Item 1. Financial Statements
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Item 1. Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BA****LANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Insurance and Other: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents* | $ | 25,573 | $ | 32,260 | |||
| Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills | 126,401 | 92,774 | |||||
| Investments in fixed maturity securities | 22,435 | 25,128 | |||||
| Investments in equity securities | 318,621 | 308,793 | |||||
| Equity method investments | 27,496 | 28,050 | |||||
| Loans and finance receivables | 24,009 | 23,208 | |||||
| Other receivables | 45,878 | 43,490 | |||||
| Inventories | 24,755 | 25,366 | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 21,758 | 21,113 | |||||
| Equipment held for lease | 16,284 | 15,584 | |||||
| Goodwill | 50,939 | 51,522 | |||||
| Other intangible assets | 29,495 | 29,187 | |||||
| Deferred charges - retroactive reinsurance | 9,265 | 9,870 | |||||
| Other | 19,674 | 19,657 | |||||
| 762,583 | 726,002 | ||||||
| Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents* | 5,267 | 3,551 | |||||
| Receivables | 6,848 | 4,795 | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 173,456 | 160,268 | |||||
| Goodwill | 34,713 | 26,597 | |||||
| Regulatory assets | 5,694 | 5,062 | |||||
| Other | 31,372 | 22,190 | |||||
| 257,350 | 222,463 | ||||||
| $ | 1,019,933 | $ | 948,465 |
——————
*** *Includes U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities of three months or less when purchased of $*3.6 *billion at September 30, 2023 and $*2.6 billion at December 31, 2022.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CON****SOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
| Insurance and Other: | |||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 109,824 | $ | 107,472 | |||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses - retroactive reinsurance contracts | 33,919 | 35,415 | |||||
| Unearned premiums | 31,914 | 28,657 | |||||
| Life, annuity and health insurance benefits | 18,556 | 19,753 | |||||
| Other policyholder liabilities | 11,105 | 11,370 | |||||
| Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities | 32,259 | 33,201 | |||||
| Aircraft repurchase liabilities and unearned lease revenues | 7,549 | 6,820 | |||||
| Notes payable and other borrowings | 40,941 | 46,538 | |||||
| 286,067 | 289,226 | ||||||
| Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | |||||||
| Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities | 22,818 | 16,615 | |||||
| Regulatory liabilities | 6,688 | 7,369 | |||||
| Notes payable and other borrowings | 83,840 | 76,206 | |||||
| 113,346 | 100,190 | ||||||
| Income taxes, principally deferred | 85,793 | 77,368 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 485,206 | 466,784 | |||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 3,230 | — | |||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | |||||||
| Common stock | 8 | 8 | |||||
| Capital in excess of par value | 34,473 | 35,167 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | (4,272 | ) | (5,052 | ) | |||
| Retained earnings | 569,776 | 511,127 | |||||
| Treasury stock, at cost | (74,655 | ) | (67,826 | ) | |||
| Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity | 525,330 | 473,424 | |||||
| Noncontrolling interests | 6,167 | 8,257 | |||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 531,497 | 481,681 | |||||
| $ | 1,019,933 | $ | 948,465 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEM****ENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||
| Insurance and Other: | ||||||||||||
| Insurance premiums earned | $ | 21,360 | $ | 18,754 | $ | 61,717 | $ | 54,323 | ||||
| Sales and service revenues | 39,456 | 39,597 | 116,970 | 117,679 | ||||||||
| Leasing revenues | 2,104 | 1,959 | 6,227 | 5,518 | ||||||||
| Interest, dividend and other investment income | 4,047 | 2,378 | 11,122 | 7,101 | ||||||||
| 66,967 | 62,688 | 196,036 | 184,621 | |||||||||
| Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | ||||||||||||
| Freight rail transportation revenues | 5,828 | 6,663 | 17,637 | 19,219 | ||||||||
| Utility and energy operating revenues | 19,033 | 6,090 | 53,543 | 15,843 | ||||||||
| Service revenues and other income | 1,382 | 1,463 | 3,890 | 4,265 | ||||||||
| 26,243 | 14,216 | 75,070 | 39,327 | |||||||||
| Total revenues | 93,210 | 76,904 | 271,106 | 223,948 | ||||||||
| Investment and derivative contract gains (losses) | (29,778 | ) | (13,465 | ) | 38,041 | (82,362 | ) | |||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Insurance and Other: | ||||||||||||
| Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses | 13,719 | 16,005 | 42,029 | 42,957 | ||||||||
| Life, annuity and health insurance benefits | 1,144 | 1,428 | 3,057 | 3,951 | ||||||||
| Insurance underwriting expenses | 3,496 | 2,613 | 10,812 | 7,594 | ||||||||
| Cost of sales and services | 31,049 | 31,292 | 91,989 | 92,710 | ||||||||
| Cost of leasing | 1,489 | 1,418 | 4,423 | 4,148 | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 5,120 | 4,068 | 15,727 | 12,081 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 311 | 297 | 953 | 863 | ||||||||
| 56,328 | 57,121 | 168,990 | 164,304 | |||||||||
| Railroad, Utilities and Energy: | ||||||||||||
| Freight rail transportation expenses | 4,038 | 4,581 | 12,213 | 12,766 | ||||||||
| Utilities and energy cost of sales and other expenses | 18,249 | 4,295 | 50,254 | 11,730 | ||||||||
| Other expenses | 1,089 | 1,320 | 3,149 | 4,003 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 949 | 795 | 2,774 | 2,350 | ||||||||
| 24,325 | 10,991 | 68,390 | 30,849 | |||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 80,653 | 68,112 | 237,380 | 195,153 | ||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity method earnings | (17,221 | ) | (4,673 | ) | 71,767 | (53,567 | ) | |||||
| Equity method earnings | 262 | 415 | 1,461 | 958 | ||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | (16,959 | ) | (4,258 | ) | 73,228 | (52,609 | ) | |||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (4,392 | ) | (1,560 | ) | 13,839 | (12,374 | ) | |||||
| Net earnings (loss) | (12,567 | ) | (2,698 | ) | 59,389 | (40,235 | ) | |||||
| Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 200 | 100 | 740 | 604 | ||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders | $ | (12,767 | ) | $ | (2,798 | ) | $ | 58,649 | $ | (40,839 | ) | |
| Net earnings (loss) per average equivalent Class A share | $ | (8,824 | ) | $ | (1,907 | ) | $ | 40,422 | $ | (27,768 | ) | |
| Net earnings (loss) per average equivalent Class B share* | $ | (5.88 | ) | $ | (1.27 | ) | $ | 26.95 | $ | (18.51 | ) | |
| Average equivalent Class A shares outstanding | 1,446,925 | 1,466,946 | 1,450,934 | 1,470,714 | ||||||||
| Average equivalent Class B shares outstanding | 2,170,387,690 | 2,200,419,462 | 2,176,400,554 | 2,206,070,294 |
——————
*** Net earnings per average equivalent Class B share outstanding are equal to one-fifteen-hundredth of the equivalent Class A amount. See Note 19.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS O****F COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | (12,567 | ) | $ | (2,698 | ) | $ | 59,389 | $ | (40,235 | ) | |||||
| Other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains (losses) on investments | 11 | (527 | ) | 217 | (974 | ) | ||||||||||
| Applicable income taxes | (7 | ) | 113 | (39 | ) | 208 | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation | (801 | ) | (1,727 | ) | (169 | ) | (3,792 | ) | ||||||||
| Applicable income taxes | (7 | ) | (38 | ) | (22 | ) | 14 | |||||||||
| Long-duration insurance contract discount rate changes | 920 | 1,782 | 1,040 | 7,594 | ||||||||||||
| Applicable income taxes | (204 | ) | (380 | ) | (253 | ) | (1,626 | ) | ||||||||
| Defined benefit pension plans | 14 | 29 | 66 | 70 | ||||||||||||
| Applicable income taxes | (1 | ) | (7 | ) | (13 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||||||
| Other, net | 23 | 44 | (40 | ) | 199 | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | (52 | ) | (711 | ) | 787 | 1,677 | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | (12,619 | ) | (3,409 | ) | 60,176 | (38,558 | ) | |||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 180 | 46 | 747 | 518 | ||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders | $ | (12,799 | ) | $ | (3,455 | ) | $ | 59,429 | $ | (39,076 | ) |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
| Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock and capital in excess of par value | Accumulated other comprehensive income | Retained earnings | Treasury stock | Non- controlling interests | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 as previously reported | $ | 35,175 | $ | (6,591 | ) | $ | 511,602 | $ | (67,826 | ) | $ | 8,257 | $ | 480,617 | ||||||||||
| Adoption of ASU 2018-12 | — | 1,539 | (475 | ) | — | — | 1,064 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 as revised | 35,175 | (5,052 | ) | 511,127 | (67,826 | ) | 8,257 | 481,681 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | 35,504 | — | 253 | 35,757 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | 76 | — | — | 6 | 82 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of common stock | — | — | — | (4,439 | ) | — | (4,439 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with noncontrolling interests and other | (11 | ) | — | — | — | 7 | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | 35,164 | $ | (4,976 | ) | $ | 546,631 | $ | (72,265 | ) | $ | 8,523 | $ | 513,077 | ||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | 35,912 | — | 287 | 36,199 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | 736 | — | — | 21 | 757 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of common stock | — | — | — | (1,303 | ) | — | (1,303 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with noncontrolling interests and other | (16 | ) | — | — | — | (163 | ) | (179 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2023 | $ | 35,148 | $ | (4,240 | ) | $ | 582,543 | $ | (73,568 | ) | $ | 8,668 | $ | 548,551 | ||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | — | — | (12,767 | ) | — | 200 | (12,567 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | (32 | ) | — | — | (20 | ) | (52 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of common stock | — | — | — | (1,087 | ) | — | (1,087 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with noncontrolling interests and other | (667 | ) | — | — | — | (2,681 | ) | (3,348 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | 34,481 | $ | (4,272 | ) | $ | 569,776 | $ | (74,655 | ) | $ | 6,167 | $ | 531,497 | ||||||||||
| For the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 as originally reported | $ | 35,600 | $ | (4,027 | ) | $ | 534,421 | $ | (59,795 | ) | $ | 8,731 | $ | 514,930 | ||||||||||
| Adoption of ASU 2018-12 | — | (4,096 | ) | (535 | ) | — | — | (4,631 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 as revised | 35,600 | (8,123 | ) | 533,886 | (59,795 | ) | 8,731 | 510,299 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | 5,580 | — | 125 | 5,705 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | 2,019 | — | — | (3 | ) | 2,016 | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of common stock | — | — | — | (3,111 | ) | — | (3,111 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with noncontrolling interests and other | (6 | ) | — | — | — | (129 | ) | (135 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2022 | $ | 35,594 | $ | (6,104 | ) | $ | 539,466 | $ | (62,906 | ) | $ | 8,724 | $ | 514,774 | ||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | — | — | (43,621 | ) | — | 379 | (43,242 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | 401 | — | — | (29 | ) | 372 | |||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of common stock | — | — | — | (1,028 | ) | — | (1,028 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with noncontrolling interests and other | (382 | ) | — | — | — | (650 | ) | (1,032 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at June 30, 2022 | $ | 35,212 | $ | (5,703 | ) | $ | 495,845 | $ | (63,934 | ) | $ | 8,424 | $ | 469,844 | ||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | — | — | (2,798 | ) | — | 100 | (2,698 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | (657 | ) | — | — | (54 | ) | (711 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of common stock | — | — | — | (1,038 | ) | — | (1,038 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Transactions with noncontrolling interests and other | (14 | ) | — | — | — | (153 | ) | (167 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | 35,198 | $ | (6,360 | ) | $ | 493,047 | $ | (64,972 | ) | $ | 8,317 | $ | 465,230 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEM****ENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
| First Nine Months | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | 59,389 | $ | (40,235 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows: | ||||||||
| Investment (gains) losses | (38,041 | ) | 82,089 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 9,357 | 8,141 | ||||||
| Other | (5,556 | ) | (4,915 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 848 | 4,551 | ||||||
| Deferred charges - retroactive reinsurance | 605 | 649 | ||||||
| Unearned premiums | 3,091 | 3,632 | ||||||
| Receivables and originated loans | (2,861 | ) | (7,530 | ) | ||||
| Inventories | 275 | (4,998 | ) | |||||
| Other assets | (860 | ) | (634 | ) | ||||
| Other liabilities | 693 | 2,369 | ||||||
| Income taxes | 7,856 | (16,080 | ) | |||||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 34,796 | 27,039 | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of equity securities | (9,142 | ) | (66,246 | ) | ||||
| Sales of equity securities | 32,786 | 17,343 | ||||||
| Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities | (178,503 | ) | (139,359 | ) | ||||
| Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities | 44,325 | 69,998 | ||||||
| Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities | 106,879 | 47,512 | ||||||
| Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | (8,564 | ) | (183 | ) | ||||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease | (13,701 | ) | (10,907 | ) | ||||
| Other | 608 | 333 | ||||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | (25,312 | ) | (81,509 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from borrowings of insurance and other businesses | 1,306 | 6,981 | ||||||
| Repayments of borrowings of insurance and other businesses | (5,657 | ) | (1,468 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses | 5,013 | 3,185 | ||||||
| Repayments of borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses | (3,913 | ) | (1,791 | ) | ||||
| Changes in short-term borrowings, net | 252 | (531 | ) | |||||
| Acquisition of treasury stock | (6,978 | ) | (5,246 | ) | ||||
| Other, principally transactions with noncontrolling interests | (4,292 | ) | (1,441 | ) | ||||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | (14,269 | ) | (311 | ) | ||||
| Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes | (10 | ) | (569 | ) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (4,795 | ) | (55,350 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year* | 36,399 | 88,706 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of third quarter* | $ | 31,604 | $ | 33,356 | ||||
| *Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are comprised of: | ||||||||
| Beginning of year— | ||||||||
| Insurance and Other | $ | 32,260 | $ | 85,319 | ||||
| Railroad, Utilities and Energy | 3,551 | 2,865 | ||||||
| Restricted cash included in other assets | 588 | 522 | ||||||
| $ | 36,399 | $ | 88,706 | |||||
| End of third quarter— | ||||||||
| Insurance and Other | $ | 25,573 | $ | 28,869 | ||||
| Railroad, Utilities and Energy | 5,267 | 3,757 | ||||||
| Restricted cash included in other assets | 764 | 730 | ||||||
| $ | 31,604 | $ | 33,356 |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2023
Note 1. General
The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire” or “Company”) consolidated with the accounts of all its subsidiaries and affiliates in which Berkshire holds controlling financial interests as of the financial statement date. In these notes, the terms “us,” “we” or “our” refer to Berkshire and its consolidated subsidiaries. Reference is made to Berkshire’s most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”), which includes information necessary or useful to understanding Berkshire’s businesses and financial statement presentations. Our significant accounting policies and practices were presented as Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report.
