Exhibit 12.1
Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Calculation of ratio of consolidated earnings to consolidated fixed charges
(Dollars in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway | $ | 4,999 | $ | 4,994 | $ | 13,213 | $ | 11,015 | $ | 8,528 | $ | 7,308 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 2,107 | 1,978 | 6,594 | 5,505 | 4,159 | 3,569 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 288 | 602 | 354 | 258 | 104 | 59 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from equity method investments | (307 | ) | — | — | — | (523 | ) | (237 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Fixed charges | 1,711 | 2,276 | 2,202 | 1,979 | 867 | 875 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings available for fixed charges | $ | 8,798 | $ | 9,850 | $ | 22,363 | $ | 18,757 | $ | 13,135 | $ | 11,574 | ||||||||||||
Fixed charges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest on indebtedness (including amortization of debt discount and expense) | $ | 1,492 | $ | 1,963 | $ | 1,910 | $ | 1,724 | $ | 723 | $ | 721 | ||||||||||||
Rentals representing interest and other | 219 | 313 | 292 | 255 | 144 | 154 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 1,711 | $ | 2,276 | $ | 2,202 | $ | 1,979 | $ | 867 | $ | 875 | |||||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 5.14 | x | 4.33 | x | 10.16 | x | 9.48 | x | 15.15 | x | 13.23 | x | ||||||||||||