e10vq
FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006
OR
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o |
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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)
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Delaware
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47-0813844 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68131
(Address of principal executive office)
(Zip Code)
(402) 346-1400
(Registrants 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 þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act).
YES þ NO o |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Act).
Yes o No þ
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 28, 2006:
Class A 1,259,258
Class B 8,464,000
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
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Page No. |
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2-3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6-18 |
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19-30 |
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30 |
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30 |
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31-35 |
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35 |
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36 |
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36 |
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Exhibit 31 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
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37 |
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Exhibit 32 Section 1350 Certifications |
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39 |
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1
Part I Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Audited) |
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(Pro Forma)* |
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ASSETS |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
37,675 |
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$ |
40,471 |
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$ |
40,471 |
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Investments: |
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Fixed maturity securities |
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27,002 |
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27,420 |
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27,420 |
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Equity securities |
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49,788 |
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46,721 |
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46,721 |
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Other |
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1,012 |
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1,003 |
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1,003 |
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Receivables |
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13,097 |
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12,397 |
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12,372 |
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Inventories |
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4,227 |
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4,143 |
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4,143 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
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7,705 |
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7,500 |
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7,500 |
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Goodwill |
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23,101 |
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22,693 |
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22,693 |
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Deferred charges reinsurance assumed |
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2,297 |
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2,388 |
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2,388 |
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Other |
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5,045 |
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4,937 |
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4,937 |
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170,949 |
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169,673 |
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169,648 |
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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709 |
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358 |
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Property, plant and equipment |
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22,057 |
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11,915 |
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Goodwill |
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5,449 |
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4,156 |
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Other |
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6,680 |
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3,764 |
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Investments in MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company |
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4,125 |
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34,895 |
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4,125 |
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20,193 |
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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4,474 |
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4,189 |
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4,189 |
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Investments in fixed maturity securities |
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3,255 |
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3,435 |
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3,435 |
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Loans and finance receivables |
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11,237 |
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11,087 |
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11,087 |
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Goodwill |
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951 |
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951 |
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951 |
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Other |
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4,445 |
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4,865 |
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4,865 |
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24,362 |
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24,527 |
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24,527 |
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$ |
230,206 |
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$ |
198,325 |
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$ |
214,368 |
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* |
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The Pro Forma Balance Sheet gives effect to the conversion on February 9, 2006 of MidAmerican
Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican) non-voting cumulative convertible preferred stock into
MidAmerican voting common stock as if such conversion had occurred on December 31, 2005. See
Note 2 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. |
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
2
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2005 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Audited) |
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(Pro Forma)* |
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Losses and loss adjustment expenses |
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$ |
47,590 |
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$ |
48,034 |
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$ |
48,034 |
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Unearned premiums |
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7,496 |
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6,206 |
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6,206 |
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Life and health insurance benefits |
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3,288 |
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3,202 |
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3,202 |
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Other policyholder liabilities |
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3,840 |
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3,769 |
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3,769 |
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Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities |
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8,048 |
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8,699 |
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8,699 |
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Income taxes, principally deferred |
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17,084 |
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12,252 |
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13,649 |
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Notes payable and other borrowings |
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3,564 |
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3,583 |
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3,583 |
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90,910 |
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85,745 |
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87,142 |
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities |
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6,916 |
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3,780 |
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Notes payable and other borrowings |
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16,094 |
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10,296 |
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23,010 |
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14,076 |
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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Derivative contract liabilities |
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4,360 |
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5,061 |
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5,061 |
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Notes payable and other borrowings |
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10,821 |
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10,868 |
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10,868 |
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Other |
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4,017 |
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4,351 |
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4,351 |
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19,198 |
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20,280 |
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20,280 |
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Total liabilities |
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133,118 |
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106,025 |
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121,498 |
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Minority shareholders interests |
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1,739 |
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816 |
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1,386 |
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Shareholders equity: |
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Common stock Class A, $5 par value; Class B, $0.1667 par value |
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8 |
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8 |
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8 |
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Capital in excess of par value |
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26,424 |
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26,399 |
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26,399 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income |
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18,707 |
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17,360 |
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17,360 |
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Retained earnings |
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50,210 |
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47,717 |
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47,717 |
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Total shareholders equity |
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95,349 |
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91,484 |
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91,484 |
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$ |
230,206 |
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$ |
198,325 |
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$ |
214,368 |
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* |
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The Pro Forma Balance Sheet gives effect to the conversion on February 9, 2006 of MidAmerican
Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican) non-voting cumulative convertible preferred stock into
MidAmerican voting common stock as if such conversion had occurred on December 31, 2005. See
Note 2 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. |
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
3
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
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First Quarter |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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(Unaudited) |
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Revenues: |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Insurance premiums earned |
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$ |
5,522 |
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$ |
5,331 |
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Sales and service revenues |
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11,992 |
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10,607 |
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Interest, dividend and other investment income |
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1,031 |
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|
786 |
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Investment gains |
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442 |
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|
278 |
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18,987 |
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17,002 |
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Operating revenue |
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2,055 |
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Other revenue |
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138 |
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2,193 |
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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Interest income |
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398 |
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368 |
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Investment gains/losses |
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7 |
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(18 |
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Derivative gains/losses |
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354 |
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(377 |
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Other |
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824 |
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659 |
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1,583 |
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632 |
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22,763 |
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17,634 |
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Costs and expenses: |
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Insurance and Other: |
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Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses |
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3,765 |
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3,544 |
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Insurance underwriting expenses |
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1,246 |
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1,295 |
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Cost of sales and services |
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9,983 |
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|
8,834 |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses |
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1,378 |
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1,291 |
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Interest expense |
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44 |
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30 |
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16,416 |
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14,994 |
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Utilities and Energy: |
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Cost of sales and operating expenses |
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1,594 |
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Interest expense |
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181 |
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1,775 |
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Finance and Financial Products: |
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Interest expense |
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137 |
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|
136 |
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Other |
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822 |
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|
672 |
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|
959 |
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|
808 |
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19,150 |
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15,802 |
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Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company |
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3,613 |
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|
1,832 |
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Equity in earnings of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company |
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|
141 |
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Earnings before income taxes and minority interests |
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3,613 |
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|
1,973 |
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Income taxes |
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|
1,242 |
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|
600 |
|
Minority shareholders interests |
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|
58 |
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|
10 |
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Net earnings |
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$ |
2,313 |
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$ |
1,363 |
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Average common shares outstanding * |
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1,540,935 |
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|
1,539,100 |
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Net earnings per common share * |
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$ |
1,501 |
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$ |
886 |
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* |
|
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 share
shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per
Class B common share is equal to one-thirtieth (1/30) of such amount. |
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
4
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
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|
First Quarter |
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|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
$ |
2,359 |
|
|
$ |
1,359 |
|
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|
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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|
|
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|
|
Purchases of securities with fixed maturities |
|
|
(2,942 |
) |
|
|
(1,491 |
) |
Purchases of equity securities |
|
|
(1,529 |
) |
|
|
(1,720 |
) |
Sales of securities with fixed maturities |
|
|
792 |
|
|
|
890 |
|
Redemptions and maturities of securities with fixed maturities |
|
|
2,725 |
|
|
|
954 |
|
Sales of equity securities |
|
|
826 |
|
|
|
301 |
|
Purchases of loans and finance receivables |
|
|
(105 |
) |
|
|
(444 |
) |
Principal collections on loans and finance receivables |
|
|
222 |
|
|
|
231 |
|
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired |
|
|
(5,463 |
) |
|
|
(191 |
) |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(747 |
) |
|
|
(303 |
) |
Other |
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
(6,138 |
) |
|
|
(1,656 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
3,733 |
|
Proceeds from borrowings of utilities and energy businesses |
|
|
1,702 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from other borrowings |
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses |
|
|
(165 |
) |
|
|
(36 |
) |
Repayments of borrowings of utilities and energy businesses |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Repayments of other borrowings |
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
(223 |
) |
Change in short term borrowings |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Other |
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
1,619 |
|
|
|
3,579 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(2,160 |
) |
|
|
3,282 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year * |
|
|
45,018 |
|
|
|
43,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter * |
|
$ |
42,858 |
|
|
$ |
46,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
289 |
|
|
$ |
1,062 |
|
Interest of finance and financial products businesses |
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
Interest of utilities and energy businesses |
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
|
|
Interest of insurance and other businesses |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance and Other |
|
$ |
40,471 |
|
|
$ |
40,020 |
|
Finance and Financial Products |
|
|
4,189 |
|
|
|
3,407 |
|
Utilities and Energy |
|
|
358 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
45,018 |
|
|
$ |
43,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of first quarter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance and Other |
|
$ |
37,675 |
|
|
$ |
44,058 |
|
Finance and Financial Products |
|
|
4,474 |
|
|
|
2,651 |
|
Utilities and Energy |
|
|
709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42,858 |
|
|
$ |
46,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
5
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2006
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 a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement
date.
Reference is made to Berkshires most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K (Annual
Report) that included information necessary or useful to understanding Berkshires businesses and
financial statement presentations. In particular, Berkshires significant accounting policies and
practices were presented as Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual
Report. Certain amounts in 2005 have been reclassified to conform with 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 generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP).
For a number of reasons, Berkshires 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. Investment gains/losses are recorded when
investments are sold, other-than-temporarily impaired or in certain instances, as required by GAAP,
when investments are marked-to-market. Variations in the amounts and timing of investment
gains/losses can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.
On February 9, 2006, Berkshire Hathaway converted its investment in MidAmerican Energy
Holdings Company (MidAmerican) non-voting convertible preferred stock into MidAmerican common
stock and upon conversion, owned approximately 83.4% (80.5% diluted) of the voting and economic
interest of MidAmerican. Although Berkshires total economic interests in MidAmerican were
unaffected by the conversion, Berkshire now controls MidAmerican for financial reporting purposes.
Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2006 and the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Cash Flows for the first three months of 2006 reflect the
consolidation of MidAmerican. For periods prior to 2006, Berkshire accounted for its investments
in MidAmerican pursuant to the equity method. See Note 2 to these Interim Consolidated Financial
Statements. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Cash Flows reflect the consolidation of
MidAmerican as of January 1, 2006. Berkshires share of net earnings of MidAmerican under
consolidated financial reporting does not differ from earnings under the equity method.
Due to the significance of this change on Berkshires Consolidated Financial Statement
presentations, an unaudited pro forma balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 has been included on
the face of the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflecting the consolidation of
MidAmerican. Berkshire management believes that such unaudited pro forma information is meaningful
and relevant to investors, creditors and other financial statement users.
Note 2. Investments in MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
MidAmerican owns a combined regulated electric and natural gas utility company in the United
States (MidAmerican Energy Company), a regulated electric utility company in the United States
(PacifiCorp which was acquired March 21, 2006 see Note 3 to these Interim Consolidated Financial
Statements), two interstate natural gas pipeline companies in the United States (Kern River and
Northern Natural Gas), two electricity distribution companies in the United Kingdom,
a diversified portfolio of domestic and international electric power projects and the second
largest residential real estate brokerage firm in the United States (HomeServices). Collectively
this group of businesses is referred to as Berkshires utilities and energy businesses.
During 2005, Berkshire possessed the ability to exercise significant influence on the
operations of MidAmerican through its investments in common and convertible preferred stock of
MidAmerican. The convertible preferred stock, although generally non-voting, was substantially an
identical subordinate interest to a share of common stock and economically equivalent to common
stock. Therefore, during this period, Berkshire accounted for its investments in MidAmerican
pursuant to the equity method. Reference is made to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for the year ending December 31, 2005 included in Berkshires most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K for additional information regarding this investment.
6
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 2. Investments in MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (Continued)
As indicated in Note 1 to these Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, Berkshire commenced
consolidation of MidAmerican in 2006 as a result of converting its non-voting preferred stock of
MidAmerican into voting common stock of MidAmerican on February 9, 2006. However, no changes in
MidAmericans operations, management or capital structure occurred as a result of the
conversion. MidAmericans debt is currently not guaranteed by Berkshire. However, Berkshire has
made a commitment that would allow MidAmerican to request up to $3.5 billion of capital from
Berkshire to pay its debt obligations or make investments in its regulated subsidiaries. The
commitment expires in 2011. In addition, Berkshire purchased newly issued common shares of
MidAmerican for $3.4 billion in March 2006 and increased its voting and economic interests in
MidAmerican to 88.2% (86.6% on a diluted basis).
A condensed consolidated balance sheet of MidAmerican as of December 31, 2005 follows (in
millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
Properties, plants, and equipment, net |
|
$ |
11,915 |
|
|
Debt, except debt owed to Berkshire |
|
$ |
10,296 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
4,156 |
|
|
Debt owed to Berkshire |
|
|
1,289 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
4,300 |
|
|
Other liabilities and minority interests |
|
|
5,401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
20,371 |
|
|
|
|
|
16,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity |
|
|
3,385 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
20,371 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A condensed consolidated statement of earnings of MidAmerican for the first quarter of 2005
follows (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
Operating revenue and other income |
|
$ |
1,837 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales and operating expenses |
|
|
1,380 |
|
Interest expense debt held by Berkshire |
|
|
41 |
|
Other interest expense |
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,608 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before taxes |
|
|
229 |
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
152 |
|
|
|
|
|
Note 3. Business acquisitions
Berkshires long-held acquisition strategy is to purchase businesses with consistent earnings,
good returns on equity, able and honest management and at sensible prices. During the first
quarter of 2006, Berkshire completed two business acquisitions. In May 2005, MidAmerican reached a
definitive agreement to acquire PacifiCorp, a regulated electric utility providing service to
customers in six Western states for approximately $5.1 billion in cash. The acquisition was
completed on March 21, 2006. On February 28, 2006, Berkshire completed the acquisition of Business
Wire, a leading global distributor of corporate news, multimedia and regulatory filings.
