
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)
Our periodic underwriting results are often affected significantly by changes in estimates for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including amounts established for occurrences in prior years. Actual claim settlements and revised loss estimates will develop over time, which will likely differ from the estimates recorded as of June 30. Accordingly, the loss reserve estimates recorded as of June 30 may develop upward or downward in future periods with a corresponding decrease or increase, respectively, to pre-tax earnings. In addition, the timing and amount of catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in our periodic underwriting results, particularly with respect to BHRG and General Re. For the first six months of 2011, we recorded aggregate pre-tax provisions for estimated catastrophe losses of approximately $1.9 billion arising from several current year events, including the earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand, as well as weather related events in Australia and the U.S. Our underwriting results also include significant unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from the valuation of certain non-U.S. Dollar denominated reinsurance liabilities into U.S. Dollars as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Given the magnitude of the catastrophe losses in the first six months of 2011, as well as the potential for additional losses over the last half of the year, including exposure to hurricanes in the U.S., we believe it is unlikely that our combined insurance operations will achieve an underwriting profit for the year ending December 31, 2011.
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 $94 billion at December 31, 2010. 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.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Underwriting gain (loss) attributable to: | ||||||||||||||||
GEICO | $ | 159 | $ | 329 | $ | 496 | $ | 628 | ||||||||
General Re | 132 | 222 | (194 | ) | 183 | |||||||||||
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group | (354 | ) | 117 | (1,697 | ) | 169 | ||||||||||
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group | 54 | 48 | 110 | 81 | ||||||||||||
Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss) | (9 | ) | 716 | (1,285 | ) | 1,061 | ||||||||||
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests | (2 | ) | 254 | (457 | ) | 373 | ||||||||||
Net underwriting gain (loss) | $ | (7 | ) | $ | 462 | $ | (828 | ) | $ | 688 |
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.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums earned | $ | 3,818 | 100.0 | $ | 3,554 | 100.0 | $ | 7,493 | 100.0 | $ | 7,008 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 2,954 | 77.4 | 2,604 | 73.3 | 5,607 | 74.8 | 5,136 | 73.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting expenses | 705 | 18.4 | 621 | 17.4 | 1,390 | 18.6 | 1,244 | 17.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total losses and expenses | 3,659 | 95.8 | 3,225 | 90.7 | 6,997 | 93.4 | 6,380 | 91.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax underwriting gain | $ | 159 | $ | 329 | $ | 496 | $ | 628 |
Premiums earned in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $264 million (7.4%) and $485 million (6.9%), respectively, as compared to premiums earned in the corresponding 2010 periods. Over the past year, voluntary auto policies-in-force increased 7.9%. The increase in policies-in-force in 2011 reflected an increase of 17.5% in voluntary auto new business sales during the first six months of 2011 and higher retention rates of existing customers. Voluntary auto policies-in-force at June 30, 2011 were approximately 473,000 greater than at December 31, 2010 and were approximately 1,036,000 greater than at December 31, 2009.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $350 million (13.4%) and $471 million (9.2%), respectively, from amounts incurred in the same periods in 2010. The increases in losses and loss adjustment expenses reflected the increases in premiums from higher policies-in-force, and generally modest increases in average claims frequencies and severities in the significant coverage categories. In 2011, catastrophe losses were $114 million in the second quarter and $124 million in the first six months. In 2010, catastrophe losses were $44 million in the second quarter and $63 million in the first six months.
21
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Insurance —Underwriting (Continued)
GEICO (Continued)
In 2011, underwriting expenses increased $84 million (13.5%) for the second quarter and $146 million (11.7%) for the first six months over the corresponding 2010 periods. The increases reflected additional advertising and payroll costs arising from the generation of new business and the servicing of existing business.
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 exercise discipline by rejecting 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter | First Six Months | Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property/casualty | $ | 755 | $ | 697 | $ | 1,470 | $ | 1,446 | $ | 41 | $ | 164 | $ | (283 | ) | $ | 103 | |||||||||||||||
Life/health | 689 | 676 | 1,411 | 1,367 | 91 | 58 | 89 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,444 | $ | 1,373 | $ | 2,881 | $ | 2,813 | $ | 132 | $ | 222 | $ | (194 | ) | $ | 183 |
Property/casualty
Property/casualty premiums earned in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $58 million (8.3%) and $24 million (1.7%), respectively, versus the corresponding 2010 periods. Excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes, premiums earned in the first six months of 2011 declined $40 million (2.7%) from 2010. The decline reflected lower premiums earned from North American property treaty business partially offset by higher premiums earned from European property treaty and broker-market motor liability business. Price competition in most property and casualty lines persists. Our underwriters continue to exercise discipline by not accepting offers to write business where prices are deemed inadequate. We remain prepared to increase volumes should market conditions improve.
The property/casualty operations generated an underwriting gain of $41 million in the second quarter of 2011 and an underwriting loss of $283 million for the first six months of 2011. In 2011, the property business generated near break-even underwriting results in the second quarter and a net underwriting loss of $353 million for the first six months. In 2011, property underwriting results included catastrophe losses incurred of $139 million in the second quarter and $630 million in the first six months. The catastrophe losses were primarily from a number of 2011 events including earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand and various tornado and other weather related loss events in the United States and Australia. The casualty/workers’ compensation business generated an underwriting gain of $70 million for the first six months of 2011, reflecting overall reductions in estimated prior years’ casualty loss reserves.
The property/casualty operations generated underwriting gains of $164 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $103 million for the first six months of 2010. Underwriting gains for the first six months of 2010 were attributable to the casualty business, which reflected overall reductions in estimated prior years’ casualty loss reserves. The property business for the first six months of 2010 produced break-even underwriting results and included $238 million of catastrophe losses arising primarily from the earthquake in Chile and weather related losses in Europe, Australia and New England.
