10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-14905

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	47-0813844
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131

(Address of principal executive office)

(Zip Code)

(402) 346-1400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer    x	Accelerated filer                        ¨
Non-accelerated filer      ¨	Smaller reporting company      ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of July 30, 2015:

Class A —	811,755
Class B —	1,247,366,163

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

		Page No.
Part I – Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets— June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014		2
	Consolidated Statements of Earnings— Second Quarter and First Six Months 2015 and 2014		3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income— Second Quarter and First Six Months 2015 and 2014		4
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity— First Six Months 2015 and 2014		4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows— First Six Months 2015 and 2014		5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		6-24
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		25-42
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		43
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		43
Part II – Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		44
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		44
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities		44
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		44
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		44
Item 5.	Other Information		44
Item 6.	Exhibits		44
Signature			45

1

Part I Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in millions)

	June 30,     2015		December 31,   2014
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Insurance and Other:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	60,394	$	57,974
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities		27,224		27,397
Equity securities		110,776		115,529
Other		16,183		16,346
Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company		11,455		11,660
Receivables		24,606		21,852
Inventories		12,072		10,236
Property, plant and equipment		15,392		14,153
Goodwill		37,141		34,959
Other		24,242		23,763
		339,485		333,869
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Cash and cash equivalents		3,860		3,001
Property, plant and equipment		117,223		115,054
Goodwill		24,325		24,418
Other		17,609		16,343
		163,017		158,816
Finance and Financial Products:
Cash and cash equivalents		2,333		2,294
Investments in equity and fixed maturity securities		5,810		1,299
Other investments		5,805		5,978
Loans and finance receivables		12,592		12,566
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease		8,264		8,037
Goodwill		1,333		1,337
Other		2,135		1,990
		38,272		33,501
	$	540,774	$	526,186
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Insurance and Other:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	71,660	$	71,477
Unearned premiums		13,268		11,944
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		14,102		13,261
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		24,550		23,307
Notes payable and other borrowings		14,746		11,894
		138,326		131,883
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		15,400		15,595
Notes payable and other borrowings		57,269		55,579
		72,669		71,174
Finance and Financial Products:
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		1,670		1,321
Derivative contract liabilities		3,666		4,810
Notes payable and other borrowings		12,563		12,736
		17,899		18,867
Income taxes, principally deferred		62,678		61,235
Total liabilities		291,572		283,159
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		8		8
Capital in excess of par value		35,584		35,573
Accumulated other comprehensive income		39,417		42,732
Retained earnings		172,797		163,620
Treasury stock, at cost		(1,763)		(1,763)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity		246,043		240,170
Noncontrolling interests		3,159		2,857
Total shareholders’ equity		249,202		243,027
	$	540,774	$	526,186

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(dollars in millions except per share amounts)

	Second Quarter				First Six Months
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Revenues:
Insurance and Other:
Insurance premiums earned	$	10,400	$	9,323	$	19,940	$	18,739
Sales and service revenues		27,792		24,846		52,733		47,174
Interest, dividend and other investment income		1,323		1,583		2,626		2,738
Investment gains/losses		136		2,366		232		3,425
		39,651		38,118		75,531		72,076
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Revenues		9,866		9,846		19,757		19,599
Finance and Financial Products:
Sales and service revenues		1,383		1,314		2,605		2,410
Interest, dividend and other investment income		416		329		748		667
Investment gains/losses		226		—		227		72
Derivative gains/losses		(174)		155		1,144		391
		1,851		1,798		4,724		3,540
		51,368		49,762		100,012		95,215
Costs and expenses:
Insurance and Other:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		6,692		5,542		12,693		11,132
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		1,738		1,279		2,918		2,489
Insurance underwriting expenses		2,018		1,864		3,630		3,765
Cost of sales and services		22,589		20,063		42,848		38,200
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3,378		2,966		6,456		5,854
Interest expense		217		116		361		214
		36,632		31,830		68,906		61,654
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		6,999		7,193		13,967		14,574
Interest expense		653		591		1,285		1,156
		7,652		7,784		15,252		15,730
Finance and Financial Products:
Cost of sales and services		739		692		1,398		1,281
Selling, general and administrative expenses		402		423		767		800
Interest expense		97		117		196		236
		1,238		1,232		2,361		2,317
		45,522		40,846		86,519		79,701
Earnings before income taxes		5,846		8,916		13,493		15,514
Income tax expense		1,739		2,458		4,153		4,283
Net earnings		4,107		6,458		9,340		11,231
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		94		63		163		131
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	4,013	$	6,395	$	9,177	$	11,100
Average common shares outstanding *		1,643,084		1,644,370		1,643,018		1,644,215
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders *	$	2,442	$	3,889	$	5,585	$	6,751

 * Average shares outstanding include average Class A common shares and average Class B common shares determined on an equivalent Class A common stock basis. Net earnings per common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B common share is equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such amount.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in millions)

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Net earnings	$	4,107		$	6,458		$	9,340		$	11,231
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments		234			2,639			(3,562	)		5,230
Applicable income taxes		(151	)		(938	)		1,280			(1,836	)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings		(104	)		(2,408	)		(195	)		(3,449	)
Applicable income taxes		36			843			68			1,207
Foreign currency translation		577			354			(783	)		380
Applicable income taxes		4			(77	)		(19	)		(70	)
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans		(44	)		(16	)		5			(9	)
Applicable income taxes		13			5			(2	)		5
Other, net		25			(25	)		(100	)		(29	)
Other comprehensive income, net		590			377			(3,308	)		1,429
Comprehensive income		4,697			6,835			6,032			12,660
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		131			68			170			164
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	4,566		$	6,767		$	5,862		$	12,496

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

	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
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	35,480		$	44,025		$	143,748	$	(1,363	)	$	2,595		$	224,485
Net earnings		—			—			11,100		—			131			11,231
Other comprehensive income, net		—			1,396			—		—			33			1,429
Issuance (acquisition) of common stock		48			—			—		(400	)		—			(352	)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		(29	)		—			—		—			(4	)		(33	)
Balance at June 30, 2014	$	35,499		$	45,421		$	154,848	$	(1,763	)	$	2,755		$	236,760
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	35,581		$	42,732		$	163,620	$	(1,763	)	$	2,857		$	243,027
Net earnings		—			—			9,177		—			163			9,340
Other comprehensive income, net		—			(3,315	)		—		—			7			(3,308	)
Issuance of common stock		30			—			—		—			—			30
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		(19	)		—			—		—			132			113
Balance at June 30, 2015	$	35,592		$	39,417		$	172,797	$	(1,763	)	$	3,159		$	249,202

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in millions)

	First Six Months
	2015			2014
	(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	9,340		$	11,231
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses		(459	)		(3,497	)
Depreciation and amortization		3,812			3,582
Other		160			(249	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		670			599
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed		246			(216	)
Unearned premiums		1,379			1,612
Receivables and originated loans		(2,667	)		(2,815	)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities		(1,144	)		(405	)
Income taxes		2,763			1,726
Other		(157	)		265
Net cash flows from operating activities		13,943			11,833
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities		(3,001	)		(3,477	)
Purchases of equity securities		(4,714	)		(2,054	)
Sales of fixed maturity securities		622			577
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities		2,295			3,159
Sales and redemptions of equity securities		2,160			2,961
Purchases of loans and finance receivables		(57	)		(141	)
Collections of loans and finance receivables		246			658
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(4,500	)		(676	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(6,836	)		(6,093	)
Other		41			262
Net cash flows from investing activities		(13,744	)		(4,824	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings of insurance and other businesses		3,253			70
Proceeds from borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses		3,238			2,772
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses		998			749
Repayments of borrowings of insurance and other businesses		(1,843	)		(36	)
Repayments of borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses		(848	)		(1,301	)
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses		(1,173	)		(1,042	)
Change in short term borrowings, net		(246	)		317
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests		(70	)		(1,287	)
Other		(113	)		(3	)
Net cash flows from financing activities		3,196			239
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes		(77	)		21
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		3,318			7,269
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year *		63,269			48,186
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter *	$	66,587		$	55,455
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following:
Beginning of year—
Insurance and Other	$	57,974		$	42,433
Railroad, Utilities and Energy		3,001			3,400
Finance and Financial Products		2,294			2,353
	$	63,269		$	48,186
End of second quarter—
Insurance and Other	$	60,394		$	49,182
Railroad, Utilities and Energy		3,860			3,410
Finance and Financial Products		2,333			2,863
	$	66,587		$	55,455

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 30, 2015

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 Report reflects any adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). For a number of 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. Variations in the amount and timing of investment gains/losses can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings. Investment gains/losses are recorded when investments are disposed or are other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, changes in the fair values of liabilities associated with derivative contracts can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 applies to contracts with customers, excluding, most notably, insurance and leasing contracts. ASU 2014-09 prescribes a framework in accounting for revenues from contracts within its scope, including (a) identification of the contract, (b) identification of the performance obligations under the contract, (c) determination of the transaction price, (d) allocation of the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognition of revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. ASU 2014-09 also prescribes additional disclosures and financial statement presentations. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software,” which clarifies that software licenses contained in a cloud computing arrangement should be capitalized if the customer has the right to take possession of the software and the ability to run the software outside of the cloud computing arrangement. ASU 2015-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and may be adopted prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.

In April 2015, the FASB also issued ASU 2015-03 “Interest—Imputation of Interest,” which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, instead of as an asset. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs under current GAAP is not affected by ASU 2015-03. ASU 2015-03 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be adopted retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09 “Financial Services—Insurance—Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts,” which requires additional disclosures in annual and interim reporting periods by insurance entities regarding liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, and any changes in assumptions or methodologies for calculations of such liabilities. ASU 2015-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted.

We are evaluating the effect the adoption each of these standards will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 3. Significant business acquisitions

Our long-held acquisition strategy is to acquire businesses at sensible prices 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.

In the first quarter of 2015, Berkshire acquired controlling interests of the Van Tuyl Group. The Van Tuyl Group (now named Berkshire Hathaway Automotive) included 81 automotive dealerships located in 10 states as well as two related insurance businesses, two auto auctions and a manufacturer of automotive fluid maintenance products. In addition to selling new and pre-owned automobiles, the Berkshire Hathaway Automotive group offers repair and other services and products, including extended warranty services and other automotive protection plans. Consideration paid for the acquisition was $4.1 billion. On December 1, 2014, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company acquired AltaLink, L.P. (“AltaLink”) for a cash purchase price of C$3.1 billion (approximately $2.7 billion). AltaLink is a regulated electric transmission-only business, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

Preliminary fair values of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at their respective acquisition dates are summarized as follows (in millions).

	Berkshire Hathaway Automotive			AltaLink
Cash and investments		$	1,274		$	15
Inventories			1,209			—
Property, plant and equipment			1,034			5,610
Goodwill			1,715			1,731
Other assets			1,400			287
Assets acquired		$	6,632		$	7,643
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		$	1,210		$	1,064
Notes payable and other borrowings			1,129			3,851
Noncontrolling interests			181			—
Liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests		$	2,520		$	4,915
Net assets		$	4,112		$	2,728

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first six months of 2014 as if the acquisitions discussed previously were consummated on the same terms at the beginning of the year preceding their respective acquisition dates (in millions, except the per share amount). Pro forma data for the first six months of 2015 was not materially different from the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

	First six months  2014
Revenues	$	99,634
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		11,174
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		6,796

7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized  Gains		Unrealized  Losses			Fair     Value
June 30, 2015
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,708	$	19	$	(2	)	$	3,725
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,752		83		(2	)		1,833
Foreign governments		11,830		295		(77	)		12,048
Corporate bonds		7,138		912		(12	)		8,038
Mortgage-backed securities		1,600		199		(4	)		1,795
	$	26,028	$	1,508	$	(97	)	$	27,439
December 31, 2014
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,921	$	14	$	(5	)	$	2,930
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,820		93		(1	)		1,912
Foreign governments		12,023		373		(126	)		12,270
Corporate bonds		7,704		1,072		(5	)		8,771
Mortgage-backed securities		1,555		202		(4	)		1,753
	$	26,023	$	1,754	$	(141	)	$	27,636

Investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	June 30,  2015		December 31,   2014
Insurance and other		$27,224		$27,397
Finance and financial products		215		239
		$27,439		$27,636

Investments in foreign government securities include securities issued by national and provincial government entities as well as instruments that are unconditionally guaranteed by such entities. As of June 30, 2015, approximately 94% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies. Approximately 75% of foreign government holdings were issued or guaranteed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada or The Netherlands. Unrealized losses on all fixed maturity investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $11 million as of June 30, 2015 and $15 million as of December 31, 2014.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at June 30, 2015 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. Amounts are in millions.

	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		$8,267		$11,218		$2,224		$2,719		$1,600		$26,028
Fair value		8,319		11,747		2,352		3,226		1,795		27,439

8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 5. Investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized   Gains		Unrealized   Losses			Fair        Value
June 30, 2015 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	23,388	$	31,312	$	(2	)	$	54,698
Consumer products		6,908		16,710		(2	)		23,616
Commercial, industrial and other		31,536		8,846		(974	)		39,408
	$	61,832	$	56,868	$	(978	)	$	117,722

 * Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $15.7 billion).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized   Gains		Unrealized   Losses			Fair        Value
December 31, 2014 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,495	$	33,170	$	—		$	55,665
Consumer products		6,951		18,389		(1	)		25,339
Commercial, industrial and other		28,924		8,578		(1,036	)		36,466
	$	58,370	$	60,137	$	(1,037	)	$	117,470

 * Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.9 billion).

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we concluded that there were no unrealized losses that were other than temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $128 million and $65 million, respectively.

Investments in equity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	June 30,      2015		December 31,   2014
Insurance and other	$	110,776	$	115,529
Railroad, utilities and energy *		1,351		881
Finance and financial products		5,595		1,060
	$	117,722	$	117,470

 * Included in other assets.

9

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 6. Other investments

Other investments include preferred stock of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”), The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”), warrants to purchase common stock of BAC and our investments in Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (“RBI”). Other investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value and are shown in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	Cost				Fair Value
	June 30,    2015		December 31, 2014		June 30,    2015		December 31, 2014
Insurance and other		$9,970		$9,970		$16,183		$16,346
Finance and financial products		3,052		3,052		5,805		5,978
		$13,022		$13,022		$21,988		$22,324

We acquired $2.1 billion liquidation amount of Wrigley preferred stock in conjunction with the Mars Incorporated (“Mars”) acquisition of Wrigley. The Wrigley preferred stock is entitled to dividends at 5% per annum and is subject to certain put and call arrangements in 2016 and then annually beginning in 2021. The redemption amount will be based upon the earnings of Wrigley.

We own 3,000,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock of Dow (“Dow Preferred”) with a liquidation value of $1,000 per share. Each share of the Dow Preferred is convertible into 24.201 shares of Dow common stock (equivalent to a conversion price of $41.32 per share). Dow currently has the option to cause some or all of the Dow Preferred to be converted into Dow common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, if the New York Stock Exchange closing price of its common stock exceeds $53.72 per share for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the day before Dow exercises its option. The Dow Preferred is entitled to dividends at a rate of 8.5% per annum.

We own 50,000 shares of 6% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of BAC (“BAC Preferred”) with a liquidation value of $100,000 per share and warrants to purchase 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”). The BAC Preferred may not be redeemed at the option of BAC before May 7, 2019. The BAC Preferred redemption price is $105,000 per share (or $5.25 billion in aggregate). The BAC Warrants expire in 2021 and are exercisable for an additional aggregate cost of $5 billion ($7.142857/share).

On December 12, 2014, we acquired Class A 9% Cumulative Compounding Perpetual Preferred Shares of RBI (“RBI Preferred”) having a stated value of $3 billion and common stock of RBI for an aggregate cost of $3 billion. RBI, domiciled in Canada, is the ultimate parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons. As of the acquisition date, our combined investment in RBI possessed approximately 14.4% of the voting interests of RBI. The RBI Preferred is entitled to dividends on a cumulative basis of 9% per annum plus an additional amount that is intended to produce an after-tax yield to Berkshire as if the dividends were paid by a U.S.-based company.

Note 7. Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

On June 7, 2013, Berkshire and an affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”), through a newly formed holding company, H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”), acquired H.J. Heinz Company (“Heinz”). Berkshire and 3G each made equity investments in Heinz Holding, which, together with debt financing obtained by Heinz Holding, was used to acquire Heinz.

Heinz is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz^® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta, infant foods, Ore-Ida^® potato products, Weight Watchers^® Smart Ones^® entrées and T.G.I. Friday’s^® snacks.

Berkshire’s initial investments consisted of 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock, warrants, which were exercised in June 2015, to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock at one cent per share, and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. The aggregate cost of these investments was $12.25 billion. 3G also acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. In addition, Heinz Holding reserved 39.6 million shares of common stock for issuance to its management and directors under equity grants, including stock options. At that time, Berkshire and 3G each owned 50% of the outstanding common stock of Heinz Holding.

10

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 7. Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company (Continued)

In March 2015, Heinz Holding and Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”) entered into a merger agreement under which Kraft shareholders were entitled to receive one share of newly issued Heinz Holding common stock for each share of Kraft common stock and a special cash dividend of $16.50 per share. Kraft is one of North America’s largest consumer packaged food and beverage companies, with annual revenues of more than $18 billion. The company’s iconic brands include Kraft, Capri Sun, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters and Velveeta. Upon consummation of the merger on July 2, 2015, Heinz Holding was renamed The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft Heinz”).

As of June 30, 2015, we owned approximately 52.5% of the outstanding common stock of Heinz Holding (hereinafter, “Kraft Heinz”). The Preferred Stock possesses no voting rights except as are required by law or for certain matters. The Preferred Stock is entitled to dividends at 9% per annum whether or not declared, is senior in priority to the common stock and is callable after June 7, 2016 at the liquidation value plus an applicable premium and any accrued and unpaid dividends. After June 7, 2021, Berkshire can cause Kraft Heinz to attempt to sell shares of common stock through public offerings or other issuances (“redemption offerings”), the proceeds of which would be required to be used to redeem any outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock. Kraft Heinz has announced its intention to call the Preferred Stock after June 7, 2016 and prior to June 7, 2017, although it has no obligation to do so.

We account for our investment in the common stock on the equity method. We include our proportionate share of net earnings attributable to common stockholders and other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. We account for our investment in the Preferred Stock as an equity investment and it is carried at cost in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Dividends earned on the Preferred Stock and our share of net earnings or loss attributable to common stockholders are included in interest, dividend and other investment income of Insurance and Other in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz follows (in millions).

