Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) 10-Q 2014 Q3 Quarterly report

Exhibit 12

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

Calculation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Consolidated Fixed Charges

(Dollars in millions)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		Year Ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011		2010			2009
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	15,717	$	19,476	$	14,824	$	10,254	$	12,967		$	8,055
Income tax expense		6,312		8,951		6,924		4,568		5,607			3,538
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		235		369		488		492		527			386
(Earnings) loss from equity method investments		24		255		—		—		(50	)		(427	)
Dividends from equity method investments		—		—		—		—		20			132
Fixed charges		2,885		3,386		3,304		3,219		3,084			2,279
Earnings available for fixed charges	$	25,173	$	32,437	$	25,540	$	18,533	$	22,155		$	13,963
Fixed charges
Interest on indebtedness (including amortization of debt discount and expense)	$	2,423	$	2,801	$	2,744	$	2,664	$	2,558		$	1,992
Rentals representing interest and other		462		585		560		555		526			287
	$	2,885	$	3,386	$	3,304	$	3,219	$	3,084		$	2,279
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		8.73x		9.58x		7.73x		5.76x		7.18x			6.13x