Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net earnings	$ 20,170us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 19,845us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 15,312us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	5,831	25,111	15,700
Applicable income taxes	(2,062)	(8,691)	(5,434)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(3,360)	(2,447)	(953)
Applicable income taxes	1,176	856	334
Foreign currency translation	(2,032)	(82)	276
Applicable income taxes	183	34	(9)
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	(1,703)	2,602	5
Applicable income taxes	624	(950)	(26)
Other, net	8	138	(32)
Other comprehensive income, net	(1,335)	16,571	9,861
Comprehensive income	18,835	36,416	25,173
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	256	394	503
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 18,579us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 36,022us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 24,670us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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