	June 28,           2015		December 28,     2014
Assets	$	36,062	$	36,763
Liabilities		20,761		21,077

	Second quarter								First six months
	2015				2014				2015			2014
Sales		$	2,616			$	2,728			$	5,094		$	5,528
Net earnings (loss)		$	(164	)		$	127			$	112		$	322
Preferred stock dividends			(180	)			(180	)			(360)			(360	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(344	)		$	(53	)		$	(248)		$	(38	)
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders *		$	50			$	116			$	200		$	293

 * Includes dividends earned on Preferred Stock and Berkshire’s share of net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders, net of applicable income taxes.

On July 1, 2015, Berkshire acquired 262.9 million shares of newly issued common stock of Kraft Heinz for $5.26 billion and 3G acquired 237.1 million shares of newly issued common stock for $4.74 billion. Immediately thereafter, Kraft Heinz executed a reverse stock split at a rate of 0.443332 of a share for each share. Upon completion of these transactions, Berkshire owned approximately 325.4 million shares of Kraft Heinz common stock, or 52.5% of the then outstanding shares. Following the approval by the Kraft shareholders, the merger transaction closed on July 2, 2015 and Kraft Heinz issued approximately 592 million new shares of its common stock to the former Kraft shareholders. Upon completion of the merger, Berkshire and 3G owned approximately 51% of the outstanding Kraft Heinz common stock, with Berkshire owning approximately 26.9% and 3G owning 24.2%.

11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 7. Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company (Continued)

Following the consummation of the merger transaction with Kraft, we will continue to account for our investment in Kraft Heinz common stock under the equity method. As previously discussed, the issuance of new common stock by Kraft Heinz for Kraft common stock reduced our ownership of Kraft Heinz from approximately 52.5% to 26.9%. Under the equity method of accounting, the issuance of shares by an investee is accounted for by the investor as if the investor had sold a proportionate share of its investment. As a result, we currently expect to record a non-cash pre-tax holding gain of approximately $7 billion in the third quarter of 2015, representing the excess of the fair value of new Kraft Heinz common stock issued for Kraft common stock over our carrying value associated with the reduction in our ownership of Kraft Heinz.

Note 8. Investment gains/losses

Investment gains/losses, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses are summarized below (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Fixed maturity securities —
Gross gains	$	53		$	39		$	82		$	229
Gross losses		(46	)		(19	)		(84	)		(48	)
Equity securities —
Gross gains		342			2,391			448			3,395
Gross losses		(14	)		(3	)		(20	)		(3	)
OTTI losses		—			—			—			(19	)
Other		27			(42	)		33			(57	)
	$	362		$	2,366		$	459		$	3,497

Gains from equity securities in 2014 included non-cash holding gains of approximately $1.1 billion in the second quarter and $2.1 billion in the first six months from the exchange of Phillips 66 (“PSX”) common stock in connection with the acquisition of Phillips Specialty Products Inc. (subsequently renamed Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (“LSPI”)) and the exchange of Graham Holding Company (“GHC”) common stock for WPLG, Inc. (“WPLG”). The PSX/LSPI exchange was completed February 25, 2014 and the GHC/WPLG exchange was completed June 30, 2014. The holding gains represented the excess of the respective fair value of the net assets of LSPI and WPLG received over the respective cost basis of the PSX and GHC shares exchanged.

We record investments in equity and fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale at fair value and record the difference between fair value and cost in other comprehensive income. OTTI losses recognized in earnings represent reductions in the cost basis of the investment, but not the fair value. Accordingly, such losses that are included in earnings are generally offset by a credit to other comprehensive income, producing no net effect on shareholders’ equity as of the balance sheet date.

Note 9. Receivables

Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

	June 30,   2015				December 31, 2014
Insurance premiums receivable		$	9,001			$	7,914
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses			3,321				3,116
Trade and other receivables			12,607				11,133
Allowances for uncollectible accounts			(323	)			(311	)
		$	24,606			$	21,852

Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30,   2015				December 31, 2014
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts		$	13,040			$	13,150
Allowances for uncollectible loans			(195	)			(303	)
Unamortized acquisition discounts			(253	)			(281	)
		$	12,592			$	12,566

12

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 9. Receivables (Continued)

 Loans and finance receivables are predominantly installment loans originated or acquired by our manufactured housing business. Provisions for loan losses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 were $77 million and $94 million, respectively. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 were $93 million and $102 million, respectively. In 2015, we reclassified $93 million of allowances for uncollectible loans and related installment loan receivables that were in-substance foreclosures or repossessions to other assets. The reclassifications had no impact on earnings or cash flows. At June 30, 2015, approximately 98% of the loan balances were evaluated collectively for impairment. As a part of the evaluation process, credit quality indicators are reviewed and loans are designated as performing or non-performing. At June 30, 2015, approximately 99% of the loan balances were determined to be performing and approximately 96% of the loan balances were current as to payment status.

Note 10. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	June 30,   2015			December 31,  2014
Raw materials		$	1,855		$	1,881
Work in process and other			855			850
Finished manufactured goods			3,516			3,333
Goods acquired for resale			5,846			4,172
		$	12,072		$	10,236

Note 11. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

Property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses is summarized below (in millions).

	Range of   estimated useful life		June 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Land		—	$	1,503			$	1,171
Buildings and improvements		2 – 40 years		7,216				6,600
Machinery and equipment		3 – 25 years		16,688				16,413
Furniture, fixtures and other		2 – 18 years		3,585				3,136
				28,992				27,320
Accumulated depreciation				(13,600	)			(13,167)
			$	15,392			$	14,153

Depreciation expense of insurance and other businesses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 was $824 million and $797 million, respectively.

Property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses is summarized below (in millions).

	Range of  estimated useful life		June 30,      2015		December 31,  2014
Railroad:
Land		—	$	6,024	$	5,983
Track structure and other roadway		7 – 100 years		44,054		42,588
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment		6 – 40 years		10,414		9,493
Construction in progress		—		1,216		1,292
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system		5 – 80 years		66,158		64,645
Interstate pipeline assets		3 – 80 years		6,711		6,660
Independent power plants and other assets		3 – 30 years		5,565		5,035
Construction in progress		—		4,413		5,194
				144,555		140,890
Accumulated depreciation				(27,332)		(25,836)
			$	117,223	$	115,054

13

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 11. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Continued)

Railroad property, plant and equipment includes the land, other roadway, track structure and rolling stock (primarily locomotives and freight cars) of BNSF. The utility generation, distribution and transmission system and interstate pipeline assets are the regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. Depreciation expense of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 was $2,155 million and $1,924 million, respectively.

Assets held for lease and property, plant and equipment of our finance and financial products businesses are summarized below (in millions).

	Range of  estimated useful life		June 30,   2015		December 31,  2014
Assets held for lease		5 – 30 years	$	10,137		$	9,810
Land		—		224			227
Buildings, machinery and other		3 – 50 years		1,189			1,179
				11,550			11,216
Accumulated depreciation				(3,286)			(3,179)
			$	8,264		$	8,037

Assets held for lease includes railcars, intermodal tank containers, cranes, over-the-road trailers, storage units and furniture. Depreciation expense of the finance and financial products businesses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 was $296 million in each period.

Note 12. Goodwill and other intangible assets

The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the first six months of 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 is summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	60,714		$	57,011
Acquisitions of businesses		2,266			4,006
Other, including foreign currency translation		(181)			(303)
Balance at end of period	$	62,799		$	60,714

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Gross carrying amount			Accumulated  amortization			Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other		$	14,700		$	4,911		$	13,714		$	4,476
Railroad, utilities and energy			870			213			2,254			1,551
		$	15,570		$	5,124		$	15,968		$	6,027
Trademarks and trade names		$	3,057		$	651		$	3,117		$	599
Patents and technology			4,196			1,916			5,425			3,133
Customer relationships			5,439			1,947			5,603			1,768
Other			2,878			610			1,823			527
		$	15,570		$	5,124		$	15,968		$	6,027

In the first six months of 2015 and 2014, amortization expense was $537 million and $565 million, respectively. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $3,149 million and $2,586 million, respectively.

14

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 13. Derivative contracts

Derivative contracts have been entered into primarily through our finance and financial products and our energy businesses. Derivative contract liabilities associated with our finance and financial products businesses are concentrated in equity index put option and credit default contracts. A summary of those liabilities and related notional values follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015							December 31, 2014
	Liabilities			Notional   Value				Liabilities			Notional   Value
Equity index put options		$	3,387		$	28,367	(1)		$	4,560		$	29,469	(1)
Credit default			279			7,792	(2)			250			7,792	(2)
		$	3,666						$	4,810

⁽¹⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable assuming that the value of each index is zero at each contract’s expiration date. Certain of these contracts are denominated in foreign currencies. Notional amounts are based on the foreign currency exchange rates as of each balance sheet date.

⁽²⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable under the contracts assuming all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

The derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses are recorded at fair value and the changes in the fair values of such contracts are reported in earnings as derivative gains/losses. We entered into these contracts with the expectation that the premiums received would exceed the amounts ultimately paid to counterparties. A summary of the derivative gains/losses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter					First Six Months
	2015			2014		2015			2014
Equity index put options	$	(138	)	$	65	$	1,173		$	(67	)
Credit default		(36	)		84		(29	)		457
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—			6		—			1
	$	(174	)	$	155	$	1,144		$	391

The equity index put option contracts were written between 2004 and 2008. These contracts are European style options written on four major equity indexes and will expire between June 2018 and January 2026. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the underlying index value is below the strike price at the contract expiration date. We received the premiums on these contracts in full at the contract inception dates and therefore have no counterparty credit risk.

The aggregate intrinsic value (which is the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) of our equity index put option contracts was approximately $846 million at June 30, 2015 and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2014. However, these contracts may not be unilaterally terminated or fully settled before the expiration dates. Therefore, the ultimate amount of cash basis gains or losses on these contracts will not be determined for several years. The remaining weighted average life of all contracts was approximately 5.5 years at June 30, 2015.

Our remaining credit default contract was written in 2008 and relates to approximately 500 zero-coupon municipal debt issues with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2054. The underlying debt issues have a weighted average maturity of approximately 16.25 years. Pursuant to the contract terms, future loss payments are required in the event of non-payment by the issuer and non-performance by the primary financial guarantee insurers under their contracts with the issuers. Payments under our contract, if any, are not required prior to the maturity dates of the underlying obligations. The premium was received at the inception of this contract and therefore we have no counterparty credit risk.

A limited number of our equity index put option contracts contain collateral posting requirements with respect to changes in the fair value or intrinsic value of the contracts and/or a downgrade of Berkshire’s credit ratings. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we did not have any collateral posting requirements. If Berkshire’s credit ratings (currently AA from Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 from Moody’s) are downgraded below either A- by Standard & Poor’s or A3 by Moody’s, collateral of up to $1.1 billion could be required to be posted.

15

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 13. Derivative contracts (Continued)

Our regulated utility subsidiaries are exposed to variations in the prices of fuel required to generate electricity, wholesale electricity purchased and sold and natural gas supplied for customers. Derivative instruments, including forward purchases and sales, futures, swaps and options, are used to manage a portion of these price risks. Derivative contract assets are included in other assets of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $116 million and $108 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $227 million and $230 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses under the contracts of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery or refund through rates are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Unrealized gains or losses on contracts accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income or in net earnings, as appropriate.

Note 14. Supplemental cash flow information

A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 is presented in the following table (in millions).

	First Six Months
	2015		2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	1,128	$	2,151
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		185		181
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		1,319		1,209
Finance and financial products businesses		215		237
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions		—		2,478
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		2,478		1,038
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition		—		400

Note 15. Notes payable and other borrowings

Notes payable and other borrowings are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges shown in the following tables are based on borrowings as of June 30, 2015.

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30,   2015		December 31, 2014
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire due 2015-2047	2.2%	$	9,896	$	8,354
Short-term subsidiary borrowings	1.8%		2,102		839
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2015-2044	6.0%		2,748		2,701
		$	14,746	$	11,894

In March 2015, Berkshire issued €3.0 billion in senior unsecured notes consisting of €750 million of 0.75% senior notes due in 2023, €1.25 billion of 1.125% senior notes due in 2027 and €1.0 billion of 1.625% senior notes due in 2035. In February 2015, $1.7 billion of Berkshire senior notes matured.

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30,   2015		December 31,   2014
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2017-2045	5.1%	$	7,860	$	7,860
Subsidiary and other debt due 2015-2064	4.9%		28,493		28,439
Issued by BNSF due 2015-2097	4.9%		20,916		19,280
		$	57,269	$	55,579

16

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 15. Notes payable and other borrowings (Continued)

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 the debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily senior unsecured debentures. In March 2015, BNSF issued $1.5 billion of senior unsecured debentures consisting of $500 million of 3.0% debentures due in 2025 and $1.0 billion of 4.15% debentures due in 2045. In the second quarter of 2015, BNSF issued $500 million of amortizing debt with a final maturity date of 2028, which is secured with locomotives. As of June 30, 2015, BNSF and BHE and their subsidiaries were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants. Berkshire does not guarantee any debt, borrowings or lines of credit of BNSF, BHE or their subsidiaries.

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2015-2043	2.7%	$	11,178	$	11,178
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2015-2036	5.3%		1,385		1,558
		$	12,563	$	12,736

In January 2015, BHFC issued $1.0 billion of new senior notes consisting of $400 million floating rate senior notes that mature in 2017 and $600 million floating rate senior notes that mature in 2018, which replaced $1.0 billion of senior notes that matured. The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire.

As of June 30, 2015, our subsidiaries had unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity aggregating approximately $8.9 billion to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. Such unused lines of credit included about $5.3 billion related to BHE and its subsidiaries. In addition to BHFC’s borrowings, Berkshire has guaranteed other subsidiary borrowings, aggregating approximately $3.3 billion at June 30, 2015. 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 present and future payment obligations.

17

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16. Fair value measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are considered to be reasonable estimates of their fair values.

	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
June 30, 2015
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,725	$	3,725	$	2,691	$	1,034	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,833		1,833		—		1,833		—
Foreign governments		12,048		12,048		7,719		4,329		—
Corporate bonds		8,038		8,038		—		8,031		7
Mortgage-backed securities		1,795		1,795		—		1,795		—
Investments in equity securities		117,722		117,722		117,684		37		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock		7,710		8,672		—		—		8,672
Other investments		21,988		21,988		322		—		21,666
Loans and finance receivables		12,592		12,959		—		16		12,943
Derivative contract assets (1)		116		116		—		22		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		227		227		12		160		55
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		3,387		3,387		—		—		3,387
Credit default		279		279		—		—		279
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		14,746		14,853		—		14,853		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		57,269		62,513		—		62,513		—
Finance and financial products		12,563		13,009		—		12,501		508
December 31, 2014
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,930	$	2,930	$	2,264	$	666	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,912		1,912		—		1,912		—
Foreign governments		12,270		12,270		7,981		4,289		—
Corporate bonds		8,771		8,771		—		8,763		8
Mortgage-backed securities		1,753		1,753		—		1,753		—
Investments in equity securities		117,470		117,470		117,424		45		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock		7,710		8,416		—		—		8,416
Other investments		22,324		22,324		329		—		21,995
Loans and finance receivables		12,566		12,891		—		33		12,858
Derivative contract assets (1)		108		108		1		13		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		230		230		18		169		43
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,560		4,560		—		—		4,560
Credit default		250		250		—		—		250
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		11,894		12,484		—		12,484		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		55,579		62,802		—		62,802		—
Finance and financial products		12,736		13,417		—		12,846		571

⁽¹⁾  Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.

18

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16. Fair value measurements (Continued)

The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair values presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value. 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 we 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 pricing assets or liabilities.

Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ending June 30, 2015 and 2014 follow (in millions).

	Investments in fixed maturity securities				Investments in equity securities and other investments				Net derivative contract liabilities
Six months ending June 30, 2015
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	8			$	21,996			$	(4,759	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings			—				—				1,200
Other comprehensive income			—				(329	)			(3	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—				—				(17	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements			(1	)			—				(51	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3			—				—				3
Balance at June 30, 2015		$	7			$	21,667			$	(3,627	)
Six months ending June 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	372			$	17,958			$	(5,255	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings			—				—				369
Other comprehensive income			—				(31	)			4
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—				—				—
Dispositions and settlements			(1	)			—				1
Transfers into/out of Level 3			(56	)			—				(35	)
Balance at June 30, 2014		$	315			$	17,927			$	(4,916	)

Gains and losses included in earnings are included as components of investment gains/losses, derivative gains/losses and other revenues, as appropriate and are primarily related to changes in the values of derivative contracts and settlement transactions. Substantially all of the gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are included as components of the net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and the reclassification of investment appreciation in earnings, as appropriate in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

19

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16. Fair value measurements (Continued)

Quantitative information as of June 30, 2015, with respect to assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) follows (in millions).

	Fair value		Principal valuation techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Weighted Average
Other investments:
Preferred stocks	$	15,002	Discounted cash flow	Expected duration	7 years
				Discount for transferability  restrictions and subordination	134 basis points
Common stock warrants		6,664	Warrant pricing model	Discount for transferability  and hedging restrictions	7%
Net derivative liabilities:
Equity index put options		3,387	Option pricing model	Volatility	21%
Credit default		279	Discounted cash flow	Credit spreads	41 basis points

Other investments consist of preferred stocks and common stock warrants that we acquired in a few relatively large private placement transactions. These investments are subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and may contain provisions that prevent us from economically hedging our investments. In applying discounted estimated cash flow techniques in valuing the perpetual preferred stocks, we made assumptions regarding the expected durations of the investments, as the issuers may have the right to redeem or convert these investments. We also made estimates regarding the impact of subordination, as the preferred stocks have a lower priority in liquidation than debt instruments of the issuers. In valuing the common stock warrants, we used a warrant valuation model. While most of the inputs to the model are observable, we are subject to the aforementioned contractual restrictions and we have applied discounts with respect to such restrictions. Increases or decreases to these inputs would result in decreases or increases to the fair values of the investments.

Our equity index put option and credit default contracts are illiquid and contain contract terms that are not standard in derivatives markets. For example, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts and many contracts have relatively long durations. For these and other reasons, we classified these contracts as Level 3. The methods we use to value these contracts are those that we believe market participants would use in determining exchange prices with respect to our contracts.

We value equity index put option contracts based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Inputs to this model include index price, contract duration, dividend and interest rate inputs (including a Berkshire non-performance input) which are observable. However, we believe that the valuation of long-duration options using any model is inherently subjective and, given the lack of observable transactions and prices, acceptable values may be subject to wide ranges. Expected volatility inputs represent our expectations, which consider the remaining duration of each contract and assume that the contracts will remain outstanding until the expiration dates without offsetting transactions occurring in the interim. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

20

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 17. Common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first six months of 2015 are shown in the table below.

	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
Balance at December 31, 2014		838,019		(11,680)		826,339		1,226,265,250		(1,409,762)		1,224,855,488
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(14,481)		—		(14,481)		22,142,067		—		22,142,067
Balance at June 30, 2015		823,538		(11,680)		811,858		1,248,407,317		(1,409,762)		1,246,997,555

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 equivalent 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 1,643,190 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and 1,642,909 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued and outstanding.