Financial information in this Quarterly Report reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). For several reasons, our results for interim periods are not normally indicative of results to be expected for the year. The timing and magnitude of catastrophe losses incurred by insurance subsidiaries and the estimation error inherent to the process of determining liabilities for unpaid losses of insurance subsidiaries can be more significant to results of interim periods than to results for a full year. Given the size of our equity security investment portfolio, changes in market prices and the related changes in unrealized gains and losses on equity securities will produce significant volatility in our interim and annual earnings. In addition, the magnitude of gains and losses from the periodic revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and asset impairment charges may cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.
To varying degrees, our operating businesses have been impacted by government and private sector actions to mitigate the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 virus and its variants as well as by the development of geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions and government actions to slow inflation. The economic effects from these events over longer terms cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accordingly, significant estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements, including those associated with evaluations of certain long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, expected credit losses on amounts owed to us and the estimations of certain losses assumed under insurance and reinsurance contracts, may be subject to significant adjustments in future periods.
Note 2. New accounting pronouncements
We adopted Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 “Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts” (“ASU 2018-12”) as of January 1, 2023, which modifies the accounting, reporting and disclosures related to long-duration insurance contracts, including the measurement of our long-duration life, annuity and health benefit liabilities. ASU 2018-12 was applied retrospectively to contracts in-force beginning as of January 1, 2021 (the “transition date”). As of the transition date, the after-tax impact of changes in cash flow assumptions were recorded in retained earnings and the after-tax effect of changes in discount rate assumptions were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Our Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021 and as of the transition date were revised for the effects of adopting ASU 2018-12. These effects were included in Part II, Item 5 to our Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2023.
A summary of the effects of adopting ASU 2018-12 on our periodic payment annuity and life and health insurance benefits liabilities as of the transition date follows (in millions). The reclassifications to other policyholder liabilities are primarily related to certain liabilities arising under our variable annuity guarantee reinsurance contracts. These liabilities are not classified as life, annuity and health insurance benefits liabilities under ASU 2018-12.
| Periodic payment annuities | Life and health | Total | |||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020, as previously reported | $ | 10,974 | $ | 10,642 | $ | 21,616 | |||||
| Reclassifications to other policyholder liabilities | (286 | ) | (929 | ) | (1,215 | ) | |||||
| Change in discount rate assumptions | 6,553 | 1,447 | 8,000 | ||||||||
| Change in cash flow assumptions | (117 | ) | 552 | 435 | |||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2021 | $ | 17,124 | $ | 11,712 | $ | 28,836 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 2. New accounting pronouncements (Continued)
Beginning as of January 1, 2021, the cash flow assumptions used to measure benefit liabilities are reviewed at least annually, with the effects of assumption changes recorded in earnings. The discount rate assumptions used to measure benefit liabilities are revised each quarterly reporting period with the effects of changes reported in other comprehensive income. Discount rates are based on the prevailing upper-medium grade corporate bond yields (generally single A credit ratings) that reflect the duration characteristics and currency attributes of the liabilities. In measuring benefit liabilities and amortizing capitalized acquisition costs under long-duration insurance contracts, we generally aggregate contracts by issuance year. See Note 16 for other disclosures related to our long-duration insurance contracts.
The effects of adopting ASU 2018-12 on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 follows in millions, except per share amounts.
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Previously reported | Increase (decrease) | As revised | Previously reported | Increase (decrease) | As revised | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance premiums earned | $ | 18,810 | $ | (56 | ) | $ | 18,754 | $ | 54,389 | $ | (66 | ) | $ | 54,323 | |||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life, annuity and health insurance benefits | 1,450 | (22 | ) | 1,428 | 4,055 | (104 | ) | 3,951 | |||||||||||||||
| Insurance underwriting expenses | 2,506 | 107 | 2,613 | 7,734 | (140 | ) | 7,594 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | (4,117 | ) | (141 | ) | (4,258 | ) | (52,787 | ) | 178 | (52,609 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (1,529 | ) | (31 | ) | (1,560 | ) | (12,408 | ) | 34 | (12,374 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | (2,588 | ) | (110 | ) | (2,698 | ) | (40,379 | ) | 144 | (40,235 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders | $ | (2,688 | ) | $ | (110 | ) | $ | (2,798 | ) | $ | (40,983 | ) | $ | 144 | $ | (40,839 | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation, pre-tax | (1,727 | ) | — | (1,727 | ) | (3,794 | ) | 2 | (3,792 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Long-duration insurance contracts, pre-tax | — | 1,782 | 1,782 | — | 7,594 | 7,594 | |||||||||||||||||
| Applicable income taxes | — | (380 | ) | (380 | ) | — | (1,626 | ) | (1,626 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | (2,113 | ) | 1,402 | (711 | ) | (4,293 | ) | 5,970 | 1,677 | ||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders | $ | (4,747 | ) | $ | 1,292 | $ | (3,455 | ) | $ | (45,190 | ) | $ | 6,114 | $ | (39,076 | ) | |||||||
| Net earnings (loss) per average equivalent Class A share | $ | (1,832 | ) | $ | (75 | ) | $ | (1,907 | ) | $ | (27,866 | ) | $ | 98 | $ | (27,768 | ) | ||||||
| Net earnings (loss) per average equivalent Class B share | $ | (1.22 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (1.27 | ) | $ | (18.58 | ) | $ | 0.07 | $ | (18.51 | ) |
In March 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-02, “Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method” (“ASU 2023-02”). ASU 2023-02 permits reporting entities to elect to account for tax equity investments, regardless of the tax credit program from which the income tax credits are received, using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Currently, the proportional amortization method is limited to certain affordable housing tax credit investments. ASU 2023-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and is applied either on a retrospective basis beginning as of the earliest period presented or a modified retrospective basis in the period of adoption. We are evaluating the effects this standard could have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 3. Significant business acquisitions
Our long-held acquisition strategy is to acquire businesses that have consistent earning power, good returns on equity and able and honest management. Financial results attributable to business acquisitions are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on their respective acquisition dates.
On January 31, 2023, we acquired an additional 41.4% interest in Pilot Travel Centers, LLC (“PTC”) for approximately $8.2 billion. We now possess a controlling interest in PTC for financial reporting purposes and began consolidating PTC’s financial statements in our Consolidated Financial Statements on February 1, 2023. Since PTC’s most significant business activities involve purchasing and selling fuel (energy) on a wholesale and retail basis, and other energy-related businesses, we have included PTC within the railroad, utilities and energy sections of our Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Earnings beginning February 1, 2023. We previously owned a 38.6% interest in PTC, which we accounted for under the equity method through the end of January 2023.
PTC is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee and operates travel centers in North America (primarily under the names Pilot or Flying J) with more than 750 travel center locations across 44 states and six Canadian provinces. PTC also operates large wholesale fuel and fuel marketing platforms in the U.S. and a water hauling and disposal business in the oil fields sector.
PTC’s revenues and net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders included in our Consolidated Financial Statements for the eight months ending September 30, 2023 were $37.4 billion and $380 million, respectively. In applying the acquisition method of accounting, we were required to remeasure our previously held 38.6% investment in PTC to fair value. In the first quarter of 2023, we recognized a one-time, non-cash remeasurement gain of approximately $3.0 billion, representing the excess of the fair value of that interest over the carrying value under the equity method, as a component of investment gains (losses).
The holder of the remaining noncontrolling interests in PTC has the option to require us to redeem for cash, all or a portion of the interest beginning in 2024. The redemption price will be based on a multiple of PTC’s future earnings as adjusted per the terms of the option, with specified other adjustments for debt and cash. We concluded that the remaining PTC noncontrolling interests represent redeemable interests under GAAP and present such interests between liabilities and shareholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. We valued the noncontrolling interests at fair value as of the acquisition date. Thereafter, we will increase or decrease the redeemable noncontrolling interest by the share of the earnings or losses attributable to the interest and will further increase the balance if the current estimated redemption price exceeds the carrying value.
The preliminary values of PTC’s assets acquired, liabilities assumed and redeemable noncontrolling interests as of January 31, 2023 are summarized as follows (in millions). The acquisition date values of certain assets and liabilities have not been finalized and are provisional.
| Assets acquired | Liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | $ | 8,189 | Notes payable | $ | 5,876 | ||
| Goodwill and other intangible assets | 13,202 | Other liabilities | 4,774 | ||||
| Other assets | 6,994 | Liabilities assumed | 10,650 | ||||
| Noncontrolling interests, predominantly redeemable | 3,370 | ||||||
| Assets acquired | $ | 28,385 | Liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests | $ | 14,020 | ||
| Net assets | $ | 14,365 |
On October 19, 2022, Berkshire acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Alleghany Corporation (“Alleghany”) for $11.5 billion. Alleghany operates a group of property and casualty reinsurance and insurance businesses. It also owns a portfolio of non-financial businesses. Goodwill arising from Berkshire’s acquisition is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. A summary of the values of the Alleghany assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of October 19, 2022 follows (in millions).
| Assets acquired | Liabilities assumed | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills | $ | 3,762 | Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 15,080 | ||
| Investments in fixed maturity and equity securities | 15,982 | Unearned premiums | 3,536 | ||||
| Loans and other receivables | 5,650 | Notes payable | 2,169 | ||||
| Goodwill | 3,900 | Other liabilities | 3,300 | ||||
| Other intangible assets | 2,659 | ||||||
| Other assets | 3,637 | ||||||
| Assets acquired | $ | 35,590 | Liabilities assumed | $ | 24,085 | ||
| Net assets | $ | 11,505 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 3. Significant business acquisitions (Continued)
Certain unaudited pro forma revenue and consolidated earnings (loss) data for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as if the Alleghany and PTC acquisitions were consummated on the same terms at the beginning of 2022 follows (in millions, except per share amounts).
| September 30, 2022 | |||
| Revenues | $ | 287,682 | |
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders | (41,161 | ) | |
| Net earnings (loss) per equivalent Class A common share | (27,987 | ) |
On September 1, 2023, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy (“BHE”) subsidiary acquired an additional 50% limited partnership interest in Cove Point LNG, LP (“Cove Point”) for $3.3 billion, which increased our economic interest from 25% to 75%. Prior to the transaction, we also owned 100% of the general partner interests. We previously treated Cove Point as a consolidated subsidiary for financial reporting purposes because we concluded we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect Cove Point, as well as the obligation to absorb losses and benefits that could be significant to Cove Point. Accordingly, the interest acquired in the third quarter was an acquisition of a noncontrolling interest. We recorded a charge at Berkshire’s ownership percentage of BHE of $667 million to capital in excess of par for the excess of the consideration paid over the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest acquired and deferred income tax assets arising from the transaction.
Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities
Investments in fixed maturity securities are summarized by type below (in millions).
| Amortized Cost | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 9,663 | $ | 1 | $ | (131 | ) | $ | 9,533 | |||||||
| Foreign governments | 11,323 | 43 | (130 | ) | 11,236 | |||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 1,247 | 190 | (12 | ) | 1,425 | |||||||||||
| Other | 229 | 17 | (5 | ) | 241 | |||||||||||
| $ | 22,462 | $ | 251 | $ | (278 | ) | $ | 22,435 | ||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 10,039 | $ | 12 | $ | (249 | ) | $ | 9,802 | |||||||
| Foreign governments | 10,454 | 50 | (177 | ) | 10,327 | |||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 1,945 | 256 | (6 | ) | 2,195 | |||||||||||
| Other | 2,735 | 77 | (8 | ) | 2,804 | |||||||||||
| $ | 25,173 | $ | 395 | $ | (440 | ) | $ | 25,128 |
As of September 30, 2023, the fair values of our investments in U.S. and foreign government securities that mature within the next twelve months were approximately $17.2 billion in the aggregate. As of September 30, 2023, approximately 94% of our foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2023 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates (in millions). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to prepayment rights held by issuers.
| Due in one year or less | Due after one year through five years | Due after five years through ten years | Due after ten years | Mortgage- backed securities | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized cost | $ | 17,453 | $ | 4,018 | $ | 696 | $ | 135 | $ | 160 | $ | 22,462 | ||||||||||||
| Fair value | 17,261 | 3,999 | 867 | 138 | 170 | 22,435 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 5. Investments in equity securities
Investments in equity securities are summarized as follows (in millions).
| Cost Basis | Net Unrealized Gains | Fair Value | ||||||||||
| September 30, 2023* | ||||||||||||
| Banks, insurance and finance | $ | 24,760 | $ | 37,202 | $ | 61,962 | ||||||
| Consumer products | 35,471 | 146,789 | 182,260 | |||||||||
| Commercial, industrial and other | 51,153 | 23,246 | 74,399 | |||||||||
| $ | 111,384 | $ | 207,237 | $ | 318,621 |
——————
*** Approximately 78*% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in* five *companies (American Express Company – $*22.6 *billion; Apple Inc. – $*156.8 *billion; Bank of America Corporation – $*28.3 *billion; The Coca-Cola Company – $*22.4 *billion and Chevron Corporation – $*18.6 billion).
| Cost Basis | Net Unrealized Gains | Fair Value | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2022* | ||||||||||||
| Banks, insurance and finance | $ | 25,893 | $ | 43,663 | $ | 69,556 | ||||||
| Consumer products | 40,508 | 112,384 | 152,892 | |||||||||
| Commercial, industrial and other | 65,209 | 21,136 | 86,345 | |||||||||
| $ | 131,610 | $ | 177,183 | $ | 308,793 |
——————
*** Approximately 75*% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in* five *companies (American Express Company – $*22.4 *billion; Apple Inc. – $*119.0 *billion; Bank of America Corporation – $*34.2 *billion; The Coca-Cola Company – $*25.4 *billion and Chevron Corporation – $*30.0 billion).
In 2019, we invested $10 billion in non-voting Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (“Occidental”) and in Occidental common stock warrants. During 2022, we began acquiring common stock of Occidental. Our aggregate voting interest in Occidental common stock exceeded 20% on August 4, 2022, and we adopted the equity method as of that date. See Note 6. Our investments in the Occidental preferred stock and Occidental common stock warrants are recorded at fair value and included as equity securities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as such investments are not in-substance common stock under GAAP and are not eligible for the equity method.
The Occidental preferred stock accrues dividends at 8% per annum and is redeemable at the option of Occidental commencing in 2029 at a redemption price equal to 105% of the liquidation value, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends. As of September 30, 2023, our investment in Occidental preferred stock had an aggregate liquidation value of approximately $8.5 billion. During the first nine months of 2023, Occidental issued mandatory redemption notifications for approximately $1.5 billion of the aggregate liquidation value at a price of 110% of the liquidation value, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The mandatory redemptions were due to excess distributions by Occidental to its common stockholders, as defined under the terms of Occidental preferred stock certificate of designations.
The Occidental common stock warrants allow us to purchase up to 83.86 million shares of Occidental common stock at an exercise price of $59.62 per share. The warrants are exercisable in whole or in part until one year after the date the preferred stock is fully redeemed.
On September 30, 2023, we owned 151.6 million shares of American Express Company (“American Express”) common stock representing 20.8% of the outstanding common stock of American Express. Since 1995, we have been party to an agreement with American Express whereby we agreed to vote a significant portion of our shares in accordance with the recommendations of the American Express Board of Directors. We have also agreed to passivity commitments as requested by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which collectively, in our judgment, restrict our ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of American Express. Accordingly, we do not use the equity method with respect to our investment in American Express common stock, and we continue to record our investment at fair value.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 6. Equity method investments
Berkshire and its subsidiaries hold investments in certain businesses that are accounted for pursuant to the equity method. Currently, the most significant of these are our investments in the common stock of The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft Heinz”) and Occidental. As of September 30, 2023, we owned 26.5% of the outstanding Kraft Heinz common stock and 25.3% of the outstanding Occidental common stock, which excludes the potential effect of the exercise of the Occidental common stock warrants.
Kraft Heinz manufactures and markets food and beverage products, including condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee and other grocery products. Occidental is an international energy company, whose activities include oil and natural gas exploration, development and production and chemicals manufacturing businesses. Occidental’s financial information is not available in time for concurrent reporting in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Therefore, we report the equity method effects for Occidental on a one-quarter lag.
The common stock of Kraft Heinz and Occidental are publicly traded. The fair values and our carrying values of these investments in addition to the carrying values of our other significant equity method investments are summarized as follows (in millions).
| Carrying Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Kraft Heinz | $ | 13,073 | $ | 12,937 | $ | 10,948 | $ | 13,249 | |||||||
| Occidental | 13,987 | 11,484 | 14,541 | 12,242 | |||||||||||
| Other | 436 | 3,629 | |||||||||||||
| $ | 27,496 | $ | 28,050 |
We evaluated our investment in Kraft Heinz for other-than-temporary impairment as of September 30, 2023, and based on the prevailing facts and circumstances, concluded the recognition of an impairment charge in earnings was not required.
Our other significant equity method investments included our 50% interest in Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC (“Berkadia”), in which Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (“Jefferies”) owns the other 50% interest and PTC through January 31, 2023. Berkadia provides capital solutions, investment sales advisory and mortgage servicing for multifamily and commercial real estate. Berkadia’s commercial paper borrowing capacity (currently limited to $1.5 billion) is supported by a surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Jefferies is obligated to indemnify us for one-half of any losses incurred under the policy.
Beginning February 1, 2023, we ceased accounting for PTC under the equity method and began consolidating PTC for financial reporting purposes. Our investment in PTC under the equity method was $3.2 billion at December 31, 2022. Equity method earnings attributable to PTC were $105 million for the month ending January 31, 2023, $275 million for the third quarter of 2022 and $477 million for the first nine months of 2022.
The carrying values of our investments in Kraft Heinz and Berkadia approximate our share of the net equity of each of these entities. The carrying value of our investment in Occidental common stock exceeded our share of its shareholders’ equity as of June 30, 2023 by approximately $8.8 billion. Based upon the limited information available to us, we concluded the excess represents goodwill.
As previously indicated, we are reporting the equity method results for Occidental on a one-quarter lag. Thus, the earnings we recorded in 2023 related to Occidental’s earnings for the fourth quarter of 2022 and first six months of 2023. Our earnings and distributions received from equity method investments are summarized in the following table (in millions).
| Equity in Earnings | Distributions Received | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kraft Heinz | $ | 69 | $ | 114 | $ | 556 | $ | 391 | $ | 131 | $ | 131 | $ | 391 | $ | 391 | |||||||||||||||
| Occidental | 169 | — | 773 | — | 40 | — | 101 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 24 | 301 | 132 | 567 | 22 | 74 | 43 | 164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 262 | $ | 415 | $ | 1,461 | $ | 958 | $ | 193 | $ | 205 | $ | 535 | $ | 555 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 6. Equity method investments (Continued)
Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz follows (in millions).
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Assets | $ | 89,656 | $ | 90,513 | |||
| Liabilities | 40,198 | 41,643 |
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | 6,570 | $ | 6,505 | $ | 19,780 | $ | 19,104 | |||||||
| Net earnings attributable to Kraft Heinz common shareholders | 262 | 432 | 2,098 | 1,473 |
Summarized consolidated financial information of Occidental follows (in millions).
| June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Assets | $ | 71,199 | $ | 72,609 | |||
| Liabilities | 42,088 | 42,524 |
| Quarter ending June 30, 2023 | Nine months ending June 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Total revenues and other income | $ | 6,731 | $ | 22,315 | |||
| Net earnings attributable to Occidental common shareholders | 605 | 3,315 |
Note 7. Investment and derivative contract gains (losses)
Investment and derivative contract gains (losses) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows (in millions).
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Investment gains (losses): | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) during the period on securities held at the end of the period | $ | (30,354 | ) | $ | (12,902 | ) | $ | 33,267 | $ | (80,496 | ) | |||||
| Investment gains (losses) on securities sold during the period | 605 | (165 | ) | 1,748 | (1,085 | ) | ||||||||||
| (29,749 | ) | (13,067 | ) | 35,015 | (81,581 | ) | ||||||||||
| Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross realized gains | 3 | 6 | 135 | 18 | ||||||||||||
| Gross realized losses | (29 | ) | (433 | ) | (106 | ) | (509 | ) | ||||||||
| Other | (3 | ) | (6 | ) | 2,997 | (17 | ) | |||||||||
| Investment gains (losses) | (29,778 | ) | (13,500 | ) | 38,041 | (82,089 | ) | |||||||||
| Derivative contract gains (losses) | — | 35 | — | (273 | ) | |||||||||||
| $ | (29,778 | ) | $ | (13,465 | ) | $ | 38,041 | $ | (82,362 | ) |
Equity securities gains and losses include unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair values during the period on equity securities we still own, as well as gains and losses on securities we sold during the period. In the preceding table, investment gains and losses on equity securities sold during the period represent the difference between the sales proceeds and the fair value of the equity securities sold at the beginning of the applicable period or, if later, the purchase date. As reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, we received proceeds from sales of equity securities of approximately $32.8 billion in the first nine months of 2023 and $17.3 billion in the first nine months of 2022. Taxable gains and losses on equity securities sold are generally the difference between the proceeds from sales and original cost. Equity securities sold produced taxable gains of $759 million in the third quarter and $5.4 billion in the first nine months of 2023 compared to taxable gains of $3 million in the third quarter and taxable losses of $660 million in the first nine months of 2022. Other investment gains in the first nine months of 2023 included approximately $3.0 billion from the remeasurement of our pre-existing 38.6% interest in PTC through the application of acquisition accounting under GAAP.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 8. Loans and finance receivables
Loans and finance receivables are summarized as follows (in millions).