Life/health
Life/health premiums earned in 2011 increased $13 million (1.9%) for the second quarter and $44 million (3.2%) for the first six months versus the comparable periods in 2010. Adjusting for the effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes, premiums earned in the first six months of 2011 declined $35 million (2.5%) versus 2010, primarily due to lower U.S. life and medical supplement business. Underwriting results for the global life/health operations produced underwriting gains of $91 million in the second quarter of 2011 and $89 million for the first six months of 2011. The second quarter underwriting gains were driven by lower mortality in our international operations. Underwriting results for the first six months of 2011 also reflected reserve increases attributable to the earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand and losses from increases in the frequency and severity of health claims in the U.S. The life/health operations produced underwriting gains of $58 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $80 million for the first six months of 2010 due primarily to lower mortality in our international life business.
22
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Insurance —Underwriting (Continued)
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”)
Through the 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 and facultative reinsurance for large or otherwise unusual discrete 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. Other multi-line business refers to other property and casualty business 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 incepting between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012. We currently do not anticipate that the Swiss Re quota-share contract will be renewed or extended. BHRG’s underwriting activities also include life reinsurance as well as a life annuity business. BHRG’s underwriting results are summarized in the table below. Amounts are in millions.
Premiums earned | Pre-tax underwriting gain/loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter | First Six Months | Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catastrophe and individual risk | $ | 170 | $ | 164 | $ | 359 | $ | 326 | $ | 108 | $ | 109 | $ | (165 | ) | $ | 227 | |||||||||||||||
Retroactive reinsurance | 1,676 | 205 | 1,819 | 352 | (100 | ) | (74 | ) | (255 | ) | (229 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other multi-line property/casualty | 910 | 832 | 2,043 | 1,671 | (320 | ) | 173 | (1,230 | ) | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Life and annuity | 512 | 345 | 991 | 1,304 | (42 | ) | (91 | ) | (47 | ) | (129 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 3,268 | $ | 1,546 | $ | 5,212 | $ | 3,653 | $ | (354 | ) | $ | 117 | $ | (1,697 | ) | $ | 169 |
Premiums earned in the first six months of 2011 from catastrophe and individual risk contracts increased $33 million (10%) versus the first six months of 2010 largely due to reinstatement premiums resulting from the first quarter earthquake losses. 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. We constrained the volume of business written in 2010 and 2011 as premium rates have not been attractive enough to warrant increasing volume. However, we have the capacity and will to write substantially more business when appropriate pricing can be obtained.
Catastrophe and individual risk underwriting results for the first six months of 2011 included estimated catastrophe losses incurred of $454 million which were attributable to the earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand. Catastrophe and individual risk underwriting results for the first six months of 2010 included estimated losses of $133 million from the earthquake in Chile and the Gulf of Mexico BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, partially offset by reductions in estimated prior years’ loss reserves.
Premiums earned under retroactive reinsurance contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 included approximately $1.68 billion from a reinsurance contract with Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), which closed in June. Under the contract, we agreed to reinsure the bulk of AIG’s U.S. asbestos liabilities. The agreement provides for a maximum limit of indemnification of $3.5 billion. Under existing accounting guidance for retroactive reinsurance contracts, the excess of estimated undiscounted loss reserves of approximately $2.5 billion over the premiums earned at the inception of the contract is recorded as a deferred charge asset, which is amortized over the estimated claim settlement period. Accordingly, there was no impact on pre-tax underwriting results from this contract at its inception.
Retroactive policies generally provide very large, but limited, indemnification of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events that are generally expected to be paid over long periods of time. The underwriting losses from retroactive policies primarily represent the periodic amortization of deferred charges established at the inception of the contracts. At June 30, 2011, the unamortized deferred charges associated with all of BHRG’s retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $4.3 billion and estimated unpaid losses attributable to such contracts were approximately $20.9 billion.
Premiums earned in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 from other multi-line property and casualty business included $590 million and $1,375 million, respectively, from the Swiss Re quota-share contract. In 2010, premiums earned from this contract were $592 million for the second quarter and $1,190 million for the first six months. In 2011 periods, premiums earned also reflected increased volume from the London-based international markets. Underwriting losses in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 from other multi-line property and casualty business included estimated catastrophe losses incurred of approximately $25 million and $731 million, respectively. Such losses were primarily from the earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand. Underwriting results in 2010 included estimated catastrophe losses of approximately $76 million for the second quarter and $216 million for the first six months attributable to the earthquake in Chile and the Gulf of Mexico BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. Underwriting results in 2011 also included unrealized foreign currency transaction losses of $220 million in the second quarter and $393 million in the first six months arising from the conversion of certain reinsurance loss reserves and other liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies into U.S. Dollars. In 2010, underwriting results included unrealized foreign currency transaction gains of $47 million in the second quarter and $177 million in the first six months. These gains and losses result from changes in the value of the U.S. Dollar versus other currencies.
23
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Insurance —Underwriting (Continued)
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) (Continued)
Life and annuity premiums earned in 2011 increased $167 million for the second quarter and decreased $313 million for the first six months compared with premiums earned in the 2010 periods. In 2011, premiums earned included a life reinsurance business acquired as of December 31, 2010. Substantially all of the premiums in 2010 were attributable to a reinsurance contract related to a closed block of life reinsurance business of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (“SRLHA”). Premiums earned in the first six months of 2010 from the SRLHA contract included approximately $600 million for the period between the October 1, 2009 effective date of the SRLHA contract and closing of the transaction in January 2010. In 2011, underwriting losses of the life and annuity business were $42 million for the second quarter and $47 million for the first six months. The underwriting results of the life and annuity business included a portfolio of annuity policies, most of which were written several years ago. For the first six months of 2011 and 2010, these policies generated underwriting losses of $48 million and $54 million, respectively, primarily related to periodic interest that accretes under the policies. At June 30, 2011, annuity reserves for policies in force were approximately $1,765 million.