Berkshire’s Board of Directors (“Berkshire’s Board”) has approved a common stock repurchase program under which Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares. Berkshire may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Berkshire’s Board authorization does not specify a maximum number of shares to be repurchased. However, repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash and cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. The repurchase program does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares and there is no expiration date to the program. There were no share repurchases under the program in the first six months of 2015.

21

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 18. Accumulated other comprehensive income

A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders and significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the six months ending June 30, 2015 and 2014 follows (in millions).

	Unrealized appreciation of  investments, net				Foreign currency translation				Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans				Other				Accumulated other comprehensive income
Six months ending June 30, 2015
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	45,636			$	(1,957	)		$	(1,039	)		$	92			$	42,732
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications			(2,306	)			(787	)			(6	)			(100	)			(3,199	)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income			(127	)			—				8				3				(116	)
Balance at June 30, 2015		$	43,203			$	(2,744	)		$	(1,037	)		$	(5	)		$	39,417
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other		$	(194	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(194	)
Finance and financial products			(1	)			—				—				—				(1	)
Other			—				—				15				9				24
Reclassifications before income taxes			(195	)			—				15				9				(171	)
Applicable income taxes			(68	)			—				7				6				(55	)
		$	(127	)		$	—			$	8			$	3			$	(116	)

	Unrealized appreciation of  investments, net				Foreign currency translation				Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans				Other				Accumulated other comprehensive income
Six months ending June 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	44,042			$	(146	)		$	46			$	83			$	44,025
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications			3,378				247				(31	)			(3	)			3,591
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income			(2,242	)			47				27				(27	)			(2,195	)
Balance at June 30, 2014		$	45,178			$	148			$	42			$	53			$	45,421
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other		$	(3,377	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(3,377	)
Finance and financial products			(72	)			—				—				—				(72	)
Other			—				47				36				(45	)			38
Reclassifications before income taxes			(3,449	)			47				36				(45	)			(3,411	)
Applicable income taxes			(1,207	)			—				9				(18	)			(1,216	)
		$	(2,242	)		$	47			$	27			$	(27	)		$	(2,195	)

22

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 19. Contingencies and Commitments

We are parties in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. We do not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Berkshire and certain of its subsidiaries are also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines and penalties. We believe that any liability that may arise as a result of other pending legal actions will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

On November 13, 2014, Berkshire entered into a definitive agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”) whereby it will acquire the Duracell battery business from P&G. Pursuant to the agreement, in exchange for a recapitalized Duracell Company, which will include approximately $1.7 billion in cash at closing, P&G will receive shares of its common stock currently held by Berkshire subsidiaries having a fair value at June 30, 2015 of approximately $4.1 billion. The transaction is currently expected to close in the first quarter of 2016 and is subject to obtaining various regulatory approvals as well as certain other customary closing conditions.

We own a 50% interest in a joint venture, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC (“Berkadia”), with Leucadia National Corporation (“Leucadia”) owning the other 50% interest. Berkadia is a servicer of commercial real estate loans in the U.S., performing primary, master and special servicing functions for U.S. government agency programs, commercial mortgage-backed securities transactions, banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. A significant source of funding for Berkadia’s operations is through the issuance of commercial paper. Repayment of the commercial paper is supported by a $2.5 billion surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Leucadia has agreed to indemnify us for one-half of any losses incurred under the policy. On June 30, 2015, the aggregate amount of Berkadia commercial paper outstanding was $2.47 billion.

Note 20. Business segment data

Revenues by segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	5,619		$	5,081		$	11,004		$	9,965
General Re		1,494			1,610			2,992			3,167
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		1,978			1,583			3,425			3,605
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,309			1,049			2,519			2,002
Investment income		1,338			1,501			2,428			2,452
Total insurance group		11,738			10,824			22,368			21,191
BNSF		5,369			5,735			10,971			11,182
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		4,543			4,185			8,874			8,491
McLane Company		12,293			11,722			23,936			22,176
Manufacturing		9,524			9,613			18,387			18,254
Service and retailing		6,294			3,605			10,815			6,963
Finance and financial products		1,799			1,642			3,353			3,077
		51,560			47,326			98,704			91,334
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		188			2,521			1,603			3,888
Eliminations and other		(380	)		(85	)		(295	)		(7	)
	$	51,368		$	49,762		$	100,012		$	95,215

23

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 20. Business segment data (Continued)

Earnings before income taxes by segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	53		$	393		$	213		$	746
General Re		107			116			60			196
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(411	)		(9	)		48			174
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		203			137			378			236
Investment income		1,334			1,498			2,421			2,444
Total insurance group		1,286			2,135			3,120			3,796
BNSF		1,536			1,472			3,208			2,641
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		649			578			1,245			1,197
McLane Company		147			126			278			241
Manufacturing		1,393			1,369			2,598			2,437
Service and retailing		498			453			882			740
Finance and financial products		550			422			994			794
		6,059			6,555			12,325			11,846
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		188			2,521			1,603			3,888
Interest expense, not allocated to segments		(189	)		(77	)		(308	)		(154	)
Eliminations and other		(212	)		(83	)		(127	)		(66	)
	$	5,846		$	8,916		$	13,493		$	15,514

24

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

Net earnings 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. Amounts are in millions.

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Insurance – underwriting	$	(38	)	$	411		$	442		$	872
Insurance – investment income		977			1,131			1,852			1,851
Railroad		963			916			2,008			1,640
Utilities and energy		502			375			923			827
Manufacturing, service and retailing		1,309			1,264			2,432			2,197
Finance and financial products		370			280			659			518
Investment and derivative gains/losses		123			2,064			1,043			3,236
Other		(193	)		(46	)		(182	)		(41	)
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	4,013		$	6,395		$	9,177		$	11,100

Through our subsidiaries, we engage in a number of diverse business activities. Our operating businesses are managed on an unusually decentralized basis. There are essentially no centralized or integrated business functions (such as sales, marketing, purchasing, legal or human resources) and there is minimal involvement by our corporate headquarters in the day-to-day business activities of the operating businesses. Berkshire’s 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. It also is responsible for establishing and monitoring Berkshire’s corporate governance practices, including, but not limited to, communicating the appropriate “tone at the top” messages to its employees and associates, monitoring governance efforts, including those at the operating businesses, and participating in the resolution of governance-related issues as needed. The business segment data (Note 20 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements) should be read in conjunction with this discussion.

Our insurance businesses generated after-tax losses from underwriting in the second quarter of $38 million and after-tax earnings in the first six months of 2015 of $442 million, representing declines from the corresponding 2014 periods. Underwriting results in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 of GEICO and BHRG declined significantly from 2014. Our railroad business generated higher after-tax earnings in 2015 compared to 2014. Results in 2015 were positively impacted by improved service levels and lower fuel and other operating expenses as compared to 2014, partially offset by softening demand during the second quarter. Our utility and energy business produced increased after-tax earnings in the first six months of 2015. Earnings in 2015 benefitted from the inclusion of AltaLink (acquired in December 2014) and an overall lower effective income tax rate. After-tax earnings from our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses in the first six months of 2015 increased 11% in the aggregate over the first six months of 2014, reflecting the impact of business acquisitions and an overall earnings increase in our building products businesses.

After-tax investment and derivative gains/losses in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $123 million and $1.04 billion, respectively, compared to $2.06 billion in the second quarter and $3.24 billion in the first six months of 2014. In 2015, after-tax gains from investments declined approximately $1.7 billion in the second quarter and $2.7 billion in the first six months as compared to 2014. The declines reflected the impact of after-tax gains recorded in 2014 (approximately $1.1 billion in the second quarter and $2.0 billion in the first six months) related to the exchanges of Phillips 66 and Graham Holdings Company common stocks for a specified subsidiary of each of those companies, as well as lower investment gains in 2015 from other investment dispositions. In 2015, derivative contracts produced after-tax losses of $113 million in the second quarter and after-tax gains of $744 million for the first six months. In 2014, after-tax gains from our derivatives contracts were $101 million in the second quarter and $254 million in the first six months. We believe that investment and derivative gains/losses are often meaningless in terms of understanding our reported results or evaluating our economic performance. These gains and losses have caused and will likely continue to cause significant volatility in our periodic earnings.

Insurance—Underwriting

We engage in both primary insurance and reinsurance of property/casualty, life and health risks. In primary insurance activities, we assume defined portions of the risks of loss from persons or organizations that are directly subject to the risks. In reinsurance activities, we assume defined portions of similar or dissimilar risks that other insurers or reinsurers have assumed in their own insuring activities. Our insurance and reinsurance businesses are: (1) GEICO, (2) General Re, (3) Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) and (4) Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group.

25

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

Our management views insurance businesses as possessing two distinct operations – underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers; investing decisions, with limited exceptions, are the responsibility of Berkshire’s Chairman and CEO, Warren E. Buffett. Accordingly, we evaluate performance of underwriting operations without any allocation of investment income or investment gains.

The timing and amount of catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in our periodic underwriting results, particularly with respect to BHRG and General Re. We define pre-tax losses in excess of $100 million from a single event or series of related events as significant. In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, we had one significant catastrophe loss ($115 million). In the first six months of 2014, there were no significant catastrophe losses. Our periodic underwriting results may be affected significantly by changes in estimates for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including amounts established for occurrences in prior years. Actual claim settlements and revised loss estimates will develop over time. Unpaid loss estimates recorded as of the balance sheet date will develop upward or downward in future periods, producing a corresponding decrease or increase to pre-tax earnings.

Our periodic underwriting results may also include significant foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising primarily from the changes in the valuation of non-U.S. Dollar denominated reinsurance assets and liabilities of our U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Historically, currency exchange rates have been volatile and the resulting impact on our underwriting earnings has been relatively significant. These gains and losses are included in underwriting expenses.

A key marketing strategy of our insurance businesses is the maintenance of extraordinary capital strength. A measure of capital strength is combined shareholders’ equity determined pursuant to statutory accounting rules (“Statutory Surplus”). Statutory Surplus of our insurance businesses was approximately $129 billion at December 31, 2014. This superior capital strength creates opportunities, especially with respect to reinsurance activities, to negotiate and enter into insurance and reinsurance contracts specially designed to meet the unique needs of insurance and reinsurance buyers. Underwriting results from our insurance businesses are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015		2014
Underwriting gain (loss) attributable to:
GEICO	$	53		$	393		$	213	$	746
General Re		107			116			60		196
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(411	)		(9	)		48		174
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		203			137			378		236
Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)		(48	)		637			699		1,352
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		(10	)		226			257		480
Net underwriting gain (loss)	$	(38	)	$	411		$	442	$	872

GEICO

Through GEICO, we primarily write private passenger automobile insurance, offering coverages to insureds in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. GEICO’s policies are marketed mainly by direct response methods in which customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet or over the telephone. This is a significant element in our strategy to be a low-cost auto insurer. In addition, we strive to provide excellent customer service, with the goal of establishing long-term customer relationships. GEICO’s underwriting results are summarized below. Dollars are in millions.

	Second Quarter								First Six Months
	2015				2014				2015				2014
	Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%
Premiums written	$	5,591			$	4,996			$	11,477			$	10,335
Premiums earned	$	5,619		100.0	$	5,081		100.0	$	11,004		100.0	$	9,965		100.0
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		4,699		83.6		3,881		76.4		9,015		81.9		7,582		76.1
Underwriting expenses		867		15.4		807		15.9		1,776		16.1		1,637		16.4
Total losses and expenses		5,566		99.0		4,688		92.3		10,791		98.0		9,219		92.5
Pre-tax underwriting gain	$	53			$	393			$	213			$	746

26

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

GEICO (Continued)

Premiums written in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 increased 11.9% and 11.0%, respectively, over premiums written in the comparable 2014 periods. Premiums earned in the second quarter of 2015 were $5.6 billion, an increase of $538 million (10.6%) over 2014 and in the first six months were $11.0 billion, an increase of $1,039 million (10.4%) over 2014. These increases reflected an increase in voluntary auto policies-in-force of 6.5% and increased average premiums per policy of approximately 3.7% over the past twelve months. Voluntary auto new business sales in the first six months of 2015 exceeded the first six months of 2014 by 2.3%. Over the first six months of 2015, voluntary auto policies-in-force increased by 526,000 policies.

In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, our pre-tax underwriting gains were $53 million and $213 million, respectively, representing declines of $340 million and $533 million, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014. In the first quarter Report, we indicated we experienced increases in claims frequencies and severities in several of our major coverages. Those trends continued during the second quarter. Our loss ratio, which is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred to premiums earned, for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 was 83.6% and 81.9%, respectively, as compared to 76.4% and 76.1% in the comparable 2014 periods. As a result, we are implementing premium rate increases as needed.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $4.7 billion and $9.0 billion, respectively, representing increases of $818 million (21.1%) and $1,433 million (18.9%), respectively, over the corresponding 2014 periods. Claims frequencies in the first six months of 2015 increased over 2014 in all major coverages, including collision coverage (three to four percent range), property damage and bodily injury coverages (five to six percent range) and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage (one to two percent range). Average claims severities were also higher in the first six months of 2015 for property damage and collision coverages (four to five percent range), bodily injury coverage (six to seven percent range) and PIP coverage (two to four percent range). Underwriting expenses in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 exceeded expenses in the corresponding 2014 periods by $60 million (7.4%) and $139 million (8.5%), respectively. The increases were primarily attributable to costs incurred to generate the increase in policies-in-force, as well as increases in certain other operating expenses.

General Re

Through General Re, we conduct a reinsurance business offering property and casualty and life and health coverages to clients worldwide. We write property and casualty reinsurance in North America on a direct basis through General Reinsurance Corporation and internationally through Germany-based General Reinsurance AG and other wholly-owned affiliates. Property and casualty reinsurance is also written in broker markets through Faraday in London. Life and health reinsurance is written in North America through General Re Life Corporation and internationally through General Reinsurance AG. General Re strives to generate underwriting profits in essentially all of its product lines. Our management does not evaluate underwriting performance based upon market share and our underwriters are instructed to reject inadequately priced risks. General Re’s underwriting results are summarized in the following table. Amounts are in millions.

	Premiums written								Premiums earned								Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)
	Second Quarter				First Six Months				Second Quarter				First Six Months				Second Quarter				First Six Months
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015			2014
Property/casualty	$	496	$	635	$	1,679	$	2,040	$	706	$	799	$	1,436	$	1,587	$	88	$	70	$	74		$	171
Life/health		785		806		1,552		1,572		788		811		1,556		1,580		19		46		(14	)		25
	$	1,281	$	1,441	$	3,231	$	3,612	$	1,494	$	1,610	$	2,992	$	3,167	$	107	$	116	$	60		$	196

Property/casualty

In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, property/casualty premiums written declined $139 million (22%) and $361 million (18%), respectively, while premiums earned decreased $93 million (12%) and $151 million (10%), respectively, compared to 2014. Adjusting for changes in foreign currency exchange rates, premiums written in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 declined $117 million (18%) and $177 million (9%), respectively, while premiums earned decreased $25 million (3%) and $13 million (1%), respectively, compared to 2014. Our premium volume declined in both the direct and broker markets worldwide. Insurance industry capacity remains high and price competition in most property/casualty reinsurance markets persists. We continue to decline business when we believe prices are inadequate. However, we remain prepared to write more business when more appropriate prices can be attained relative to the risks assumed.

27

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

General Re (Continued)

Property/casualty (Continued)

In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, our property/casualty business produced aggregate pre-tax underwriting gains of $88 million and $74 million, respectively, compared to gains of $70 million and $171 million in the second quarter and the first six months of 2014, respectively. In the first six months of 2015, our property business generated pre-tax underwriting gains of $99 million compared to $198 million in the first six months of 2014. The comparative decrease in property underwriting gains was driven by an increase in current accident year reported losses. The results in both years benefitted from reductions of estimated losses for prior years’ exposures. There were no major catastrophe events during the first six months of 2015 or 2014. The timing and magnitude of catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in our periodic underwriting results.

In the first six months of 2015 and 2014, our casualty/workers’ compensation business produced pre-tax underwriting losses of $25 million and $27 million, respectively. Underwriting results included gains from reductions of estimated losses on prior years’ business of $106 million and $121 million in the first six months of 2015 and 2014, respectively, which includes recurring charges for discount accretion on workers’ compensation liabilities and deferred charge amortization on retroactive reinsurance contracts. Casualty losses tend to be long-tail and it should not be assumed that favorable loss experience in a given period means that the ultimate liability estimates currently established will continue to develop favorably.

Life/health

In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, life/health premiums earned decreased $23 million (3%) and $24 million (2%), respectively, compared to 2014. Adjusting for changes in foreign currency exchange rates, premiums earned in 2015 increased $47 million (6%) in the second quarter and $109 million (7%) in the first six months compared to 2014. In 2015, life business increased across a number of non-U.S. markets, particularly in Canada and Asia as compared to 2014.

Our life/health business produced aggregate pre-tax underwriting gains of $19 million in the second quarter and losses of $14 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to gains of $46 million and $25 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2014, respectively. In 2015, we experienced greater than expected loss activity from our North America operations. In addition, our international underwriting results were adversely affected in 2015 by foreign exchange losses and an increase in liabilities for life benefits as a result of the reduction of certain discount rates. Underwriting results for both years also reflected charges attributable to discount accretion on U.S. long-term care liabilities.

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group

Through BHRG, we underwrite excess-of-loss reinsurance and quota-share coverages on property and casualty risks for insurers and reinsurers worldwide, including property catastrophe insurance and reinsurance. The timing and magnitude of catastrophe losses can produce extraordinary volatility in the periodic underwriting results. BHRG also writes retroactive reinsurance, which provides indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events arising under property/casualty coverages. BHRG also writes life reinsurance and annuity insurance and reinsurance contracts. BHRG’s underwriting results are summarized in the table below. Amounts are in millions.