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts | $ | 25,573 | $ | 24,664 | |||
| Allowances for credit losses | (926 | ) | (856 | ) | |||
| Unamortized acquisition discounts and points | (638 | ) | (600 | ) | |||
| $ | 24,009 | $ | 23,208 |
Loans and finance receivables are principally manufactured home loans, and to a lesser extent, commercial loans and site-built home loans. Reconciliations of the allowance for credit losses on loans and finance receivables for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022 follow (in millions).
| First Nine Months | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 856 | $ | 765 | |||
| Provision for credit losses | 122 | 45 | |||||
| Charge-offs, net of recoveries | (52 | ) | (25 | ) | |||
| Balance at September 30 | $ | 926 | $ | 785 |
As of September 30, 2023, substantially all manufactured and site-built home loans were evaluated collectively for impairment, and we considered approximately 96% of these loans to be current as to payment status. A summary of performing and non-performing home loans before discounts and allowances by year of loan origination as of September 30, 2023 follows (in millions).
| Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Prior | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Performing | $ | 4,474 | $ | 4,466 | $ | 3,394 | $ | 2,633 | $ | 1,861 | $ | 7,681 | $ | 24,509 | |||||||||||||
| Non-performing | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 42 | 78 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 4,478 | $ | 4,472 | $ | 3,404 | $ | 2,641 | $ | 1,869 | $ | 7,723 | $ | 24,587 |
We are also a lender under commercial loan agreements, which had an aggregate principal value of approximately $1.0 billion at September 30, 2023 and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2022. The decline in loan balances during the first nine months of 2023 was attributable to prepayments and dispositions. Our commercial loans are generally secured by real estate properties or by other assets.
Note 9. Other receivables
Other receivables are comprised of the following (in millions). Receivables of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses at September 30, 2023 included approximately $2.0 billion related to PTC.
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Insurance and other: | |||||||
| Insurance premiums receivable | $ | 19,646 | $ | 18,395 | |||
| Reinsurance recoverables | 7,185 | 7,106 | |||||
| Trade receivables | 15,454 | 14,510 | |||||
| Other | 4,259 | 4,154 | |||||
| Allowances for credit losses | (666 | ) | (675 | ) | |||
| $ | 45,878 | $ | 43,490 | ||||
| Railroad, utilities and energy: | |||||||
| Trade receivables | $ | 5,795 | $ | 4,182 | |||
| Other | 1,219 | 754 | |||||
| Allowances for credit losses | (166 | ) | (141 | ) | |||
| $ | 6,848 | $ | 4,795 |
Aggregate provisions for credit losses in the first nine months with respect to receivables in the preceding table were $399 million in 2023 and $328 million in 2022. Charge-offs, net of recoveries, in the first nine months were $384 million in 2023 and $284 million in 2022.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 10. Inventories
Inventories of our insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Raw materials | $ | 6,350 | $ | 6,381 | |||
| Work in process and other | 3,501 | 3,464 | |||||
| Finished manufactured goods | 5,243 | 5,739 | |||||
| Goods acquired for resale | 9,661 | 9,782 | |||||
| $ | 24,755 | $ | 25,366 |
Inventories of our railroad, utilities and energy businesses are included in other assets and were approximately $5.0 billion at September 30, 2023, of which approximately $2.5 billion was attributable to PTC.
Note 11. Property, plant and equipment
A summary of property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses follows (in millions).
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Land, buildings and improvements | $ | 14,772 | $ | 14,761 | ||||
| Machinery and equipment | 27,973 | 26,690 | ||||||
| Furniture, fixtures and other | 5,443 | 4,847 | ||||||
| 48,188 | 46,298 | |||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (26,430 | ) | (25,185 | ) | ||||
| $ | 21,758 | $ | 21,113 |
A summary of property, plant and equipment of railroad and utilities and energy businesses follows (in millions). The utility generation, transmission and distribution systems and interstate natural gas pipeline assets are owned by regulated public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. Assets of PTC are included in land, buildings, improvements and other within the utilities and energy section below.
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Railroad: | ||||||||
| Land, track structure and other roadway | $ | 69,731 | $ | 67,350 | ||||
| Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment | 16,125 | 16,031 | ||||||
| Construction in progress | 1,919 | 1,743 | ||||||
| 87,775 | 85,124 | |||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (19,046 | ) | (17,899 | ) | ||||
| 68,729 | 67,225 | |||||||
| Utilities and energy: | ||||||||
| Utility generation, transmission and distribution systems | 93,667 | 92,759 | ||||||
| Interstate natural gas pipeline assets | 18,800 | 18,328 | ||||||
| Independent power plants and other assets | 14,668 | 14,650 | ||||||
| Land, buildings, improvements and other | 8,560 | — | ||||||
| Construction in progress | 8,947 | 5,357 | ||||||
| 144,642 | 131,094 | |||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (39,915 | ) | (38,051 | ) | ||||
| 104,727 | 93,043 | |||||||
| $ | 173,456 | $ | 160,268 |
Depreciation expense for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022 is summarized below (in millions).
| First Nine Months | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Insurance and other | $ | 1,776 | $ | 1,690 | ||||
| Railroad, utilities and energy | 5,302 | 4,646 | ||||||
| $ | 7,078 | $ | 6,336 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 12. Equipment held for lease
Equipment held for lease includes railcars, aircraft and other equipment, including over-the-road trailers, intermodal tank containers, cranes, storage units and furniture. Equipment held for lease is summarized below (in millions).
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| Railcars | $ | 9,912 | $ | 9,612 | |||
| Aircraft | 11,840 | 10,667 | |||||
| Other | 5,430 | 5,212 | |||||
| 27,182 | 25,491 | ||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | (10,898 | ) | (9,907 | ) | |||
| $ | 16,284 | $ | 15,584 |
Depreciation expense for equipment held for lease in the first nine months was $935 million in 2023 and $900 million in 2022. Fixed and variable operating lease revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022 are summarized below (in millions).
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Fixed lease revenue | $ | 1,502 | $ | 1,344 | $ | 4,397 | $ | 3,796 | |||||||
| Variable lease revenue | 602 | 615 | 1,830 | 1,722 | |||||||||||
| $ | 2,104 | $ | 1,959 | $ | 6,227 | $ | 5,518 |
Note 13. Goodwill and other intangible assets
Reconciliations of the changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the first nine months of 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 follow (in millions).
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | 78,119 | $ | 73,875 | ||||
| Business acquisitions | 8,382 | 4,657 | ||||||
| Other, including acquisition period remeasurements and foreign currency translation | (849 | ) | (413 | ) | ||||
| Balance at end of period* | $ | 85,652 | $ | 78,119 |
——————
*** Net of accumulated goodwill impairments of $*11.0 *billion as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022*.*
Other intangible assets are summarized below (in millions).
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross carrying amount | Accumulated amortization | Net carrying value | Gross carrying amount | Accumulated amortization | Net carrying value | |||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance and other: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | 28,266 | $ | 7,716 | $ | 20,550 | $ | 27,765 | $ | 7,174 | $ | 20,591 | ||||||||||||
| Trademarks and trade names | 5,619 | 842 | 4,777 | 5,603 | 822 | 4,781 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Patents and technology | 5,083 | 3,984 | 1,099 | 4,943 | 3,748 | 1,195 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 4,804 | 1,735 | 3,069 | 4,150 | 1,530 | 2,620 | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 43,772 | $ | 14,277 | $ | 29,495 | $ | 42,461 | $ | 13,274 | $ | 29,187 | |||||||||||||
| Railroad, utilities and energy: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships and contracts | $ | 5,276 | $ | 753 | $ | 4,523 | $ | 1,507 | $ | 541 | $ | 966 | ||||||||||||
| Trademarks and trade names | 2,228 | 57 | 2,171 | 217 | 39 | 178 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,106 | 91 | 1,015 | 190 | 42 | 148 | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 8,610 | $ | 901 | $ | 7,709 | $ | 1,914 | $ | 622 | $ | 1,292 |
Other intangible assets of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses are included in other assets. The net carrying value of such assets at September 30, 2023 included $6.4 billion related to PTC.
Intangible asset amortization expense in the first nine months was $1.3 billion in 2023 and $905 million in 2022. Intangible assets with indefinite lives were $20.5 billion as of September 30, 2023 and $18.3 billion as of December 31, 2022 and primarily related to certain customer relationships and trademarks and trade names.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 14. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
Reconciliations of the changes in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“claim liabilities”), excluding liabilities under retroactive reinsurance contracts (see Note 15), for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 follows (in millions).
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Balances at beginning of year: | |||||||
| Gross liabilities | $ | 107,472 | $ | 86,664 | |||
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses | (5,025 | ) | (2,960 | ) | |||
| Net liabilities | 102,447 | 83,704 | |||||
| Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses: | |||||||
| Current accident year | 44,537 | 44,472 | |||||
| Prior accident years | (3,126 | ) | (2,141 | ) | |||
| Total | 41,411 | 42,331 | |||||
| Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses: | |||||||
| Current accident year | (16,962 | ) | (17,543 | ) | |||
| Prior accident years | (22,171 | ) | (18,564 | ) | |||
| Total | (39,133 | ) | (36,107 | ) | |||
| Foreign currency effect | 68 | (1,044 | ) | ||||
| Balances at September 30: | |||||||
| Net liabilities | 104,793 | 88,884 | |||||
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses | 5,031 | 2,758 | |||||
| Gross liabilities | $ | 109,824 | $ | 91,642 |
Our claim liabilities under property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts are based upon estimates of the ultimate claim costs associated with claim occurrences as of the balance sheet date and include estimates for incurred-but-not-reported (“IBNR”) claims. Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses shown in the preceding table were recorded in earnings and related to insured events occurring in the current year (“current accident year”) and events occurring in all prior years (“prior accident years”). Incurred and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses are net of reinsurance recoveries. Current accident year incurred losses in the first nine months from significant catastrophe events (losses in excess of $150 million per event) were approximately $590 million in 2023 from a cyclone and floods in New Zealand in the first quarter and $3.9 billion in 2022, primarily from Hurricane Ian in the third quarter.
In the first nine months, we recorded net reductions of estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years of $3.1 billion in 2023 and $2.1 billion in 2022, which reduced incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses. These reductions, as percentages of the net liabilities at the beginning of each year, were 3.1% in 2023 and 2.6% in 2022.
We reduced estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years of primary insurance businesses in the first nine months by $1.6 billion in 2023 and $734 million in 2022. In 2023, the reductions were driven by private passenger auto claims, whereas the decreases in 2022 reflected reductions of liabilities for private passenger auto, medical professional liability and workers’ compensation claims. In the first nine months, estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years of property and casualty reinsurance businesses were reduced $1.5 billion in 2023 and $1.4 billion in 2022.
Note 15. Retroactive reinsurance contracts
Retroactive reinsurance policies provide indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses of short-duration insurance contracts with respect to underlying loss events that occurred prior to the contract inception date. Reconciliations of the changes in estimated liabilities for retroactive reinsurance unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 follow (in millions).
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Balances at beginning of year | $ | 35,415 | $ | 37,855 | |||
| Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | 13 | (23 | ) | ||||
| Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses | (1,471 | ) | (1,567 | ) | |||
| Foreign currency effect | (38 | ) | (289 | ) | |||
| Balances at September 30 | $ | 33,919 | $ | 35,976 | |||
| Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 13 | $ | (23 | ) | ||
| Deferred charge amortization and adjustments | 605 | 649 | |||||
| Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings | $ | 618 | $ | 626 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 15. Retroactive reinsurance contracts (Continued)
In the preceding table, incurred and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to contracts incepting in prior years. Claims payments under our contracts may commence immediately after the contract date or, when applicable, after a contractual retention amount has been reached. Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings include changes in estimated liabilities and related deferred charge asset amortization and adjustments arising from the changes in the estimated timing and amount of future loss payments. Unamortized deferred charges related to retroactive reinsurance contracts were $9.3 billion at September 30, 2023 and $9.9 billion at December 31, 2022.