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group
Premiums earned in the first six months by our various primary insurers were $845 million in 2011 and $816 million in 2010. Our primary insurers have the capacity and will to write substantially more volume if market conditions improve. For the first six months of 2011 and 2010, our primary insurers produced underwriting gains of $110 million and $81 million, respectively. The increase in underwriting gains in 2011 was primarily due to reductions of MedPro’s estimated prior years’ loss reserves partially offset by increased underwriting losses from the Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.
Insurance—Investment Income
A summary of net investment income of our insurance operations follows. Amounts are in millions.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Investment income before taxes, noncontrolling interests and equity method earnings | $ | 1,404 | $ | 1,494 | $ | 2,665 | $ | 2,777 | ||||||||
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 409 | 406 | 718 | 751 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income before equity method earnings | 995 | 1,088 | 1,947 | 2,026 | ||||||||||||
Equity method earnings | — | — | — | 50 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 995 | $ | 1,088 | $ | 1,947 | $ | 2,076 |
Investment income consists of interest and dividends earned on cash equivalents and investments of our insurance businesses. Pre-tax investment income in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 declined $90 million (6%) and $112 million (4%), respectively, compared with the corresponding prior year periods. Investment income earned in 2011 was favorably impacted by increased dividend rates with respect to several of our common stock holdings, including Wells Fargo and US Bancorp. However, investment income in 2011 was negatively impacted by the redemption in April 2011 of our investment in Goldman Sachs 10% Preferred Stock and the redemption in the fourth quarter of 2010 of our CHF 3 billion investment in a 12% Swiss Re capital instrument. Our insurance subsidiaries earned dividends from these investments of $372 million in the first six months of 2010 compared with $191 million in the first six months of 2011. In addition, General Electric has disclosed that it plans to retire our 10% Preferred Stock ($3 billion liquidation value) investment in October 2011. As a result, our investment income for the third quarter of 2011 (and likely beyond) will be negatively impacted, given the relatively low yields currently available from new investment opportunities.
A summary of cash and investments held in our insurance businesses follows. Other investments include our investments in Wrigley, Goldman Sachs, General Electric and Dow Chemical. Amounts are in millions.
June 30, | Dec. 31, | |||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 33,161 | $ | 24,818 | ||||
Equity securities | 66,045 | 59,517 | ||||||
Fixed maturity securities | 33,196 | 32,889 | ||||||
Other | 13,121 | 19,133 | ||||||
$ | 145,523 | $ | 136,357 |
24
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Insurance—Investment Income (Continued)
Fixed maturity investments as of June 30, 2011 were as follows. Amounts are in millions.
Amortized cost | Unrealized gains/losses | Fair value | ||||||||||
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 2,225 | $ | 43 | $ | 2,268 | ||||||
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 3,083 | 219 | 3,302 | |||||||||
Foreign governments | 11,649 | 161 | 11,810 | |||||||||
Corporate bonds, investment grade | 5,027 | 569 | 5,596 | |||||||||
Corporate bonds, non-investment grade | 5,892 | 1,893 | 7,785 | |||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | 2,181 | 254 | 2,435 | |||||||||
$ | 30,057 | $ | 3,139 | $ | 33,196 |
All U.S. government obligations are rated AAA by the major rating agencies and approximately 87% 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.
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 $71 billion at June 30, 2011 and $66 billion at December 31, 2010. The cost of float for the first six months, as represented by the ratio of our underwriting loss to average float, was about 2% in 2011 and was negative in 2010, as our insurance businesses generated an underwriting gain.
Railroad (“BNSF”)
We acquired control of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation including its subsidiary BNSF Railway Company, (“BNSF”) on February 12, 2010. BNSF’s revenues and operating results are included in our consolidated results beginning immediately after the acquisition. For the period between January 1, 2010 and February 12, 2010, we accounted for our investment in BNSF pursuant to the equity method. Our share of BNSF’s earnings for that period is included in net investment income of our insurance group. Earnings of BNSF are summarized below (in millions). BNSF’s earnings for the first six months of 2010 are provided for comparison, although these results are not fully reflected in our consolidated financial statements.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | Feb. 13, 2010 to | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | June 30, 2010 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 4,790 | $ | 4,094 | $ | 9,323 | $ | 6,167 | $ | 7,958 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses | 3,582 | 3,010 | 7,014 | 4,544 | 5,886 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 138 | 110 | 274 | 173 | 245 | |||||||||||||||
3,720 | 3,120 | 7,288 | 4,717 | 6,131 | ||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax earnings | 1,070 | 974 | 2,035 | 1,450 | 1,827 | |||||||||||||||
Income taxes | 380 | 371 | 738 | 565 | 718 | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 690 | $ | 603 | $ | 1,297 | $ | 885 | $ | 1,109 |
BNSF operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America with approximately 32,000 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF’s major business groups are classified by product shipped and include consumer products, coal, industrial products and agricultural products. The discussion that follows compares BNSF’s results for the six months ending June 30, 2011 to the same six month period in 2010.
Revenues during the second quarter and first six months of 2011 were $4,790 million and $9,323 million, respectively, representing increases of $696 million (17%) and $1,365 million (17%), respectively, over 2010. Revenues in each period include fuel surcharges to customers under programs intended to recover incremental fuel costs when fuel prices exceed threshold fuel prices. Overall, the increases in revenues in 2011 reflected higher average revenues per car/unit of 13% for the second quarter and 11% for the first six months as well as increases in cars/units handled of 4% for the second quarter and 6% for the first six months. Average revenues per car/unit in 2011 included the effects of increases in fuel surcharges of 44% for the second quarter and 41% for the first six months. The increases in fuel surcharges were driven by higher fuel costs.
25
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Railroad (“BNSF”) (Continued)
In 2011, consumer products revenues increased due primarily to higher unit volumes within international and domestic intermodal traffic, partially offset by lower automotive unit volumes as a result of the business disruption in Japan from the earthquake in March. Coal revenues increased over 2010 primarily due to higher average revenues per car/unit, despite lower unit volumes, which were partially attributable to the impacts of severe flooding along key coal routes. Industrial products revenues increased over 2010 primarily as a result of increased unit volumes, particularly from higher steel and sand shipments. Agricultural products revenues increased over 2010, reflecting increased wheat shipments primarily from strong export demand.