	Premiums written								Premiums earned								Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)
	Second Quarter				First Six Months				Second Quarter				First Six Months				Second Quarter					First Six Months
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014			2015			2014
Property/casualty	$	675	$	1,118	$	2,049	$	2,520	$	911	$	883	$	1,827	$	2,087	$	(137)	$	198		$	394		$	489
Retroactive reinsurance		3		1		3		226		3		1		3		226		(131)		(108	)		(257	)		(161	)
Life and annuity		1,064		699		1,595		1,292		1,064		699		1,595		1,292		(143)		(99	)		(89	)		(154	)
	$	1,742	$	1,818	$	3,647	$	4,038	$	1,978	$	1,583	$	3,425	$	3,605	$	(411)	$	(9	)	$	48		$	174

28

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (Continued)

Property/casualty

Premiums written in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 declined $443 million (40%) and $471 million (19%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2014. Premiums earned in the first six months of 2015 declined 12% versus 2014. Approximately 37% of year-to-date property/casualty premiums written in 2015 were attributable to three contracts. Our volume remains constrained for most property/casualty coverages, and for property catastrophe coverages in particular, as rates, in our view, are generally inadequate. However, we have the capacity and desire to write substantially more business when appropriate pricing can be obtained. In the third quarter of 2015, a new 10-year 20% quota-share contract with Insurance Australia Group Ltd. (“IAG”) will become effective. In its most recently published financial statements for the six months ending December 31, 2014, IAG reported gross written premiums of approximately 5.6 billion Australian Dollars

The property/casualty business generated pre-tax underwriting losses in 2015 of $137 million in the second quarter and pre-tax gains of $394 million in the first six months. In April 2015, we incurred losses of approximately $115 million from a storm loss in Australia. In the first six months of 2014, there were no significant catastrophe losses. Underwriting results in 2015 also included foreign currency transaction losses of $167 million in the second quarter, which offset $167 million of gains in the first quarter. In the first six months of 2014, foreign currency transaction losses were $99 million. These foreign currency transaction gains and losses relate to reinsurance liabilities of certain of our domestic insurance subsidiaries which are denominated in foreign currencies (primarily arising under retroactive reinsurance contracts). In the first six months of 2015 and 2014, underwriting results included gains from the reduction of prior years’ estimated loss reserves.

Retroactive reinsurance

Retroactive reinsurance contracts provide indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events, and related claims are generally expected to be paid over long periods of time. Premiums and limits of indemnification are often very large in amount. At the inception of a contract, deferred charge assets are recorded for the excess, if any, of the estimated ultimate losses payable over the premiums earned. Deferred charges are subsequently amortized over the estimated claims payment period using the interest method, which reflects estimates of the timing and amount of loss payments. The original estimates of the timing and amount of loss payments are periodically analyzed against actual experience and revised based on an actuarial evaluation of the expected remaining losses. Amortization charges and deferred charge adjustments resulting from changes to the estimated timing and amount of future loss payments are included in periodic earnings.

Pre-tax underwriting losses from retroactive contracts in the first six months of 2015 were $257 million compared to $161 million in 2014. There were no significant increases or decreases to estimated ultimate losses related to prior years’ contracts during the first six months of 2015. The increase in underwriting losses in 2015 was primarily related to amortization of deferred charges on contracts written in the last half of 2014 and from the impact of gains in the first quarter of 2014 from the commutations of two contracts. Gross unpaid losses from retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $23.4 billion at June 30, 2015 and $24.3 billion at December 31, 2014. Unamortized deferred charges related to BHRG’s retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $7.4 billion at June 30, 2015 and $7.7 billion at December 31, 2014. As previously indicated, the amortization of deferred charge balances will be charged to pre-tax earnings in the future.

Life and annuity

Life and annuity premiums written and earned in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $1,064 million and $1,595 million, respectively, or increases of $365 million (52%) and $303 million (23%), respectively, over the corresponding 2014 periods. The increases were primarily attributable to an annuity reinsurance contract written in the second quarter of 2015, for which we received an upfront premium of approximately $425 million. Annuity payments under this contract are not expected to begin for several years. Otherwise, during the first six months of 2015, premiums from life reinsurance contracts and structured settlement annuities declined as compared to the same period in 2014.

29

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (Continued)

Life and annuity (Continued)

In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, the life and annuity business produced pre-tax underwriting losses of $143 million and $89 million, respectively, compared to pre-tax losses of $99 million in the second quarter and $154 million in the first six months of 2014. Structured settlement and traditional periodic payment annuity reinsurance contracts produced pre-tax underwriting losses of $164 million in the second quarter and $153 million in the first six months of 2015, compared to losses of $91 million in the second quarter and $165 million in the first six months of 2014. The losses related to these contracts included foreign currency transaction losses of $92 million in the second quarter and $7 million in the first six months of 2015, compared to losses of $29 million in the second quarter and $40 million in the first six months of 2014. Generally, all of the premiums under our structured settlement and annuity reinsurance contracts are received at inception and payments to policyholders are made over time, often extending for decades. The liabilities recorded for such contracts are discounted and the periodic underwriting results include the recurring impact of the accretion of the discounted liabilities. Aggregate annuity liabilities were approximately $8.2 billion at June 30, 2015 and $7.1 billion at December 31, 2014.

In the first six months of 2015, our life and annuity business generated pre-tax gains from variable annuity guarantee contracts of $132 million compared to pre-tax losses of $35 million in the first six months of 2014. The gains in 2015 were primarily attributable to the impacts of higher equity markets and interest rates which resulted in reductions of our liabilities for guaranteed minimum benefits. Periodic results from these contracts can be volatile reflecting changes in investment markets, which impact the underlying insured exposures. These gains were partially offset by underwriting losses from our life reinsurance contracts, which were primarily due to losses in connection with business that was terminated.

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group

The Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (“BH Primary”) consists of a wide variety of independently managed insurance businesses. These businesses include: Medical Protective Company and Princeton Insurance Company, providers of healthcare malpractice insurance coverages; National Indemnity Company’s primary group (“NICO Primary”), writers of commercial motor vehicle and general liability coverages; U.S. Investment Corporation, whose subsidiaries underwrite specialty insurance coverages; a group of companies referred to as Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (“BHHC”), providers of commercial multi-line insurance, including workers’ compensation; Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (“BH Specialty”), which concentrates on providing large scale insurance solutions for commercial property and casualty risks; Applied Underwriters, a provider of integrated workers’ compensation solutions; Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (“GUARD”), providers of workers’ compensation and commercial property and casualty insurance coverage to small and mid-sized businesses; and Central States Indemnity Company, a provider of credit and Medicare Supplement insurance.

Premiums earned in the first six months of 2015 and 2014 aggregated $2.5 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to volume increases from BH Specialty, NICO Primary, BHHC and GUARD. The BH Primary insurers produced aggregate pre-tax underwriting gains of $378 million in the first six months of 2015 and $236 million in 2014. Loss ratios for this group were 58% in the first six months of 2015 and 61% in 2014. Overall, the claim environment in recent years has been favorable. However, these primary insurers write primarily liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and related claims settlements may occur over lengthy time periods. It should not be assumed that the current claim experience, loss ratios or favorable underwriting results will continue into the future.

Insurance—Investment Income

A summary of net investment income generated by our insurance operations follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Second Quarter				First Six Months
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Investment income before taxes and noncontrolling interests	$	1,334	$	1,498	$	2,421	$	2,444
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		357		367		569		593
Net investment income	$	977	$	1,131	$	1,852	$	1,851

30

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Insurance—Investment Income (Continued)

Investment income consists of interest and dividends earned on cash and investments of our insurance businesses. Pre-tax investment income in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 was $1,334 million and $2,421 million, respectively, or decreases of $164 million (11%) and $23 million (1%) from the same periods in 2014. The decrease in the second quarter was primarily attributable to declines in dividends earned from common stocks and from interest earned on fixed maturity investments, which more than offset the impact of dividends earned from our investment in Restaurant Brands International, Inc. 9% Preferred Stock ($3 billion stated value). Our insurance businesses continue to hold significant cash and cash equivalent balances (approximately $42.8 billion as of June 30, 2015) earning very low yields. We believe that maintaining ample liquidity is paramount and we insist on safety over yield with respect to cash and cash equivalents.

Invested assets derive from shareholder capital and reinvested earnings as well as net liabilities under insurance contracts or “float.” The major components of float are unpaid losses, life, annuity and health benefit liabilities, unearned premiums and other liabilities to policyholders less premium and reinsurance receivables, deferred charges assumed under retroactive reinsurance contracts and deferred policy acquisition costs. Float approximated $85.1 billion at June 30, 2015 and $84.0 billion at December 31, 2014.

A summary of cash and investments held in our insurance businesses follows. Other investments include our investments in The Dow Chemical Company, Bank of America Corporation and Restaurant Brands International, Inc. See Note 6 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Amounts are in millions.

	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$	42,778	$	42,760
Equity securities		110,159		114,876
Fixed maturity securities		24,859		26,010
Other investments		16,183		16,346
	$	193,979	$	199,992

Fixed maturity securities held by our insurance businesses as of June 30, 2015 were as follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Amortized cost		Unrealized gains/losses		Carrying value
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,615	$	16	$	3,631
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,622		81		1,703
Foreign governments		10,135		219		10,354
Corporate bonds, investment grade		5,309		523		5,832
Corporate bonds, non-investment grade		1,509		377		1,886
Mortgage-backed securities		1,286		167		1,453
	$	23,476	$	1,383	$	24,859

U.S. government obligations are rated AA+ or Aaa by the major rating agencies and approximately 87% of all state, municipal and political subdivisions, foreign government obligations and mortgage-backed securities were rated AA or higher. Non-investment grade securities represent securities that are rated below BBB- or Baa3. Foreign government securities include obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by national or provincial government entities.

Railroad (“BNSF”)

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (“BNSF”) operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America with approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF’s major business groups are classified by type of product shipped and include consumer products, coal, industrial products and agricultural products. Earnings of BNSF are summarized in the table that follows (in millions).

31

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Railroad (“BNSF”) (Continued)

	Second Quarter				First Six Months
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Revenues	$	5,369	$	5,735	$	10,971	$	11,182
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits		1,268		1,234		2,606		2,452
Fuel		697		1,156		1,410		2,315
Purchased services		628		634		1,276		1,287
Depreciation and amortization		489		523		985		1,038
Equipment rents, materials and other		523		510		1,041		1,047
Total operating expenses		3,605		4,057		7,318		8,139
Interest expense		228		206		445		402
		3,833		4,263		7,763		8,541
Pre-tax earnings		1,536		1,472		3,208		2,641
Income taxes		573		556		1,200		1,001
Net earnings	$	963	$	916	$	2,008	$	1,640

Consolidated revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were approximately $5.4 billion and $11.0 billion, respectively, representing decreases of $366 million (6%) and $211 million (2%), respectively, compared to 2014. The overall year-to-date decline in freight revenues reflected lower average revenue per car/unit (3%) and relatively flat volumes. The decrease in average revenue per car/unit was driven by lower fuel surcharges of $666 million (45%), partially offset by increased rate per car/unit and changes in business mix. Pre-tax earnings in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $1.5 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, which increased $64 million (4%) and $567 million (21%), respectively, over 2014. Results in the second quarter and the first six months of 2015 benefitted from improved operating performance. However, during 2015, we have experienced softening of demand for energy related products, which has negatively impacted freight volumes.

Our operating performance in 2014 was substandard as we experienced significant service related challenges over most of the year. We attribute the operational improvements in 2015 to capacity added through capital investments for line expansion, system improvement projects, additional equipment, new employee hires and other operational initiatives, as well as from more favorable winter weather conditions. Overall, our average train speeds and our on-time performance in 2015 improved considerably over 2014.

In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, freight revenues from industrial products were $1.4 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively, which decreased 10% and 4%, from the comparable 2014 periods. The declines reflected lower volumes (7% in the second quarter and 2% for the first six months) primarily due to the impact of lower crude oil prices, which resulted in lower freight volume for petroleum products and frac sand.

Freight revenues from agricultural products decreased 5% to approximately $0.9 billion for the second quarter of 2015, reflecting a 3% decrease in volumes attributable to stronger global competition for export grains and lower demand for fertilizer, partially offset by increased shipments of domestic grains. Agricultural products revenues increased 7% to approximately $2.1 billion for the first six months of 2015, primarily due to a 6% increase in volume.

Freight revenues from coal during the second quarter and first six months of 2015 decreased 8% to $1.1 billion and 2% to $2.4 billion, respectively, compared to the corresponding 2014 periods. In 2015, coal volumes decreased 1% in the second quarter but increased 3% for the first six months versus the corresponding 2014 periods.

Freight revenues from consumer products during the second quarter of 2015 were $1.7 billion, a decline of 6% from 2014 and for the first six months were $3.2 billion, a decline of 8% from 2014. Revenues in the first six months of 2015 reflected a 4% decline in year-to-date international intermodal volume attributable to diversions of freight from U.S. West Coast ports to other import gateways as a result of the port productivity slow-down from port labor disruptions in the first quarter of 2015. In the second quarter of 2015, we experienced increased volumes, as port productivity improvements allowed the backlog to clear.

32

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Railroad (“BNSF”) (Continued)

Operating expenses in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $3.6 billion and $7.3 billion, decreases of $452 million (11%) and $821 million (10%), respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, operating expenses as a percentage of revenues declined 3.6 percentage points to 67.1% and 6.1 percentage points to 66.7%, respectively, compared to 2014. Compensation and benefits expenses increased $34 million (3%) for the second quarter and $154 million (6%) for the first six months of 2015 compared to the same periods of the prior year, primarily due to increased employment levels and wage rates. Fuel expenses declined $459 million (40%) for the second quarter and $905 million (39%) for the first six months of 2015 as compared with the same periods in the prior year due to significantly lower average fuel prices and improved fuel efficiency. In the second quarter and first six months of 2015, depreciation and amortization expense declined $34 million (7%) and $53 million (5%), respectively, compared to the same periods of the prior year, as a result of lower capitalized software amortization expenses, partially offset by increased depreciation expense on increased levels of railroad assets in service.

Interest expense in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 was $228 million and $445 million, respectively, representing increases of $22 million (11%), and $43 million (11%), respectively, compared to 2014. BNSF funds its capital expenditures with cash flow from operations and new debt issuances. The increased interest expense in 2015 resulted from higher average outstanding debt.

Utilities and Energy (“Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company”)

We hold an 89.9% ownership interest in Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”), which operates an international energy business. BHE’s domestic regulated utility interests are currently comprised of PacifiCorp, MidAmerican Energy Company (“MEC”), and NV Energy. In Great Britain, BHE subsidiaries operate two regulated electricity distribution businesses referred to as Northern Powergrid. BHE also owns two domestic regulated interstate natural gas pipeline companies. BHE acquired AltaLink, L.P. (“AltaLink”), a regulated electricity transmission-only business in Alberta, Canada, on December 1, 2014. AltaLink’s revenues and earnings in 2015 are included in other energy businesses. In addition, BHE also operates a diversified portfolio of independent power projects and the second-largest residential real estate brokerage firm and one of the largest franchise networks in the United States. Revenues and earnings of BHE are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.

	Second Quarter								First Six Months
	Revenues				Earnings				Revenues				Earnings
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
PacifiCorp	$	1,282	$	1,261	$	248	$	269	$	2,545	$	2,568	$	445	$	492
MidAmerican Energy Company		803		789		82		17		1,777		2,033		163		143
NV Energy		842		808		120		121		1,558		1,451		189		164
Northern Powergrid		264		323		97		141		588		641		257		285
Natural gas pipelines		211		229		40		14		545		618		225		228
Other energy businesses		381		155		102		68		651		202		134		57
Real estate brokerage		760		620		87		53		1,210		978		86		40
	$	4,543	$	4,185					$	8,874	$	8,491
Earnings before corporate interest and income taxes (“EBIT”)						776		683						1,499		1,409
Corporate interest						127		105						254		212
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests						147		203						322		370
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders					$	502	$	375					$	923	$	827

PacifiCorp

PacifiCorp operates an electric utility in portions of several Western states, including Utah, Oregon and Wyoming. PacifiCorp’s revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $1.28 billion and $2.55 billion, respectively, representing a slight increase over the second quarter and a slight decrease from the first six months of 2014. In 2015, PacifiCorp generated higher retail revenues, primarily attributable to higher rates, and lower wholesale and other revenues, principally due to lower renewable energy credit revenue and lower wholesale volumes. In 2015, PacifiCorp’s EBIT declined $21 million (8%) in the second quarter and $47 million (10%) in the first six months from the comparable 2014 periods. In the first six months of 2015, the decline reflected an increase in depreciation and amortization expense ($24 million) due to increased plant-in-service and lower allowances for equity funds used during construction ($11 million), partially offset by higher margins ($23 million). In addition, EBIT in 2014 included recognition of expected insurance recoveries on fire claims.

33

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Utilities and Energy (“Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company”) (Continued)

MEC

MEC operates an electric and natural gas utility primarily in Iowa and Illinois. In 2015, MEC’s revenues increased $14 million (2%) in the second quarter and declined $256 million (13%) for the first six months from the comparable 2014 periods. In 2015, MEC’s regulated natural gas revenues declined ($25 million in the second quarter and $241 million for the first six months), and regulated electric operating revenues increased ($35 million in the second quarter and $11 million for the first six months). The declines in regulated natural gas revenues were primarily due to lower average per-unit cost of gas sold in 2015 ($34 million in the second quarter and $228 million for the first six months) which were offset in cost of sales. The increases in regulated electric revenues were primarily due to higher retail rates in Iowa and increases in cost-based adjustment clause recoveries, partially offset by lower volumes. The increase in Iowa regulated electric rates reflects higher retail rates and changes in rate structure approved in August 2014, which results in a greater differential between higher rates from June to September and lower rates in the remaining months.

MEC’s EBIT in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 increased $65 million (382%) and $20 million (14%), respectively, as compared to 2014. The increases derived primarily from regulated electric, which produced EBIT increases of $60 million in the second quarter and $30 million in the first six months. Regulated electric results in the 2015 periods benefitted from the aforementioned changes in Iowa rates and rate structure, lower maintenance from planned major outages in 2014 at fossil fuel generation facilities ($21 million in the second quarter and first six months) and lower fuel and purchased power costs ($16 million in the second quarter and $40 million in the first six months), partially offset by increased depreciation and amortization expense ($13 million in the second quarter and $28 million in the first six months) from additional plant-in-service.

NV Energy

NV Energy operates electric and natural gas utilities in Nevada. NV Energy’s revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $842 million and $1,558 million, respectively, representing increases of $34 million (4%) and $107 million (7%), respectively, over 2014. The increases were due primarily to higher regulated retail electric revenues reflecting increased customers and average regulated rates. EBIT in 2015 for the second quarter was relatively unchanged and for the first six months increased $25 million (15%) compared to 2014. The increase in EBIT in 2015 was attributable to the increase in electric revenues, partially offset by increased energy costs ($23 million in the second quarter and $63 million in the first six months). NV Energy’s revenues and EBIT are normally higher in the second and third quarters due to higher electric consumption in certain of its service territories.

Northern Powergrid

Northern Powergrid’s revenues declined $59 million (18%) in the second quarter and $53 million (8%) in the first six months of 2015 versus the corresponding 2014 periods. In 2015, revenues were reduced by the impact of foreign currency translation ($26 million in the second quarter and $56 million in the first six months). In addition, distribution revenues declined in the second quarter, reflecting the impact of the new price control period effective April 1, 2015. In 2015, Northern Powergrid’s EBIT declined $44 million (31%) in the second quarter and $28 million (10%) in the first six months compared to 2014. EBIT in 2015 was negatively impacted by foreign currency translation, lower second quarter distribution revenues and higher distribution-related costs.