The results of operations for each of these businesses are included in Berkshires
consolidated results from the effective date of each acquisition. The following table sets forth
certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, as
if each acquisition was consummated on the same terms at the beginning of each year. Amounts are in
millions, except per share amounts. The earnings data for the first quarter of 2005 also reflects
the pro forma consolidation of MidAmerican.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Total revenues |
|
$ |
23,850 |
|
|
$ |
20,491 |
|
Net earnings |
|
|
2,380 |
|
|
|
1,392 |
|
Earnings per equivalent Class A common share |
|
|
1,545 |
|
|
|
904 |
|
During the first quarter of 2006, Berkshire agreed to acquire an 81% interest in Applied
Underwriters, an industry leader in integrated workers compensation solutions. The acquisition of
Applied Underwriters is expected to close during the second quarter. On April 17, 2006, Berkshire
agreed to acquire Russell Corporation (Russell), a leading branded athletic apparel and sporting
goods company. The acquisition is subject to the approval of Russell shareholders and regulatory
approvals and is expected to close in the third quarter. On May 5, 2006, Berkshire agreed to acquire 80% of the Iscar Metalworking Companies
(IMC) in a transaction that values IMC at $5 billion. IMC, with operations worldwide, is an
industry leader in the metal cutting tools business. The transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
7
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities
Data with respect to investments
in fixed maturity securities follows (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance and other |
|
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
|
Mar. 31, 2006 |
|
|
Dec. 31, 2005 |
|
|
Mar. 31, 2006 |
|
|
Dec. 31, 2005 |
|
Amortized cost |
|
$ |
25,503 |
|
|
$ |
25,751 |
|
|
$ |
1,706 |
|
|
$ |
1,887 |
|
Gross unrealized gains |
|
|
1,641 |
|
|
|
1,759 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
Gross unrealized losses |
|
|
(142 |
) |
|
|
(90 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value |
|
$ |
27,002 |
|
|
$ |
27,420 |
|
|
$ |
1,802 |
|
|
$ |
1,991 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certain other fixed maturity investments of finance businesses are classified as
held-to-maturity, which are carried at amortized cost. The carrying value and fair value of these
investments totaled $1,453 million and $1,584 million at March 31, 2006, respectively. At December
31, 2005, the carrying value and fair value of held-to-maturity securities totaled $1,444 million
and $1,624 million, respectively. Unrealized losses at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
consisted primarily of securities whose amortized cost exceeded fair value for less than twelve
months.
Note 5. Investments in equity securities
Data with respect to investments in equity securities are shown in the tabulation below (in
millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Total cost |
|
$ |
22,298 |
|
|
$ |
21,339 |
|
Gross unrealized gains |
|
|
28,038 |
|
|
|
25,892 |
|
Gross unrealized losses |
|
|
(548 |
) |
|
|
(510 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fair value |
|
$ |
49,788 |
|
|
$ |
46,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Express Company |
|
$ |
7,967 |
|
|
$ |
7,802 |
|
The Coca-Cola Company |
|
|
8,374 |
|
|
|
8,062 |
|
Other equity securities |
|
|
33,447 |
|
|
|
30,857 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
49,788 |
|
|
$ |
46,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized losses at
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 consisted primarily of securities whose cost
exceeded fair value for less than twelve months.
Note 6. Loans and Receivables
Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Insurance premiums receivable |
|
$ |
5,100 |
|
|
$ |
4,406 |
|
Reinsurance recoverables |
|
|
2,776 |
|
|
|
2,990 |
|
Trade and other receivables |
|
|
5,553 |
|
|
|
5,340 |
|
Allowances for uncollectible accounts |
|
|
(332 |
) |
|
|
(339 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
13,097 |
|
|
$ |
12,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of
the following (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Consumer installment loans and finance receivables |
|
$ |
9,913 |
|
|
$ |
9,792 |
|
Commercial loans and finance receivables |
|
|
1,509 |
|
|
|
1,481 |
|
Allowances for uncollectible loans |
|
|
(185 |
) |
|
|
(186 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,237 |
|
|
$ |
11,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 7. Utilities and energy businesses
Certain unique elements of the utilities and energy businesses include the nature and amount
of property, plant and equipment, environmental and regulatory matters. Property, plant and
equipment of the utility and energy businesses follow (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ranges of |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
estimated useful life |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Pro Forma) |
|
Cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility generation and distribution systems |
|
5-85 years |
|
$ |
25,811 |
|
|
$ |
10,499 |
|
Interstate pipelines |
|
3-67 years |
|
|
5,212 |
|
|
|
5,322 |
|
Independent power plants and other assets |
|
3-30 years |
|
|
1,852 |
|
|
|
1,861 |
|
Construction in progress |
|
|
|
|
1,451 |
|
|
|
847 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,326 |
|
|
|
18,529 |
|
Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,269 |
) |
|
|
(6,614 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22,057 |
|
|
$ |
11,915 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. All construction related
material and direct labor costs as well as indirect construction costs are capitalized. Indirect
construction costs include general engineering, taxes and costs of funds used during construction.
The cost of major additions and betterments are capitalized, while replacements, maintenance, and
repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed.
Depreciation is generally computed using the straight-line method based on economic lives or
regulatorily mandated recovery periods.
The utility generation and distribution system and interstate pipeline assets are the
regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. At March 31, 2006 and
December 31, 2005, accumulated depreciation and amortization related to regulated assets totaled
$11.4 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively. Substantially all of the construction in progress at
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 relates to the construction of regulated assets.
When regulated properties are retired, original cost plus the cost of retirement, less salvage
value, is charged to the cost of removal accrued regulatory liability, a component of other
liabilities of the utilities and energy businesses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet. When regulated assets are sold, or non-regulated assets are sold or retired, the
cost is removed from the property accounts and the related accumulated depreciation and
amortization accounts are reduced. Any gain or loss is recorded as income, unless otherwise
required by the applicable regulatory body.
Environmental Matters
MidAmerican Energy and PacifiCorp are subject to numerous environmental laws, including the
federal Clean Air Act and various state air quality laws; the Endangered Species Act, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, and similar state laws
relating to environmental cleanups; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and similar state
laws relating to the storage and handling of hazardous materials; and the Clean Water Act, and
similar state laws relating to water quality. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has issued numerous rules regarding air quality. The laws and rules
will likely impact the operation of their
generating facilities and will require them to either reduce emissions from those facilities
through the installation of emission controls or purchase additional emission allowances, or some
combination thereof.
While the United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the ratification and implementation
of its requirements in other countries has resulted in increased attention to the climate change
issue in the United States. In 2005, the Senate adopted a resolution supporting an effective national program
of mandatory, market-based limits and incentives on emissions of greenhouse gases that slow, stop,
and reverse the growth of such emissions at a rate and in a manner that will not significantly harm
the United States economy; and will encourage comparable action by other nations that are major
trading partners and key contributors to global emissions. It is anticipated that the resolution
may be further addressed by Congress in 2006. While debate continues at the national level over
the direction of domestic climate policy, several states are developing state-specific or regional
legislative initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The outcome of climate change
litigation and federal and state initiatives cannot be determined at this time; however, adoption
of stringent limits on greenhouse gas emissions could significantly impact MidAmericans
fossil-fueled facilities and, therefore, its results of operations.
9
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 7. Utilities and energy businesses (Continued)
Regulatory Matters
MidAmerican Energy and PacifiCorp are subject to the jurisdiction of public utility regulatory
authorities in each of the states in which they conduct retail electric operations. These
authorities regulate various matters, including customer rates, services, accounting policies and
practices, allocation of costs by state, issuances of securities and other matters. In addition,
both MidAmerican Energy and PacifiCorp are a license and a public utility as those terms are
used in the Federal Power Act and therefore subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) as to accounting policies and practices, certain prices and other matters,
including the terms and conditions of transmission service.
Northern Natural Gas and Kern River are subject to regulation by various federal and state
agencies. As owners of interstate natural gas pipelines, Northern Natural Gas and Kern Rivers
rates, services and operations are subject to regulation by the FERC. The FERC administers, among
other things, the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 giving them jurisdiction
over, among other things, the construction and operation of pipelines and related facilities used
in the transportation, storage and sale of natural gas in interstate commerce, including the
modification or abandonment of such facilities. The FERC also has jurisdiction over the rates and
charges and terms and conditions of service for the transportation of natural gas in interstate
commerce.
Additionally, interstate pipeline companies are subject to regulation by the United States
Department of Transportation pursuant to the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, which
establishes safety requirements in the design, construction, operations and maintenance of
interstate natural gas transmission facilities, and the Pipeline Safety Integrity Act of 2002,
which implemented additional safety and pipeline integrity regulations for high consequence areas.
MidAmericans domestic energy subsidiaries (MidAmerican Energy, PacifiCorp, Northern Natural
Gas and Kern River) prepare their financial statements in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain
Types of Regulation (SFAS 71), which differs in certain respects from the application of
generally accepted accounting principles by non-regulated businesses. In general, SFAS 71
recognizes that accounting for rate-regulated enterprises should reflect the economic effects of
regulation. As a result, a regulated entity is required to defer the recognition of costs (a
regulatory asset) or the recognition of obligations (a regulatory liability) if it is probable
that, through the rate-making process, there will be a corresponding increase or decrease in future
rates. Accordingly, these subsidiaries have deferred certain costs and accrued certain
obligations, which will be amortized over various future periods. MidAmerican periodically
evaluates the applicability of SFAS 71 and considers factors such as regulatory changes and the
impact of competition. If cost-based regulation ends or competition increases, these subsidiaries
may have to reduce their asset balances to reflect a market basis less than cost and write-off the
associated regulatory assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2006, MidAmerican had $1,816 million in
regulatory assets and $1,578 million in regulatory liabilities, which are components of other assets and
other liabilities of utilities and energy businesses, respectively.
Management continually assesses whether the regulatory assets are probable of future recovery
by considering factors such as applicable regulatory environmental changes, recent rate orders
received by other regulated entities, and the status of any pending or potential deregulation
legislation. Based upon this continual assessment, management believes the existing regulatory
assets are probable of recovery. If future recovery of costs ceases to be probable, the asset and
liability write-offs would be required to be recognized in operating income.
The fees charged by Northern Electric and Yorkshire Electricity for use of their distribution
systems are controlled by a formula prescribed by the British electricity regulatory body, the
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, and was last reset on April 1, 2005. The distribution price
control formula is generally reviewed and reset at five-year intervals.
10
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 8. Deferred income tax liabilities
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred
tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are shown below (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized appreciation of investments; basis differences |
|
$ |
12,554 |
|
|
$ |
11,882 |
|
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed |
|
|
796 |
|
|
|
828 |
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
4,557 |
|
|
|
1,202 |
|
Other |
|
|
1,866 |
|
|
|
1,165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,773 |
|
|
|
15,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
(807 |
) |
|
|
(867 |
) |
Unearned premiums |
|
|
(452 |
) |
|
|
(403 |
) |
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
(1,083 |
) |
|
|
(815 |
) |
Other |
|
|
(1,401 |
) |
|
|
(998 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,743 |
) |
|
|
(3,083 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax liability |
|
$ |
16,030 |
|
|
$ |
11,994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in net deferred tax liabilities from December 31, 2005 to March 31, 2006 was
primarily attributed to the consolidation of MidAmerican as of January 1, 2006.
Note 9. Notes payable and other borrowings
Notes payable and other borrowings of Berkshire and its subsidiaries are summarized below.
Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Insurance and other: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued by Berkshire due 2007-2033 |
|
$ |
1,001 |
|
|
$ |
992 |
|
Issued by subsidiaries and guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2035 |
|
|
1,710 |
|
|
|
1,696 |
|
Issued by subsidiaries and not guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2041 |
|
|
853 |
|
|
|
895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,564 |
|
|
$ |
3,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance and financial products: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation and guaranteed by Berkshire: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes due 2007 |
|
$ |
700 |
|
|
$ |
700 |
|
Notes due 2008 |
|
|
3,096 |
|
|
|
3,095 |
|
Notes due 2010 |
|
|
1,993 |
|
|
|
1,992 |
|
Notes due 2012-2015 |
|
|
3,038 |
|
|
|
3,038 |
|
Issued by other subsidiaries and guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2027 |
|
|
491 |
|
|
|
417 |
|
Issued by other subsidiaries and not guaranteed by Berkshire due 2006-2030 |
|
|
1,503 |
|
|
|
1,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10,821 |
|
|
$ |
10,868 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Pro Forma) |
|
Utilities and energy: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued by MidAmerican and its subsidiaries and not guaranteed by Berkshire: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MidAmerican senior unsecured debt due 2007-2036 |
|
$ |
4,476 |
|
|
$ |
2,776 |
|
Operating subsidiary and project debt due 2006-2036 |
|
|
11,126 |
|
|
|
7,150 |
|
Other |
|
|
492 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,094 |
|
|
$ |
10,296 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating subsidiary and project debt of
utilities and energy businesses represents amounts
issued by subsidiaries of MidAmerican or otherwise pursuant to separate project financing
agreements. All or substantially all of the assets of certain utility subsidiaries are or may be
pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise provide the security for
project or subsidiary debt. Like all Berkshire subsidiaries, utility and energy subsidiaries
are organized as legal entities separate
11
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 9. Notes payable and other borrowings (Continued)
and apart from Berkshire and its other subsidiaries. It should not be assumed that any asset of
any such subsidiary will be available to satisfy the obligations of Berkshire or any of its other
subsidiaries; provided, however, that unrestricted cash or other assets which are available for
distribution may, subject to applicable law and the terms of financing arrangements of such
parties, be advanced, loaned, paid as dividends or otherwise distributed or contributed to
Berkshire and the minority shareholders. The restrictions on distributions at these separate legal entities include various
covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service
coverage ratios. As of March 31, 2006, all of the separate legal entities were in
compliance with all applicable covenants.