Note 16. Long-duration insurance contracts
We write periodic payment annuity and life and health insurance contracts, which are considered long-duration insurance contracts under GAAP. Our life, annuity and health insurance benefits liabilities as of September 30, 2023 and 2022, disaggregated for our two primary product categories, periodic payment annuities and life and health insurance, were as follows (in millions). Other liabilities primarily consist of incurred-but-not-reported claims and claims in the course of settlement.
| September 30, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Periodic payment annuities | $ | 9,940 | $ | 10,109 | |||
| Life and health | 5,365 | 5,474 | |||||
| Other liabilities | 3,251 | 3,330 | |||||
| $ | 18,556 | $ | 18,913 |
Reconciliations of our periodic payment annuity and life and health insurance benefits liabilities for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022 follow (in millions). The information reflects the changes in discounted present values of expected future policy benefits and expected future net premiums before reinsurance ceded. In this context, net premiums represent the portion of expected gross premiums that are required to provide for future policy benefits and variable expenses.
| Periodic payment annuities | Life and health | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Expected future policy benefits: | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 10,640 | $ | 16,153 | $ | 52,008 | $ | 63,648 | |||||||
| Balance at beginning of period at original discount rate | 11,549 | 11,261 | 63,584 | 60,133 | |||||||||||
| Effect of cash flow assumption changes | — | — | 346 | 1,342 | |||||||||||
| Effect of actual from expected results | 3 | 126 | (425 | ) | 742 | ||||||||||
| Change in benefits, net | (349 | ) | (235 | ) | (2,059 | ) | (2,022 | ) | |||||||
| Interest accrual | 402 | 404 | 1,288 | 1,221 | |||||||||||
| Foreign currency effect | 27 | (127 | ) | (528 | ) | (2,887 | ) | ||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | 11,632 | 11,429 | 62,206 | 58,529 | |||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | (1,692 | ) | (1,320 | ) | (13,434 | ) | (11,400 | ) | |||||||
| Expected future policy benefits at September 30 | $ | 9,940 | $ | 10,109 | $ | 48,772 | $ | 47,129 | |||||||
| Expected future net premiums: | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 46,129 | $ | 55,960 | |||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period at original discount rate | 56,535 | 53,277 | |||||||||||||
| Effect of cash flow assumption changes | 276 | 1,333 | |||||||||||||
| Effect of actual from expected results | (266 | ) | 472 | ||||||||||||
| Change in premiums, net | (1,833 | ) | (1,609 | ) | |||||||||||
| Interest accrual | 1,125 | 1,062 | |||||||||||||
| Foreign currency effect | (502 | ) | (2,717 | ) | |||||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | 55,335 | 51,818 | |||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | (11,928 | ) | (10,163 | ) | |||||||||||
| Expected future net premiums at September 30 | $ | 43,407 | $ | 41,655 | |||||||||||
| Liability for future policy benefits at September 30 | $ | 9,940 | $ | 10,109 | $ | 5,365 | $ | 5,474 | |||||||
| Reinsurance recoverables | — | — | (1,399 | ) | (1,493 | ) | |||||||||
| Liability for future policy benefits at September 30, net of reinsurance recoverables | $ | 9,940 | $ | 10,109 | $ | 3,966 | $ | 3,981 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 16. Long-duration insurance contracts (Continued)
The undiscounted and discounted expected future gross premiums to be collected and undiscounted expected future benefits for periodic payment annuities and life and health insurance as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized below (in millions).
| Undiscounted expected future gross premiums | Discounted expected future gross premiums | Undiscounted expected future benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Periodic payment annuities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 31,049 | $ | 31,065 | |||||||||||
| Life and health | 106,518 | 101,577 | 64,394 | 60,734 | 101,882 | 97,031 |
Gross premiums earned on long-duration insurance contracts are included in insurance premiums earned, and interest expense associated with long-duration insurance contracts is included as a component of life, annuity and health benefits in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Gross premiums earned and interest expense before reinsurance ceded for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in millions).
| Gross Premiums | Interest Expense | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Periodic payment annuities | $ | — | $ | 529 | $ | 402 | $ | 404 | |||||||
| Life and health | 2,587 | 2,700 | 163 | 159 |
The weighted average discount rates, interest accretion rates and the average contract durations as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 for periodic payment annuities and life and health insurance are summarized below.
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Periodic payment annuities | |||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 5.9 | % | 5.5 | % | |||
| Weighted average accretion rate | 4.8 | % | 4.7 | % | |||
| Weighted average duration | 16 years | 17 years | |||||
| Life and health | |||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 5.4 | % | 5.0 | % | |||
| Weighted average accretion rate | 3.4 | % | 3.4 | % | |||
| Weighted average duration | 14 years | 14 years |
We also reinsure closed blocks of guaranteed minimum death and living benefits associated with variable annuity products, referred to as market risk benefits. These liabilities are included in other policyholder liabilities and are measured at estimated fair value. Such liabilities were approximately $895 million as of September 30, 2023 and $1.25 billion as of December 31, 2022. During the first nine months of 2023, we reduced liability estimates by $316 million, for the effects of changes in securities markets, interest rates and other inputs.
Note 17. Notes payable and other borrowings
Notes payable and other borrowings of our insurance and other businesses are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges are based on borrowings as of September 30, 2023.
| Weighted Average Interest Rate | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Insurance and other: | ||||||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”): | ||||||||||||
| U.S. Dollar denominated due 2025-2047 | 3.5 | % | $ | 3,737 | $ | 6,231 | ||||||
| Euro denominated due 2024-2041 | 1.1 | % | 5,884 | 7,344 | ||||||||
| Japanese Yen denominated due 2024-2060 | 0.7 | % | 7,585 | 7,818 | ||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”): | ||||||||||||
| U.S. Dollar denominated due 2027-2052 | 3.6 | % | 14,462 | 14,458 | ||||||||
| Great Britain Pound denominated due 2039-2059 | 2.5 | % | 2,099 | 2,078 | ||||||||
| Euro denominated due 2030-2034 | 1.8 | % | 1,316 | 1,332 | ||||||||
| Other subsidiary borrowings due 2023-2051 | 4.6 | % | 4,951 | 5,967 | ||||||||
| Subsidiary short-term borrowings | 7.1 | % | 907 | 1,310 | ||||||||
| $ | 40,941 | $ | 46,538 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 17. Notes payable and other borrowings (Continued)
In the first nine months of 2023, Berkshire repaid approximately $4.3 billion of maturing senior notes. In April 2023, Berkshire issued ¥164.4 billion (approximately $1.2 billion) of senior notes. Borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, consist of senior unsecured notes used to fund manufactured housing loans originated or acquired and equipment held for lease of certain subsidiaries. BHFC borrowings are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire. Berkshire also guarantees certain debt of other subsidiaries, aggregating approximately $2.7 billion at September 30, 2023. Generally, Berkshire’s guarantee of a subsidiary’s debt obligation is an absolute, unconditional and irrevocable guarantee for the full and prompt payment when due of all payment obligations.
The carrying values of Berkshire and BHFC non-U.S. Dollar denominated senior notes (€6.85 billion, £1.75 billion and ¥1,137 billion par at September 30, 2023) reflect the applicable exchange rates as of each balance sheet date. The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates during the period are recorded in earnings as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Changes in the exchange rates produced pre-tax gains of $582 million in the third quarter and $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to pre-tax gains of $1.2 billion in the third quarter and $3.3 billion in the first nine months of 2022.
Notes payable and other borrowings of our railroad, utilities and energy businesses are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges are based on borrowings as of September 30, 2023.
| Weighted Average Interest Rate | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Railroad, utilities and energy: | ||||||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and subsidiaries: | ||||||||||||
| BHE senior unsecured debt due 2023-2053 | 4.4 | % | $ | 13,600 | $ | 13,996 | ||||||
| Subsidiary and other debt due 2023-2064 | 4.4 | % | 39,119 | 37,639 | ||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | 5.9 | % | 1,617 | 1,119 | ||||||||
| Pilot Travel Centers (“PTC”) and subsidiaries due 2023-2028 | 7.2 | % | 5,999 | — | ||||||||
| Burlington Northern Santa Fe (“BNSF”) and subsidiaries due 2023-2097 | 4.6 | % | 23,505 | 23,452 | ||||||||
| $ | 83,840 | $ | 76,206 |
BHE subsidiary debt represents amounts issued pursuant to separate financing agreements. Substantially all of the assets of certain BHE subsidiaries are, or may be, pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise secure such debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants, including covenants which pertain to leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and/or debt service coverage ratios. In the first nine months of 2023, BHE subsidiaries issued $3.5 billion of term debt ($2.3 billion in the third quarter) with a weighted average interest rate of 5.7% and maturity dates ranging from 2034 to 2054. During the first nine months of 2023, BHE and its subsidiaries repaid approximately $2.3 billion of term debt.
PTC’s borrowings primarily represent secured syndicated loans. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily senior unsecured debentures. During the first nine months of 2023, BNSF issued $1.6 billion of 5.2% debentures due in 2054 and repaid approximately $1.5 billion of term debt. As of September 30, 2023, BHE, BNSF and PTC and their subsidiaries were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants. Berkshire does not guarantee any debt, borrowings or lines of credit of BHE, BNSF, PTC or their subsidiaries.
Our subsidiaries have unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. Unused lines of credit were approximately $12.4 billion at September 30, 2023, which included approximately $9.3 billion related to BHE and its subsidiaries.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 18. Fair value measurements
Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below, with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury Bills, other receivables and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are considered to be reasonable estimates of or otherwise approximate the fair values.
| Carrying Value | Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 9,533 | $ | 9,533 | $ | 9,499 | $ | 34 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Foreign governments | 11,236 | 11,236 | 10,978 | 258 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 1,425 | 1,425 | — | 813 | 612 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 241 | 241 | — | 241 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Investments in equity securities | 318,621 | 318,621 | 307,907 | 11 | 10,703 | |||||||||||||||
| Investments in Kraft Heinz & Occidental common stock | 27,060 | 25,489 | 25,489 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Loans and finance receivables | 24,009 | 24,370 | — | 892 | 23,478 | |||||||||||||||
| Derivative contract assets (1) | 470 | 470 | 48 | 401 | 21 | |||||||||||||||
| Derivative contract liabilities (1) | 198 | 198 | 4 | 94 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
| Notes payable and other borrowings: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance and other | 40,941 | 35,245 | — | 35,210 | 35 | |||||||||||||||
| Railroad, utilities and energy | 83,840 | 73,371 | — | 73,371 | — | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments in fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies | $ | 9,802 | $ | 9,802 | $ | 9,733 | $ | 69 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Foreign governments | 10,327 | 10,327 | 9,854 | 473 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 2,195 | 2,195 | — | 1,546 | 649 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 2,804 | 2,804 | — | 2,804 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Investments in equity securities | 308,793 | 308,793 | 296,610 | 9 | 12,174 | |||||||||||||||
| Investments in Kraft Heinz & Occidental common stock | 24,421 | 25,491 | 25,491 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Loans and finance receivables | 23,208 | 23,428 | — | 1,513 | 21,915 | |||||||||||||||
| Derivative contract assets (1) | 589 | 589 | 56 | 474 | 59 | |||||||||||||||
| Derivative contract liabilities (1) | 242 | 242 | 8 | 122 | 112 | |||||||||||||||
| Notes payable and other borrowings: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance and other | 46,538 | 41,961 | — | 41,061 | 900 | |||||||||||||||
| Railroad, utilities and energy | 76,206 | 67,651 | — | 67,651 | — |
——————
(1)
Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 18. Fair value measurements (Continued)
The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. The hierarchy for measuring fair value consists of Levels 1 through 3, which are described below.
Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets.
Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities exchanged in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in inactive markets; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Pricing evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with similar characteristics, such as credit ratings, estimated durations and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities in the same industry sector.
Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or liabilities and it may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in valuing assets or liabilities.
Reconciliations of significant assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 follow (in millions).
| Balance at January 1 | Gains in earnings | Acquisitions (dispositions) | Transfers out of Level 3 | Balance at September 30 | |||||||||||||||
| Investments in equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | 12,169 | $ | 190 | $ | (1,661 | ) | $ | — | $ | 10,698 | ||||||||
| 2022 | 11,480 | 581 | — | — | 12,061 |
Quantitative information as of September 30, 2023 for the significant assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) follows (dollars in millions).
| Fair Value | Principal Valuation Techniques | Unobservable Inputs | Weighted Average | |||||||
| Investments in equity securities: | ||||||||||
| Preferred stock | $ | 8,519 | Discounted cash flow | Expected duration | 6 years | |||||
| Discounts for liquidity and subordination | 372 bps | |||||||||
| Common stock warrants | 2,179 | Warrant pricing model | Expected duration | 6 years | ||||||
| Volatility | 41% |
Investments in equity securities in the preceding table include our investments in certain preferred stock and common stock warrants that do not have readily determinable market values as defined under GAAP. These investments are private placements with contractual terms that restrict transfers and currently prevent us from economically hedging our investments. We applied discounted cash flow techniques in valuing the preferred stock and we made assumptions regarding the expected duration of the investment and the effects of liquidity and subordination in liquidation. In valuing the common stock warrants, we used a warrant valuation model. While most of the inputs to the model are observable, we made assumptions regarding the expected duration and volatility.