Natural Gas Pipelines

Natural gas pipeline revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 declined $18 million (8%) and $73 million (12%), respectively. These revenue declines were primarily due to lower gas sales related to system balancing activities. In 2015, natural gas pipeline EBIT increased $26 million (186%) in the second quarter and were relatively unchanged in the first six months as compared to 2014. The increase in second quarter EBIT was primarily due to lower losses on gas sales as result of system balancing activities, which were unusually high in 2014 due to weather.

Other energy businesses

Revenues from other energy businesses in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 included $163 million and $301 million, respectively, from AltaLink. EBIT of AltaLink in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $44 million and $80 million, respectively. Revenues of other energy businesses, excluding AltaLink, increased $63 million (41%) in the second quarter and $148 million (73%) in the first six months of 2015 as compared to 2014. EBIT of businesses other than AltaLink decreased $10 million (15%) and $3 million (5%), respectively, versus 2014. The comparative increases in revenues were primarily attributable to increases in solar capacity placed in service. However, EBIT in 2015 from these businesses declined as the increases in revenues were more than offset by higher depreciation and other operating costs.

34

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Utilities and Energy (“Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company”) (Continued)

Real estate brokerage

Real estate brokerage revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 increased 23% and 24%, respectively, compared to 2014, reflecting an increase in closed transactions, an increase in average home prices and the impact of business acquisitions in 2014. Real estate brokerage activities generated increased EBIT of $34 million in the second quarter and $46 million for the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014, reflecting the increases in revenues.

Corporate interest and income taxes

Corporate interest includes interest on unsecured debt issued by BHE and borrowings from certain Berkshire insurance subsidiaries. In 2015, corporate interest expense increased due to borrowings in connection with the AltaLink acquisition. BHE’s effective income tax rate for the first six months was 16.5% in 2015 and 22.1% in 2014. In each period, BHE’s utility subsidiaries recognized significant production tax credits from wind-powered electricity generation placed in service. In addition, earnings of Northern Powergrid and AltaLink are taxed at lower statutory rates in the U.K. and Canada, respectively, compared to the statutory tax rate in the U.S.

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing

A summary of revenues and earnings of our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Second Quarter								First Six Months
	Revenues				Earnings				Revenues				Earnings
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
McLane Company	$	12,293	$	11,722	$	147	$	126	$	23,936	$	22,176	$	278	$	241
Manufacturing		9,524		9,613		1,393		1,369		18,387		18,254		2,598		2,437
Service and retailing		6,294		3,605		498		453		10,815		6,963		882		740
	$	28,111	$	24,940					$	53,138	$	47,393
Pre-tax earnings						2,038		1,948						3,758		3,418
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests						729		684						1,326		1,221
					$	1,309	$	1,264					$	2,432	$	2,197

McLane Company

McLane operates a wholesale distribution business that provides grocery and non-food products to retailers, convenience stores and restaurants. Through its subsidiaries, McLane also operates as a wholesale distributor of distilled spirits, wine and beer. McLane’s grocery and foodservice businesses are marked by high sales volume and very low profit margins and have several significant customers, including Wal-Mart, 7-Eleven and Yum! Brands. A curtailment of purchasing by any of its significant customers could have a significant adverse impact on McLane’s periodic revenues and earnings.

Revenues for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $12.3 billion and $23.9 billion, respectively, representing increases of $571 million (5%) and $1.76 billion (8%), respectively, over 2014. These increases reflected revenue growth in the grocery and foodservice operations.

Pre-tax earnings in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $147 million and $278 million, respectively, increases of $21 million (17%) and $37 million (15%), respectively, over 2014. The ratio of pre-tax earnings to revenues in the first six months of 2015 was approximately 1.16% versus 1.09% in 2014. Pre-tax earnings in 2015 included a gain of $19 million from the sale of a subsidiary in the second quarter. Otherwise, operating results in 2015 reflected increased earnings in the grocery division, partially offset by lower earnings in the foodservice operations.

35

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

Manufacturing

This group includes a variety of businesses that manufacture industrial and end-user products and include: The Lubrizol Corporation (“Lubrizol”), a specialty chemical manufacturer; IMC International Metalworking Companies (“IMC”), an industry leader in the metal cutting tools business with operations worldwide; Forest River, a leading manufacturer of leisure vehicles; CTB, a manufacturer of equipment and systems for the livestock and agricultural industries; and the diversified manufacturing operations of Marmon. Our manufacturing businesses also include several building products businesses (Acme Building Brands, Benjamin Moore, Johns Manville, Shaw and MiTek) and six apparel businesses (led by Fruit of the Loom which includes Russell athletic apparel and Vanity Fair Brands women’s intimate apparel). A summary of revenues and earnings of our manufacturing operations follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter								First Six Months
	Revenues				Earnings				Revenues				Earnings
	2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
Industrial and end-user products	$	5,754	$	5,905	$	937	$	968	$	11,280	$	11,269	$	1,797	$	1,786
Building products		2,710		2,651		341		294		5,037		4,884		571		439
Apparel		1,060		1,057		115		107		2,070		2,101		230		212
	$	9,524	$	9,613	$	1,393	$	1,369	$	18,387	$	18,254	$	2,598	$	2,437

Aggregate revenues of our manufacturers were $9.5 billion and $18.4 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, which were relatively unchanged from the corresponding 2014 periods. Pre-tax earnings in 2015 of these businesses were $1.4 billion in the second quarter, a slight increase over 2014 and $2.6 billion in the first six months, an increase of $161 million (7%) versus 2014.

Revenues and pre-tax earnings of our industrial and end-user products businesses declined $151 million (3%) and $31 million (3%), respectively, in the second quarter of 2015 from 2014, while revenues and pre-tax earnings increased slightly for the first six months as compared to 2014. In the second quarter of 2015, several of these manufacturers experienced lower revenue growth or revenue declines, attributable to softer demand, particularly related to customers in the oil and gas industry, and the impact of a stronger U.S. Dollar.

Lubrizol’s revenues in the second quarter of 2015 declined 2% to $1.8 billion, and for the first six months increased 1% to $3.6 billion. In 2015, Lubrizol experienced lower sales volumes and prices in certain legacy product lines and unfavorable foreign currency translation effects due to the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar, which offset the impact of bolt-on acquisitions completed in 2014. Lubrizol’s pre-tax earnings in the second quarter of 2015 decreased 3% and in the first six months of 2015 increased 8% as compared to 2014. Earnings for the first six months of 2015 were favorably impacted by bolt-on acquisitions and lower average raw material costs due primarily to lower oil prices, partially offset by the effects of unfavorable foreign currency translation and the aforementioned reductions in sales volumes and prices.

Forest River’s revenues in the second quarter of 2015 increased 6% to $1.14 billion, while revenues in the first six months increased 10% to $2.2 billion as compared to 2014. The revenue increases were driven by increased unit sales and changes in product mix. Pre-tax earnings in the second quarter of 2015 were relatively unchanged while earnings in the first six months increased 10% over 2014. The comparative increase in second quarter sales in 2015 was substantially offset by higher material and overhead costs.

In 2015, IMC revenues declined 9% in the second quarter and 7% for the first six months compared to the same periods in 2014. IMC pre-tax earnings declined 6% in the second quarter and 11% in the first six months. The declines were primarily due to the impact of unfavorable foreign currency translation effects, which more than offset the impact of bolt-on acquisitions.

Marmon’s manufacturing revenues were $1.5 billion and $2.9 billion in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, representing decreases of $50 million (3%) and $49 million (2%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2014. Revenues in 2015 were negatively impacted by lower metals prices, weaker demand for retail store fixtures and other merchandising solutions, declines in mining, agriculture and construction markets, coupled with unfavorable foreign currency effects. These revenue decreases were partially offset by strong commercial truck and trailer demand, growth in China and U.S. residential water treatment markets and the impact of recent bolt-on acquisitions in the water treatment and retail products sectors.

36

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

Manufacturing (Continued)

Marmon’s manufacturing pre-tax earnings were relatively unchanged in the second quarter and increased $13 million (4%) in the first six months of 2015 over earnings in the comparable 2014 periods. Despite the negative impact of the aforementioned reductions in revenues, earnings increased in both our Engineered Components and Retail Technologies companies. Earnings as a percentage of sales in the first six months of 2015 were 12.6% compared to 12.0% in the prior year. This increase reflected our continued focus on niche markets, product/service innovation and improvement in operating efficiencies and productivity, which included restructuring actions taken in our beverage dispensing and merchandising businesses and tubing, fittings and wire products businesses during the last six months of 2014.

Revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 from our building products businesses were approximately $2.7 billion and $5.0 billion, respectively, representing increases of 2% and 3%, respectively, over 2014. Pre-tax earnings of the building products businesses in 2015 increased 16% in the second quarter and 30% in the first six months compared to 2014. Most of the comparative increase in first six months earnings was generated by our flooring business (Shaw) and by our insulation and roofing businesses (Johns Manville). In 2015, these businesses generally benefitted from increased revenues and lower raw material and energy costs.

Apparel revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $1.1 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, relatively unchanged from 2014. Pre-tax earnings in 2015 increased 7% in the second quarter and 8% in the first six months as compared to 2014. In 2015, earnings of our apparel businesses benefitted from ongoing restructuring initiatives which contributed to improved operating margins.

Service and retailing

Our service and retailing businesses are engaged in various service-related activities, and sell various products through wholesale distribution or retail channels. These businesses include NetJets, a leading provider of fractional ownership programs for general aviation aircraft; FlightSafety, a provider of high technology training to operators of aircraft; TTI, an electronic components distributor; Business Wire, a leading distributor of corporate news, multimedia and regulatory filings; Dairy Queen, which licenses and services a system of over 6,500 stores that offer prepared dairy treats and food; Buffalo News and the BH Media Group (“BH Media”), which includes the Omaha World-Herald, as well as numerous other daily newspapers and other publications; WPLG (acquired June 30, 2014), which operates a television station in Miami, Florida; and Charter Brokerage, a leading third party logistics provider to the petroleum and chemical industries (acquired December 12, 2014).

Our service and retailing businesses also include: four home furnishings retailing businesses (Nebraska Furniture Mart, R.C. Willey, Star Furniture and Jordan’s), three jewelry retailing businesses (Borsheims, Helzberg and Ben Bridge), See’s Candies, which makes and sells confectionary products though its retail stores and quantity order centers; Pampered Chef, a direct seller of high quality kitchen tools and Oriental Trading Company (“OTC”), a direct retailer of party supplies, school supplies and toys and novelties. In the first quarter of 2015, we acquired The Van Tuyl Group (now named Berkshire Hathaway Automotive or “BHA”) which included 81 auto dealerships located in 10 states. BHA sells new and pre-owned automobiles and offers repair and other related services and products, and includes two related insurance businesses, two auto auctions and a manufacturer of automotive fluid maintenance products. On April 30, 2015, we acquired Detlev Louis Motorad (“DLM”), a retailer of motorcycle accessories based in Germany.

Service and retailing revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $6.3 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively, representing increases of approximately $2.7 billion (75%) and $3.9 billion (55%), respectively, compared to 2014. In 2015, the revenue increases reflected the impact of the BHA and DLM acquisitions, which from their respective acquisition dates contributed revenues of approximately $2.4 billion in the second quarter and $3.4 billion in the first six months. In 2015, we also experienced increased revenues from TTI (5% in the second quarter and 8% in the first six months), NetJets (16% in the second quarter and 6% in the first six months) and our home furnishings retailers (29% in the second quarter and 20% in the first six months).

TTI’s revenue increases were attributable to higher sales volume and bolt-on acquisitions, partially offset by foreign currency translation effects of a stronger U.S. Dollar. The increases in NetJets’ revenues was attributable to a 62% year-to-date increase in aircraft sales, partially offset by lower flight operations revenues, which were primarily due to lower fuel cost recoveries and unfavorable foreign currency effects. The decline in NetJets’ fuel surcharge revenue was substantially offset by lower fuel expense resulting in a minimal impact on earnings. The increases in revenues from home furnishings retailers were driven by Nebraska Furniture Mart, which opened a new store in a suburb of Dallas, Texas in March 2015.

37

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

Service and retailing (Continued)

Service and retailing pre-tax earnings in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 were $498 million and $882 million, respectively, representing increases of $45 million (10%) and $142 million (19%), respectively, compared to 2014. The increases reflected the impact of the BHA and DLM acquisitions, which contributed pre-tax earnings of $47 million in the second quarter and $99 million for the first six months. Our home furnishings retailers generated increases in pre-tax earnings of 43% in the second quarter and 10% for the first six months, primarily due to the impact of the new Nebraska Furniture Mart store and increased earnings from Jordan’s. TTI’s earnings in 2015 were relatively unchanged from 2014. NetJets’ earnings in 2015 declined 17% in the second quarter and increased 14% for the first six months compared to 2014. In the second quarter of 2015, NetJets incurred increased non-fuel flight operation costs and other general and administrative expenses, including fees to cancel certain aircraft purchases.

Finance and Financial Products

Our finance and financial products businesses include manufactured housing and finance (Clayton Homes), transportation equipment manufacturing and leasing businesses (UTLX and XTRA, and together, “transportation equipment leasing”), as well as other leasing and financing activities. UTLX manufactures, owns and leases railcars and intermodal tank cars, and also owns and leases cranes, while XTRA owns and leases over-the-road trailers. A summary of earnings from our finance and financial products businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Second Quarter				First Six Months
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Manufactured housing and finance	$	177	$	144	$	326	$	259
Transportation equipment leasing		215		198		420		380
Other		158		80		248		155
Pre-tax earnings		550		422		994		794
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		180		142		335		276
	$	370	$	280	$	659	$	518

Clayton Homes’ pre-tax earnings in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 increased $33 million (23%) and $67 million (26%), respectively, compared to 2014. Revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 increased 6% and 7%, respectively, over the comparable 2014 periods, primarily due to increases in home unit sales. Earnings in 2015 continued to benefit from lower interest expense on borrowings, increased home sales and improved manufacturing results. The decline in interest expense was primarily due to lower rates and to a lesser extent lower average balances. In addition, operating results in 2015 continue to benefit from relatively low delinquency rates and lower loss rates on foreclosures. As of June 30, 2015, approximately 96% of the aggregate installment loans were current in terms of payment status. Traditional single family housing markets receive significant interest rate subsidies from the U.S. government through government agency insured mortgages. For the most part, these subsidies are not available to factory built homes. Despite this competitive disadvantage, Clayton Homes remains the largest manufactured housing business in the United States and we believe that it will continue to operate profitably.

Transportation equipment leasing revenues in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 increased 2% and 5%, respectively, over revenues in the comparable 2014 periods. The increases reflected increased rail car lease rates, a larger fleet of North American tank cars, higher volumes in our Australian crane business attributable to the ramp up of additional long-term maintenance and logistics contract work, and increased gains on sales of trailers. These increases were partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange effects attributable to a stronger U.S. Dollar and lower volumes in our North American crane business due to declines in oil drilling in that region.

Pre-tax earnings in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 from our transportation equipment leasing businesses were $215 million and $420 million, respectively, representing increases of $17 million (9%) and $40 million (11%), respectively, over 2014. Earnings in 2015, as a percentage of sales, increased to 34.9% from 32.7% in the second quarter and to 34.5% from 32.8% in the first six months compared to the comparable 2014 periods. In both the second quarter and first six months of 2015, higher earnings reflect the positive impact of the revenue growth discussed above, which more than offset the unfavorable foreign currency impact and higher railcar repair costs and warranty costs. A significant portion of the costs of these businesses, such as depreciation, do not vary proportionately to revenue changes and therefore changes in revenues can disproportionately impact earnings.

38

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Finance and Financial Products (Continued)

Other earnings from finance activities include CORT furniture leasing, our share of the earnings of a commercial mortgage servicing business (“Berkadia”) in which we own a 50% joint venture interest, and interest and dividends from a portfolio of investments. The increases in other earnings in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 as compared to 2014, were primarily attributable to income from investment securities. Year-to-date earnings from our investment in Berkadia were $49 million in 2015 and $40 million in 2014. In addition, other earnings includes income from interest rate spreads charged to Clayton Homes on borrowings by a Berkshire financing subsidiary that are used to fund installment loans made by Clayton Homes and debt guarantee fees charged to NetJets. Corresponding expenses are included in Clayton Homes’ and NetJets’ results. Guarantee fees and interest rate spreads charged to Clayton Homes and NetJets for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 aggregated $32 million and $36 million, respectively.

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses

A summary of investment and derivative gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Second Quarter				First Six Months
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Investment gains/losses	$	362	$	2,366	$	459	$	3,516
Other-than-temporary impairments		—		—		—		(19)
Derivative gains/losses		(174)		155		1,144		391
Gains/losses before income taxes and noncontrolling interests		188		2,521		1,603		3,888
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		65		457		560		652
Net gains/losses	$	123	$	2,064	$	1,043	$	3,236

Investment gains/losses arise primarily from the sale, redemption, or exchange of investments or when investments are carried at fair value with the periodic changes in fair values recorded in earnings. The timing of gains or losses can have a material effect on periodic earnings. Investment gains and losses included in earnings usually have minimal impact on the periodic changes in our consolidated shareholders’ equity since most of our investments are recorded at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

We believe the amount of investment gains/losses included in earnings in any given period typically has little analytical or predictive value. Our decisions to sell securities are not motivated by the impact that the resulting gains or losses will have on our reported earnings. Although our management does not consider investment gains and losses in a given period as necessarily meaningful or useful in evaluating periodic earnings, we are providing information to explain the nature of such gains and losses when reflected in earnings.

Pre-tax investment gains in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 declined approximately $2.0 billion and $3.06 billion, respectively, from the corresponding 2014 periods. Investment gains in the second quarter and first six months of 2014 included $1.1 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, realized in connection with the exchanges of shares of Phillips 66 and Graham Holdings Company common stock for 100% of the common stock of a specified subsidiary of each of those companies. The exchange transactions were structured as tax-free reorganizations under the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, no income taxes are payable on the excess of the fair value of the Phillips 66 and Graham Holdings Company shares exchanged and the tax-basis cost of those shares.

In the third quarter of 2015, we expect to recognize a non-cash, pre-tax holding gain related to our investment in Kraft Heinz common stock of approximately $7 billion. In connection with its acquisition of Kraft Foods, Kraft Heinz issued new shares of its common stock in exchange for the outstanding shares of Kraft common stock, thus reducing Berkshire’s ownership interest in Kraft Heinz by approximately 50%. Under the equity method of accounting, such transactions are treated by the investor as if it sold a portion of its interests. For additional information see Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses (Continued)

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges in the first six months of 2015 and 2014 were not significant. Although we have periodically recorded OTTI charges in earnings in past years, we continue to hold some of those securities. If the market values of those investments increase following the date OTTI charges are recorded in earnings, the increases are not reflected in earnings but are instead included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. When recorded, OTTI charges have no impact whatsoever on the asset values otherwise recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets or on our consolidated shareholders’ equity. In addition, the recognition of such losses in earnings rather than in accumulated other comprehensive income does not necessarily indicate that sales are planned and ultimately sales may not occur for a number of years. Furthermore, the recognition of an OTTI charge does not necessarily indicate that the loss in value of the security is permanent or that the market price of the security will not subsequently increase to and ultimately exceed our original cost.