In late March 2006, MidAmerican issued $1.7 billion par amount of senior unsecured debt due
2036. Notes payable and other borrowings at March 31, 2006 includes approximately $4.2 billion of
existing debt of PacifiCorp. Estimated repayments of the debt of the utilities and energy
businesses for the next five years is as follows (in millions): 2006 $722; 2007 $1,101; 2008
$1,980; 2009 $426; and 2010 $131.
Note 10. Common stock
The following table summarizes Berkshires common stock activity during the first quarter of
2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock |
|
|
Class B common stock |
|
|
|
(1,650,000 shares authorized) |
|
|
(55,000,000 shares authorized) |
|
|
|
Issued and Outstanding |
|
|
Issued and Outstanding |
|
Balance at December 31, 2005 |
|
|
1,260,920 |
|
|
|
8,394,083 |
|
Conversions of Class A common stock
to Class B common stock and other |
|
|
(1,228 |
) |
|
|
54,170 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 2006 |
|
|
1,259,692 |
|
|
|
8,448,253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each share of Class A common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into thirty
shares of Class B common stock. Class B common stock is not convertible into Class A common stock.
Class B common stock has economic rights equal to one-thirtieth (1/30) of the economic rights of
Class A common stock. Accordingly, on an equivalent Class A common stock basis, there are
1,541,300 shares outstanding at March 31, 2006 and 1,540,723 shares outstanding at December 31,
2005. Each Class A common share is entitled to one vote per share. Each Class B common share
possesses the voting rights of one-two-hundredth (1/200) of the voting rights of a Class A share.
Class A and Class B common shares vote together as a single class.
Note 11. Comprehensive income
Berkshires comprehensive income for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 is shown in the table
below (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
2,313 |
|
|
$ |
1,363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of investments |
|
|
1,938 |
|
|
|
(1,182 |
) |
Applicable income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
(677 |
) |
|
|
412 |
|
Other |
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
(66 |
) |
Applicable income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,347 |
|
|
|
(854 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
$ |
3,660 |
|
|
$ |
509 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 12. Pension plans
The components of net periodic pension expense for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 are as
follows (in millions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(84 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
Net amortization, deferral and other |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
$ |
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 12. Pension plans (Continued)
The increase in net periodic pension expense in 2006 over 2005 was principally attributed to
the consolidation of MidAmerican. Contributions to defined benefit plans in 2006 are expected to
total $234 million, which includes $148 million related to the utilities and energy businesses.
Note 13. Life settlement contracts
In March 2006, FASB Staff Position No. FTB 85-4-1, Accounting for Life Settlement Contracts
by Third-Party Investors (FTB 85-4-1) was issued. This pronouncement provides guidance on the
initial and subsequent measurement, financial presentation and disclosures for third-party
investors in life settlement contracts. Under FTB 85-4-1, the investor may value such contracts
under the investment method or at fair value based upon an irrevocable election made on an
investment by investment basis. Under the investment method, the initial transaction price plus
all initial and subsequent direct external costs paid by the investor to keep the policy in force
are capitalized. Death benefits received by the investor are applied against the capitalized costs
and the excess is recorded as a gain. Under the fair value method, the investments in the
contracts are measured at fair value each reporting period and the changes in fair value are
reported in earnings. Previously, life settlement contracts were valued at the cash surrender value
of the underlying insurance policy. FTB 85-4-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June
15, 2006 and may be adopted earlier but only if the adoption is in the first quarter of the fiscal
year. Berkshire adopted this FTB effective January 1, 2006 and elected to use the investment
method. The after-tax cumulative effect of adopting FTB 85-4-1 of $180 million is reflected as an
increase in retained earnings as of the beginning of 2006.
Note 14. Accounting pronouncements to be adopted
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assetsan
amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (SFAS 156). SFAS 156 requires an entity to recognize a
servicing asset or liability each time it undertakes an obligation to service a financial asset by
entering into a servicing contract in specified situations. Such servicing assets or liabilities
would be initially measured at fair value, if practicable and subsequently measured at amortized
value or fair value based upon an election of the reporting entity. SFAS 156 also specifies
certain financial statement presentations and disclosures in connection with servicing assets and
liabilities. SFAS 156 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006 and may be
adopted earlier but only if the adoption is in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Berkshire
does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 156 will have a material effect on its Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Note 15. Contingencies
Berkshire and its subsidiaries are parties in a variety of legal actions arising out of the
normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect Berkshires 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. Berkshire does not believe that such
normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of
operations. Berkshire and certain of its subsidiaries are also involved in other kinds of legal
actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines and penalties in
substantial amounts and are described below.
a) Governmental Investigations
In October 2003, General Reinsurance Corporation (General Reinsurance), a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Re Corporation (General Re) and an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of
Berkshire, and four of its current and former employees, including its former president, received
subpoenas for documents from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond
Division (the EDVA U.S. Attorney) in connection with the EDVA U.S. Attorneys investigation of
Reciprocal of America (ROA). ROA was a Virginia-based reciprocal insurer of physician, hospital
and lawyer professional liability risks.
General Reinsurance is continuing to cooperate fully with the EDVA U.S. Attorney and the
Department of Justice in Washington (the DOJ) in their ongoing investigation regarding ROA and,
in part, its transactions with General Reinsurance. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have
continued to request additional information from General Reinsurance regarding ROA and its
affiliate, First Virginia Reinsurance, Ltd. (FVR) and General Reinsurances transactions with ROA
and FVR. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have also interviewed a number of current and former
officers and employees of General Re and General Reinsurance. In August 2005, the EDVA U.S.
Attorney issued an additional subpoena to General Reinsurance regarding General Reinsurances
transactions with ROA and FVR. One of the individuals originally subpoenaed in October 2003 has
been informed by the EDVA U.S. Attorney that this individual is a target of the EDVA U.S.
Attorneys investigation. General Reinsurance has also been sued in a number of civil actions
related to ROA, as described below.
13
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
General Re, Berkshire, and certain of Berkshires other insurance subsidiaries, including
National Indemnity Company (NICO) have also been continuing to cooperate fully with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the DOJ and the New York State Attorney General
(NYAG) in their ongoing investigations of non-traditional products. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and
the DOJ have also been working with the SEC and the NYAG in connection with these investigations.
General Re originally received subpoenas from the SEC and NYAG in January 2005. General Re,
Berkshire and NICO have been providing information to the government relating to transactions
between General Reinsurance or NICO (or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates) and other
insurers in response to the January 2005 subpoenas and related requests and, in the case of General
Reinsurance (or its subsidiaries or affiliates), in response to subpoenas from other U.S. Attorneys
conducting investigations relating to certain of these transactions. In particular, General Re and
Berkshire have been responding to requests from the government for information relating to certain
transactions that may have been accounted for incorrectly by counterparties of General Reinsurance
(or its subsidiaries or affiliates). Berkshire understands that the government is evaluating the
actions of General Re and its subsidiaries, as well as those of their counterparties to determine
whether General Re or its subsidiaries conspired with others to misstate counterparty financial
statements or aided and abetted such misstatements by the counterparties. The SEC, NYAG, DOJ and
the EDVA U.S. Attorney have interviewed a number of current and former officers and employees of
General Re and General Reinsurance as well as Berkshires Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett, and
have indicated they plan to interview additional individuals.
In one case, a transaction initially effected with American International Group (AIG) in
late 2000 (the AIG Transaction), AIG has corrected its prior accounting for the transaction on
the grounds, as stated in AIGs 2004 10-K, that the transaction was done to accomplish a desired
accounting result and did not entail sufficient qualifying risk transfer to support reinsurance
accounting. General Reinsurance has been named in related civil actions brought against AIG, as
described below. As part of their ongoing investigations, governmental authorities have also
inquired about the accounting by certain of Berkshires insurance subsidiaries for certain assumed
and ceded finite transactions.
In May 2005, General Re terminated the consulting services of its former Chief Executive
Officer, Ronald Ferguson, after Mr. Ferguson invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions
from the SEC and DOJ relating to their investigations. In June 2005, John Houldsworth, the former
Chief Executive Officer of Cologne Reinsurance Company (Dublin) Limited (CRD), a subsidiary of
General Re, pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate
certain AIG financial statements and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with
respect to such matters. Mr. Houldsworth, who had been on administrative leave, was terminated
following this announcement. In June 2005, Richard Napier, a former Senior Vice President of
General Re who had served as an account representative for the AIG account, also pleaded guilty to
a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate certain AIG financial statements
and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with respect to such matters. General
Re terminated Mr. Napier following the announcement of these actions.
In September 2005, Ronald Ferguson, Joseph Brandon, the Chief Executive Officer of General Re,
Christopher Garand, a former Senior Vice President of General Reinsurance, and Robert Graham, a
former Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of General Reinsurance, each received a
Wells notice from the SEC. In addition to Messrs. Houldsworth, Napier, Brandon, Ferguson, Garand
and Graham, Elizabeth Monrad, the former Chief Financial Officer of General Re, also received a
Wells notice from the SEC in May 2005 in connection with its investigation.
On February 2, 2006, the DOJ announced that a federal grand jury had indicted three former
executives of General Re on charges related to the AIG Transaction. The indictment charges Mr.
Ferguson, Ms. Monrad and Mr. Graham, along with one former officer of AIG, with one count of
conspiracy to commit securities fraud, four counts of securities fraud, two counts of causing false
statements to be made to the SEC, four counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud in
connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC also announced on February 2, 2006 that it had filed
an enforcement action against Mr. Ferguson, Ms. Monrad, Mr. Graham, Mr. Garand and the same former
AIG officer, for aiding and abetting AIGs violations of the antifraud provisions and other
provisions of the federal securities laws in connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC
complaint seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement of any ill-gotten gains, civil penalties
and orders barring each defendant from acting as an officer or director of a public company. Each
of the individuals indicted by the federal grand jury was arraigned on February 16, 2006 and each
individual pleaded not guilty to all charges. At present there is no trial date for this matter.
On February 9, 2006, AIG announced that it had reached a resolution of claims and matters under
investigation with the DOJ, the SEC, the NYAG and the New York State Department of Insurance in
connection with the accounting, financial reporting and insurance brokerage practices of AIG and
its subsidiaries, including claims and matters under investigation relating to the AIG Transaction,
as well as claims relating to the underpayment of certain workers compensation premium taxes and
other assessments. AIG announced that it will make payments totaling approximately $1.64 billion as
a result of these settlements.
14
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
Various state insurance departments have issued subpoenas or otherwise requested that General
Reinsurance, NICO and their affiliates provide documents and information relating to
non-traditional products. The Office of the Connecticut Attorney General has also issued a subpoena
to General Reinsurance for information relating to non-traditional products. General Reinsurance,
NICO and their affiliates have been cooperating fully with these subpoenas and requests.
On April 14, 2005, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced an
investigation involving financial or finite reinsurance transactions by General Reinsurance
Australia Limited (GRA), a subsidiary of General Reinsurance. An inspector appointed by APRA
under section 52 of the Insurance Act 1973 has been conducting an investigation including a request
for the production of documents of GRAs financial or finite reinsurance business and a request to
interview four directors of GRA. GRA has been cooperating fully with this investigation.
In December 2004, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) advised General Reinsurances
affiliate Faraday Group (Faraday) that it was investigating Milan Vukelic, the then Chief
Executive Officer of Faraday with respect to transactions entered into between GRA and companies
affiliated with FAI Insurance Limited in 1998. Mr. Vukelic previously served as the head of General
Res international finite business unit. In April 2005, the FSA advised General Reinsurance that it
was investigating Mr. Vukelic and a former officer of CRD with respect to certain finite risk
reinsurance transactions, including transactions between CRD and several other insurers. In
addition, the FSA has requested that General Reinsurance affiliates based in the United Kingdom
provide information relating to the transactions involved in their investigations, including
transactions with AIG. General Reinsurance and its affiliates are cooperating fully with the FSA in
these matters. In May 2005, Mr. Vukelic was placed on administrative leave and in July 2005 his
employment was terminated.
CRD is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Irish Financial Services
Regulatory Authority in its inquiries regarding the activities of CRD. The Office of the Director
of Corporate Enforcement in Ireland is conducting a preliminary evaluation in relation to CRD
concerning, in particular, transactions between CRD and AIG. CRD is cooperating fully with this
preliminary evaluation.
General Reinsurances subsidiary, Kolnische Ruckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Cologne Re),
is also cooperating fully with requests for information from the German Federal Financial
Supervisory Authority regarding the activities of Cologne Re relating to finite reinsurance and
regarding transactions between Cologne Re or its subsidiaries, including CRD, and AIG. General
Reinsurance is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Office of the
Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada in its inquiries regarding the activities of
General Re and its affiliates relating to finite reinsurance.
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material adverse
effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period when
these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
b) Civil Litigation
Litigation Related to ROA
General Reinsurance and four of its current and former employees, along with numerous other
defendants, have been sued in a number of civil actions related to ROA. Plaintiffs assert various
claims in these civil actions, including breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud and
conspiracy, against General Reinsurance and others, arising from various reinsurance coverages
General Reinsurance provided to ROA and related entities.