Operating expenses in 2011 were $3.6 billion for the second quarter and $7.0 billion for the first six months, representing increases of 19% in each period compared to 2010. Fuel expenses increased $334 million in the second quarter and $614 million in first six months of 2011 due to higher fuel prices as well as increased locomotive fuel consumption from higher unit volumes and severe weather conditions. Compensation and benefits expenses increased $99 million in the second quarter and $202 million for the first six months of 2011, reflecting the increases in volume-related costs, as well as salaries and benefits inflation, increased personnel training costs and weather-related costs. Purchased services expenses increased $34 million in the second quarter of 2011 and $52 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to 2010 due primarily to higher volume-related costs, partially offset by one-time merger-related legal and consulting fees incurred in the first quarter of 2010. Materials and other expenses in 2011 reflected higher locomotive and freight car material costs and increased employee relocation, crew transportation, personal injury and casualty costs. Operating expenses in 2010 were net of a gain of $74 million from the sale of a line segment in Washington State.
Utilities and Energy (“MidAmerican”)
Revenues and earnings from MidAmerican are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | Earnings | Revenues | Earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
PacifiCorp | $ | 1,105 | $ | 1,073 | $ | 183 | $ | 205 | $ | 2,237 | $ | 2,202 | $ | 373 | $ | 397 | ||||||||||||||||
MidAmerican Energy Company | 809 | 828 | 47 | 45 | 1,794 | 1,969 | 118 | 128 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas pipelines | 206 | 188 | 43 | 42 | 503 | 487 | 198 | 193 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.K. utilities | 239 | 206 | 97 | 86 | 492 | 398 | 219 | 141 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate brokerage | 293 | 347 | 23 | 36 | 484 | 551 | 13 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 26 | 30 | 7 | 4 | 48 | 42 | 10 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 2,678 | $ | 2,672 | $ | 5,558 | $ | 5,649 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings before corporate interest and income taxes | 400 | 418 | 931 | 892 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate interest | (80 | ) | (80 | ) | (160 | ) | (159 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest on Berkshire junior debt | (4 | ) | (8 | ) | (9 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests | (80 | ) | (77 | ) | (195 | ) | (220 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 236 | $ | 253 | $ | 567 | $ | 495 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway * | $ | 215 | $ | 233 | $ | 516 | $ | 456 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt owed to others at June 30 | $ | 19,760 | $ | 19,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt owed to Berkshire at June 30 | 143 | 286 |
* | Net of noncontrolling interests and includes interest earned by Berkshire (net of related income taxes). |
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 and two interstate natural gas pipeline companies. In the United Kingdom, MidAmerican operates two electricity distribution businesses. The rates that our utility and natural gas pipeline companies charge customers for energy and other services are generally subject to regulatory approval. Rates are based in large part on the costs of business operations, including a return on capital. 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 in the United States.
PacifiCorp’s revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $32 million (3%) and $35 million (2%), respectively, from the same periods in 2010. Revenue increases in 2011 reflected higher retail prices approved by regulators, partially offset by lower wholesale revenues resulting from lower prices and volumes. Earnings before corporate interest and taxes (“EBIT”) in 2011 declined $22 million (11%) in the second quarter and $24 million (6%) in the first six months, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2010. In 2011, the net increase in revenues was more than offset by higher operating costs, including fuel, purchased power and depreciation. In the second quarter of 2011 in particular, increased hydroelectric and wind generation in the Northwest contributed to lower average market prices of wholesale electricity. These conditions impacted PacifiCorp’s ability to economically dispatch its generating facilities and contributed to lower wholesale sales volumes and higher purchased power volumes.
26
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Utilities and Energy (“MidAmerican”) (Continued)
Revenues of MidAmerican Energy Company (“MEC”) in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 decreased $19 million (2%) and $175 million (9%), respectively, compared to 2010. For the first six months of 2011, regulated wholesale electric revenue declined $79 million versus 2010, reflecting a 26% decline in volumes and 11% lower average prices. For the first six months of 2011, regulated natural gas revenues decreased $52 million versus 2010 primarily due to lower wholesale volumes and average per unit cost of gas sold, which is passed through to customers. For the first six months of 2011, nonregulated gas and electric revenues decreased $59 million compared to 2010 due primarily to lower volumes and gas prices. In 2011, EBIT of MEC in the second quarter was relatively unchanged from 2010 and for the first six months declined $10 million (8%) versus 2010. The comparative decrease in EBIT for the first six months was primarily related to the regulated electric business, which experienced lower margins driven by the decline in revenue, partially offset by lower cost of energy supplied.
Natural gas pipelines revenues and EBIT in the second quarter of 2011 increased $18 million (10%) and $1 million (2%), respectively, over 2010 and in the first six months increased $16 million (3%) and $5 million (3%), respectively, from the first six months of 2010. These increases were principally due to higher sales of gas and condensate liquids partially offset by lower storage revenues from the narrowing of natural gas spreads.
Revenues of the U.K. utilities in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $33 million (16%) and $94 million (24%), respectively, from the comparable 2010 periods due primarily to higher distribution revenues and foreign currency translation effects of a weaker U.S. Dollar. EBIT of U.K. utilities in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $11 million (13%) and $78 million (55%), respectively, from the comparable 2010 periods. The EBIT increases in 2011 reflected the aforementioned increase in revenues and the net favorable impact of the foreign currency translation.
Real estate brokerage revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 decreased $54 million (16%) and $67 million (12%), respectively, from 2010 periods as a result of decreases in closed brokerage units partially due to the expiration of the home buyer tax credit in 2010. The decreases in earnings of the real estate brokerage business in 2011 compared to 2010 reflected the lower revenues. Income taxes and noncontrolling interests in the first six months of 2011 decreased $25 million from 2010. Noncontrolling interests and income taxes in the first six months of 2010 included an after-tax charge of $59 million related to an unfavorable verdict in connection with litigation associated with the noncontrolling ownership interest of a hydroelectric project in the Philippines.