As of June 30, 2015, consolidated gross unrealized losses on our investments in equity and fixed maturity securities determined on an individual purchase lot basis were $1.1 billion. We concluded that as of that date, such losses were temporary. We consider several factors in determining whether or not impairments are deemed to be other than temporary, including the current and expected long-term business prospects and if applicable, the creditworthiness of the issuer, our ability and intent to hold the investment until the price recovers and the length of time and relative magnitude of the price decline.

Derivative gains/losses represent the changes in fair value of our remaining credit default contract and our equity index put option contracts. Periodic changes in the fair values of these contracts are reflected in earnings and can be significant, reflecting the volatility of underlying credit and equity markets.

In 2015, derivative contracts produced pre-tax losses of $174 million in the second quarter and pre-tax gains of $1.14 billion in the first six months compared to pre-tax gains in 2014 of $155 million in the second quarter and $391 million in the first six months. In the first six months of 2015, the gains were primarily related to equity index put option contracts, while in 2014 the gains related to our credit default contract exposures were partially offset by losses under equity index put option contracts.

In 2015, equity index put option contracts produced a pre-tax loss of $138 million in the second quarter and a pre-tax gain of $1.2 billion in the first six months. In 2014, equity index put option contracts produced a pre-tax gain of $65 million in the second quarter and a pre-tax loss of $67 million in the first six months. In the first six months of 2015, the gain was attributable to generally higher index values, a stronger U.S. Dollar and increased interest rates. Overall, these factors contributed to the reduction in the fair values of our liabilities over the first six months of 2015. As of June 30, 2015, the intrinsic values of these contracts were $846 million and our recorded liabilities at fair value were approximately $3.4 billion. Our ultimate payment obligations, if any, under our equity index put option contracts will be determined as of the contract expiration dates, which begin in 2018, and will be based on the intrinsic value, as defined under the contracts, as of those dates.

Other

Corporate income and expenses not allocated to operating businesses includes our investments in Kraft Heinz which generated after-tax earnings of $50 million and $200 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to $116 million and $293 million, respectively, in the corresponding periods of 2014. Also included in other earnings are amortization of fair value adjustments made in connection with several prior business acquisitions (primarily related to the amortization of identifiable intangible assets) and corporate interest expense.

Financial Condition

Our balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and a strong capital base. Our consolidated shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2015 was $246.0 billion, an increase of $5.9 billion since December 31, 2014. Our net earnings in the first six months of 2015 were $9.2 billion, which were partially offset by losses in other comprehensive income primarily related to changes in unrealized investment appreciation and foreign currency translation.

40

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Financial Condition (Continued)

At June 30, 2015, insurance and other businesses held cash and cash equivalents of $60.4 billion, and investments (excluding our investments in Kraft Heinz) of $154.2 billion. We used approximately $4.5 billion in cash in the first six months of 2015 to fund business acquisitions. On July 1, 2015, Berkshire used cash of approximately $5.3 billion to acquire additional shares of Kraft Heinz common stock. The funds were used by Kraft Heinz to fund a portion of the cash consideration paid to Kraft shareholders in connection with its acquisition of Kraft. Our various insurance and non-insurance businesses continued to generate significant cash flows from operations. In the first quarter of 2015, Berkshire Hathaway parent company issued €3.0 billion in senior unsecured notes consisting of €750 million of 0.75% senior notes due in 2023, €1.25 billion of 1.125% senior notes due in 2027 and €1.0 billion of 1.625% senior notes due in 2035. During the first quarter of 2015, parent company debt of $1.7 billion matured and was repaid.

Berkshire’s Board of Directors has authorized Berkshire to repurchase its Class A and Class B common shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares. Berkshire may repurchase shares at management’s discretion. The repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely, but does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B common shares. Repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash and cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. Financial strength and redundant liquidity will always be of paramount importance at Berkshire. There were no share repurchases under the program in the first six months of 2015.

Our railroad, utilities and energy businesses (conducted by BNSF and BHE) maintain very large investments in capital assets (property, plant and equipment) and will regularly make significant capital expenditures in the normal course of business. In the first six months of 2015, aggregate capital expenditures of these businesses were approximately $5.1 billion, including $2.6 billion by BHE and $2.5 billion by BNSF. BNSF and BHE forecast additional aggregate capital expenditures of approximately $6.8 billion for the remainder of 2015. Future capital expenditures are expected to be funded from cash flows from operations and debt issuances.

In 2015, BNSF issued $1.5 billion of senior unsecured debentures, consisting of $500 million of 3.0% debentures due in 2025 and $1.0 billion of 4.15% debentures due in 2045. BNSF also issued $500 million of amortizing debt with a final maturity date of 2028, which is secured with locomotives. BNSF’s outstanding debt was approximately $20.9 billion as of June 30, 2015. Outstanding borrowings of BHE and its subsidiaries were approximately $36.4 billion as of June 30, 2015, which excludes borrowings from Berkshire insurance subsidiaries. BNSF and BHE aggregate debt and capital lease maturities over the remainder of 2015 are $757 million. Berkshire does not guarantee the repayment of debt issued by BNSF, BHE or any of their subsidiaries and is not committed to provide capital to support BHE or BNSF or any of their subsidiaries.

Finance and financial products assets were approximately $38.3 billion as of June 30, 2015, an increase of approximately $4.8 billion since December 31, 2014, which was primarily attributable to an increase in equity securities. Assets of these businesses consisted primarily of loans and finance receivables, cash and cash equivalents, and sizable portfolios of fixed maturity and equity securities and various types of equipment and furniture held for lease.

Finance and financial products liabilities were approximately $17.9 billion as of June 30, 2015, a decrease of $968 million since December 31, 2014. The decline was principally due to a decline in fair values of derivative contracts. Notes payable and other borrowings were approximately $12.6 billion as of June 30, 2015, a decline of $173 million compared to year-end 2014. As of June 30, 2015, notes payable included $11.2 billion of notes issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”). In January 2015, $1.0 billion of BHFC debt matured and at that time BHFC issued $1.0 billion of new floating rate senior notes of which $400 million matures in 2017 and $600 million matures in 2018. The proceeds from the BHFC notes are used to fund loans originated and acquired by Clayton Homes. An additional $500 million of BHFC senior notes mature in December 2015.

Contractual Obligations

We are party to contracts associated with ongoing business and financing activities, which will result in cash payments to counterparties in future periods. Certain obligations are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, such as notes payable, which require future payments on contractually specified dates and in fixed and determinable amounts. Other obligations pertain to the acquisition of goods or services in the future, such as minimum rentals under operating leases and certain purchase obligations, and are not currently reflected in the financial statements. Such obligations will be reflected in future periods as the goods are delivered or services provided.

41

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Contractual Obligations (Continued)

In the first six months of 2015, we issued new term debt through the Berkshire parent company and various subsidiaries. Future payments of principal and interest related to such borrowings are summarized as follows (in millions): 2015-$71; 2016 and 2017-$755; 2018 and 2019-$942; and after 2019-$8,814. Reference is also made to Note 19 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Except as otherwise noted herein, our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2015 were, in the aggregate, not materially different from those disclosed in the “Contractual Obligations” section of “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Critical Accounting Policies

Certain accounting policies require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Such estimates and judgments necessarily involve varying, and possibly significant, degrees of uncertainty. Accordingly, certain amounts currently recorded in the financial statements will likely be adjusted in the future based on new available information and changes in other facts and circumstances. Reference is made to “Critical Accounting Policies” discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2015 includes estimated liabilities for unpaid losses from property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts of $71.7 billion. Due to the inherent uncertainties in the process of establishing loss reserve amounts, the actual ultimate claim amounts will likely differ from the currently recorded amounts. A very small percentage change in estimates of this magnitude will result in a material effect on periodic earnings. The effects from changes in these estimates are recorded as a component of insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses in the period of the change.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheet includes goodwill of acquired businesses of $62.8 billion. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually and we conducted our most recent annual review during the fourth quarter of 2014. Although we believe that the goodwill reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2015 is not impaired, goodwill may subsequently become impaired as a result of changes in facts and circumstances affecting the valuation of the reporting unit. A goodwill impairment charge could have a material effect on periodic earnings.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheets include significant derivative contract liabilities with respect to our long-duration equity index put option contracts. The fair values recorded for these liabilities are based on valuation models that utilize various inputs and assumptions that we believe are used by market participants. We further believe that fair values based on such models are inherently subjective and the values in an actual transaction may differ significantly from the model values. Changes in the assumptions utilized within the valuation models may have a significant effect on recorded fair values and periodic earnings.

Information concerning new accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this document as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements of Berkshire officials during presentations about Berkshire or its subsidiaries are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include statements which are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, which include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects and possible future Berkshire actions, which may be provided by management, are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Berkshire and its subsidiaries, economic and market factors and the industries in which we do business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and we have no specific intention to update these statements.

Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. The principal important risk factors that could cause our actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in market prices of our investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, losses realized from derivative contracts, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events, such as an earthquake, hurricane or act of terrorism that causes losses insured by our insurance subsidiaries, changes in laws or regulations affecting our insurance, railroad, utilities and energy and finance subsidiaries, changes in federal income tax laws, and changes in general economic and market factors that affect the prices of securities or the industries in which we do business.

42

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Reference is made to Berkshire’s most recently issued Annual Report and in particular the “Market Risk Disclosures” included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” As of June 30, 2015, there were no material changes in the market risks described in Berkshire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Corporation carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporation’s management, including the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Senior Vice President (Chief Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) and the Senior Vice President (Chief Financial Officer) concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Corporation (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Corporation’s periodic SEC filings. During the quarter, there have been no significant changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect internal control over financial reporting.

43

Part II Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are party in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. We do not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our significant business risks are described in Item 1A to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 to which reference is made herein.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

In September 2011, Berkshire’s Board of Directors (“Berkshire’s Board”) approved a common stock repurchase program under which Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 10% premium over the book value of the shares. In December 2012, Berkshire’s Board amended the repurchase program by raising the price limit to no higher than a 20% premium over book value. Berkshire may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Berkshire’s Board authorization does not specify a maximum number of shares to be repurchased. However, repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. The repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely and the amount of repurchases will depend entirely upon the level of cash available, the attractiveness of investment and business opportunities either at hand or on the horizon, and the degree of discount of the market price relative to management’s estimate of intrinsic value. The repurchase program does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares and there is no expiration date to the program. There were no share repurchases under the program in the first six months of 2015.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Information regarding the Company’s mine safety violations and other legal matters disclosed in accordance with Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Reform Act is included in Exhibit 95 to this Form 10-Q.

Item 5. Other Information

None

Item 6. Exhibits

a. Exhibits

12	Calculation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Consolidated Fixed Charges
31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
32.1	Section 1350 Certifications
32.2	Section 1350 Certifications
95	Mine Safety Disclosures
101	The following financial information from Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and detail.

44

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC. (Registrant)
Date: August 7, 2015	/S/ MARC D. HAMBURG
	(Signature)
	Marc D. Hamburg,
	Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer

45

EX-12

Exhibit 12

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

Calculation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Consolidated Fixed Charges

(Dollars in millions)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2015		Year Ended December 31,
			2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	9,177	$	19,872	$	19,476	$	14,824	$	10,254	$	12,967
Income tax expense		4,153		7,935		8,951		6,924		4,568		5,607
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		163		298		369		488		492		527
(Earnings) loss from equity method investments		130		33		255		—		—		(50)
Dividends from equity method investments		—		—		—		—		—		20
Fixed charges		2,163		3,882		3,386		3,304		3,219		3,084
Earnings available for fixed charges	$	15,786	$	32,020	$	32,437	$	25,540	$	18,533	$	22,155
Fixed charges
Interest expense, including amortization	$	1,842	$	3,253	$	2,801	$	2,744	$	2,664	$	2,558
Rentals representing interest and capitalized interest		321		629		585		560		555		526
	$	2,163	$	3,882	$	3,386	$	3,304	$	3,219	$	3,084
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		7.30x		8.25x		9.58x		7.73x		5.76x		7.18x

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

Quarter ended June 30, 2015

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Warren E. Buffett, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 7, 2015

/S/ WARREN E. BUFFETT

Chairman—Principal Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

Quarter ended June 30, 2015

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Marc D. Hamburg, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 7, 2015

/S/ MARC D. HAMBURG

  Senior Vice President—Principal Financial Officer  

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

Section 1350 Certifications

Quarter ended June 30, 2015

I, Warren E. Buffett, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2015 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 7, 2015

/S/ WARREN E. BUFFETT

Warren E. Buffett

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

Section 1350 Certifications

Quarter ended June 30, 2015

I, Marc D. Hamburg, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2015 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 7, 2015

/S/ MARC D. HAMBURG

Marc D. Hamburg

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-95

EXHIBIT 95

MINE SAFETY VIOLATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL MATTER DISCLOSURES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 1503(a) OF THE DODD-FRANK WALL STREET

REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

PacifiCorp and its subsidiaries operate coal mines and coal processing facilities and Acme Brick and its affiliates operate clay, shale and limestone excavation facilities (collectively, the “mining facilities”) that are regulated by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Safety Act”). MSHA inspects mining facilities on a regular basis. The total number of reportable Mine Safety Act citations, orders, assessments and legal actions for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 are summarized in the table below and are subject to contest and appeal. The severity and assessment of penalties may be reduced or, in some cases, dismissed through the contest and appeal process. Amounts are reported regardless of whether PacifiCorp or Acme has challenged or appealed the matter. Coal, clay and other reserves that are not yet mined and mines that are closed or idled are not included in the information below if no reportable events occurred at those locations during the three-month period ended June 30, 2015. PacifiCorp and Acme have not received any notice of a pattern, or notice of the potential to have a pattern, of violations of mandatory health or safety standards that are of such nature as could have significantly and substantially contributed to the cause and effect of coal or other mine health or safety hazards under Section 104(e) of the Mine Safety Act during the three-month period ended June 30, 2015.

	Mine Safety Act					Total  Value of  Proposed  MSHA  Assessments  (in thousands)	Total  Number of  Mining  Related  Fatalities	Legal Actions
Mining Facilities	Section 104  Significant  and  Substantial   Citations(1)	Section  104(b)  Orders(2)	Section  104(d)  Citations/  Orders(3)	Section  110(b)(2)  Violations(4)	Section  107(a)  Imminent  Danger  Orders(5)			Pending  as of Last  Day of  Period(6)	Instituted  During  Period	Resolved  During  Period
Coal:
Deer Creek(7)	—	—	—	—	—	$5	—	1	—	1
Bridger (surface)	3	—	—	—	—	9	—	3	—	2
Bridger (underground)	9	—	—	—	—	98	—	5	2	5
Cottonwood Preparatory Plant(8)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Wyodak Coal Crushing Facility	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Clay, shale and limestone:
Minnesota	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Malvern	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Wheeler	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Eureka	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Fort Smith	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Kanopolis	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Oklahoma City	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tulsa	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Denver	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Bennett	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Denton	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Elgin	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
McQueeney	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Garrison	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Sealy	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Texas Clay	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Leeds	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Montgomery	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Lueders	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cordova	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

(1) Citations for alleged violations of mandatory health and safety standards that could significantly or substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a safety or health hazard under Section 104 of the Mine Safety Act.

(2) For alleged failure to totally abate the subject matter of a Mine Safety Act Section 104(a) citation within the period specified in the citation.

(3) For alleged unwarrantable failure (i.e., aggravated conduct constituting more than ordinary negligence) to comply with a mandatory health or safety standard.

(4) For alleged flagrant violations (i.e., reckless or repeated failure to make reasonable efforts to eliminate a known violation of a mandatory health or safety standard that substantially and proximately caused, or reasonably could have been expected to cause, death or serious bodily injury).

(5) For the existence of any condition or practice in a coal or other mine which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm before such condition or practice can be abated.

(6) Amounts include six contests of proposed penalties under Subpart C and three contests of citations or orders under Subpart B of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission’s procedural rules. The pending legal actions are not exclusive to citations, notices, orders and penalties assessed by MSHA during the reporting period.

(7) The Deer Creek mine is currently idled and closure activities have begun.

(8) The Cottonwood Preparatory Plant was sold in June 2015.

XML

Derivative contracts (Tables) - Finance and Financial Products [Member]

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Derivative contracts outstanding

A summary of those liabilities and related notional values follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015							December 31, 2014
	Liabilities			Notional   Value				Liabilities			Notional   Value
Equity index put options		$	3,387		$	28,367	(1)		$	4,560		$	29,469	(1)
Credit default			279			7,792	(2)			250			7,792	(2)
		$	3,666						$	4,810

⁽¹⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable assuming that the value of each index is zero at each contract’s expiration date. Certain of these contracts are denominated in foreign currencies. Notional amounts are based on the foreign currency exchange rates as of each balance sheet date.

⁽²⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable under the contracts assuming all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

Derivative gains/losses included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings

A summary of the derivative gains/losses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter					First Six Months
	2015			2014		2015			2014
Equity index put options	$	(138	)	$	65	$	1,173		$	(67	)
Credit default		(36	)		84		(29	)		457
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—			6		—			1
	$	(174	)	$	155	$	1,144		$	391

XML

Investments in equity securities (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) Company		Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Company
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	$ 117,722	[1]	$ 117,470	[2]
American Express Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	11,800		14,100
Wells Fargo & Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	27,600		26,500
International Business Machines Corporation [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	12,900		12,300
The Coca-Cola Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	$ 15,700		$ 16,900
Equity Securities [Member] | Investment Concentration [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Concentration percentage	58.00%		59.00%
Number of companies in concentration percentage | Company	4		4

[1] Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $15.7 billion).

[2] Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.9 billion).

XML

Significant business acquisitions - Pro forma consolidated earnings data (Detail) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2014 - AltaLink and Berkshire Hathaway Automotive [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Total
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 99,634
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 11,174
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 6,796

XML

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 537	$ 565
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, excluding goodwill	$ 3,149		$ 2,586

XML

Investments in equity securities - Narrative (Detail) - Equity Securities [Member] - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other than temporary unrealized losses	$ 0	$ 0
Unrealized losses related to securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months	$ 128,000,000	$ 65,000,000

XML

Fair value measurements - Significant unobservable inputs (Detail) - Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member]
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ (4,759)	$ (5,255)
Gains (losses) included in earnings	1,200	369
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(3)	4
Gains (losses) included in regulatory assets and liabilities	(17)
Dispositions and settlements		1
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements	(51)
Transfers into/out of Level 3	3	(35)
Ending Balance	(3,627)	(4,916)
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	8	372
Dispositions and settlements		(1)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements	(1)
Transfers into/out of Level 3		(56)
Ending Balance	7	315
Equity Securities and Other Investments [Member]
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	21,996	17,958
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(329)	(31)
Ending Balance	$ 21,667	$ 17,927

XML

Significant business acquisitions - Narrative (Detail) CAD in Billions, $ in Billions			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 01, 2014 CAD	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) State Business
Berkshire Hathaway Automotive (formerly Van Tuyl Group) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate consideration paid for acquisitions | $			$ 4.1
Berkshire Hathaway Automotive (formerly Van Tuyl Group) [Member] | Auto Dealerships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses			81
Number of states with auto dealerships | State			10
Berkshire Hathaway Automotive (formerly Van Tuyl Group) [Member] | Insurance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses			2
Berkshire Hathaway Automotive (formerly Van Tuyl Group) [Member] | Auto Auctions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses			2
Berkshire Hathaway Automotive (formerly Van Tuyl Group) [Member] | Manufacturer of Automotive Fluid Maintenance Products [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses			1
AltaLink [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate consideration paid for acquisitions	$ 2.7	CAD 3.1

XML

Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz

Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz follows (in millions).