Eight putative class actions were initiated by doctors, hospitals and lawyers that purchased
insurance through ROA or certain of its Tennessee-based risk retention groups. These complaints
seek compensatory, treble, and punitive damages in an amount plaintiffs contend is just and
reasonable. General Reinsurance is also subject to actions brought by the Virginia Commissioner of
Insurance, as Deputy Receiver of ROA, the Tennessee Commissioner of Insurance, as Liquidator for
three Tennessee risk retention groups, a federal lawsuit filed by a Missouri-based hospital group
and a state lawsuit filed by an Alabama doctor that was removed to federal court. The first of
these actions was filed in March 2003 and additional actions were filed in April 2003 through
December 2005. In the action filed by the Virginia Commissioner of Insurance, the Commissioner
asserts in several of its claims that the alleged damages being sought exceed $200 million in the
aggregate as against all defendants. Eleven of these cases are collectively assigned to the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Tennessee for pretrial proceedings. General Reinsurance
has filed motions to dismiss all of the claims against it in ten of these cases and the court has
not yet ruled on these motions. The other federal case has been filed in the U.S. District Court
for the Northern District of Mississippi and is currently awaiting issuance of a conditional
transfer order to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. No discovery has
been initiated in any of these cases.
15
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
General Reinsurance is also a defendant in two lawsuits filed in Alabama state courts. The
first suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County by a group of Alabama hospitals that
are former members of the Alabama Hospital Association Trust (AHAT). This suit (the AHA Action)
alleged violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud, suppression, unjust enrichment
and breach of contract against General Reinsurance and virtually all of the defendants in the
federal suits based on an alleged business combination between AHAT and ROA in 2001 and subsequent
capital contributions to ROA in 2002 by the Alabama hospitals. The allegations of the AHA Action
are largely identical to those set forth in the complaint filed by the Virginia receiver for ROA.
General Reinsurance previously filed a motion to dismiss all of the claims in the AHA Action. The
motion was granted in part by an order in March 2005, which dismissed the Alabama Securities Act
claim against General Reinsurance and ordered plaintiffs to amend their allegations of fraud and
suppression. Plaintiffs in the AHA Action filed their Amended and Restated Complaint in April 2005,
alleging claims of conspiracy, fraud, suppression and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty
against General Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to dismiss all counts of the
Amended and Restated Complaint in May 2005. The Special Master appointed by the court heard
arguments on July 13, 2005 and recommended denial of the motion on July 22, 2005. On July 22,
2005, the Court denied General Reinsurances motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and
served its answer and affirmative defenses to the Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1,
2005. Discovery has begun. The second suit, also filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County,
was initiated by Baptist Health Systems, Inc. (BHS), a former member of AHAT, and alleged claims
identical to those in the initial AHA Action, plus claims for breach of fiduciary duty and
wantonness. These cases have been consolidated for pretrial purposes. BHS filed its First Amended
Complaint in April 2005, alleging violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud,
suppression, breach of fiduciary duty, wantonness and unjust enrichment against General
Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to dismiss all counts of the Amended and Restated
Complaint in May 2005. The Special Master heard arguments on July 13, 2005, and on July 22, 2005,
recommended dismissal of the claim under the Alabama Securities Act, but recommended denial of the
motion to dismiss the remaining claims. On July 22, 2005, the Court denied General Reinsurances
motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and served its answer and affirmative defenses to the
Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1, 2005. Discovery has begun. The AHA Action and the
BHS complaint claim damages in excess of $60 million in the aggregate as against all defendants.
These matters are scheduled for trial on January 8, 2007.
Actions related to AIG
General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint on
April 29, 2005, in the matter captioned In re American International Group Securities Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-8141-(LTS), United States District Court, Southern District of New York. This is a
putative class action asserted on behalf of investors who purchased publicly-traded securities of
AIG between October 1999 and March 2005. On June 7, 2005, General Reinsurance received a second
Summons and Class Action Complaint in a putative class action asserted on behalf of investors who
purchased AIG securities between October 1999 and March 2005, captioned San Francisco Employees
Retirement System, et al. vs. American International Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 05-CV-4270,
United States District Court, Southern District of New York. At a July 2005 conference, the court
ruled that the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 would be lead plaintiffs. On September 27, 2005,
the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 filed a Consolidated Second Amended Complaint (the
Complaint). The Complaint asserts various claims against AIG, and various of its officers,
directors, investment banks and other parties. Included among the defendants are General
Reinsurance and Messrs. Ferguson, Napier and Houldsworth (whom the Complaint defines as the
General Re Defendants). The Complaint alleges that the General Re Defendants violated Section
10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under that Act through their
activities in connection with the AIG Transaction described in Governmental Investigations,
above. The Complaint seeks damages and other relief in unspecified amounts. The General Re
Defendants moved to dismiss the Complaint on the grounds that it failed to state a claim on which
relief can be granted against these defendants. The motion was heard on April 20, 2006, and was
denied by the Court. No discovery has taken place.
On July 27, 2005, General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Verified and Amended
Shareholder Derivative Complaint in In re American International Group, Inc. Derivative Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-08406, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, naming Gen Re
Corporation as a defendant. It is unclear whether the plaintiffs are asserting claims against
General Reinsurance or its parent, General Re. This case is assigned to the same judge as the class
actions described above. The complaint, brought by several alleged shareholders of AIG, seeks
damages, injunctive and declaratory relief against various officers and directors of AIG as well as
a variety of individuals and entities with whom AIG did business, relating to a wide variety of
allegedly wrongful practices by AIG. The allegations against Gen Re Corporation focus on the late
2000 transaction with AIG described above, and the complaint purports to
assert causes of action against Gen Re Corporation for aiding and abetting other defendants
breaches of fiduciary duty and for unjust enrichment. The complaint does not specify the amount of
damages or the nature of any other relief sought against Gen Re
16
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Contingencies (Continued)
Corporation. In August 2005, General Reinsurance received a Summons and First Amended
Consolidated Shareholders Derivative Complaint in In re American International Group, Inc.
Consolidated Derivative Litigation, Case No. 769-N, Delaware Chancery Court. The claims asserted
in the Delaware complaint are substantially similar to those asserted in the New York derivative
complaint described earlier in this paragraph, except that the Delaware complaint makes clear that
the plaintiffs are asserting claims against both General Reinsurance and General Re. Proceedings
in both the New York derivative suit and the Delaware derivative suit
are stayed until August 31, 2006.
FAI/HIH Matter
In December 2003, the Liquidators of both FAI Insurance Limited (FAI) and HIH Insurance
Limited (HIH) advised GRA and Cologne Re that they intended to assert claims arising from
insurance transactions GRA entered into with FAI in May and June 1998. In August 2004, the
Liquidators filed claims in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in order to avoid the expiration
of a statute of limitations for certain plaintiffs, but neither GRA nor Cologne Re have been served
with legal process by the Liquidators. The focus of the Liquidators allegations against GRA and
Cologne Re are the 1998 transactions GRA entered into with FAI (which was acquired by HIH in 1999).
The Liquidators contend, among other things, that GRA and Cologne Re engaged in deceptive conduct
that assisted FAI in improperly accounting for such transactions as reinsurance, and that such
deception led to HIHs acquisition of FAI and caused various losses to FAI and HIH.
Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation
Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance are defendants in this multi-district
litigation, In Re: Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1663 (D.N.J.). In February
2005, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred several different cases to the
District of New Jersey for coordination and consolidation. Each consolidated case concerned
allegations of an industry-wide scheme on the part of commercial insurance brokers and insurance
companies to defraud a purported class of insurance purchasers through bid-rigging and contingent
commission arrangements. Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance were not parties to the
original, transferred cases. On August 1, 2005, the named plaintiffsfourteen businesses, two
municipalities, and three individualsfiled their First Consolidated Amended Commercial Class
Action Complaint, and Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance (along with a large number of
insurance companies and insurance brokers) were named as defendants in the Amended Complaint. The
plaintiffs claim that all defendants engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity, in violation of
RICO, and that they conspired to restrain trade. They further allege that the broker defendants
breached fiduciary duties to the plaintiffs, that the insurer defendants aided and abetted that
breach, and that all defendants were unjustly enriched in the process. Plaintiffs seek treble
damages in an unspecified amount, together with interest and attorneys fees and expenses. They
also seek a declaratory judgment of wrongdoing as well as an injunction against future
anticompetitive practices. On November 29, 2005, General Re, General Reinsurance and Berkshire,
together with the other defendants, filed motions to dismiss the complaint. The Court has not yet
set a hearing on these motions. On February 1, 2006, plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a
Second Consolidated Amended Complaint. Among other things, plaintiffs sought leave to add numerous
new defendants, including several additional Berkshire subsidiaries including, among others, NICO.
Berkshire opposed the motion for leave to amend, and the Court has denied the motion without
prejudice to plaintiffs renewing it following a ruling on defendants motion to dismiss the First
Consolidated Amended Complaint.
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss, if any, and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material
adverse effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period
when these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
17
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 16. Business segment data
Berkshires consolidated segment
data for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 is as
follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Operating Businesses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEICO |
|
$ |
2,638 |
|
|
$ |
2,388 |
|
General Re |
|
|
1,434 |
|
|
|
1,658 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group |
|
|
1,020 |
|
|
|
985 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group |
|
|
430 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
Investment income |
|
|
1,023 |
|
|
|
792 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total insurance group |
|
|
6,545 |
|
|
|
6,123 |
|
Apparel |
|
|
532 |
|
|
|
559 |
|
Building products |
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
1,109 |
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
1,222 |
|
|
|
1,019 |
|
Flight services |
|
|
919 |
|
|
|
767 |
|
McLane Company |
|
|
6,107 |
|
|
|
5,652 |
|
Retail |
|
|
655 |
|
|
|
603 |
|
Shaw Industries |
|
|
1,439 |
|
|
|
1,294 |
|
Utilities and energy * |
|
|
2,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other businesses |
|
|
1,234 |
|
|
|
715 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,044 |
|
|
|
17,841 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment and derivative gains/losses |
|
|
805 |
|
|
|
(106 |
) |
Eliminations and other |
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22,763 |
|
|
$ |
17,634 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before taxes |
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Operating Businesses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEICO |
|
$ |
311 |
|
|
$ |
312 |
|
General Re |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group |
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
143 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Net investment income |
|
|
1,018 |
|
|
|
787 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total insurance group |
|
|
1,529 |
|
|
|
1,279 |
|
Apparel |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
Building products |
|
|
191 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
Flight services |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
McLane Company |
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
Retail |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
Shaw Industries |
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
Utilities and energy * |
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
141 |
|
Other businesses |
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,838 |
|
|
|
2,140 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment and derivative gains/losses |
|
|
805 |
|
|
|
(120 |
) |
Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to business segments |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
) |
Eliminations and other |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,613 |
|
|
$ |
1,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Pre-tax earnings for 2005 of the utilities and energy businesses represents Berkshires
equity in net earnings of MidAmerican, which was accounted for under the equity method during this
period (see Notes 1 and 2). |
18
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Results of Operations
Net earnings for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 are disaggregated in the table that
follows. Amounts are after deducting minority interests and income taxes. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Insurance underwriting |
|
$ |
330 |
|
|
$ |
319 |
|
Insurance investment income |
|
|
703 |
|
|
|
554 |
|
Utilities and energy |
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
141 |
|
Manufacturing, services and retailing |
|
|
378 |
|
|
|
325 |
|
Finance and financial products |
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
124 |
|
Interest expense, unallocated and other |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
) |
Investment and derivative gains/losses |
|
|
526 |
|
|
|
(77 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
2,313 |
|
|
$ |
1,363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berkshires 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 Berkshires corporate headquarters in
the day-to-day business activities of the operating businesses. Berkshires corporate office
management 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.
Accordingly, Berkshires reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects
how Berkshires top management views those business activities. Certain businesses have been
grouped based upon similar products or product lines, marketing, selling and distribution
characteristics even though those businesses are operated by separate local management. There are
over 40 separate reporting units. The business segment data (Note 16 to the Interim Consolidated
Financial Statements) should be read in conjunction with this discussion. Utilities and energy
results include MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company and its subsidiaries (MidAmerican). See
Notes 1, 2, 3 and 7 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
Insurance Underwriting
A summary follows of underwriting results from Berkshires insurance businesses for the first
quarter of 2006 and 2005. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Underwriting gain attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEICO |
|
$ |
311 |
|
|
$ |
312 |
|
General Re |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group |
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
143 |
|
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting gain pre-tax |
|
|
511 |
|
|
|
492 |
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net underwriting gain |
|
$ |
330 |
|
|
$ |
319 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Berkshire engages in both primary insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty risks.
Through General Re, Berkshire also reinsures life and health risks. In primary insurance
activities, Berkshire subsidiaries assume defined portions of the risks of loss from persons or
organizations that are directly subject to the risks. In reinsurance activities, Berkshire
subsidiaries assume defined portions of similar or dissimilar risks that other insurers or
reinsurers have subjected themselves to in their own insuring activities. Berkshires principal
insurance and reinsurance businesses are: (1) GEICO, one of the four largest auto insurers in the
U.S., (2) General Re, (3) Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG) and (4) Berkshire Hathaway
Primary Group. On June 30, 2005, Berkshire acquired Medical Protective Company (Med Pro), a
provider of professional liability insurance to physicians, dentists and other healthcare
providers. Underwriting results from this business are included in the Berkshire Hathaway Primary
Group beginning July 1, 2005.
Berkshires management views insurance businesses as possessing two distinct operations
underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers;
investing, with limited exceptions at GEICO and at General Res international operations, is the
responsibility of Berkshires Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett.
Accordingly, Berkshire evaluates performance of underwriting operations without any allocation
of investment income.
19
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Insurance Underwriting (Continued)
A significant marketing strategy followed by all these businesses is the maintenance of
extraordinary capital strength. Statutory surplus of Berkshires insurance businesses totaled
approximately $52 billion at December 31, 2005. 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 unique needs of insurance and
reinsurance buyers. Additional information regarding Berkshires insurance and reinsurance
operations follows.
Periodic underwriting results can be affected significantly by changes in estimates for unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses, including amounts established for occurrences in prior years.
In addition, the timing and amount of catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in
periodic underwriting results. Hurricanes and tropical storms affecting the United States and
Caribbean tend to occur between June and December. Berkshire experienced significant losses from
such events during the third and fourth quarters of the last two years.