Manufacturing, Service and Retailing
A summary of revenues and earnings of our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | Earnings | Revenues | Earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marmon | $ | 1,781 | $ | 1,562 | $ | 273 | $ | 219 | $ | 3,455 | $ | 2,959 | $ | 495 | $ | 409 | ||||||||||||||||
McLane Company | 8,444 | 8,293 | 105 | 109 | 16,211 | 15,723 | 187 | 189 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other manufacturing | 5,201 | 4,632 | 643 | 545 | 9,754 | 8,709 | 1,087 | 877 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other service | 2,081 | 1,871 | 287 | 287 | 4,049 | 3,645 | 487 | 506 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retailing | 727 | 682 | 46 | 28 | 1,414 | 1,357 | 77 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 18,234 | $ | 17,040 | $ | 34,883 | $ | 32,393 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax earnings | $ | 1,354 | $ | 1,188 | $ | 2,333 | $ | 2,041 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 565 | 517 | 986 | 893 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 789 | $ | 671 | $ | 1,347 | $ | 1,148 |
Marmon
Marmon’s revenues for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 were approximately $1.8 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, which represented increases of approximately 14% and 17%, respectively, over the comparable 2010 periods. An estimated 37% of the aggregate revenues increase in the first six months was attributed to increased copper costs affecting the Building Wire and Flow Products sectors, where copper cost increases are passed to our customers with little or no margin. Ten of the eleven business sectors produced comparative revenues increases in the second quarter and first six months. The only sector not reporting comparative revenue increases was the Retail Fixtures sector where a major customer significantly reduced its purchases. The Distribution Services, Flow Products and Transportation Services & Engineered Products sectors accounted for the largest dollar increases in the first six months. The Distribution Services and Transportation Services & Engineered Products sectors generated the largest dollar revenue increases in the second quarter.
27
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)
Marmon (Continued)
Operating earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 were $273 million and $495 million, respectively, which represented increases of 25% and 21%, respectively, over the comparable 2010 periods. In 2011, nine of the eleven business sectors produced similar or increased operating earnings compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2010. In 2011, operating earnings as a percent of revenues was 15.3% in the second quarter and 14.3% for the first six months. In 2010, operating earnings was 14.0% of revenues in the second quarter and 13.8% in the first six months. The Transportation Services & Engineered Products and Distribution Service sectors experienced the largest increases in operating earnings for the second quarter and the first six months of 2011. The Retail Fixtures and Building Wire sectors reported comparatively lower earnings in the second quarter, while the Retail Fixtures and Water Treatment sectors had lower earnings for the first six months of 2011 compared to 2010. The improvements in revenues and operating results generally reflected continued recoveries in many of Marmon’s end markets and Marmon’s ongoing effort to reduce or maintain overhead costs.
McLane Company
McLane’s revenues for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 were approximately $8.4 billion and $16.2 billion, respectively, representing increases of $151 million (2%) and $488 million (3%), respectively, over revenues in comparable 2010 periods. The increases in revenues in 2011 include revenues from Empire Distributors acquired in April 2010 and Horizon Wine and Spirits Inc. acquired in December 2010. Empire and Horizon are wholesale distributors of distilled spirits, wine and beer. Otherwise revenues from the grocery business were relatively unchanged from 2010, while revenues from the foodservice business increased roughly 5% over 2010. Pre-tax earnings in 2011 reflected the inclusion of Empire and Horizon, offset by a 26% increase in fuel and trucking costs of the grocery and food service businesses as well as increased legal and professional costs. McLane’s business is marked by high sales volume and very low profit margins. Approximately 30% of McLane’s annual revenues derive from sales to Wal-Mart. A curtailment of purchasing by Wal-Mart could have a material adverse impact on McLane’s earnings.
Other manufacturing
Our other manufacturing businesses include a wide array of businesses. Included in this group are 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 the Russell athletic apparel and sporting goods business and the Vanity Fair Brands women’s intimate apparel business). Also included in this group are Forest River, a leading manufacturer of leisure vehicles, IMC Metalworking Companies (“IMC”), an industry leader in the metal cutting tools business with operations worldwide and CTB, a manufacturer of equipment for the livestock and agricultural industries. In 2011, our manufacturing businesses have, with limited exception, experienced increased levels of business and improved operating results, although the rates of improvement were uneven.
Other manufacturing revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $569 million (12%) and $1,045 million (12%), respectively, compared with the corresponding 2010 periods. The increase in revenues for the first six months of 2011 reflected higher sales of apparel products, building products, recreation vehicles (Forest River), metal cutting tools (IMC) and systems for grain, poultry, egg and hog production (CTB). Of all of our manufacturing businesses, IMC delivered the largest increase in revenues for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 reflecting greater than expected customer demand, particularly in the automotive markets.
Pre-tax earnings of our other manufacturing businesses in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 increased $98 million (18%) and $210 million (24%), respectively, compared with earnings in the corresponding 2010 periods. The increases in earnings in 2011 reflected higher earnings of IMC, CTB and Johns Manville, partially offset by lower earnings at Shaw, Acme and certain of our apparel businesses. While revenues in 2011 from the building products group increased over 2010, these businesses, generally, continue to be negatively impacted by slow construction activity, particularly in the single-family housing markets. In 2011, many of our manufacturers experienced higher commodity costs of certain raw materials (including cotton, steel and petrochemicals) as well as higher energy costs. As a result of these higher costs, we have increased selling prices for certain products. To the extent that costs continue to stay at current elevated levels or increase, further selling price actions may be necessary.