	June 28,           2015		December 28,     2014
Assets	$	36,062	$	36,763
Liabilities		20,761		21,077

	Second quarter								First six months
	2015				2014				2015			2014
Sales		$	2,616			$	2,728			$	5,094		$	5,528
Net earnings (loss)		$	(164	)		$	127			$	112		$	322
Preferred stock dividends			(180	)			(180	)			(360)			(360	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(344	)		$	(53	)		$	(248)		$	(38	)
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders *		$	50			$	116			$	200		$	293

 * Includes dividends earned on Preferred Stock and Berkshire’s share of net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders, net of applicable income taxes.

XML

Fair value measurements - Other information (Detail) - Jun. 30, 2015 - Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total
Other Investments [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow Method [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, expected duration	7 years
Fair value, unobservable input, discount for transferability restrictions and subordination	1.34%
Fair value of asset	$ 15,002
Other Investments [Member] | Common Stock Warrants [Member] | Pricing Model, Warrant [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, discount for transferability and hedging restrictions	7.00%
Fair value of asset	$ 6,664
Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member] | Pricing Model, Option [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, volatility	21.00%
Fair value of liability	$ 3,387
Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow Method [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, credit spreads	0.41%
Fair value of liability	$ 279

XML

Derivative contracts - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 3,666,000,000	$ 4,810,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Collateral posting requirements under contracts with collateral provisions	0	0
Additional collateral posting requirements	1,100,000,000
Liabilities	3,666,000,000	4,810,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate intrinsic value of equity index put option contracts	$ 846,000,000	1,400,000,000
Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract	5 years 6 months
Liabilities	$ 3,387,000,000	4,560,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Contracts - Municipalities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract	16 years 3 months
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Assets	$ 116,000,000	108,000,000
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 227,000,000	$ 230,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative maturity month and year	2018-06
Minimum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Contracts - Municipalities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative maturity year	2019
Maximum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative maturity month and year	2026-01
Maximum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Contracts - Municipalities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative maturity year	2054

XML

Other investments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Fair Value	$ 16,183	$ 16,346
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Fair Value	5,805	5,978
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Cost	13,022	13,022
Other investments, Fair Value	21,988	22,324
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Cost	9,970	9,970
Other investments, Fair Value	16,183	16,346
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Cost	3,052	3,052
Other investments, Fair Value	$ 5,805	$ 5,978

XML

Notes payable and other borrowings - Narrative (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 EUR (€)	Feb. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt			$ 1,700
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued | €		€ 3,000
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2023 at 0.75% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued | €		€ 750
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	0.75%	0.75%
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2027 at 1.125% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued | €		€ 1,250
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	1.125%	1.125%
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2035 at 1.625% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued | €		€ 1,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	1.625%	1.625%
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 1,000
Repayment of debt				1,000
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2017, Floating Rate [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				400
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2018, Floating Rate [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued				$ 600
Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiaries [Member] | Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused lines of credit available					$ 8,900
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member] | Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused lines of credit available					5,300
Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Subsidiaries Excluding Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Guarantee obligation					3,300
BNSF [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debentures [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued	$ 1,500
BNSF [Member] | Debentures Due 2025 at 3.0% [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued	$ 500
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	3.00%	3.00%
BNSF [Member] | Debentures Due 2045 at 4.15% [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued	$ 1,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.15%	4.15%
BNSF [Member] | Secured Amortizing Debt Due 2028 [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued					$ 500

XML

Business segment data (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 51,368	$ 49,762	$ 100,012	$ 95,215
Total earnings before income taxes	5,846	8,916	13,493	15,514
Operating Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	51,560	47,326	98,704	91,334
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	6,059	6,555	12,325	11,846
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	11,738	10,824	22,368	21,191
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,286	2,135	3,120	3,796
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Geico [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	5,619	5,081	11,004	9,965
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	53	393	213	746
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | General Re [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,494	1,610	2,992	3,167
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	107	116	60	196
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,978	1,583	3,425	3,605
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	(411)	(9)	48	174
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,309	1,049	2,519	2,002
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	203	137	378	236
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Investment Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest, dividend and other investment income	1,338	1,501	2,428	2,452
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,334	1,498	2,421	2,444
Operating Businesses [Member] | BNSF [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,369	5,735	10,971	11,182
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,536	1,472	3,208	2,641
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,543	4,185	8,874	8,491
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	649	578	1,245	1,197
Operating Businesses [Member] | McLane Company [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,293	11,722	23,936	22,176
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	147	126	278	241
Operating Businesses [Member] | Manufacturing Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,524	9,613	18,387	18,254
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,393	1,369	2,598	2,437
Operating Businesses [Member] | Service and Retailing Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,294	3,605	10,815	6,963
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	498	453	882	740
Operating Businesses [Member] | Finance and Financial Products Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,799	1,642	3,353	3,077
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	550	422	994	794
Intersegment Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment and derivative gains/losses	188	2,521	1,603	3,888
Revenues	(380)	(85)	(295)	(7)
Interest expense	(189)	(77)	(308)	(154)
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	$ (212)	$ (83)	$ (127)	$ (66)

XML

Common stock (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Jun. 30, 2015 - $ / shares	Total
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 5
Common Stock, shares authorized	1,650,000
Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 0.0033
Common Stock, shares authorized	3,225,000,000

XML

Fair value measurements - Financial assets and liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		$ 27,439		$ 27,636
Investments in equity securities		117,722	[1]	117,470	[2]
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		57,269		55,579
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		215		239
Investments in equity securities		5,595		1,060
Other investments		5,805		5,978
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value		12,592		12,566
Derivative contract liabilities		3,666		4,810
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		12,563		12,736
Insurance and Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		27,224		27,397
Investments in equity securities		110,776		115,529
Other investments		16,183		16,346
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		14,746		11,894
Other Assets [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	[3]	1,351		881
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		3,725		2,930
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,833		1,912
Foreign governments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		12,048		12,270
Corporate bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		8,038		8,771
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,795		1,753
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		117,684		117,424
Other investments		322		329
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]			1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	12		18
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		37		45
Loans and finance receivables - fair value		16		33
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value		62,513		62,802
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value		12,501		12,846
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value		14,853		12,484
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]	22		13
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	160		169
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		1		1
Other investments		21,666		21,995
Loans and finance receivables - fair value		12,943		12,858
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value		508		571
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		3,387		4,560
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		279		250
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]	94		94
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	55		43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock - fair value		8,672		8,416
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		2,691		2,264
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,034		666
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,833		1,912
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign governments [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		7,719		7,981
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign governments [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		4,329		4,289
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		8,031		8,763
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		7		8
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,795		1,753
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		117,722		117,470
Other investments		21,988		22,324
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value		12,592		12,566
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		57,269		55,579
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		12,563		12,736
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		3,387		4,560
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		279		250
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		14,746		11,894
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]	116		108
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	227		230
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock - carrying value		7,710		7,710
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		3,725		2,930
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,833		1,912
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		12,048		12,270
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		8,038		8,771
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,795		1,753
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		117,722		117,470
Other investments		21,988		22,324
Loans and finance receivables - fair value		12,959		12,891
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value		62,513		62,802
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value		13,009		13,417
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		3,387		4,560
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		279		250
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings - fair value		14,853		12,484
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]	116		108
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	227		230
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock - fair value		8,672		8,416
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		3,725		2,930
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,833		1,912
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		12,048		12,270
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		8,038		8,771
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		$ 1,795		$ 1,753

[1] Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $15.7 billion).

[2] Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.9 billion).

[3] Included in other assets.

[4] Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.

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Derivative contracts (Detail) - Finance and Financial Products [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		$ 3,666	$ 4,810
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		3,666	4,810
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		3,387	4,560
Notional Value	[1]	28,367	29,469
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		279	250
Notional Value	[2]	$ 7,792	$ 7,792

[1] Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable assuming that the value of each index is zero at each contract's expiration date. Certain of these contracts are denominated in foreign currencies. Notional amounts are based on the foreign currency exchange rates as of each balance sheet date.

[2] Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable under the contracts assuming all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

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Accumulated other comprehensive income

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated other comprehensive income

Note 18. Accumulated other comprehensive income

A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders and significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the six months ending June 30, 2015 and 2014 follows (in millions).

	Unrealized appreciation of  investments, net				Foreign currency translation				Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans				Other				Accumulated other comprehensive income
Six months ending June 30, 2015
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	45,636			$	(1,957	)		$	(1,039	)		$	92			$	42,732
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications			(2,306	)			(787	)			(6	)			(100	)			(3,199	)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income			(127	)			—				8				3				(116	)
Balance at June 30, 2015		$	43,203			$	(2,744	)		$	(1,037	)		$	(5	)		$	39,417
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other		$	(194	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(194	)
Finance and financial products			(1	)			—				—				—				(1	)
Other			—				—				15				9				24
Reclassifications before income taxes			(195	)			—				15				9				(171	)
Applicable income taxes			(68	)			—				7				6				(55	)
		$	(127	)		$	—			$	8			$	3			$	(116	)

	Unrealized appreciation of  investments, net				Foreign currency translation				Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans				Other				Accumulated other comprehensive income
Six months ending June 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	44,042			$	(146	)		$	46			$	83			$	44,025
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications			3,378				247				(31	)			(3	)			3,591
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income			(2,242	)			47				27				(27	)			(2,195	)
Balance at June 30, 2014		$	45,178			$	148			$	42			$	53			$	45,421
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other		$	(3,377	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(3,377	)
Finance and financial products			(72	)			—				—				—				(72	)
Other			—				47				36				(45	)			38
Reclassifications before income taxes			(3,449	)			47				36				(45	)			(3,411	)
Applicable income taxes			(1,207	)			—				9				(18	)			(1,216	)
		$	(2,242	)		$	47			$	27			$	(27	)		$	(2,195	)

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Carrying value by segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	$ 27,439	$ 27,636
Insurance and Other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	27,224	27,397
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	$ 215	$ 239

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Fair value measurements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are considered to be reasonable estimates of their fair values.

	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
June 30, 2015
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,725	$	3,725	$	2,691	$	1,034	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,833		1,833		—		1,833		—
Foreign governments		12,048		12,048		7,719		4,329		—
Corporate bonds		8,038		8,038		—		8,031		7
Mortgage-backed securities		1,795		1,795		—		1,795		—
Investments in equity securities		117,722		117,722		117,684		37		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock		7,710		8,672		—		—		8,672
Other investments		21,988		21,988		322		—		21,666
Loans and finance receivables		12,592		12,959		—		16		12,943
Derivative contract assets (1)		116		116		—		22		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		227		227		12		160		55
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		3,387		3,387		—		—		3,387
Credit default		279		279		—		—		279
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		14,746		14,853		—		14,853		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		57,269		62,513		—		62,513		—
Finance and financial products		12,563		13,009		—		12,501		508
December 31, 2014
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,930	$	2,930	$	2,264	$	666	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,912		1,912		—		1,912		—
Foreign governments		12,270		12,270		7,981		4,289		—
Corporate bonds		8,771		8,771		—		8,763		8
Mortgage-backed securities		1,753		1,753		—		1,753		—
Investments in equity securities		117,470		117,470		117,424		45		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock		7,710		8,416		—		—		8,416
Other investments		22,324		22,324		329		—		21,995
Loans and finance receivables		12,566		12,891		—		33		12,858
Derivative contract assets (1)		108		108		1		13		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		230		230		18		169		43
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,560		4,560		—		—		4,560
Credit default		250		250		—		—		250
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		11,894		12,484		—		12,484		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		55,579		62,802		—		62,802		—
Finance and financial products		12,736		13,417		—		12,846		571

⁽¹⁾  Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.

Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)

Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ending June 30, 2015 and 2014 follow (in millions).

	Investments in fixed maturity securities				Investments in equity securities and other investments				Net derivative contract liabilities
Six months ending June 30, 2015
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	8			$	21,996			$	(4,759	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings			—				—				1,200
Other comprehensive income			—				(329	)			(3	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—				—				(17	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements			(1	)			—				(51	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3			—				—				3
Balance at June 30, 2015		$	7			$	21,667			$	(3,627	)
Six months ending June 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	372			$	17,958			$	(5,255	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings			—				—				369
Other comprehensive income			—				(31	)			4
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—				—				—
Dispositions and settlements			(1	)			—				1
Transfers into/out of Level 3			(56	)			—				(35	)
Balance at June 30, 2014		$	315			$	17,927			$	(4,916	)

Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis, unobservable inputs, additional information

Quantitative information as of June 30, 2015, with respect to assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) follows (in millions).

	Fair value		Principal valuation techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Weighted Average
Other investments:
Preferred stocks	$	15,002	Discounted cash flow	Expected duration	7 years
				Discount for transferability  restrictions and subordination	134 basis points
Common stock warrants		6,664	Warrant pricing model	Discount for transferability  and hedging restrictions	7%
Net derivative liabilities:
Equity index put options		3,387	Option pricing model	Volatility	21%
Credit default		279	Discounted cash flow	Credit spreads	41 basis points

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Notes payable and other borrowings (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 14,746	$ 11,894
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 9,896	8,354
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	2.20%
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2015
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2047
Insurance and Other [Member] | Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	$ 2,102	839
Other borrowings	$ 2,748	2,701
Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate	1.80%
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	6.00%
Insurance and Other [Member] | Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2015
Insurance and Other [Member] | Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2044
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 57,269	55,579
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	5.10%
Senior unsecured debt	$ 7,860	7,860
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2017
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2045
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 28,493	28,439
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	4.90%
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2015
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2064
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | BNSF [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 20,916	19,280
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	4.90%
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | BNSF [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2015
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | BNSF [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2097
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 12,563	12,736
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 11,178	11,178
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	2.70%
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2015
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2043
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 1,385	$ 1,558
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	5.30%
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2015
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2036

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Insurance and Other [Member]

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses is summarized below (in millions).

	Range of   estimated useful life		June 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Land		—	$	1,503			$	1,171
Buildings and improvements		2 – 40 years		7,216				6,600
Machinery and equipment		3 – 25 years		16,688				16,413
Furniture, fixtures and other		2 – 18 years		3,585				3,136
				28,992				27,320
Accumulated depreciation				(13,600	)			(13,167)
			$	15,392			$	14,153

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses is summarized below (in millions).

	Range of  estimated useful life		June 30,      2015		December 31,  2014
Railroad:
Land		—	$	6,024	$	5,983
Track structure and other roadway		7 – 100 years		44,054		42,588
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment		6 – 40 years		10,414		9,493
Construction in progress		—		1,216		1,292
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system		5 – 80 years		66,158		64,645
Interstate pipeline assets		3 – 80 years		6,711		6,660
Independent power plants and other assets		3 – 30 years		5,565		5,035
Construction in progress		—		4,413		5,194
				144,555		140,890
Accumulated depreciation				(27,332)		(25,836)
			$	117,223	$	115,054

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

Assets held for lease and property, plant and equipment of our finance and financial products businesses are summarized below (in millions).

	Range of  estimated useful life		June 30,   2015		December 31,  2014
Assets held for lease		5 – 30 years	$	10,137		$	9,810
Land		—		224			227
Buildings, machinery and other		3 – 50 years		1,189			1,179
				11,550			11,216
Accumulated depreciation				(3,286)			(3,179)
			$	8,264		$	8,037

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Due in one year or less - amortized cost	$ 8,267
Due after one year through five years - amortized cost	11,218
Due after five years through ten years - amortized cost	2,224
Due after ten years - amortized cost	2,719
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	26,028	$ 26,023
Due in one year or less - fair value	8,319
Due after one year through five years - fair value	11,747
Due after five years through ten years - fair value	2,352
Due after ten years - fair value	3,226
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	27,439	27,636
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of mortgage-backed securities	1,600
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	1,600	1,555
Fair value of mortgage-backed securities	1,795
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	$ 1,795	$ 1,753

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 296	$ 296
Insurance and Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	824	797
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 2,155	$ 1,924

XML

Investment gains/losses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
OTTI losses				$ (19)
Investment gains/losses	$ 362	$ 2,366	$ 459	3,497
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains	53	39	82	229
Gross losses	(46)	(19)	(84)	(48)
Equity Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains	342	2,391	448	3,395
Gross losses	(14)	(3)	(20)	(3)
Other Types of Investments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other investment gains/losses	$ 27	$ (42)	$ 33	$ (57)

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Significant business acquisitions - Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 62,799		$ 60,714		$ 57,011
AltaLink [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and investments				$ 15
Property, plant and equipment				5,610
Goodwill				1,731
Other assets				287
Assets acquired				7,643
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities				1,064
Notes payable and other borrowings				3,851
Liabilities assumed				4,915
Net assets				$ 2,728
Berkshire Hathaway Automotive (formerly Van Tuyl Group) [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and investments		$ 1,274
Inventories		1,209
Property, plant and equipment		1,034
Goodwill		1,715
Other assets		1,400
Assets acquired		6,632
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		1,210
Notes payable and other borrowings		1,129
Noncontrolling interests		181
Liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests		2,520
Net assets		$ 4,112

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New accounting pronouncements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

New accounting pronouncements

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 applies to contracts with customers, excluding, most notably, insurance and leasing contracts. ASU 2014-09 prescribes a framework in accounting for revenues from contracts within its scope, including (a) identification of the contract, (b) identification of the performance obligations under the contract, (c) determination of the transaction price, (d) allocation of the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognition of revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. ASU 2014-09 also prescribes additional disclosures and financial statement presentations. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software,” which clarifies that software licenses contained in a cloud computing arrangement should be capitalized if the customer has the right to take possession of the software and the ability to run the software outside of the cloud computing arrangement. ASU 2015-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and may be adopted prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.

In April 2015, the FASB also issued ASU 2015-03 “Interest—Imputation of Interest,” which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, instead of as an asset. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs under current GAAP is not affected by ASU 2015-03. ASU 2015-03 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be adopted retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09 “Financial Services—Insurance—Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts,” which requires additional disclosures in annual and interim reporting periods by insurance entities regarding liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, and any changes in assumptions or methodologies for calculations of such liabilities. ASU 2015-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted.