GEICO
GEICO provides primarily private passenger automobile coverages to insureds in 49 states and
the District of Columbia. GEICO policies are marketed mainly by direct response methods in which
customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet, over the telephone or
through the mail. This is a significant element in GEICOs strategy to be a low cost insurer. In
addition, GEICO strives to provide excellent service to customers, with the goal of establishing
long-term customer relationships.
GEICOs pre-tax underwriting results for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 are summarized in
the table below. Dollar amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
Premiums earned |
|
$ |
2,638 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
$ |
2,388 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses |
|
|
1,834 |
|
|
|
69.5 |
|
|
|
1,651 |
|
|
|
69.1 |
|
Underwriting expenses |
|
|
493 |
|
|
|
18.7 |
|
|
|
425 |
|
|
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total losses and expenses |
|
|
2,327 |
|
|
|
88.2 |
|
|
|
2,076 |
|
|
|
86.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-tax underwriting gain |
|
$ |
311 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
312 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned in the first quarter of 2006 were $2,638 million, an increase of $250 million
(10.5%) over the first quarter of 2005. The growth in premiums earned for voluntary auto was 10.3%
and reflects a 12.3% increase in policies-in-force during the past year. Policies-in-force over
the last twelve months increased 13.7% in the preferred risk auto markets and increased 8.6% in the
standard and nonstandard auto markets. Voluntary auto new business sales in the first quarter of
2006 increased 11.8% compared to 2005. Voluntary auto policies-in-force at March 31, 2006 were
273,000 higher than at December 31, 2005. Over the past two years, GEICO reduced premium rates in
certain markets to better match price with the underlying risk resulting in relatively lower
premiums per policy.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the first quarter of 2006 totaled $1,834
million, an increase of $183 million (11.1%) over the first quarter of 2005. The loss ratio was
69.5% in the first quarter of 2006 compared to 69.1% in 2005. Claims frequencies for physical
damage coverages decreased in the three to six percent range from 2005 while frequencies for
injury coverages decreased in the four to six percent range. Injury severity increased in
the three to five percent range over 2005 while physical damage severity increased in the four
to seven percent range. Incurred losses from catastrophe events for the first quarter of 2006
totaled approximately $8 million compared to $13 million in the first quarter of 2005.
Underwriting expenses increased 16% in the first quarter of 2006 to $493 million, reflecting
increased underwriting, policy issuance and advertising costs associated with new business.
General Re
General Re conducts a reinsurance business offering property and casualty and life and health
coverages to clients worldwide. In North America, property and casualty reinsurance is written on
a direct basis through General Reinsurance Corporation. Internationally, property and casualty
reinsurance is written on a direct basis through 91% owned Cologne Re (based in Germany) and other
wholly-owned affiliates as well as through brokers with respect to Faraday in London. Life
20
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
General Re (Continued)
and health reinsurance is written for clients worldwide through Cologne Re. General Res pre-tax
underwriting results for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 are summarized below. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
Premiums earned |
|
|
Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss) |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Property/casualty: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America |
|
$ |
467 |
|
|
$ |
580 |
|
|
$ |
38 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
International |
|
|
406 |
|
|
|
527 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
Life/health |
|
|
561 |
|
|
|
551 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,434 |
|
|
$ |
1,658 |
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Re strives to generate pre-tax underwriting gains in essentially all of its product
lines. Underwriting performance is not evaluated based upon market share and underwriters are
instructed to reject inadequately priced risks. The decline in both North American and
International property/casualty premiums in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to the prior year was attributable to
maintaining underwriting and pricing discipline.
North American property/casualty
General Res North American property/casualty operations underwrite predominantly excess
reinsurance across essentially all lines of property and casualty business. Excess reinsurance
provides indemnification of losses above a stated retention on either an individual claim basis or
in the aggregate across all claims in a portfolio. Reinsurance contracts are written on both a
treaty (group of risks) and facultative (individual risk) basis.
North American first quarter 2006 premiums earned decreased by $113 million (19.5%) from the
same quarter in 2005. The decline was primarily due to cancellations and non-renewals exceeding new
contracts, with a minimal effect from rate increases. Premiums written in the first quarter of
2006 declined 16.2% from amounts written in the first quarter of 2005. Continued current market
conditions may result in further declines in written and earned premiums during 2006 as compared
with 2005.
The North American property/casualty business produced a pre-tax underwriting gain of $38
million in the first quarter of 2006 compared with an underwriting gain of $19 million in the first
quarter of 2005. The results for 2006 were comprised of $72 million in property gains and $34
million in casualty losses, including workers compensation. The casualty losses included $35
million in accretion and amortization. Comparable period 2005 results consisted of $81 million in
gains from property lines and $62 million of losses from casualty lines (including $30 million in
accretion and amortization). Results for both 2006 and 2005 benefited from good property results,
favorable reserve run-off and pricing and underwriting discipline.
International property/casualty
Premiums earned declined $121 million (23.0%) in the first quarter of 2006 from the same
period in 2005. In local currencies, premiums earned in 2006 declined 15.3% from 2005 amounts.
The decline in local currencies was primarily due to maintaining underwriting discipline, which included the
non-renewal of unprofitable business.
The International property/casualty operations produced a pre-tax underwriting gain of $5
million in the first quarter of 2006 compared with an underwriting loss of $13 million in the
comparable 2005 period. Underwriting results for 2006 benefited from $38 million in gains in
property and aviation lines of business. Substantially offsetting these gains were $33 million in
casualty line losses. Results for the first quarter of 2005 included catastrophe losses of $32
million from winter storm Erwin, which affected Northern Europe in January 2005.
Life/health
Premiums earned increased 1.8% in the first quarter of 2006 from 2005 amounts. Adjusting for
the effects of foreign currency exchange rates, premiums earned increased 7.1% in 2006. The increase in
premiums earned occurred in both North American and International life business.
The global life/health operations produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $28 million and $13
million in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The results for 2006 reflected $32
million in gains for the international business, and $4 million in losses from the U.S. business.
The favorable international results consisted of gains primarily in life business, due to favorable
mortality. The U.S. losses were primarily driven by the health business.
21
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group
The Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (BHRG) underwrites excess-of-loss reinsurance and
quota-share coverages for insurers and reinsurers world-wide. BHRGs business includes catastrophe
excess-of-loss reinsurance and excess direct and facultative reinsurance for large or otherwise
unusual discrete property risks referred to as individual risk. Retroactive reinsurance policies
provide indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events.
Other multi-line refers to other business written on both a quota-share and excess basis,
participations in and contracts with Lloyds syndicates as well as aviation and workers
compensation programs.
BHRGs pre-tax underwriting results for the first quarter of 2006 and 2005 are summarized in
the table below. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
Premiums earned |
|
|
Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss) |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Catastrophe and individual risk |
|
$ |
425 |
|
|
$ |
356 |
|
|
$ |
200 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
Retroactive reinsurance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
|
(98 |
) |
Other multi-line |
|
|
595 |
|
|
|
629 |
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,020 |
|
|
$ |
985 |
|
|
$ |
94 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums earned from catastrophe and individual risk contracts increased $69 million (19.4%)
in the first quarter of 2006 from the same period in 2005. About two thirds of the increase
related to catastrophe business. The underwriting results in the first quarter of 2006 reflect
losses incurred of approximately $90 million attributed to pre-2006 catastrophes, primarily
Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The underwriting gains from the catastrophe and individual risk business
in 2005 are net of losses of $47 million from 2005 events, primarily European winter storm Erwin as
well as approximately $50 million of additional losses incurred in connection with 2004 events, including
hurricanes in the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean and the Southeast Asia tsunami.
Retroactive policies normally provide very large, but limited, indemnification of unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events which are generally expected
to be paid over long periods of time. The underwriting losses from retroactive reinsurance are
primarily attributed to the recurring amortization of deferred charges established on retroactive
reinsurance contracts written over the past several years, and predominantly prior to 2004. The
deferred charges are amortized over the expected claim payment period using the interest method.
The amortization charges are recorded as losses incurred and, therefore, produce underwriting
losses. The amount of amortization charges in a given period is based upon estimates of the timing
and amount of future loss payments. No significant changes in such estimates were made in the
first quarter of 2006 or 2005. At March 31, 2006, unamortized deferred charges totaled
approximately $2.0 billion and gross unpaid losses totaled
approximately $8.8 billion.
Premiums earned in the first quarter of 2006 from other multi-line business totaled $595
million, a decrease of $34 million (5.4%) from the first quarter of 2005. The comparative decrease
was attributed to a decrease in Lloyds syndicate participations and reduced multi-line quota-share
and excess volume (approximately $200 million) which was partially offset by an increase in premium
volume from workers compensation programs. Multi-line business produced a pre-tax underwriting
loss of $19 million or approximately 3% of earned premiums. Results for the first quarter of 2006
include higher losses under property quota-share contracts. Net underwriting results in the first
quarter of 2005 reflected increased underwriting gains from property coverages due to favorable
loss experience as well as a gain from the reduction of prior year reserve estimates for certain
casualty exposures.
The timing and amount of catastrophe losses can produce extraordinary volatility in the
periodic underwriting results of the BHRG, and, in particular, in the catastrophe and individual
risk business.
22
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group
Premiums earned in the first quarter by Berkshires various
primary insurers totaled
$430 million in 2006 and $300 million in 2005. Premiums earned in the first quarter of 2006
included $139 million from Med Pro, which was acquired June 30, 2005. For the first three months,
Berkshires primary insurers produced underwriting gains of $35 million in 2006 and $18
million in 2005. The increase in underwriting gains in 2006 versus 2005 was primarily attributed
to an underwriting gain generated by Med Pro.
Insurance Investment Income
Net investment income produced by Berkshires insurance and reinsurance businesses for the
first quarter of 2006 and 2005 is summarized in the table below. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Investment income before taxes |
|
$ |
1,018 |
|
|
$ |
787 |
|
Applicable income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
233 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment income after taxes and minority interests |
|
$ |
703 |
|
|
$ |
554 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment income consists of interest and dividends earned on cash equivalents and fixed
maturity and equity investments of Berkshires insurance businesses. Pre-tax investment income
earned in the first quarter of 2006 exceeded amounts earned in 2005 by $231 million (29.4%). The
increase primarily reflects comparatively higher short-term interest rates in the United States
during the first quarter of 2006 as compared to 2005.
A summary of investments (including cash and cash equivalents) held in Berkshires insurance
businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
Dec. 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
36,561 |
|
|
$ |
38,814 |
|
|
$ |
43,324 |
|
Equity securities |
|
|
49,471 |
|
|
|
46,412 |
|
|
|
38,364 |
|
Fixed maturity securities |
|
|
26,967 |
|
|
|
27,385 |
|
|
|
22,078 |
|
Other |
|
|
927 |
|
|
|
918 |
|
|
|
1,975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
113,926 |
|
|
$ |
113,529 |
|
|
$ |
105,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturity securities as of March 31, 2006 were as follows. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost |
|
|
Gains/losses |
|
|
Fair value |
|
U.S. Treasury, government corporations and agencies |
|
$ |
7,465 |
|
|
$ |
(35 |
) |
|
$ |
7,430 |
|
States, municipalities and political subdivisions |
|
|
3,590 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
3,642 |
|
Foreign governments |
|
|
7,900 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
7,917 |
|
Corporate bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, investment grade |
|
|
2,806 |
|
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
2,957 |
|
Corporate bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, non-investment grade |
|
|
2,136 |
|
|
|
1,285 |
|
|
|
3,421 |
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
1,571 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
25,468 |
|
|
$ |
1,499 |
|
|
$ |
26,967 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All U.S. government obligations are rated AAA by the major rating agencies and approximately
95% 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. Fair value reflects quoted market prices where
available or, if not available, prices obtained from independent pricing services.
Invested assets derive from shareholder capital and reinvested earnings as well as net
liabilities assumed under insurance contracts or float. The major components of float are unpaid
losses, 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 totaled approximately $49.5 billion at March 31, 2006 versus $49.3 billion
at December 31, 2005 and $46.7 billion at March 31, 2005. The cost of float, as represented by
the ratio of pre-tax underwriting gain or loss to average float, was negative for the first quarters of 2006 and 2005, as Berkshires insurance
businesses generated pre-tax underwriting gains in each period.
23
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Utilities and Energy
Revenues and earnings from utilities and energy businesses for the first quarter of 2006 and
2005 are summarized below. Berkshires Consolidated Financial Statements in 2005 represent
Berkshires share of MidAmericans net earnings as determined under the equity method. In 2006,
MidAmericans revenues and expenses are included in Berkshires Consolidated Statement of Earnings.
Interest expense on debt securities held by Berkshire and other affiliates has been eliminated.
For comparative purposes, revenues and earnings of MidAmerican for 2005 are provided. Amounts are
in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
U.S. electricity and gas generation and distribution |
|
$ |
1,118 |
|
|
$ |
856 |
|
|
$ |
157 |
|
|
$ |
99 |
|
Natural gas pipelines |
|
|
293 |
|
|
|
280 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
160 |
|
U.K. electricity |
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
239 |
|
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
Real estate brokerage |
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
362 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
Other |
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
163 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(181 |
) |
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,193 |
|
|
$ |
1,837 |
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
129 |
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
233 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Includes a charge of $13 million related to Berkshires accounting for its investments in
MidAmerican under the equity method. |
First quarter 2006 revenues from U.S. electricity and gas generation and distribution
business increased $262 million (31%) over 2005. The increase was primarily attributed to (1)
higher regulated wholesale electricity sales ($80 million), (2) increased non-regulated energy
sales due primarily to a change in managements strategy related to certain end-use natural gas contracts, which
resulted in prospective revenues and costs being recorded on a gross rather than net basis and an increase in
the per unit cost of natural gas ($94 million) and (3) electricity sales of PacifiCorp for the
March 21 through March 31 period ($76 million).