Other service
Our other service businesses include NetJets, the world’s leading provider of fractional ownership programs for general aviation aircraft and FlightSafety (“FSI”), 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; The Pampered Chef, a direct seller of high quality kitchen tools; International Dairy Queen, a licensor and service provider to about 5,900 stores that offer prepared dairy treats and food; The Buffalo News, a publisher of a daily and Sunday newspaper; and businesses that provide management and other services to insurance companies.
In 2011, revenues of our other service businesses increased $210 million in the second quarter (11%) and $404 million (11%) in the first six months compared to 2010. In each period, the revenue increases were primarily attributable to stronger demand for electronic components (TTI) and pilot training (FSI) and from higher revenues at NetJets. The comparative revenue increases of NetJets reflected increases in revenues related to cost increases that are passed through to customers (with little or no margin), and modest increases in fractional interests sold and revenue hours flown.
28
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)
Other service (Continued)
Pre-tax earnings in the second quarter of 2011 of $287 million were unchanged from 2010 and for the first six months declined $19 million (4%) from 2010. In 2011, earnings increased at TTI and FSI, which were offset by lower earnings of NetJets and several of our other smaller services businesses. NetJets’ earnings in 2011 declined $11 million for the second quarter and $65 million for the first six months. NetJets’ earnings in 2011 reflected negative foreign currency exchange rate movements affecting operations outside of the United States, as well as impairment charges recorded during the first quarter related to the planned disposition of aircraft later in 2011 and fees incurred to cancel certain aircraft purchase commitments.
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) and See’s Candies. Revenues of these businesses increased $45 million (7%) in the second quarter and $57 million (4%) in the first six months of 2011, with each of these businesses generating comparative revenue increases. In 2011, pre-tax earnings increased $18 million (64%) in the second quarter and $17 million (28%) in the first six months as compared to 2010. The increase in second quarter earnings reflected improved operating results from the jewelry and home furnishings retailers as well as higher earnings of See’s, primarily attributable to the later Easter holiday in 2011.
Finance and Financial Products
A summary of revenues and earnings from our finance and financial products businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | Earnings | Revenues | Earnings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufactured housing and finance | $ | 750 | $ | 923 | $ | 44 | $ | 58 | $ | 1,421 | $ | 1,689 | $ | 76 | $ | 90 | ||||||||||||||||
Furniture/transportation equipment leasing | 182 | 162 | 40 | 13 | 351 | 312 | 61 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 59 | 64 | 93 | 93 | 132 | 125 | 196 | 180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 991 | $ | 1,149 | $ | 1,904 | $ | 2,126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax earnings | $ | 177 | $ | 164 | $ | 333 | $ | 285 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 67 | 61 | 127 | 107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 110 | $ | 103 | $ | 206 | $ | 178 |
Revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2011 from our manufactured housing and finance business (Clayton Homes) declined $173 million (19%) and $268 million (16%), respectively, compared with revenues in the corresponding periods in 2010. Revenues from home sales in 2011 declined from 2010 by 30% for the second quarter and 27% for the first six months. Unit sales in 2011 declined about 22% from 2010, which benefitted from the U.S. federal tax credit offered to homebuyers. The homebuyer tax credit program expired June 30, 2010. In addition, the average price per home sold declined in 2011 as a larger percentage of homes sold were lower priced single section units. Clayton’s financial services income in 2011 also declined slightly from 2010, due primarily to lower interest income from installment loans. Net consumer loan balances at June 30, 2011 declined by approximately $300 million from December 31, 2010 to approximately $13.2 billion. The decline reflects runoff of the portfolio and fewer new loans.
Pre-tax earnings of Clayton Homes for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 declined $14 million versus each of the comparable prior year periods. Earnings in the second quarter of 2011 were negatively impacted by an increase of $16 million in insurance claims arising from severe storms in the Southeast U.S. and Missouri. Clayton Homes’ operating results continue to be negatively affected by the ongoing soft housing markets and the surplus of traditional single family homes for sale. In addition, our manufactured housing programs have been at a competitive disadvantage compared to traditional single family housing markets, which have been receiving 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 current conditions.
For the first six months of 2011, revenues of our furniture and transportation equipment leasing businesses increased $39 million compared to 2010, while earnings increased $46 million. The increases primarily reflected higher transportation equipment rental income primarily due to increased transportation equipment utilization rates and lower depreciation expense. Earnings from our other finance business activities consists primarily of investment income from a portfolio of fixed maturity and equity investments and from a small portfolio of long-held commercial real estate loans. In addition, other earnings include income from interest rate spreads representing the difference between interest rates charged to Clayton Homes on borrowings (approximately $11.5 billion as of June 30, 2011), which are used in connection with its’ lending activities and interest paid by a Berkshire financing subsidiary to fund the loans to Clayton. A corresponding charge is reflected in Clayton Homes’ earnings.
29
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.
Second Quarter | First Six Months | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Investment gains/losses | $ | 1,289 | $ | 383 | $ | 1,388 | $ | 1,701 | ||||||||
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments | — | — | (506 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Derivative gains/losses | (184 | ) | (2,176 | ) | 87 | (1,765 | ) | |||||||||
Gains/losses before income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 1,105 | (1,793 | ) | 969 | (64 | ) | ||||||||||
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 392 | (687 | ) | 338 | (369 | ) | ||||||||||
Net gains/losses | $ | 713 | $ | (1,106 | ) | $ | 631 | $ | 305 |
Investment gains/losses include gains and losses that arise from the sale or actual disposition of investments. The timing of gains or losses from sales or dispositions can have a material effect on periodic earnings. Investment gains and losses usually have minimal impact on our consolidated shareholders’ equity since most of our investments are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets 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 we do not consider investment gains and losses in a given period as necessarily meaningful or useful, we are providing information to explain the nature of such gains and losses when they are reflected in earnings.
Investment gains/losses for the second quarter and first six months of 2011 included a pre-tax gain of $1.25 billion from the redemption of our GS Preferred investment (See Note 6). Investment gains/losses for the first six months of 2010 included a one-time holding gain of $979 million in connection with our acquisition of BNSF as a result of the application of acquisition accounting under GAAP.