Note 19. Common stock
Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first nine months of 2023 are shown in the table below. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued.
| **Class A, $**5 **Par Value (**1,650,000 shares authorized) | **Class B, $**0.0033 **Par Value (**3,225,000,000 shares authorized) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Issued | Treasury | Outstanding | Issued | Treasury | Outstanding | ||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2022 | 651,450 | (59,886 | ) | 591,564 | 1,509,969,352 | (207,715,276 | ) | 1,302,254,076 | |||||||||||
| Conversions of Class A to Class B common stock | (10,185 | ) | — | (10,185 | ) | 15,277,500 | — | 15,277,500 | |||||||||||
| Treasury stock acquired | — | (8,044 | ) | (8,044 | ) | — | (9,214,983 | ) | (9,214,983 | ) | |||||||||
| Balances at September 30, 2023 | 641,265 | (67,930 | ) | 573,335 | 1,525,246,852 | (216,930,259 | ) | 1,308,316,593 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 19. Common stock (Continued)
Each Class A common share is entitled to one vote per share. Class B common stock possesses dividend and distribution rights equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such rights of Class A common stock. Each Class B common share possesses voting rights equal to one-ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of the voting rights of a Class A share. Unless otherwise required under Delaware General Corporation Law, Class A and Class B common shares vote as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into 1,500 shares of Class B common stock. Class B common stock is not convertible into Class A common stock. On an equivalent Class A common stock basis, there were 1,445,546 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and 1,459,733 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2022.
Since we have two classes of common stock, we provide earnings per share data on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for average equivalent Class A shares outstanding and average equivalent Class B shares outstanding. Class B shares are economically equivalent to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of a Class A share. Average equivalent Class A shares outstanding represents average Class A shares outstanding plus one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of the average Class B shares outstanding. Average equivalent Class B shares outstanding represents average Class B shares outstanding plus 1,500 times the average Class A shares outstanding.
Berkshire’s common stock repurchase program permits Berkshire to repurchase its shares any time that Warren Buffett, Berkshire’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Charlie Munger, Vice Chairman of the Board, believe that the repurchase price is below Berkshire’s intrinsic value, conservatively determined. The program continues to allow share repurchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions and does not specify a maximum number of shares to be repurchased. However, repurchases will not be made if they would reduce the total value of Berkshire’s consolidated cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bill holdings below $30 billion. The repurchase program does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any specific dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares and there is no expiration date to the program.
Note 20. Income taxes
Our consolidated effective income tax rates were 25.9% in the third quarter and 18.9% in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 36.6% in the third quarter and 23.5% in the first nine months of 2022. Our effective income tax rate normally reflects recurring benefits from dividends-received deductions applicable to investments in certain equity securities and production tax credits related to wind-powered electricity generation placed in service in the U.S. Our periodic effective income tax rate will also vary due to the changes in mix of pre-tax earnings, including realized and unrealized investment gains or losses with respect to our investments in equity securities, the amount of non-deductible goodwill impairment charges and other expenses and the underlying income tax rates applicable in the various taxing jurisdictions, and enacted changes thereto.
Note 21. Accumulated other comprehensive income
A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders for the nine months ending September 30, 2023 and 2022 follows (in millions).
| Unrealized gains (losses) on investments | Foreign currency translation | Long-duration insurance contracts | Defined benefit pension plans | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| First nine months of 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year as previously reported | $ | (187 | ) | $ | (6,140 | ) | $ | — | $ | (552 | ) | $ | 288 | $ | (6,591 | ) | |||||||
| Adoption of ASU 2018-12 | — | (2 | ) | 1,541 | — | — | 1,539 | ||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance as revised | (187 | ) | (6,142 | ) | 1,541 | (552 | ) | 288 | (5,052 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | 178 | (187 | ) | 786 | 51 | (48 | ) | 780 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | (9 | ) | $ | (6,329 | ) | $ | 2,327 | $ | (501 | ) | $ | 240 | $ | (4,272 | ) | |||||||
| First nine months of 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year as previously reported | $ | 369 | $ | (4,092 | ) | $ | — | $ | (347 | ) | $ | 43 | $ | (4,027 | ) | ||||||||
| Adoption of ASU 2018-12 | — | — | (4,096 | ) | — | — | (4,096 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance as revised | 369 | (4,092 | ) | (4,096 | ) | (347 | ) | 43 | (8,123 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | (767 | ) | (3,674 | ) | 5,968 | 47 | 189 | 1,763 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | (398 | ) | $ | (7,766 | ) | $ | 1,872 | $ | (300 | ) | $ | 232 | $ | (6,360 | ) |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 22. Supplemental cash flow information
A summary of supplemental cash flow information follows (in millions).
| First Nine Months | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||
| Income taxes | $ | 5,768 | $ | 3,474 | ||||
| Interest: | ||||||||
| Insurance and other | 1,077 | 917 | ||||||
| Railroad, utilities and energy | 2,670 | 2,323 | ||||||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions | 10,832 | 39 |
Note 23. Contingencies and commitments
We are parties in a variety of legal actions that routinely arise out of the normal course of business, including legal actions seeking to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. Generally, we do not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
PacifiCorp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire’s 92% owned subsidiary, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”), operates as a regulated electric utility in Oregon and other Western states. In September 2020, a severe weather event resulting in high winds, low humidity and warm temperatures, contributed to several major wildfires (the “2020 Wildfires”), which resulted in real and personal property and natural resource damage, personal injuries and loss of life and widespread power outages in Oregon and Northern California. The wildfires spread across certain parts of PacifiCorp’s service territory and surrounding areas across multiple counties in Oregon and California, including Siskiyou County, California; Jackson County, Oregon; Douglas County, Oregon; Marion County, Oregon; Lincoln County, Oregon; and Klamath County, Oregon, burning over 500,000 acres in aggregate. Third-party reports for these wildfires indicate over 2,000 structures destroyed, including residences; several structures damaged; multiple individuals injured; and several fatalities.
On July 29, 2022, the 2022 McKinney Fire began in the Oak Knoll Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County, California located in PacifiCorp’s service territory (the “2022 Wildfire”). Third-party reports indicate that the 2022 Wildfire resulted in 11 structures damaged, 185 structures destroyed, 12 injuries and four fatalities and consumed 60,000 acres in aggregate. The 2020 Wildfires and 2022 Wildfire, together, are referred to as the “Wildfires”.
Investigations into the cause and origin of each of the Wildfires are complex and ongoing and have been or are being conducted by various entities, including the U.S. Forest Service, the California Public Utilities Commission, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Justice, PacifiCorp and various experts engaged by PacifiCorp.
Numerous lawsuits on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2020 Wildfires have been filed in Oregon and California, including a class action complaint against PacifiCorp that was filed in 2020, captioned Jeanyne James et al. v. PacifiCorp et al., in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon (the “James case”). The plaintiffs seek damages for economic losses, non-economic losses, including mental suffering, emotional distress, personal injury and loss of life, punitive damages, other damages and attorneys’ fees. Amounts sought in the lawsuits, complaints and demands filed in Oregon total nearly $8 billion, excluding any doubling or trebling of damages included in the complaints. Generally, the complaints filed in California do not specify damages sought and are not included in this amount. Final determinations of liability will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations, litigation and similar processes. Multiple lawsuits have also been filed in California on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2022 Wildfire. The plaintiffs seek damages for economic losses, non-economic losses, including mental suffering, emotional distress, personal injury and loss of life, punitive damages, other damages and attorneys’ fees, but the amount of damages sought is not specified.
Several insurance carriers have filed subrogation complaints in Oregon and California with allegations similar to those made in the aforementioned lawsuits. Additionally, certain governmental agencies have informed PacifiCorp that they are contemplating filing actions in connection with certain of the Oregon 2020 Wildfires.
In June 2023, a jury issued its verdict for the 17 named plaintiffs in the James case finding PacifiCorp liable to the 17 individual plaintiffs and to the class with respect to the four 2020 Wildfires. The jury awarded the 17 named plaintiffs $90 million of damages, including $4 million of economic and property damages, $68 million of non-economic damages and $18 million of punitive damages based on a 0.25 multiplier of the economic and non-economic damages.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 23. Contingencies and commitments (Continued)
In September 2023, the Multnomah County Circuit Court ordered trial dates for two consolidated jury trials including approximately 10 class members each and a third trial for certain commercial timber plaintiffs wherein plaintiffs in each of the three trials will present evidence regarding their damages. The trials are scheduled at various dates from January to April 2024. A fourth jury trial is scheduled in May 2024 relating to certain non-class plaintiffs associated with one of the 2020 Wildfires. Hearings on PacifiCorp’s post-trial motions are scheduled to be held November 9, 2023. Under Oregon Revised Statute 82.010, interest at a rate of 9% per annum will accrue on the judgment commencing at the date the judgment is entered unless otherwise specified in the judgment. No judgment has yet been entered by the Multnomah County Circuit Court. PacifiCorp intends to appeal the jury’s findings and damage awards in the James case, including whether the case can proceed as a class action. The appeals process and further actions could take several years.
A provision for a loss contingency is recorded when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. PacifiCorp evaluates the related range of reasonably estimated losses and records a loss based on its best estimate within that range or the lower end of the range if there is no better estimate.
Estimated probable losses associated with the Wildfires were based on the information available to the date of this filing, including (i) ongoing cause and origin investigations; (ii) ongoing settlement and mediation discussions; (iii) other litigation matters and upcoming legal proceedings; and (iv) the status of the James case. Wildfire estimated losses include estimates for fire suppression costs, real and personal property damages, natural resource damages for certain areas and non-economic damages such as personal injury damages and loss of life damages that are considered probable of being incurred and that it is able to reasonably estimate at this time and which is subject to change as additional relevant information becomes available.
PacifiCorp increased its liability for estimated pre-tax probable Wildfire losses, before expected related insurance recoveries, by $1.4 billion in the third quarter and by $1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2023. Expected probable Wildfire losses, net of expected insurance recoveries, were approximately $1.3 billion in the third quarter and $1.7 billion in the first nine months of 2023. Such amounts were included in energy operating expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. PacifiCorp’s cumulative charges to date for estimated probable Wildfire losses were $2.4 billion through September 30, 2023.
It is reasonably possible PacifiCorp will incur significant additional Wildfire losses beyond the amounts currently accrued; however, we are currently unable to reasonably estimate the range of possible additional losses that could be incurred due to the number of properties and parties involved, including claimants in the class to the James case, the variation in those types of properties and lack of available details and the ultimate outcome of legal actions.
HomeServices of America, Inc. (“HomeServices”), a wholly owned subsidiary of BHE, is currently defending against four antitrust cases, all in federal district courts. In each case, plaintiffs claim HomeServices and certain of its subsidiaries conspired with co-defendants to artificially inflate real estate commissions by following and enforcing multiple listing service (“MLS”) rules that require listing agents to offer a commission split to cooperating agents in order for the property to appear on the MLS (“Cooperative Compensation Rule”). None of the complaints specify damages sought.
In one of these cases, a jury trial commenced on October 16, 2023, and the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs on October 31, 2023, finding that the named defendants participated in a conspiracy to follow and enforce the Cooperative Compensation Rule, which had the purpose or effect of raising, inflating, or stabilizing broker commission rates paid by home sellers. The jury further found that the class plaintiffs had proved damages in the amount of $1.8 billion. Federal law authorized trebling of damages and the award of pre-judgment interest and attorney fees. Joint and several liability applies for the co-defendants. HomeServices intends to vigorously appeal on multiple grounds the jury’s findings and damage award. The appeals process and further actions could take several years. While it is likely that HomeServices may incur a loss, HomeServices is currently unable to reasonably estimate such loss due to, among other reasons, the joint and several nature of the liability and the early state of the appeals process.
It is also reasonably possible that HomeServices will incur losses from the three other antitrust cases. However, HomeServices is unable to reasonably estimate a specific range of possible losses that could be incurred due to, among other reasons, lack of information about the size of the plaintiff class and potential damages, as well as the joint and several nature of potential liability of the defendants.