Pre-tax
earnings of utilities and energy businesses totaled $418 million for the first quarter
of 2006, an increase of $148 million (55%) over the first quarter of 2005. Earnings from U.S.
regulated electric generation and distribution increased approximately $58 million in 2006 as
compared to 2005 due primarily to higher operating margins on wholesale electricity sales and the
inclusion of $22 million in pre-tax operating earnings of PacifiCorp. In addition, earnings from
other activities for the first quarter of 2006 included an $89 million pre-tax gain from the
disposal of equity securities of Mirant, which had been awarded to Kern River through a bankruptcy
claim.
Manufacturing, Services and Retailing
A summary of revenues and earnings of Berkshires diverse manufacturing, services and retailing
businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Apparel |
|
$ |
532 |
|
|
$ |
559 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
$ |
72 |
|
Building products |
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
1,109 |
|
|
|
191 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
Flight services |
|
|
919 |
|
|
|
767 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
McLane Company |
|
|
6,107 |
|
|
|
5,652 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
Retail |
|
|
655 |
|
|
|
603 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
Shaw Industries |
|
|
1,439 |
|
|
|
1,294 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
Other businesses |
|
|
1,234 |
|
|
|
715 |
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,084 |
|
|
$ |
10,699 |
|
|
|
640 |
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
262 |
|
|
|
196 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
378 |
|
|
$ |
325 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Manufacturing, Services and Retailing (Continued)
Apparel
Apparel businesses generated sales of $532 million for the first quarter of 2006, a decrease
of $27 million (5%) versus the first quarter of 2005. First quarter 2006 clothing sales
declined $52 million from 2005 and were partially offset by a $26 million increase in footwear
sales. The reduction in clothing sales primarily reflected efforts in the first quarter of 2006 by
major retailers to reduce their inventory levels. The increase in footwear sales reflected higher
comparative sales in most of the major product lines (work boots, casual shoes and western boots.)
Pre-tax earnings of apparel businesses in the first quarter of 2006 were $51 million, a decrease of
$21 million (29%) from 2005. The decline in pre-tax earnings was attributed to lower earnings from
clothing, reflecting lower sales volume as well as higher advertising costs and closure costs
related to certain of Fruit of the Looms manufacturing facilities.
Building products
Revenues and pre-tax earnings for the first quarter of 2006 of the building products group
increased $89 million (8%) and $16 million (9%), respectively, over revenues and pre-tax earnings
for the first quarter of 2005. Increased revenues were generated by all of the businesses included
in this segment, although the roofing systems division of Johns Manville had a decline in
comparative revenues as demand in 2005 was exceptionally high. The increase in revenues is
primarily attributed to higher average selling prices and increased unit volume for insulation products, connector
plates, truss machinery, coatings and bricks. Selling price increases have generally been in
response to raw material and energy cost inflation, which has driven manufacturing and delivery
costs higher.
The increase in pre-tax earnings in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to 2005 was
primarily attributed to the general increases in sales volume partially offset by the volume
decline in the roofing systems division of Johns Manville. Residential housing construction, which has
been strong in recent years, is showing signs of weakness in certain areas of the U.S. Changes in
construction conditions as well as sources and prices of raw materials and energy can have a
significant effect on the operating results of the building products group.
Flight services
Flight services revenues in the
first quarter of 2006 increased $152 million (20%) over 2005,
which was primarily due to a 23% increase in revenues from NetJets fractional aircraft ownership business.
Flight operations and management service fees increased 19% in the first quarter of 2006 primarily
resulting from a 14% increase in occupied flight hours, hourly rate increases and a 12% increase in
the number of aircraft managed within the NetJets program over the past twelve months and increased
management fee rates. Revenues for the first quarter of 2006 from training (FlightSafety)
increased 7% over 2005. Pre-tax earnings of the flight services businesses totaled $21 million in
the first quarter of 2006 versus $7 million in 2005. Pre-tax earnings from training services
increased $2 million in 2006 versus 2005 and pre-tax losses from the fractional ownership business
declined $12 million in 2006 as compared with 2005. The decline in the fractional ownership
pre-tax loss was primarily due to a comparative decline in losses from subcontracted flights, which
are necessary to meet peak customer demand and increased rates, somewhat offset by higher interest,
depreciation and payroll expenses.
McLane Company
Revenues from the McLane distribution business were $6,107 million for the first quarter of
2006, an increase of $455 million (8%) over 2005. Pre-tax earnings totaled $55 million for the
first quarter of 2006, a decrease of $14 million (20%) from 2005. McLanes business is marked by
high sales volume and low profit margins and has been subject to increased price competition in
recent periods. Approximately one-third of McLanes total sales are to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The
increases in revenues in 2006 were primarily due to growth in grocery business, partially offset by
a reduction in restaurant food service sales due to the loss of a large customer in mid-2005. The
net increase in sales in 2006 was offset by a 0.4 percentage point reduction in the sales margin
rate primarily attributed to increased competition. Pre-tax earnings for the first quarter of 2005
included a $10 million gain from a litigation settlement.
Retail
Berkshires retail operations consist of several home furnishings and jewelry retailers.
Aggregate revenues in the first quarter of 2006 increased $52 million (9%) over 2005. First
quarter revenues of the
home furnishings businesses were $491 million in 2006 and $444 million in 2005 and jewelry revenues
were $164 million in 2006 as compared to $159 million in 2005. Aggregate same store sales of home
furnishings businesses in 2006 increased approximately 7% compared to 2005. In addition, revenues in
2006 also reflect the impact of a new R.C. Willey store. Pre-tax earnings of the retail group
totaled $37 million in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of $8 million (28%) over 2005. The
comparative increase in pre-tax earnings was produced by the home furnishings businesses, partially
offset by minor reductions at certain of the jewelry operations.
25
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Manufacturing, Services and Retailing (Continued)
Shaw Industries
Revenues of Shaw Industries in the first quarter of 2006 totaled $1,439 million, an increase
of $145 million (11%) over the first quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily due to a 12%
increase in average net selling prices for carpet, partially offset by a 3% reduction in carpet
sales volume. Pre-tax earnings for the first quarter of 2006 totaled $155 million, an increase of
$67 million (76%) over the first quarter of 2005. Beginning in 2004, manufacturing costs have
risen significantly, primarily from higher costs of petrochemical-based raw materials. Because
selling price increases generally lag cost increases, operating margins have been generally
depressed over that period. Raw material costs have stabilized somewhat and the effects of recent
sales price increases helped produce higher operating margins. In addition, Shaw benefited from
the integration of the carpet backing and nylon-fiber manufacturing operations acquired in the
fourth quarter of 2005. These two acquisitions allow Shaw to internally produce most of
its carpet-backing needs and to secure a more stable source of raw material and are expected
to result in relatively lower production costs in the future.
Other businesses
Aggregate revenues and pre-tax earnings of Berkshires other numerous and diversified
businesses in the first quarter of 2006 increased $519 million and $49 million, respectively, over
2005 and was primarily attributed to the inclusion of the results of Forest River. Berkshire
acquired Forest River on August 31, 2005. Forest River is a leading manufacturer of leisure
vehicles in the U.S.
Finance and Financial Products
A summary of revenues and earnings from Berkshires finance and financial products businesses
follows. Amounts are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Manufactured housing and finance |
|
$ |
859 |
|
|
$ |
661 |
|
|
$ |
118 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
Furniture/transportation equipment leasing |
|
|
213 |
|
|
|
194 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
Other |
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,222 |
|
|
$ |
1,019 |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
157 |
|
|
$ |
124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues in the first
quarter of 2006 from manufactured housing and finance activities
(Clayton Homes) increased $198 million (30%) over 2005 and reflect increased
manufactured home sales ($148 million), as a result of increases in both units sold and average
prices. Additionally, interest income generated from installment loans originated and purchased
increased $55 million in the first quarter of 2006 over 2005 due to comparatively higher average
installment loan balances due primarily to prior year loan portfolio acquisitions.
Pre-tax earnings from Claytons manufactured housing and finance activities totaled $118
million in 2006, an increase of $30 million (34%) over 2005. The increase reflects higher net
interest earned on comparatively higher installment loan balances and increased volume in manufactured home sales.
Pre-tax earnings from furniture and transportation equipment leasing activities in 2006
increased $6 million over 2005, reflecting higher rental income, partially offset by higher
depreciation and other operating expenses. Pre-tax earnings from other finance activities in the
first quarter of 2006 were $95 million, an increase of $16 million over 2005. The increase
primarily resulted from comparatively lower pre-tax losses of the General Re derivatives business,
as remaining derivative positions continue to run-off.
26
Item 2. Managements 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 follows. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Investment
gains/losses from |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and other disposals of investments |
|
$ |
439 |
|
|
$ |
277 |
|
Life settlement contracts |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
Other |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative
gains/losses from |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency forward contracts |
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
(307 |
) |
Other |
|
|
206 |
|
|
|
(59 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gains/losses before income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
805 |
|
|
|
(120 |
) |
Income taxes and minority interests |
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gains/losses |
|
$ |
526 |
|
|
$ |
(77 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment gains or losses are recognized upon the sales of investments or as otherwise
required under GAAP. The timing of realized gains or losses from sales can have a material effect
on periodic earnings. However, such gains or losses usually have little, if any, impact on total
shareholders equity because most equity and fixed maturity investments are carried at fair value,
with the unrealized gain or loss included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Berkshire adopted FTB 85-4-1 as discussed in Note 13 to the Interim Consolidated Financial
Statements in the first quarter of 2006. As a result, the carrying value of investments in life
settlement contracts was increased $277 million through the application of the investment (or cost)
method. The cumulative after tax effect of the increase in carrying value as of December 31, 2005
of $180 million was credited directly to retaining earnings as of the beginning of 2006. The
pre-tax gain for the first quarter of 2006 reflects the excess of death benefits received over related
premiums and other policy maintenance expenses.
In 2005, life settlement investments were carried at the cash surrender value of the
underlying life insurance contract (often a small fraction of the cost of acquiring the policy).
The excess of the cash paid to purchase these contracts over the cash surrender value at the
purchase date was recognized as a loss immediately and future periodic maintenance costs, such as
premiums necessary to keep the underlying policies in force, were charged to earnings immediately
when incurred.
Derivative gains and losses from foreign currency forward contracts arise as the value of the
U.S. dollar changes against certain foreign currencies. Small changes in certain foreign currency
exchange rates produce material changes in the fair value of these contracts and consequently can
produce exceptional volatility in reported earnings. In the first quarter of 2006, the notional
value of open contracts declined approximately $8.4 billion to $5.4 billion as of March 31. The
notional value of open contracts at March 31, 2005 was approximately $21.8 billion. During 2005,
the value of most foreign currencies decreased relative to the U.S. dollar. Thus, forward
contracts produced pre-tax losses.
Berkshire has also entered into other derivative contracts pertaining to credit default risks
of other entities as well as equity price risk associated with major equity indexes. Such
contracts are carried at estimated fair value and the change in estimated fair value is included in
earnings in the period of the change. These contracts are not traded on an exchange and
independent market prices are not consistently available. Accordingly, considerable judgment is
required in estimating fair value.
Financial Condition
Berkshires balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and a strong capital
base. Consolidated shareholders equity at March 31, 2006 totaled $95.3 billion and at December
31, 2005 totaled $91.5 billion.
Cash and invested assets of insurance and other businesses totaled approximately $115.5
billion at March 31, 2006 (including cash and cash equivalents of $37.7 billion) and $115.6 billion
at December 31, 2005 (including cash and cash equivalents of $40.5 billion). Berkshire maintains a
large amount of shareholder capital in insurance subsidiaries for strategic purposes and in support
of reserves for unpaid losses and claim benefits. Insurance businesses are subject to regulation.
In the United States, in particular, payment of dividends by insurance companies are subject to
prior approval by state regulators.
27
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Financial Condition (Continued)
On March 21, 2006, the acquisition of PacifiCorp for approximately $5.1 billion was completed.
On March 24, 2006, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (MidAmerican) issued $1.7 billion of
senior notes due in 2036. Berkshire has not provided and does not intend to guaranty debt issued
by the entities comprising the utilities and energy businesses. However, Berkshire has made a
commitment that allows MidAmerican to request up to $3.5 billion of capital until February 28, 2011
to pay its debt obligations or to provide funding to its regulated subsidiaries.
During the first quarter of 2006, capital expenditures of the utilities and energy businesses
totaled $309 million. Forecasted capital expenditures,
construction and other development costs for 2006 are approximately
$2.3 billion. Capital expenditure needs are reviewed regularly by management and may change
significantly as a result of such reviews. MidAmerican expects to fund these capital
expenditures with the cash flows from operations and the issuance of debt.
Total assets of the finance and financial products businesses totaled $24.4 billion at March
31, 2006 and $24.5 billion as of December 31, 2005, consisting primarily of loans and finance
receivables, fixed maturity investment securities and cash and cash equivalents. Liabilities
totaled $19.2 billion as of March 31, 2006 and $20.3 billion as of December 31, 2005 and include notes
and other borrowings of $10.8 billion at March 31, 2006 and $10.9 billion at December 31, 2005.
Notes payable include $8.85 billion of medium term notes issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation
(BHFC) at various times in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Notes mature at various dates beginning in 2007
($700 million par) through 2015. The proceeds from these notes were used to finance originated and
acquired loans of Clayton. Full and timely payment of principal and interest on the notes issued by BHFC is guaranteed by Berkshire.
Berkshire believes that it currently maintains sufficient liquidity to cover its existing
contractual obligations.
Contractual Obligations
Berkshire and its subsidiaries are parties to contracts associated with ongoing business and
financing activities, which will result in cash payments to counterparties in future periods.