We recognized other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses in the first quarter of 2011 related to our investments in Kraft Foods ($169 million) and Wells Fargo ($337 million). Such OTTI losses averaged about 7.5% of the original cost of the impaired securities. As of that time, most of the impaired securities were in an unrealized loss position for more than two years. However, in each case, the issuer has been profitable and we expect that these businesses will continue to remain profitable. We also expect that the market prices for these securities will eventually exceed our original cost. As discussed in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the OTTI loss related to Wells Fargo pertained to 103.6 million shares that had unrealized losses determined on a specific identification basis. We also held 255.4 million shares of Wells Fargo in which we had unrealized gains of approximately $3.7 billion as of March 31, 2011. However, none of these gains were included in our past or current earnings. This odd result occurs because existing accounting rules require that impairments be evaluated as to whether or not they are other than temporary on an individual purchase lot basis, since that is how we determine realized investment gains/losses on sales of such investments.
The OTTI losses had no impact whatsoever on the asset values recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets or on our consolidated shareholders’ equity. Although we have periodically recorded OTTI losses in earnings in the past, we continue to hold positions in many of the related securities. 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 years or even decades. 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.
We consider several factors in determining whether or not impairments are deemed to be other than temporary, including the current and expected long-term business prospects of the issuer, our ability and intent to hold the investment until the price recovers and the length of time and relative magnitude of the price decline. Stock prices may remain below cost for a period of time that may be deemed excessive from the standpoint of interpreting existing accounting rules even though other factors suggest that the stock prices will eventually recover. As a result, accounting regulations may require that we recognize OTTI losses in earnings in instances where we may strongly believe that the market price of the impaired security will recover to at least our original cost and where we possess the ability and intent to hold the security until, at least, that time.
30
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses (Continued)
Derivative gains/losses primarily represent the changes in fair values of our credit default and equity index put option contracts. Periodic changes in the fair values of these contracts are reflected in earnings and can be significant, reflecting the volatility of equity and credit markets. Under many of the contracts, settlements will not occur until the contract expiration dates, many years from now. Our derivative contracts generated losses in the second quarter of $184 million in 2011 and $2.2 billion in 2010. For the first six months derivative contract gains were $87 million in 2011 compared to losses of $1.8 billion in 2010.
In the second quarter and first six months of 2011, our equity index put option contracts produced losses of $271 million and $48 million, respectively. In the second quarter of 2011, the losses were primarily attributable to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar affecting contracts which are denominated in foreign currencies and, to a lesser degree, due to changes in the index prices and changes to other inputs used in estimating the values of the contracts. In 2010, we incurred pre-tax losses of approximately $1.8 billion in the second quarter and $1.6 billion in the first six months on equity index put option contracts. During the second quarter of 2010, declines in major equity index values ranged from 12% to 15% and we reduced our interest rate assumptions. As a result, the estimated values of the liabilities associated with these contracts increased. Our ultimate payment obligations, if any, under our remaining equity index put option contracts will be determined as of the contract expiration dates, which begin in 2018.
Gains and losses generated by our credit default contracts reflect changes in credit default spreads relative to the remaining terms of the contracts. In 2011, our credit default contracts generated gains in the second quarter of $142 million and $212 million in the first six months. The gains in the second quarter were primarily related to our contracts involving municipal credits, whereas most of the gain in the first quarter related to our contracts on corporate credits. The gains in 2011 reflected the narrowing of credit default spreads as well as the passage of time. In the second quarter and first six months of 2010, our credit default contracts incurred losses of $320 million and $112 million, respectively. There were no credit events affecting our contracts in 2010 or during the first six months of 2011.
Financial Condition
Our balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and a strong capital base. Our consolidated shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2011 was $163.0 billion, an increase of $5.7 billion from December 31, 2010. Consolidated cash and investments of insurance and other businesses approximated $157.5 billion at June 30, 2011 including cash and cash equivalents of $43.2 billion. These assets are held predominantly in our insurance businesses. In February 2011, we repaid $2.0 billion of Berkshire parent company debt issued in connection with the BNSF acquisition. In February 2012, an additional $1.7 billion of Berkshire parent company debt will mature. In March 2011, we entered into an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding stock of The Lubrizol Corporation for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $9.0 billion. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We expect that the acquisition will close within the next one to three months and we plan to fund the acquisition price with existing cash and cash equivalents.
Our railroad, utilities and energy businesses conducted by MidAmerican and BNSF maintain very large investments in property, plant and equipment and will regularly make significant capital expenditures in the normal course of business. In the first six months of 2011, capital expenditures by MidAmerican were approximately $1.2 billion and BNSF’s capital expenditures were approximately $1.4 billion. MidAmerican’s forecasted capital expenditures for the remainder of 2011 are approximately $2.5 billion. BNSF’s forecasted capital expenditures for the remainder of 2011 are approximately $2.2 billion. Future capital expenditures are expected to be funded from cash flows from operations and debt proceeds. Aggregate borrowings of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses were about $32.3 billion as of June 30, 2011, which consist of $19.8 billion borrowed by MidAmerican and $12.5 billion borrowed by BNSF. During the first six months of 2011, MidAmerican and BNSF issued debt of approximately $1.4 billion, with maturities ranging from 2013 to 2041. These businesses have debt and capital lease maturities over the remainder of 2011 of approximately $1.2 billion. 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.
Assets of the finance and financial products businesses, which consisted primarily of loans and finance receivables, fixed maturity securities, other investments and cash and cash equivalents, were approximately $24.8 billion as of June 30, 2011 and $25.7 billion at December 31, 2010. Liabilities were approximately $23.5 billion as of June 30, 2011 and $24.0 billion as of December 31, 2010. As of June 30, 2011, notes payable and other borrowings of $14.3 billion included approximately $11.5 billion of notes issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”). In January 2011, BHFC issued $1.5 billion of notes and repaid $1.5 billion of maturing notes. BHFC notes are unsecured and maturities currently range from 2012 to 2040. In 2012, approximately $2.7 billion of BHFC’s debt will mature, with most of the maturities occurring in the second and third quarters. The proceeds from the BHFC notes are used to finance originated and acquired loans of Clayton Homes. The full and timely payment of principal and interest on the BHFC notes is guaranteed by Berkshire.