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. We currently believe that liabilities that may arise as a result of such other pending legal actions will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 24. Revenues from contracts with customers
The following tables summarize customer contract revenues disaggregated by reportable segment and the source of the revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022 (in millions). Revenues from PTC in 2023 are for the eight months ending September 30, 2023. Other revenues, which are not considered to be revenues from contracts with customers under GAAP, are primarily insurance premiums earned, interest, dividend and other investment income and leasing revenues.
| Manufacturing | McLane | Service and Retailing | BNSF | Berkshire Hathaway Energy | PTC | Insurance, Corporate and other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ending September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufactured products: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and commercial products | $ | 7,008 | $ | — | $ | 53 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,061 | ||||||||||||||||
| Building products | 5,211 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5,211 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer products | 4,578 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4,578 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grocery and convenience store distribution | — | 8,212 | — | — | — | — | — | 8,212 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Food and beverage distribution | — | 4,775 | — | — | — | — | — | 4,775 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto sales | — | — | 2,752 | — | — | — | — | 2,752 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other retail and wholesale distribution | 807 | — | 3,933 | — | — | 688 | — | 5,428 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | 385 | 250 | 1,390 | 5,811 | 1,141 | 79 | — | 9,056 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity, natural gas and fuel | — | — | — | — | 5,804 | 12,320 | — | 18,124 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 17,989 | 13,237 | 8,128 | 5,811 | 6,945 | 13,087 | — | 65,197 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 1,179 | 42 | 1,793 | 18 | 324 | 58 | 24,599 | 28,013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 19,168 | $ | 13,279 | $ | 9,921 | $ | 5,829 | $ | 7,269 | $ | 13,145 | $ | 24,599 | $ | 93,210 | |||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ending September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufactured products: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and commercial products | $ | 21,458 | $ | — | $ | 172 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 21,630 | ||||||||||||||||
| Building products | 15,147 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer products | 12,956 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12,956 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grocery and convenience store distribution | — | 23,540 | — | — | — | — | — | 23,540 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Food and beverage distribution | — | 14,439 | — | — | — | — | — | 14,439 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto sales | — | — | 8,106 | — | — | — | — | 8,106 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other retail and wholesale distribution | 2,420 | — | 12,301 | — | — | 1,791 | — | 16,512 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | 1,086 | 747 | 4,106 | 17,587 | 3,169 | 188 | — | 26,883 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity, natural gas and fuel | — | — | — | — | 15,874 | 35,238 | — | 51,112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 53,067 | 38,726 | 24,685 | 17,587 | 19,043 | 37,217 | — | 190,325 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 3,440 | 131 | 5,247 | 51 | 1,015 | 157 | 70,740 | 80,781 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 56,507 | $ | 38,857 | $ | 29,932 | $ | 17,638 | $ | 20,058 | $ | 37,374 | $ | 70,740 | $ | 271,106 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 24. Revenues from contracts with customers (Continued)
| Manufacturing | McLane | Service and Retailing | BNSF | Berkshire Hathaway Energy | Insurance, Corporate and other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ending September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufactured products: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and commercial products | $ | 6,145 | $ | — | $ | 51 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,196 | ||||||||||||||
| Building products | 5,928 | — | — | — | — | — | 5,928 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer products | 4,753 | — | — | — | — | — | 4,753 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Grocery and convenience store distribution | — | 8,315 | — | — | — | — | 8,315 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Food and beverage distribution | — | 4,946 | — | — | — | — | 4,946 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto sales | — | — | 2,686 | — | — | — | 2,686 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other retail and wholesale distribution | 803 | — | 4,189 | — | — | — | 4,992 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | 328 | 277 | 1,006 | 6,646 | 1,328 | — | 9,585 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity and natural gas | — | — | — | — | 5,905 | — | 5,905 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 17,957 | 13,538 | 7,932 | 6,646 | 7,233 | — | 53,306 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 1,012 | 32 | 1,609 | 17 | 320 | 20,608 | 23,598 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 18,969 | $ | 13,570 | $ | 9,541 | $ | 6,663 | $ | 7,553 | $ | 20,608 | $ | 76,904 | |||||||||||||||
| Nine months ending September 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufactured products: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrial and commercial products | $ | 18,219 | $ | — | $ | 148 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18,367 | ||||||||||||||
| Building products | 17,317 | — | — | — | — | — | 17,317 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer products | 15,355 | — | — | — | — | — | 15,355 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Grocery and convenience store distribution | — | 24,000 | — | — | — | — | 24,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Food and beverage distribution | — | 14,510 | — | — | — | — | 14,510 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Auto sales | — | — | 7,888 | — | — | — | 7,888 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other retail and wholesale distribution | 2,343 | — | 12,629 | — | — | — | 14,972 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | 894 | 739 | 3,090 | 19,173 | 4,001 | — | 27,897 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity and natural gas | — | — | — | — | 15,359 | — | 15,359 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 54,128 | 39,249 | 23,755 | 19,173 | 19,360 | — | 155,665 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 2,962 | 97 | 4,470 | 46 | 748 | 59,960 | 68,283 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 57,090 | $ | 39,346 | $ | 28,225 | $ | 19,219 | $ | 20,108 | $ | 59,960 | $ | 223,948 |
A summary of the transaction price allocated to the significant unsatisfied remaining performance obligations relating to contracts with expected durations exceeding one year as of September 30, 2023 and the timing of when the performance obligations are expected to be satisfied follows (in millions).
| Less than 12 months | Greater than 12 months | Total | ||||||||||
| Electricity, natural gas and fuel | $ | 3,191 | $ | 20,278 | $ | 23,469 | ||||||
| Other sales and service contracts | 3,096 | 5,178 | 8,274 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Note 25. Business segment data
Our operating businesses include a large and diverse group of insurance, freight rail transportation, utilities and energy, manufacturing, service and retailing businesses. We organize our reportable business segments in a manner that reflects how management views those business activities. Certain businesses are grouped together for segment reporting based upon similar products or product lines and marketing, selling and distribution characteristics, even though those business units are operated under separate local management. We acquired control of Pilot Travel Centers (“PTC”) on January 31, 2023 and PTC is considered a reportable segment beginning February 1, 2023. In this presentation, the revenues and pre-tax earnings of the PTC segment are for the eight months ending September 30, 2023. Previously, our earnings from PTC were determined under the equity method and are included in earnings from equity method investments. Revenues and earnings (loss) before income taxes by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in millions).
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues of Operating Businesses | |||||||||||||||
| Insurance: | |||||||||||||||
| Underwriting: | |||||||||||||||
| GEICO | $ | 9,844 | $ | 9,808 | $ | 29,184 | $ | 29,169 | |||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group | 4,449 | 3,485 | 12,643 | 9,916 | |||||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group | 7,067 | 5,461 | 19,890 | 15,238 | |||||||||||
| Investment income | 2,948 | 1,683 | 8,258 | 5,331 | |||||||||||
| Total insurance | 24,308 | 20,437 | 69,975 | 59,654 | |||||||||||
| BNSF | 5,847 | 6,693 | 17,694 | 19,301 | |||||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Energy (“BHE”) | 7,281 | 7,557 | 20,094 | 20,122 | |||||||||||
| Pilot Travel Centers (“PTC”) | 13,166 | — | 37,428 | — | |||||||||||
| Manufacturing | 19,174 | 19,000 | 56,565 | 57,193 | |||||||||||
| McLane | 13,477 | 13,569 | 39,419 | 39,346 | |||||||||||
| Service and retailing | 9,946 | 9,567 | 30,018 | 28,299 | |||||||||||
| 93,199 | 76,823 | 271,193 | 223,915 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate, eliminations and other | 11 | 81 | (87 | ) | 33 | ||||||||||
| $ | 93,210 | $ | 76,904 | $ | 271,106 | $ | 223,948 |
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes of Operating Businesses | |||||||||||||||
| Insurance: | |||||||||||||||
| Underwriting: | |||||||||||||||
| GEICO | $ | 1,053 | $ | (759 | ) | $ | 2,270 | $ | (1,424 | ) | |||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group | 510 | (281 | ) | 1,050 | 53 | ||||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group | 1,437 | (251 | ) | 2,495 | 1,191 | ||||||||||
| Investment income | 2,933 | 1,678 | 8,230 | 5,322 | |||||||||||
| Total insurance | 5,933 | 387 | 14,045 | 5,142 | |||||||||||
| BNSF | 1,608 | 1,884 | 4,872 | 5,844 | |||||||||||
| BHE | (147 | ) | 1,347 | 700 | 2,651 | ||||||||||
| PTC | 291 | — | 613 | — | |||||||||||
| Manufacturing | 3,077 | 2,883 | 8,791 | 8,735 | |||||||||||
| McLane | 116 | 112 | 358 | 270 | |||||||||||
| Service and retailing | 1,186 | 1,202 | 3,669 | 3,536 | |||||||||||
| 12,064 | 7,815 | 33,048 | 26,178 | ||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount | |||||||||||||||
| Investment and derivative gains (losses) | (29,778 | ) | (13,465 | ) | 38,041 | (82,362 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest expense, not allocated to segments | (100 | ) | (99 | ) | (317 | ) | (303 | ) | |||||||
| Equity method investments | 262 | 415 | 1,461 | 958 | |||||||||||
| Corporate, eliminations and other | 593 | 1,076 | 995 | 2,920 | |||||||||||
| $ | (16,959 | ) | $ | (4,258 | ) | $ | 73,228 | $ | (52,609 | ) |
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Results of Operations
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are disaggregated in the table that follows. Amounts are after deducting income taxes and exclude earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (in millions).
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Insurance – underwriting | $ | 2,422 | $ | (1,072 | ) | $ | 4,580 | $ | (190 | ) | |||||
| Insurance – investment income | 2,470 | 1,408 | 6,808 | 4,484 | |||||||||||
| BNSF | 1,221 | 1,442 | 3,732 | 4,477 | |||||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Energy (“BHE”) | 498 | 1,601 | 1,699 | 3,165 | |||||||||||
| Pilot Travel Centers (“PTC”) | 183 | — | 380 | — | |||||||||||
| Manufacturing, service and retailing | 3,341 | 3,247 | 9,712 | 9,521 | |||||||||||
| Non-controlled businesses*** | 226 | 346 | 1,329 | 810 | |||||||||||
| Investment and derivative contract gains (losses) | (23,528 | ) | (10,449 | ) | 29,780 | (65,067 | ) | ||||||||
| Other | 400 | 679 | 629 | 1,961 | |||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders | $ | (12,767 | ) | $ | (2,798 | ) | $ | 58,649 | $ | (40,839 | ) |
——————
** Includes certain businesses in which Berkshire had between a 20% and 50% ownership interest.*
Through our subsidiaries, we engage in numerous diverse business activities. We manage our operating businesses on an unusually decentralized basis. There are few centralized or integrated business functions. Our senior corporate management team participates in and is ultimately responsible for significant capital allocation decisions, investment activities and the selection of the Chief Executive to head each of the operating businesses. The business segment data (Note 25 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements) should be read in conjunction with this discussion.
To varying degrees, our operating businesses have been impacted by government and private sector actions taken to mitigate the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 virus and its variants as well as by the development of global geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions and government actions to slow inflation. We cannot reliably predict the future economic effects of these events on our businesses.
Insurance underwriting generated earnings of $2.4 billion in the third quarter and $4.6 billion in the first nine months of 2023 versus losses of $1.1 billion in the third quarter and $190 million in the first nine months of 2022. Earnings in 2023 benefited from relatively low catastrophe losses, while earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 included after-tax incurred losses of approximately $2.7 billion attributable to Hurricane Ian. Underwriting earnings in 2023 also reflected improved results at GEICO. The retrospective adoption of ASU 2018-12 increased insurance underwriting losses $110 million in the third quarter of 2022 and reduced underwriting losses $144 million in the first nine months of 2022 from the previously reported amounts. Earnings from insurance investment income increased $1.1 billion in the third quarter and $2.3 billion in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. The increases were primarily due to the impact of higher short-term interest rates, partly offset by lower dividend income.
Earnings of BNSF declined 15.3% in the third quarter and 16.6% in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. The decreases were primarily attributable to lower overall freight volumes and higher non-fuel operating costs, partially offset by lower fuel costs. After-tax earnings of BHE declined 68.9% in the third quarter and 46.3% in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. The earnings decline in the first nine months reflected lower earnings from the U.S. regulated utilities, reflecting increased wildfire loss estimates, as well as lower earnings from other energy businesses and real estate brokerage businesses.
As disclosed in Note 3 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, we increased our ownership in PTC from 38.6% to 80% on January 31, 2023 and we began consolidating PTC’s results of operations on February 1, 2023. In 2022 and through January 31, 2023, our share of earnings from PTC on our 38.6% interest was determined under the equity method and is included in earnings from non-controlled businesses in the preceding table.
Earnings from our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses increased 2.9% in the third quarter and 2.0% in the first nine months of 2023 versus 2022. While results of certain industrial products manufacturers and services businesses improved versus 2022, results of several of our building products, consumer products, service and retailing businesses deteriorated.