Certain obligations reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, such as notes payable, require future
payments on contractually specified dates and in fixed and determinable amounts. The timing and
amount of the payment of other obligations such as unpaid property and casualty loss reserves are
contingent upon the outcome of future events. 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. Berkshires consolidated contractual obligations
as of March 31, 2006 did not change materially from those disclosed in Contractual Obligations,
included in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
contained in Berkshires Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2005 except as
discussed in the following paragraphs.
In 2006, Berkshire entered into an agreement whereby it has a contingent obligation to
purchase newly issued shares of USG Corporation to the extent that other existing common stock
owners of USG do not subscribe to purchase their proportionate share of the newly issued shares.
The potential maximum amount of this commitment is $1.8 billion (including $260 million related to
Berkshires current investment in USG common stock) and Berkshire has placed U.S. Treasury
securities in escrow in support of the commitment, which expires in the third quarter of 2006.
As a result of Berkshires consolidation of MidAmerican in 2006, Berkshires consolidated
contractual obligations have changed significantly from December 31, 2005. The table below
summarizes the contractual obligations of MidAmerican as of March 31, 2006 together with the
contractual obligations of PacifiCorp, which was acquired on March 21, 2006. The actual timing and
amount of payments may differ materially from the amounts shown in the table. Amounts are in
millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated payments due by period |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007-2008 |
|
|
2009-2010 |
|
|
After 2010 |
|
Notes payable and other borrowings, including interest |
|
$ |
29,824 |
|
|
$ |
1,451 |
|
|
$ |
4,911 |
|
|
$ |
2,053 |
|
|
$ |
21,409 |
|
Operating leases |
|
|
421 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
Purchase obligations |
|
|
10,486 |
|
|
|
1,130 |
|
|
|
2,513 |
|
|
|
1,614 |
|
|
|
5,229 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
40,731 |
|
|
$ |
2,651 |
|
|
$ |
7,572 |
|
|
$ |
3,753 |
|
|
$ |
26,755 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Critical Accounting Policies
In applying certain accounting policies, Berkshires management is required to make estimates
and judgments regarding transactions that have occurred and ultimately will be settled several
years in the future. 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. The balance
sheet items most significantly affected by these estimates are property and casualty insurance and
reinsurance related liabilities, deferred charges on retroactive reinsurance, and goodwill of
businesses acquired.
Berkshires Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2006 includes estimated liabilities for
unpaid losses from property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts of $47.6 billion
($48.0 billion at December 31, 2005) and reinsurance receivables of $2.8 billion ($3.0 billion at
December 31, 2005). Due to the inherent uncertainties in the process of establishing these
amounts, the actual ultimate claim amounts will likely differ from the currently recorded amounts. A
small percentage change in estimates of this magnitude will result in a material effect on reported
earnings. For instance, a 1% change in the March 31, 2006 net estimate would produce nearly a $500
million change to pre-tax earnings. Future effects from changes in these estimates will be
recorded as a component of losses incurred in the period of the change.
Unamortized deferred charges on retroactive reinsurance policies assumed totaled $2.3 billion
at March 31, 2006. Significant changes in either the timing or ultimate amount of loss payments may
have a significant effect on unamortized deferred charges and the amount of periodic amortization.
Berkshires Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2006 includes goodwill of acquired
businesses of approximately $29.5 billion. Such amount includes $5.4 billion of goodwill related
to MidAmerican, which was consolidated in the first quarter of 2006. A significant amount of
judgment is required in performing goodwill impairment tests. Such tests include periodically
estimating and reviewing the fair value of Berkshires reporting units. There are several methods
of estimating a reporting units fair value, including market quotations, asset and liability fair
values and other valuation techniques, such as discounted projected future net earnings and
multiples of earnings. 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.
Berkshires consolidated financial position reflects very significant amounts of invested
assets. A substantial portion of these assets are carried at fair values based upon current market
quotations and, when not available, based upon fair value pricing models. Certain of Berkshires
fixed maturity securities are not actively traded in the financial markets. Further, Berkshires
finance businesses maintain significant balances of finance receivables, which are carried at
amortized cost. Considerable judgment is required in determining the assumptions used in certain
pricing models, including interest rate, loan prepayment speed, credit risk and liquidity risk
assumptions. Significant changes in these assumptions can have a significant effect on carrying
values.
In connection
with Berkshires consolidation of MidAmerican, accounting policies regarding the
regulatory assets and liabilities and the evaluation of long-lived assets have gained importance.
Reference is made to Note 7 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements with respect
to the discussion that follows.
MidAmerican Energy, PacifiCorp, Kern River and Northern Natural Gas prepare their financial
statements in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain
Types of Regulation (SFAS 71), which differs in certain respects from the application of GAAP by
non-regulated businesses. In general, SFAS 71 recognizes that accounting for rate-regulated
enterprises should reflect the economic effects of regulation. See Note 7 to the Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
Long-lived assets of utilities and energy businesses consist primarily of property, plant and
equipment. Long-lived assets are evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. Upon the occurrence of a triggering
event, the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is reviewed to assess whether the recoverable
amount has declined below its carrying amount. The recoverable amount is the estimated recoverable
net future cash flows from the future use of the asset, undiscounted and without interest, plus the
assets estimated residual value on disposal. Where the recoverable amount is less than the carrying value,
an impairment loss is recognized to write down the asset to its fair value that is based on
discounted estimated cash flows from the future use of the asset.
The estimate of cash flows arising from future use of the asset that are used in the
impairment analysis requires judgment regarding the expected recoveries from the future use of the
asset. Any changes in the estimates of cash flows arising from future use of the asset or the
residual value of the asset on disposal based on changes in the market conditions, changes in the
use of the asset, managements plans, the determination of the useful life of the asset and
technology changes in the
29
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Continued)
Critical Accounting Policies (Continued)
industry could significantly change the estimated fair value or
recoverable amount of the asset and the resulting impairment loss. The determination of whether
impairment has occurred is primarily based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows attributable
to the assets as compared to the carrying value of the assets. An impairment analysis of
generating facilities requires estimates of possible future market prices, load growth, competition
and many other factors over the lives of the facilities. A resulting impairment loss is highly
dependent on these underlying assumptions.
For additional information on Berkshires critical accounting estimates, reference is made to
Critical Accounting Policies in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations contained in Berkshires Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ending
December 31, 2005.
Information concerning recently issued accounting pronouncements which are not yet effective
is included in Note 14 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. Berkshire does not expect
any of the recently issued accounting pronouncements to have a material effect on its 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, 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, economic and market factors and the industries in which Berkshire does
business, among other things. These statements are not guaranties of future performance and
Berkshire has 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 Berkshires 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
Berkshires significant equity investees, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events, such
as an earthquake or hurricane that causes losses insured by Berkshires insurance subsidiaries,
changes in insurance laws or regulations, 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
Berkshire and its affiliates do business, especially those affecting the property and casualty
insurance industry.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Reference is made to Berkshires most recently issued Annual Report and in particular the
Market Risk Disclosures included in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations. As of March 31, 2006, there are no material changes in the market
risks described in Berkshires most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending
December 31, 2005, except as discussed in the following paragraph.
Through MidAmerican, Berkshire is exposed to market risks associated with electric and natural
gas commodity prices as well as fuel costs to generate electricity. In addition, MidAmericans
regulated utility subsidiaries may be required to purchase additional electricity beyond their
generating capacity to meet customer needs. Such risks are mitigated to the extent that the costs
of commodities are recoverable through regulated rates charged to customers. Derivative
instruments are also utilized to further mitigate commodity price risks and to help balance energy
supplies with customer demands.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Corporation
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporations
management, including the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Vice President-Treasurer
(Chief Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporations
disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that
evaluation, the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Vice President-Treasurer (Chief
Financial Officer) concluded that the Corporations 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 Corporations periodic SEC filings.
During the quarter, there have been no significant changes in the Corporations internal control
over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect internal control over
financial reporting.
30
Part II Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
a) Governmental Investigations
In October 2003, General Reinsurance Corporation (General Reinsurance), a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Re Corporation (General Re) and an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of
Berkshire, and four of its current and former employees, including its former president, received
subpoenas for documents from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond
Division (the EDVA U.S. Attorney) in connection with the EDVA U.S. Attorneys investigation of
Reciprocal of America (ROA). ROA was a Virginia-based reciprocal insurer of physician, hospital
and lawyer professional liability risks.
General Reinsurance is continuing to cooperate fully with the EDVA U.S. Attorney and the
Department of Justice in Washington (the DOJ) in their ongoing investigation regarding ROA and,
in part, its transactions with General Reinsurance. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have
continued to request additional information from General Reinsurance regarding ROA and its
affiliate, First Virginia Reinsurance, Ltd. (FVR) and General Reinsurances transactions with ROA
and FVR. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and the DOJ have also interviewed a number of current and former
officers and employees of General Re and General Reinsurance. In August 2005, the EDVA U.S.
Attorney issued an additional subpoena to General Reinsurance regarding General Reinsurances
transactions with ROA and FVR. One of the individuals originally subpoenaed in October 2003 has
been informed by the EDVA U.S. Attorney that this individual is a target of the EDVA U.S.
Attorneys investigation. General Reinsurance has also been sued in a number of civil actions
related to ROA, as described below.
General Re, Berkshire, and certain of Berkshires other insurance subsidiaries, including
National Indemnity Company (NICO) have also been continuing to cooperate fully with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the DOJ and the New York State Attorney General
(NYAG) in their ongoing investigations of non-traditional products. The EDVA U.S. Attorney and
the DOJ have also been working with the SEC and the NYAG in connection with these investigations.
General Re originally received subpoenas from the SEC and NYAG in January 2005. General Re,
Berkshire and NICO have been providing information to the government relating to transactions
between General Reinsurance or NICO (or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates) and other
insurers in response to the January 2005 subpoenas and related requests and, in the case of General
Reinsurance (or its subsidiaries or affiliates), in response to subpoenas from other U.S. Attorneys
conducting investigations relating to certain of these transactions. In particular, General Re and
Berkshire have been responding to requests from the government for information relating to certain
transactions that may have been accounted for incorrectly by counterparties of General Reinsurance
(or its subsidiaries or affiliates). Berkshire understands that the government is evaluating the
actions of General Re and its subsidiaries, as well as those of their counterparties to determine
whether General Re or its subsidiaries conspired with others to misstate counterparty financial
statements or aided and abetted such misstatements by the counterparties. The SEC, NYAG, DOJ and
the EDVA U.S. Attorney have interviewed a number of current and former officers and employees of
General Re and General Reinsurance as well as Berkshires Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett, and
have indicated they plan to interview additional individuals.
In one case, a transaction initially effected with American International Group (AIG) in
late 2000 (the AIG Transaction), AIG has corrected its prior accounting for the transaction on
the grounds, as stated in AIGs 2004 10-K, that the transaction was done to accomplish a desired
accounting result and did not entail sufficient qualifying risk transfer to support reinsurance
accounting. General Reinsurance has been named in related civil actions brought against AIG, as
described below. As part of their ongoing investigations, governmental authorities have also
inquired about the accounting by certain of Berkshires insurance subsidiaries for certain assumed
and ceded finite transactions.
In May 2005, General Re terminated the consulting services of its former Chief Executive
Officer, Ronald Ferguson, after Mr. Ferguson invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to questions
from the SEC and DOJ relating to their investigations. In June 2005, John Houldsworth, the former
Chief Executive Officer of Cologne Reinsurance Company (Dublin) Limited (CRD), a subsidiary of
General Re, pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate
certain AIG financial statements and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with
respect to such matters. Mr. Houldsworth, who had been on administrative leave, was terminated
following this announcement. In June 2005, Richard Napier, a former Senior Vice President of
General Re who had served as an account representative for the AIG account, also pleaded guilty to
a federal criminal charge of conspiring with others to misstate certain AIG financial statements
and entered into a partial settlement agreement with the SEC with respect to such matters. General
Re terminated Mr. Napier following the announcement of these actions.
31
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
In September 2005, Ronald Ferguson, Joseph Brandon, the Chief Executive Officer of General Re,
Christopher Garand, a former Senior Vice President of General Reinsurance, and Robert Graham, a
former Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of General Reinsurance, each received a
Wells notice from the SEC. In addition to Messrs. Houldsworth, Napier, Brandon, Ferguson, Garand
and Graham, Elizabeth Monrad, the former Chief Financial Officer of General Re, also received a
Wells notice from the SEC in May 2005 in connection with its investigation.
On February 2, 2006, the DOJ announced that a federal grand jury had indicted three former
executives of General Re on charges related to the AIG Transaction. The indictment charges Mr.
Ferguson, Ms. Monrad and Mr. Graham, along with one former officer of AIG, with one count of
conspiracy to commit securities fraud, four counts of securities fraud, two counts of causing false
statements to be made to the SEC, four counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud in
connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC also announced on February 2, 2006 that it had filed
an enforcement action against Mr. Ferguson, Ms. Monrad, Mr. Graham, Mr. Garand and the same former
AIG officer, for aiding and abetting AIGs violations of the antifraud provisions and other
provisions of the federal securities laws in connection with the AIG Transaction. The SEC
complaint seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement of any ill-gotten gains, civil penalties
and orders barring each defendant from acting as an officer or director of a public company. Each
of the individuals indicted by the federal grand jury was arraigned on February 16, 2006 and each
individual pleaded not guilty to all charges. At present there is no trial date for this matter.
On February 9, 2006, AIG announced that it had reached a resolution of claims and matters under
investigation with the DOJ, the SEC, the NYAG and the New York State Department of Insurance in
connection with the accounting, financial reporting and insurance brokerage practices of AIG and
its subsidiaries, including claims and matters under investigation relating to the AIG Transaction,
as well as claims relating to the underpayment of certain workers compensation premium taxes and
other assessments. AIG announced that it will make payments totaling approximately $1.64 billion as
a result of these settlements.