We regularly access the credit markets, particularly through our railroad, utilities and energy and the 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 firms and providing new enforcement powers to regulators. Virtually all major areas of the Reform Act will be subject to regulatory interpretation and implementation rules requiring rulemaking that may take several years to complete.
31
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Financial Condition (Continued)
We are party to several equity index put option and credit default contracts as described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 June 30, 2011, the liabilities recorded for these contracts were approximately $7.9 billion and our collateral posting requirements were $25 million. With respect to such collateral requirements, we receive the income attributable to such collateral or, in certain instances, interest credit from the counterparty. Although the ultimate outcome of the regulatory rulemaking proceedings described in the preceding paragraph cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the provisions of the Reform Act that concern collateral requirements apply to derivatives contracts that were entered into prior to the enactment of the Reform Act, as ours were. As such, 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 June 30, 2011 were not materially different from those disclosed in “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, 2010.
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, 2010 for additional discussion regarding these estimates.
Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2011 includes estimated liabilities for unpaid losses from property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts of $65.1 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 very small percentage change in estimates of this magnitude will 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 June 30, 2011 includes goodwill of acquired businesses of $49.1 billion. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually and conducted our most recent annual review in the fourth quarter of 2010. Such tests include determining the estimated fair values of our reporting units. There are several methods of estimating a reporting unit’s fair value, including market quotations, underlying asset and liability fair value determinations and other valuation techniques, such as discounted projected future net earnings or net cash flows and multiples of earnings. We primarily use discounted projected future earnings or cash flow methods. The key assumptions and inputs used in such methods may involve forecasting revenues and expenses, operating cash flows and capital expenditures as well as an appropriate discount rate. A significant amount of judgment is required in estimating the fair value of a reporting unit and performing goodwill impairment tests. Due to the inherent uncertainty in forecasting cash flows and earnings, actual results may vary significantly from the forecasts. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the estimated fair value, then individual assets (including identifiable intangible assets) and liabilities of the reporting unit are estimated at fair value. The excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit over the estimated fair value of net assets would establish the implied value of goodwill. The excess of the recorded amount of goodwill over the implied value is then charged to earnings as an impairment loss. Although we believe that the goodwill reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2011 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.
32
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)
Critical Accounting Policies (Continued)
Our consolidated financial position reflects very significant amounts of invested assets and derivative contract liabilities that are measured at fair value. While a substantial portion of invested assets are carried at fair value based upon current market quotations and other observable independent market inputs, values of certain assets are based upon fair value pricing matrices or models. Such assets include certain private placement fixed maturity and equity securities and loans and finance receivables. In addition, certain of our derivative contracts are unique and there are, generally, no observable market prices for identical or sufficiently similar instruments. Accordingly, we may use models in estimating the values of such contracts. The models used in valuing such illiquid assets and liabilities incorporate observable inputs as well as unobservable inputs, which require judgments by management. Inputs used in certain valuation models that are subject to judgment include interest rate, loan prepayment speed, duration, credit risk, expected volatilities, dividend rates and liquidity risk assumptions. Changes in these assumptions may produce a significant effect on values. Furthermore, accounting and reporting standards are continually and rapidly changing in the area of financial instruments, which may impact the values recorded in the financial statements in future periods.
Information concerning new accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the 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, 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.
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 June 30, 2011, there are no material changes in the market risks described in Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
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.
33
We 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. Reference is made to Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for detailed discussion of such actions.
Our significant business risks are described in Item 1A to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 to which reference is made herein.
None
None
Not applicable.
Coal Mine Safety Disclosures Required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
The operation of PacifiCorp’s coal mines and coal processing facilities is regulated by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (“Mine Safety Act”). MSHA inspects PacifiCorp’s coal mines and coal processing facilities on a regular basis and may issue citations, notices, orders, or any combination thereof, when it believes a violation has occurred under the Mine Safety Act. For citations, monetary penalties are assessed by MSHA. Citations, notices and orders can be contested and appealed and the severity and assessment of penalties may be reduced or, in some cases, dismissed through the appeal process.
The table below summarizes the total number of citations, notices and orders issued and penalties assessed by MSHA for each coal mine or coal processing facility operated by PacifiCorp under the indicated provisions of the Mine Safety Act during the six-month period ended June 30, 2011. Legal actions pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, which are not exclusive to citations, notices, orders and penalties assessed by MSHA, are as of June 30, 2011. Closed or idled mines have been excluded from the table below as no citations, orders or notices were issued for such mines during the six-month period ended June 30, 2011. In addition, there were no fatalities at PacifiCorp’s coal mines or coal processing facilities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2011.
Mine Safety Act | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Section | Value of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Section 104 | Section | 107(a) | Proposed | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Significant & | Section | 104(d) | Section | Imminent | Section | MSHA | Legal | ||||||||||||||||||
Substantial | 104(b) | Citations & | 110(b)(2) | Danger | 104(e) | Assessments | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||
Coal Mine or Coal Processing Facility | Citations | Orders | Orders | Citations | Orders | Notice | (in thousands) | Pending | |||||||||||||||||
Deer Creek | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | $ | 20 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||
Bridger (surface) | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
Bridger (underground) | 26 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 66 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||
Cottonwood Preparatory Plant | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Wyodak Coal Crushing Facility | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
34
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 |
101 | The following financial information from Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and detail. |
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. | |
(Registrant) | |
Date: August 5, 2011 | /S/ MARC D. HAMBURG |
(Signature) | |
Marc D. Hamburg, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer |
35