Investment and derivative contract gains (losses) in each period of 2023 and 2022 predominantly derived from our investments in equity securities and included significant net unrealized gains and losses from market price changes. We believe that investment gains and losses on investments in equity securities, whether realized from dispositions or unrealized from changes in market prices, are generally meaningless in understanding our reported quarterly or annual results or evaluating the economic performance of our operating businesses. These gains and losses have caused and will continue to cause significant volatility in our periodic earnings. Investment and derivative contract gains (losses) also included an after-tax non-cash remeasurement gain of approximately $2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2023 related to our previously held 38.6% interest in PTC through the application of the acquisition accounting method.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Results of Operations (Continued)
Other earnings included after-tax foreign exchange rate gains of $447 million in the third quarter and $895 million in the first nine months of 2023 and $858 million in the third quarter and $2.4 billion in the first nine months of 2022. These gains related to the non-U.S. Dollar denominated debt issued by Berkshire and its U.S.-based finance subsidiary, Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”).
Insurance—Underwriting
Our management views our insurance business as possessing two distinct activities – underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers, while investing decisions are the responsibility of Berkshire’s Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett, and Berkshire’s corporate investment managers. Accordingly, we evaluate the economic performance of underwriting operations without any allocation of investment income or investment gains and losses. We consider investment income as an integral component of our aggregate insurance operating results. However, we consider investment gains and losses, whether realized or unrealized, as non-operating. We believe that such gains and losses are not meaningful in understanding the quarterly or annual operating results of our insurance businesses.
The timing and magnitude of catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in our periodic underwriting results, particularly with respect to our reinsurance businesses. We currently consider pre-tax incurred losses exceeding $150 million from a current year catastrophic event to be significant. Significant catastrophe events in 2023 were a cyclone and floods in New Zealand in the first quarter. In 2022, significant events were Hurricane Ian in the third quarter and floods in Australia in the first six months.
Changes in estimates for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including amounts established for occurrences in prior years, can also significantly affect our periodic underwriting results. Unpaid loss estimates, including estimates under retroactive reinsurance contracts, were approximately $143.7 billion as of September 30, 2023. Our periodic underwriting results may also include significant foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from the changes in the valuation of non-U.S. Dollar denominated liabilities of our U.S.-based subsidiaries due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
We provide primary insurance and reinsurance products covering property and casualty risks, as well as life and health risks. Our insurance and reinsurance businesses are GEICO, Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (“BH Primary”) and Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”). Berkshire acquired Alleghany Corporation (“Alleghany”) on October 19, 2022. Alleghany operates a property and casualty insurance business through its subsidiaries, RSUI Group Inc. and CapSpecialty, Inc. (“RSUI and CapSpecialty” or “Alleghany Insurance”), and a reinsurance business through Transatlantic Reinsurance Company and affiliates (“TransRe Group”). Underwriting results of Alleghany Insurance are included in BH Primary and underwriting results of TransRe Group are included in BHRG.
We strive to produce pre-tax underwriting earnings (premiums earned less insurance losses/benefits incurred and underwriting expenses) over the long term in all business categories, except for BHRG’s retroactive reinsurance and periodic payment annuity contracts businesses. Time-value-of-money is an important element in establishing prices for policies written by these businesses. We normally receive all premiums at the contract inception date, which are immediately available for investment. Ultimate claim payments can extend for decades and are expected to exceed premiums, producing underwriting losses over the claim settlement periods, primarily through deferred charge asset amortization and discounted liability accretion charges.
Underwriting results of our insurance businesses are summarized below (dollars in millions). The retrospective adoption of ASU 2018-12 increased BHRG’s pre-tax underwriting losses $141 million in the third quarter and increased pre-tax underwriting earnings $178 million in the first nine months of 2022 from the amounts previously reported.
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Pre-tax underwriting earnings (loss): | |||||||||||||||
| GEICO | $ | 1,053 | $ | (759 | ) | $ | 2,270 | $ | (1,424 | ) | |||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group | 510 | (281 | ) | 1,050 | 53 | ||||||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group | 1,437 | (251 | ) | 2,495 | 1,191 | ||||||||||
| Pre-tax underwriting earnings (loss) | 3,000 | (1,291 | ) | 5,815 | (180 | ) | |||||||||
| Income taxes and noncontrolling interests | 578 | (219 | ) | 1,235 | 10 | ||||||||||
| Net underwriting earnings (loss) | $ | 2,422 | $ | (1,072 | ) | $ | 4,580 | $ | (190 | ) | |||||
| Effective income tax rate | 19.2 | % | 16.9 | % | 21.2 | % | * |
——————
** Not meaningful.*
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)
GEICO
GEICO primarily writes private passenger automobile insurance, offering coverages to insureds in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. GEICO markets its policies mainly by direct response methods where most customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet or over the telephone. GEICO also operates an insurance agency that offers primarily homeowners and renters insurance to its auto policyholders. A summary of GEICO’s underwriting results follows (dollars in millions).
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums written | $ | 10,420 | $ | 10,137 | $ | 29,929 | $ | 29,818 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned | $ | 9,844 | 100.0 | $ | 9,808 | 100.0 | $ | 29,184 | 100.0 | $ | 29,169 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 7,879 | 80.0 | 9,515 | 97.0 | 24,063 | 82.5 | 27,164 | 93.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 912 | 9.3 | 1,052 | 10.7 | 2,851 | 9.7 | 3,429 | 11.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 8,791 | 89.3 | 10,567 | 107.7 | 26,914 | 92.2 | 30,593 | 104.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax underwriting earnings (loss) | $ | 1,053 | $ | (759 | ) | $ | 2,270 | $ | (1,424 | ) |
GEICO’s pre-tax underwriting earnings in the first nine months of 2023 reflected higher average premiums per auto policy, lower claims frequencies, reductions in prior accident years’ claims estimates and a reduction in advertising costs. However, average claims severities continued to rise in 2023.
Premiums written increased $283 million (2.8%) in the third quarter and were substantially unchanged in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. Premiums written in 2023 reflected rate increases during the past 12 months that produced higher average premiums per auto policy (16.8%) and a 2.3 million decrease (12.7%) in policies-in-force over that period. GEICO significantly reduced advertising in 2023 and 2022 which contributed to the reduction in policies-in-force. Premiums earned were substantially unchanged in the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses declined $1.6 billion (17.2%) in the third quarter and $3.1 billion (11.4%) in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. GEICO’s loss ratio (losses and loss adjustment expenses to premiums earned) was 80.0% in the third quarter and 82.5% in the first nine months of 2023, decreases of 17.0 percentage points and 10.6 percentage points, respectively, compared to 2022. The loss ratio declines reflected the impact of higher average premiums per auto policy, increased favorable development of prior accident years’ claims estimates and lower claims frequencies, partially offset by increases in average claims severities.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses in the first nine months included reductions in the ultimate loss estimates for prior accident years’ claims of $1.2 billion in 2023 compared to $386 million in 2022. The reductions in 2023 and 2022 reflected decreased estimates across several coverages, partially offset by an increase in property damage coverage in 2022. Claims frequencies in the first nine months of 2023 were lower for property damage and collision coverages (seven to eight percent range), while claims frequencies increased for bodily injury coverage (two to three percent range). Average claims severities in the first nine months of 2023 were higher for property damage (seventeen to nineteen percent range), collision (five to seven percent range) and bodily injury (six to eight percent range) coverages.
Underwriting expenses decreased $140 million (13.3%) in the third quarter and $578 million (16.9%) in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. GEICO’s expense ratio (underwriting expense to premiums earned) was 9.3% in the third quarter and 9.7% in the first nine months of 2023, decreases of 1.4 percentage points and 2.1 percentage points, respectively, compared to 2022. The decreases in the expense ratios reflected the impact of increased rates and a 54% reduction in year-to-date advertising expenses incurred. The earnings from GEICO’s insurance agency (third party commissions net of operating expenses) are included as a reduction of underwriting expenses in the table above.
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group
The Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group consists of several independently managed businesses that provide a variety of primarily commercial insurance solutions, including healthcare professional liability, workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability, property and specialty coverages for small, medium and large clients. BH Primary’s insurers include Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (“BH Specialty”), Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (“BHHC”), MedPro Group, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (“GUARD”), National Indemnity Company (“NICO Primary”), Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company (“BH Direct”) and U.S. Liability Insurance Company (“USLI”). This group also includes RSUI and CapSpecialty beginning October 19, 2022.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (Continued)
A summary of BH Primary’s underwriting results follows (dollars in millions).
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums written | $ | 4,990 | $ | 3,895 | $ | 13,905 | $ | 10,791 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned | $ | 4,449 | 100.0 | $ | 3,485 | 100.0 | $ | 12,643 | 100.0 | $ | 9,916 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 2,733 | 61.4 | 2,825 | 81.1 | 8,250 | 65.3 | 7,342 | 74.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 1,206 | 27.1 | 941 | 27.0 | 3,343 | 26.4 | 2,521 | 25.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses and expenses | 3,939 | 88.5 | 3,766 | 108.1 | 11,593 | 91.7 | 9,863 | 99.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-tax underwriting earnings (loss) | $ | 510 | $ | (281 | ) | $ | 1,050 | $ | 53 |
Premiums written increased $1.1 billion (28.1%) in the third quarter and $3.1 billion (28.9%) in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. The increases were primarily due to the inclusion of RSUI and CapSpecialty ($610 million in the third quarter and $1.9 billion in the first nine months), as well as comparative increases from several BH Primary insurers, led by BH Specialty and BH Direct.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased $92 million (3.3%) in the third quarter and increased $908 million (12.4%) in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. The loss ratio decreased 19.7 percentage points in the third quarter and 8.7 percentage points in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting lower incurred losses from current year catastrophes and changes in business mix, including the impact of RSUI and CapSpecialty.
Incurred losses from significant catastrophes occurring in the first nine months were $35 million in 2023 and $740 million in 2022, including $660 million in the third quarter from Hurricane Ian. Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the first nine months also reflected net reductions in estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years’ claims of $396 million in 2023 and $348 million in 2022. BH Primary insurers write significant levels of workers’ compensation, commercial and professional liability insurance and the related claim costs may be subject to high severity and long claim-tails. Ultimate claims liabilities could be greater than anticipated due to a variety of factors, including from adverse legal and judicial rulings.
Underwriting expenses increased $265 million (28.2%) in the third quarter and $822 million (32.6%) in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in the expense ratio in the first nine months of 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily attributable to changes in business mix, including the effects of RSUI and CapSpecialty.
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group
The Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) offers excess-of-loss and quota-share reinsurance coverages on property and casualty risks to insurers and reinsurers worldwide through several subsidiaries, led by National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), General Reinsurance Corporation, General Reinsurance AG and, beginning October 19, 2022, TransRe Group. We also write life and health reinsurance coverages through General Re Life Corporation, General Reinsurance AG and Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska (“BHLN”). We assume property and casualty risks under retroactive reinsurance contracts written through NICO and we write periodic payment annuity contracts through BHLN.
A summary of BHRG’s premiums and pre-tax underwriting results follows (in millions). The retrospective adoption of ASU 2018-12 increased pre-tax underwriting losses $141 million in the third quarter and increased pre-tax underwriting earnings $178 million in the first nine months of 2022 from the previously reported amounts. These revisions were primarily attributable to reductions in certain variable annuity guarantee liabilities and foreign currency exchange effects on periodic payment annuity liabilities.
| Third Quarter | First Nine Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned | Pre-tax underwriting earnings (loss) | Premiums earned | Pre-tax underwriting earnings (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property/casualty | $ | 5,739 | $ | 4,013 | $ | 1,488 | $ | 23 | $ | 16,213 | $ | 10,943 | $ | 3,002 | $ | 1,404 | |||||||||||||||
| Life/health | 1,328 | 1,256 | 50 | 18 | 3,677 | 3,766 | 234 | 116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retroactive reinsurance | — | — | (126 | ) | (83 | ) | — | — | (584 | ) | (325 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Periodic payment annuity | — | 192 | (91 | ) | (254 | ) | — | 529 | (466 | ) | (427 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Variable annuity | — | — | 116 | 45 | — | — | 309 | 423 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 7,067 | $ | 5,461 | $ | 1,437 | $ | (251 | ) | $ | 19,890 | $ | 15,238 | $ | 2,495 | $ | 1,191 |
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