Various state insurance departments have issued subpoenas or otherwise requested that General
Reinsurance, NICO and their affiliates provide documents and information relating to
non-traditional products. The Office of the Connecticut Attorney General has also issued a subpoena
to General Reinsurance for information relating to non-traditional products. General Reinsurance,
NICO and their affiliates have been cooperating fully with these subpoenas and requests.
On April 14, 2005, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced an
investigation involving financial or finite reinsurance transactions by General Reinsurance
Australia Limited (GRA), a subsidiary of General Reinsurance. An inspector appointed by APRA
under section 52 of the Insurance Act 1973 has been conducting an investigation including a request
for the production of documents of GRAs financial or finite reinsurance business and a request to
interview four directors of GRA. GRA has been cooperating fully with this investigation.
In December 2004, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) advised General Reinsurances
affiliate Faraday Group (Faraday) that it was investigating Milan Vukelic, the then Chief
Executive Officer of Faraday with respect to transactions entered into between GRA and companies
affiliated with FAI Insurance Limited in 1998. Mr. Vukelic previously served as the head of General
Res international finite business unit. In April 2005, the FSA advised General Reinsurance that it
was investigating Mr. Vukelic and a former officer of CRD with respect to certain finite risk
reinsurance transactions, including transactions between CRD and several other insurers. In
addition, the FSA has requested that General Reinsurance affiliates based in the United Kingdom
provide information relating to the transactions involved in their investigations, including
transactions with AIG. General Reinsurance and its affiliates are cooperating fully with the FSA in
these matters. In May 2005, Mr. Vukelic was placed on administrative leave and in July 2005 his
employment was terminated.
CRD is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Irish Financial Services
Regulatory Authority in its inquiries regarding the activities of CRD. The Office of the Director
of Corporate Enforcement in Ireland is conducting a preliminary evaluation in relation to CRD
concerning, in particular, transactions between CRD and AIG. CRD is cooperating fully with this
preliminary evaluation.
General Reinsurances subsidiary, Kolnische Ruckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (Cologne Re),
is also cooperating fully with requests for information from the German Federal Financial
Supervisory Authority regarding the activities of Cologne Re relating to finite reinsurance and
regarding transactions between Cologne Re or its subsidiaries, including CRD, and AIG. General
Reinsurance is also providing information to and cooperating fully with the Office of the
Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada in its inquiries regarding the activities of
General Re and its affiliates relating to finite reinsurance.
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material adverse
effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period when
these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
32
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
b) Civil Litigation
Litigation Related to ROA
General Reinsurance and four of its current and former employees, along with numerous other
defendants, have been sued in a number of civil actions related to ROA. Plaintiffs assert various
claims in these civil actions, including breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud and
conspiracy, against General Reinsurance and others, arising from various reinsurance coverages
General Reinsurance provided to ROA and related entities.
Eight putative class actions were initiated by doctors, hospitals and lawyers that purchased
insurance through ROA or certain of its Tennessee-based risk retention groups. These complaints
seek compensatory, treble, and punitive damages in an amount plaintiffs contend is just and
reasonable. General Reinsurance is also subject to actions brought by the Virginia Commissioner of
Insurance, as Deputy Receiver of ROA, the Tennessee Commissioner of Insurance, as Liquidator for
three Tennessee risk retention groups, a federal lawsuit filed by a Missouri-based hospital group
and a state lawsuit filed by an Alabama doctor that was removed to federal court. The first of
these actions was filed in March 2003 and additional actions were filed in April 2003 through
December 2005. In the action filed by the Virginia Commissioner of Insurance, the Commissioner
asserts in several of its claims that the alleged damages being sought exceed $200 million in the
aggregate as against all defendants. Eleven of these cases are collectively assigned to the U.S.
District Court for the Western District of Tennessee for pretrial proceedings. General Reinsurance
has filed motions to dismiss all of the claims against it in ten of these cases and the court has
not yet ruled on these motions. The other federal case has been filed in the U.S. District Court
for the Northern District of Mississippi and is currently awaiting issuance of a conditional
transfer order to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. No discovery has
been initiated in any of these cases.
General Reinsurance is also a defendant in two lawsuits filed in Alabama state courts. The
first suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County by a group of Alabama hospitals that
are former members of the Alabama Hospital Association Trust (AHAT). This suit (the AHA Action)
alleged violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud, suppression, unjust enrichment
and breach of contract against General Reinsurance and virtually all of the defendants in the
federal suits based on an alleged business combination between AHAT and ROA in 2001 and subsequent
capital contributions to ROA in 2002 by the Alabama hospitals. The allegations of the AHA Action
are largely identical to those set forth in the complaint filed by the Virginia receiver for ROA.
General Reinsurance previously filed a motion to dismiss all of the claims in the AHA Action. The
motion was granted in part by an order in March 2005, which dismissed the Alabama Securities Act
claim against General Reinsurance and ordered plaintiffs to amend their allegations of fraud and
suppression. Plaintiffs in the AHA Action filed their Amended and Restated Complaint in April 2005,
alleging claims of conspiracy, fraud, suppression and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty
against General Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to dismiss all counts of the
Amended and Restated Complaint in May 2005. The Special Master appointed by the court heard
arguments on July 13, 2005 and recommended denial of the motion on July 22, 2005. On July 22,
2005, the Court denied General Reinsurances motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and
served its answer and affirmative defenses to the Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1,
2005. Discovery has begun. The second suit, also filed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County,
was initiated by Baptist Health Systems, Inc. (BHS), a former member of AHAT, and alleged claims
identical to those in the initial AHA Action, plus claims for breach of fiduciary duty and
wantonness. These cases have been consolidated for pretrial purposes. BHS filed its First Amended
Complaint in April 2005, alleging violations of the Alabama Securities Act, conspiracy, fraud,
suppression, breach of fiduciary duty, wantonness and unjust enrichment against General
Reinsurance. General Reinsurance filed a motion to dismiss all counts of the Amended and Restated
Complaint in May 2005. The Special Master heard arguments on July 13, 2005, and on July 22, 2005,
recommended dismissal of the claim under the Alabama Securities Act, but recommended denial of the
motion to dismiss the remaining claims. On July 22, 2005, the Court denied General Reinsurances
motion to dismiss. General Reinsurance filed and served its answer and affirmative defenses to the
Amended and Restated Complaint on September 1, 2005. Discovery has begun. The AHA Action and the
BHS complaint claim damages in excess of $60 million in the aggregate as against all defendants.
These matters are scheduled for trial on January 8, 2007.
Actions related to AIG
General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint on
April 29, 2005, in the matter captioned In re American International Group Securities Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-8141-(LTS), United States District Court, Southern District of New York. This is a
putative class action asserted on behalf of investors who purchased publicly-traded securities of
AIG between October 1999 and March 2005. On June 7, 2005, General Reinsurance received
33
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
a second Summons and Class Action Complaint in a putative class action asserted on behalf of
investors who purchased AIG securities between October 1999 and March 2005, captioned San Francisco
Employees Retirement System, et al. vs. American International Group, Inc., et al., Case No.
05-CV-4270, United States District Court, Southern District of New York. At a July 2005
conference, the court ruled that the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 would be lead plaintiffs.
On September 27, 2005, the plaintiffs in case no. 04-CV-8141 filed a Consolidated Second Amended
Complaint (the Complaint). The Complaint asserts various claims against AIG, and various of its
officers, directors, investment banks and other parties. Included among the defendants are General
Reinsurance and Messrs. Ferguson, Napier and Houldsworth (whom the Complaint defines as the
General Re Defendants). The Complaint alleges that the General Re Defendants violated Section
10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under that Act through their
activities in connection with the AIG Transaction described in Governmental Investigations,
above. The Complaint seeks damages and other relief in unspecified amounts. The General Re
Defendants moved to dismiss the Complaint on the grounds that it failed to state a claim on which
relief can be granted against these defendants. The motion was heard on April 20, 2006, and was
denied by the Court. No discovery has taken place.
On July 27, 2005, General Reinsurance received a Summons and a Verified and Amended
Shareholder Derivative Complaint in In re American International Group, Inc. Derivative Litigation,
Case No. 04-CV-08406, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, naming Gen Re
Corporation as a defendant. It is unclear whether the plaintiffs are asserting claims against
General Reinsurance or its parent, General Re. This case is assigned to the same judge as the class
actions described above. The complaint, brought by several alleged shareholders of AIG, seeks
damages, injunctive and declaratory relief against various officers and directors of AIG as well as
a variety of individuals and entities with whom AIG did business, relating to a wide variety of
allegedly wrongful practices by AIG. The allegations against Gen Re Corporation focus on the late
2000 transaction with AIG described above, and the complaint purports to assert causes of action
against Gen Re Corporation for aiding and abetting other defendants breaches of fiduciary duty
and for unjust enrichment. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages or the nature of
any other relief sought against Gen Re Corporation. In August 2005, General Reinsurance received
a Summons and First Amended Consolidated Shareholders Derivative Complaint in In re American
International Group, Inc. Consolidated Derivative Litigation, Case No. 769-N, Delaware Chancery
Court. The claims asserted in the Delaware complaint are substantially similar to those asserted
in the New York derivative complaint described earlier in this paragraph, except that the Delaware
complaint makes clear that the plaintiffs are asserting claims against both General Reinsurance and
General Re. Proceedings in both the New York derivative suit and the Delaware derivative suit are
stayed until August 31, 2006.
FAI/HIH Matter
In December 2003, the Liquidators of both FAI Insurance Limited (FAI) and HIH Insurance
Limited (HIH) advised GRA and Cologne Re that they intended to assert claims arising from
insurance transactions GRA entered into with FAI in May and June 1998. In August 2004, the
Liquidators filed claims in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in order to avoid the expiration
of a statute of limitations for certain plaintiffs, but neither GRA nor Cologne Re have been served
with legal process by the Liquidators. The focus of the Liquidators allegations against GRA and
Cologne Re are the 1998 transactions GRA entered into with FAI (which was acquired by HIH in 1999).
The Liquidators contend, among other things, that GRA and Cologne Re engaged in deceptive conduct
that assisted FAI in improperly accounting for such transactions as reinsurance, and that such
deception led to HIHs acquisition of FAI and caused various losses to FAI and HIH.
Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation
Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance are defendants in this multi-district
litigation, In Re: Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1663 (D.N.J.). In February
2005, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred several different cases to the
District of New Jersey for coordination and consolidation. Each consolidated case concerned
allegations of an industry-wide scheme on the part of commercial insurance brokers and insurance
companies to defraud a purported class of insurance purchasers through bid-rigging and contingent
commission arrangements. Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance were not parties to the
original, transferred cases. On August 1, 2005, the named plaintiffsfourteen businesses, two
municipalities, and three individualsfiled their First Consolidated Amended Commercial Class
Action Complaint, and Berkshire, General Re and General Reinsurance (along with a large number of
insurance companies and insurance brokers) were named as defendants in the Amended Complaint. The
plaintiffs claim that all defendants engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity, in violation of
RICO, and that they conspired to restrain trade. They further allege that the broker defendants
breached fiduciary duties to the plaintiffs, that the insurer defendants aided and abetted that
breach, and that all defendants were unjustly enriched in the process. Plaintiffs seek treble
damages in an unspecified amount, together with interest and attorneys fees and expenses. They
also seek a declaratory judgment of wrongdoing as well as an injunction against future
anticompetitive practices. On November 29, 2005, General Re, General
34
Item 1. Legal Proceedings (Continued)
Reinsurance and Berkshire, together with the other defendants, filed motions to dismiss the
complaint. The Court has not yet set a hearing on these motions. On February 1, 2006, plaintiffs
filed a motion for leave to file a Second Consolidated Amended Complaint. Among other things,
plaintiffs sought leave to add numerous new defendants, including several additional Berkshire
subsidiaries including, among others, NICO. Berkshire opposed the motion for leave to amend, and
the Court has denied the motion without prejudice to plaintiffs renewing it following a ruling on
defendants motion to dismiss the First Consolidated Amended Complaint.
Berkshire cannot at this time predict the outcome of these matters, is unable to estimate a
range of possible loss, if any, and cannot predict whether or not the outcomes will have a material
adverse effect on Berkshires business or results of operations for at least the quarterly period
when these matters are completed or otherwise resolved.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risk factors associated with Berkshires business activities have not changed materially from
those disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2005, except as
regards to risks unique to the utilities and energy business as summarized below.
For the most part, Berkshires utilities and energy businesses, which generate and distribute
electricity and natural gas, are highly regulated by numerous federal, state, and local
governmental authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and other jurisdictions in which
operations are conducted. Regulations govern the rates that may be charged to customers.
Regulations also concern safety, environmental and operational compliance or remediation as well
as other matters, for which costs are incurred. Such costs may prove to be unrecoverable through
rates. In the regulatory process, governmental bodies through regulation or expropriation may
otherwise intercede in ways that ultimately prove financially detrimental to the business. Adverse
new regulations or reinterpretations of existing regulations as well as the nature of the
regulatory process can have a significant impact on periodic results of operations.
The nature of the utilities and energy business is that significant amounts of capital are
employed to construct, operate and maintain sufficient electricity and gas generation and
distribution systems. Usually, large amounts of borrowed funds are employed in the process. Such
systems may need to be operational for very long periods of time in order to justify the financial
cost. The risk of financial failure of capital projects is not necessarily recoverable through
rates that are chargeable to customers.
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Item 6. Exhibits
a. Exhibits
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31.1 |
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
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31.2 |
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
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32.1 |
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Section 1350 Certifications |
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32.2 |
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Section 1350 Certifications |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
(Registrant) |
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Date May 5, 2006
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/s/ Marc D. Hamburg
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(Signature)
Marc D. Hamburg, Vice President
and Principal Financial Officer |
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36