We are evaluating the effect the adoption each of these standards will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Investment gains/losses - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ 362	$ 2,366	$ 459	$ 3,497
Equity Securities [Member] | PSX and GHC [Member] | PSPI and WPLG Inc. [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses				$ 2,100
Equity Securities [Member] | Graham Holding Company [Member] | WPLG Inc. [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses		$ 1,100

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Common stock (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Changes in issued, treasury and outstanding Berkshire common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first six months of 2015 are shown in the table below.

	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
Balance at December 31, 2014		838,019		(11,680)		826,339		1,226,265,250		(1,409,762)		1,224,855,488
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(14,481)		—		(14,481)		22,142,067		—		22,142,067
Balance at June 30, 2015		823,538		(11,680)		811,858		1,248,407,317		(1,409,762)		1,246,997,555

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Significant business acquisitions (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Preliminary fair values of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at their respective acquisition dates are summarized as follows (in millions).

	Berkshire Hathaway Automotive			AltaLink
Cash and investments		$	1,274		$	15
Inventories			1,209			—
Property, plant and equipment			1,034			5,610
Goodwill			1,715			1,731
Other assets			1,400			287
Assets acquired		$	6,632		$	7,643
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		$	1,210		$	1,064
Notes payable and other borrowings			1,129			3,851
Noncontrolling interests			181			—
Liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests		$	2,520		$	4,915
Net assets		$	4,112		$	2,728

Schedule of pro forma consolidated earnings data

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first six months of 2014 as if the acquisitions discussed previously were consummated on the same terms at the beginning of the year preceding their respective acquisition dates (in millions, except the per share amount). Pro forma data for the first six months of 2015 was not materially different from the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

	First six months  2014
Revenues	$	99,634
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		11,174
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		6,796

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New accounting pronouncements (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

New accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 applies to contracts with customers, excluding, most notably, insurance and leasing contracts. ASU 2014-09 prescribes a framework in accounting for revenues from contracts within its scope, including (a) identification of the contract, (b) identification of the performance obligations under the contract, (c) determination of the transaction price, (d) allocation of the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognition of revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. ASU 2014-09 also prescribes additional disclosures and financial statement presentations. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software,” which clarifies that software licenses contained in a cloud computing arrangement should be capitalized if the customer has the right to take possession of the software and the ability to run the software outside of the cloud computing arrangement. ASU 2015-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and may be adopted prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.

In April 2015, the FASB also issued ASU 2015-03 “Interest—Imputation of Interest,” which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, instead of as an asset. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs under current GAAP is not affected by ASU 2015-03. ASU 2015-03 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be adopted retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09 “Financial Services—Insurance—Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts,” which requires additional disclosures in annual and interim reporting periods by insurance entities regarding liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, and any changes in assumptions or methodologies for calculations of such liabilities. ASU 2015-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted.

We are evaluating the effect the adoption each of these standards will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Investments in equity securities - Fair value by segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		$ 117,722	[1]	$ 117,470	[2]
Insurance and Other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		110,776		115,529
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	[3]	1,351		881
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		$ 5,595		$ 1,060

[1] Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $15.7 billion).

[2] Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.9 billion).

[3] Included in other assets.

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income

A summary of the net changes in after-tax accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders and significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the six months ending June 30, 2015 and 2014 follows (in millions).

	Unrealized appreciation of  investments, net				Foreign currency translation				Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans				Other				Accumulated other comprehensive income
Six months ending June 30, 2015
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	45,636			$	(1,957	)		$	(1,039	)		$	92			$	42,732
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications			(2,306	)			(787	)			(6	)			(100	)			(3,199	)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income			(127	)			—				8				3				(116	)
Balance at June 30, 2015		$	43,203			$	(2,744	)		$	(1,037	)		$	(5	)		$	39,417
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other		$	(194	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(194	)
Finance and financial products			(1	)			—				—				—				(1	)
Other			—				—				15				9				24
Reclassifications before income taxes			(195	)			—				15				9				(171	)
Applicable income taxes			(68	)			—				7				6				(55	)
		$	(127	)		$	—			$	8			$	3			$	(116	)

	Unrealized appreciation of  investments, net				Foreign currency translation				Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans				Other				Accumulated other comprehensive income
Six months ending June 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	44,042			$	(146	)		$	46			$	83			$	44,025
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications			3,378				247				(31	)			(3	)			3,591
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income			(2,242	)			47				27				(27	)			(2,195	)
Balance at June 30, 2014		$	45,178			$	148			$	42			$	53			$	45,421
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other		$	(3,377	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(3,377	)
Finance and financial products			(72	)			—				—				—				(72	)
Other			—				47				36				(45	)			38
Reclassifications before income taxes			(3,449	)			47				36				(45	)			(3,411	)
Applicable income taxes			(1,207	)			—				9				(18	)			(1,216	)
		$	(2,242	)		$	47			$	27			$	(27	)		$	(2,195	)

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Investments in fixed maturity securities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of investments in securities with fixed maturities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized  Gains		Unrealized  Losses			Fair     Value
June 30, 2015
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,708	$	19	$	(2	)	$	3,725
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,752		83		(2	)		1,833
Foreign governments		11,830		295		(77	)		12,048
Corporate bonds		7,138		912		(12	)		8,038
Mortgage-backed securities		1,600		199		(4	)		1,795
	$	26,028	$	1,508	$	(97	)	$	27,439
December 31, 2014
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,921	$	14	$	(5	)	$	2,930
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,820		93		(1	)		1,912
Foreign governments		12,023		373		(126	)		12,270
Corporate bonds		7,704		1,072		(5	)		8,771
Mortgage-backed securities		1,555		202		(4	)		1,753
	$	26,023	$	1,754	$	(141	)	$	27,636

Investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	June 30,  2015		December 31,   2014
Insurance and other		$27,224		$27,397
Finance and financial products		215		239
		$27,439		$27,636

Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at June 30, 2015 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. Amounts are in millions.

	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		$8,267		$11,218		$2,224		$2,719		$1,600		$26,028
Fair value		8,319		11,747		2,352		3,226		1,795		27,439

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Investments in equity securities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized   Gains		Unrealized   Losses			Fair        Value
June 30, 2015 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	23,388	$	31,312	$	(2	)	$	54,698
Consumer products		6,908		16,710		(2	)		23,616
Commercial, industrial and other		31,536		8,846		(974	)		39,408
	$	61,832	$	56,868	$	(978	)	$	117,722

 * Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $15.7 billion).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized   Gains		Unrealized   Losses			Fair        Value
December 31, 2014 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,495	$	33,170	$	—		$	55,665
Consumer products		6,951		18,389		(1	)		25,339
Commercial, industrial and other		28,924		8,578		(1,036	)		36,466
	$	58,370	$	60,137	$	(1,037	)	$	117,470

 * Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.9 billion).

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we concluded that there were no unrealized losses that were other than temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $128 million and $65 million, respectively.

Investments in equity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	June 30,      2015		December 31,   2014
Insurance and other	$	110,776	$	115,529
Railroad, utilities and energy *		1,351		881
Finance and financial products		5,595		1,060
	$	117,722	$	117,470

 * Included in other assets.

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General

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

General

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 Report reflects any adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of results for the interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). For a number of 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. Variations in the amount and timing of investment gains/losses can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings. Investment gains/losses are recorded when investments are disposed or are other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, changes in the fair values of liabilities associated with derivative contracts can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

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Other investments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Schedule of other investments

Other investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value and are shown in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	Cost				Fair Value
	June 30,    2015		December 31, 2014		June 30,    2015		December 31, 2014
Insurance and other		$9,970		$9,970		$16,183		$16,346
Finance and financial products		3,052		3,052		5,805		5,978
		$13,022		$13,022		$21,988		$22,324

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 42,732	$ 44,025
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	(3,199)	3,591
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	(116)	(2,195)
Ending Balance	39,417	45,421
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	45,636	44,042
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	(2,306)	3,378
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	(127)	(2,242)
Ending Balance	43,203	45,178
Foreign currency translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(1,957)	(146)
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	(787)	247
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income		47
Ending Balance	(2,744)	148
Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(1,039)	46
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	(6)	(31)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	8	27
Ending Balance	(1,037)	42
Other AOCI transactions [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	92	83
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	(100)	(3)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income	3	(27)
Ending Balance	$ (5)	$ 53

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Supplemental cash flow information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of supplemental cash flow information

A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 is presented in the following table (in millions).

	First Six Months
	2015		2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	1,128	$	2,151
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		185		181
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		1,319		1,209
Finance and financial products businesses		215		237
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions		—		2,478
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		2,478		1,038
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition		—		400

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Investments in equity securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	$ 61,832		$ 58,370
Unrealized gains on investments	56,868		60,137
Unrealized losses on investments	(978)		(1,037)
Fair value of investments	117,722	[1]	117,470	[2]
Banks, insurance and finance [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	23,388		22,495
Unrealized gains on investments	31,312		33,170
Unrealized losses on investments	(2)
Fair value of investments	54,698		55,665
Consumer products [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	6,908		6,951
Unrealized gains on investments	16,710		18,389
Unrealized losses on investments	(2)		(1)
Fair value of investments	23,616		25,339
Commercial, industrial and other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	31,536		28,924
Unrealized gains on investments	8,846		8,578
Unrealized losses on investments	(974)		(1,036)
Fair value of investments	$ 39,408		$ 36,466

[1] Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $15.7 billion).

[2] Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.9 billion).

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Derivative contracts - gains and losses (Detail) - Finance and Financial Products [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	$ (174)	$ 155	$ 1,144	$ 391
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	(174)	155	1,144	391
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	(138)	65	1,173	(67)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	$ (36)	84	$ (29)	457
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other, Principally Interest Rate and Foreign Currency [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses		$ 6		$ 1

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 66,587		$ 63,269
Investments in fixed maturity securities	27,439		27,636
Investments in equity securities	117,722	[1]	117,470	[2]
Inventories	12,072		10,236
Goodwill	62,799		60,714
Total assets	540,774		526,186
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred	62,678		61,235
Total liabilities	291,572		283,159
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	8		8
Capital in excess of par value	35,584		35,573
Accumulated other comprehensive income	39,417		42,732
Retained earnings	172,797		163,620
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,763)		(1,763)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	246,043		240,170
Noncontrolling interests	3,159		2,857
Total shareholders' equity	249,202		243,027
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	540,774		526,186
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	60,394		57,974
Investments in fixed maturity securities	27,224		27,397
Investments in equity securities	110,776		115,529
Other investments	16,183		16,346
Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company	11,455		11,660
Receivables	24,606		21,852
Inventories	12,072		10,236
Property, plant and equipment	15,392		14,153
Goodwill	37,141		34,959
Other	24,242		23,763
Total assets	339,485		333,869
LIABILITIES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	71,660		71,477
Unearned premiums	13,268		11,944
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	14,102		13,261
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	24,550		23,307
Notes payable and other borrowings	14,746		11,894
Total liabilities	138,326		131,883
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	3,860		3,001
Property, plant and equipment	117,223		115,054
Goodwill	24,325		24,418
Other	17,609		16,343
Total assets	163,017		158,816
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	15,400		15,595
Notes payable and other borrowings	57,269		55,579
Total liabilities	72,669		71,174
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,333		2,294
Investments in fixed maturity securities	215		239
Investments in equity and fixed maturity securities	5,810		1,299
Investments in equity securities	5,595		1,060
Other investments	5,805		5,978
Loans and finance receivables	12,592		12,566
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	8,264		8,037
Goodwill	1,333		1,337
Other	2,135		1,990
Total assets	38,272		33,501
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	1,670		1,321
Derivative contract liabilities	3,666		4,810
Notes payable and other borrowings	12,563		12,736
Total liabilities	$ 17,899		$ 18,867

[1] Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $15.7 billion).

[2] Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.9 billion).

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Business segment data (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of revenues and earnings by segment

Revenues by segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	5,619		$	5,081		$	11,004		$	9,965
General Re		1,494			1,610			2,992			3,167
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		1,978			1,583			3,425			3,605
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,309			1,049			2,519			2,002
Investment income		1,338			1,501			2,428			2,452
Total insurance group		11,738			10,824			22,368			21,191
BNSF		5,369			5,735			10,971			11,182
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		4,543			4,185			8,874			8,491
McLane Company		12,293			11,722			23,936			22,176
Manufacturing		9,524			9,613			18,387			18,254
Service and retailing		6,294			3,605			10,815			6,963
Finance and financial products		1,799			1,642			3,353			3,077
		51,560			47,326			98,704			91,334
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		188			2,521			1,603			3,888
Eliminations and other		(380	)		(85	)		(295	)		(7	)
	$	51,368		$	49,762		$	100,012		$	95,215

Earnings before income taxes by segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	53		$	393		$	213		$	746
General Re		107			116			60			196
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(411	)		(9	)		48			174
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		203			137			378			236
Investment income		1,334			1,498			2,421			2,444
Total insurance group		1,286			2,135			3,120			3,796
BNSF		1,536			1,472			3,208			2,641
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		649			578			1,245			1,197
McLane Company		147			126			278			241
Manufacturing		1,393			1,369			2,598			2,437
Service and retailing		498			453			882			740
Finance and financial products		550			422			994			794
		6,059			6,555			12,325			11,846
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		188			2,521			1,603			3,888
Interest expense, not allocated to segments		(189	)		(77	)		(308	)		(154	)
Eliminations and other		(212	)		(83	)		(127	)		(66	)
	$	5,846		$	8,916		$	13,493		$	15,514

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common stock and capital in excess of par value	Accumulated other comprehensive income	Retained earnings	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 224,485	$ 35,480	$ 44,025	$ 143,748	$ (1,363)	$ 2,595
Net earnings	11,231			11,100		131
Other comprehensive income, net	1,429		1,396			33
Issuance (acquisition) of common stock	(352)	48			(400)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	(33)	(29)				(4)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	236,760	35,499	45,421	154,848	(1,763)	2,755
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	243,027	35,581	42,732	163,620	(1,763)	2,857
Net earnings	9,340			9,177		163
Other comprehensive income, net	(3,308)		(3,315)			7
Issuance of common stock	30	30
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	113	(19)				132
Balance at Jun. 30, 2015	$ 249,202	$ 35,592	$ 39,417	$ 172,797	$ (1,763)	$ 3,159

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Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company - Narrative (Detail)				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2015 shares	Jul. 01, 2015 USD ($) shares	Jun. 07, 2013 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2015 $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2015 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage			50.00%	52.50%			52.50%
Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired			425,000,000
Number of shares acquired upon exercise of warrants				46,000,000
Exercise price for warrants, per share | $ / shares				$ 0.01
Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value | $			$ 8,000,000,000
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate							9.00%
Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Common Stock, Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Purchase of preferred stock, common stock and warrants | $			$ 12,250,000,000
Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage			50.00%
Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired			425,000,000
Purchase of common stock | $			$ 4,250,000,000
Management and Directors [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Common shares reserved for issuance under equity grants, including stock options			39,600,000
Kraft [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Minimum annual revenues of Kraft | $							$ 18,000,000,000
Kraft [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ratio of common stock shares to be issued per Kraft common stock share					1
Dividend to be received by Kraft shareholders per share | $ / shares					$ 16.50
Subsequent Event [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Reverse stock split ratio		0.443332
Subsequent Event [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage		52.50%
Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions	26.90%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired		262,900,000
Purchase of common stock | $		$ 5,260,000,000
Investment, number of shares owned		325,400,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and 3G Capital [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions	51.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions	24.20%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired		237,100,000
Purchase of common stock | $		$ 4,740,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Kraft [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of new shares issued	592,000,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Non-cash pre-tax holding gain | $						$ 7,000,000,000

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Receivables (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Insurance and Other [Member]

Schedule of receivables

Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

	June 30,   2015				December 31, 2014
Insurance premiums receivable		$	9,001			$	7,914
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses			3,321				3,116
Trade and other receivables			12,607				11,133
Allowances for uncollectible accounts			(323	)			(311	)
		$	24,606			$	21,852

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Schedule of receivables

Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30,   2015				December 31, 2014
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts		$	13,040			$	13,150
Allowances for uncollectible loans			(195	)			(303	)
Unamortized acquisition discounts			(253	)			(281	)
		$	12,592			$	12,566

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Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 1,855	$ 1,881
Work in process and other	855	850
Finished manufactured goods	3,516	3,333
Goods acquired for resale	5,846	4,172
Total inventory	$ 12,072	$ 10,236

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Notes payable and other borrowings

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Notes payable and other borrowings

Note 15. Notes payable and other borrowings

Notes payable and other borrowings are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges shown in the following tables are based on borrowings as of June 30, 2015.

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30,   2015		December 31, 2014
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire due 2015-2047	2.2%	$	9,896	$	8,354
Short-term subsidiary borrowings	1.8%		2,102		839
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2015-2044	6.0%		2,748		2,701
		$	14,746	$	11,894

In March 2015, Berkshire issued €3.0 billion in senior unsecured notes consisting of €750 million of 0.75% senior notes due in 2023, €1.25 billion of 1.125% senior notes due in 2027 and €1.0 billion of 1.625% senior notes due in 2035. In February 2015, $1.7 billion of Berkshire senior notes matured.

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30,   2015		December 31,   2014
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2017-2045	5.1%	$	7,860	$	7,860
Subsidiary and other debt due 2015-2064	4.9%		28,493		28,439
Issued by BNSF due 2015-2097	4.9%		20,916		19,280
		$	57,269	$	55,579

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 the debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily senior unsecured debentures. In March 2015, BNSF issued $1.5 billion of senior unsecured debentures consisting of $500 million of 3.0% debentures due in 2025 and $1.0 billion of 4.15% debentures due in 2045. In the second quarter of 2015, BNSF issued $500 million of amortizing debt with a final maturity date of 2028, which is secured with locomotives. As of June 30, 2015, BNSF and BHE and their subsidiaries were in compliance with all applicable debt covenants. Berkshire does not guarantee any debt, borrowings or lines of credit of BNSF, BHE or their subsidiaries.

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2015-2043	2.7%	$	11,178	$	11,178
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2015-2036	5.3%		1,385		1,558
		$	12,563	$	12,736

In January 2015, BHFC issued $1.0 billion of new senior notes consisting of $400 million floating rate senior notes that mature in 2017 and $600 million floating rate senior notes that mature in 2018, which replaced $1.0 billion of senior notes that matured. The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire.

As of June 30, 2015, our subsidiaries had unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity aggregating approximately $8.9 billion to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. Such unused lines of credit included about $5.3 billion related to BHE and its subsidiaries. In addition to BHFC’s borrowings, Berkshire has guaranteed other subsidiary borrowings, aggregating approximately $3.3 billion at June 30, 2015. 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 present and future payment obligations.

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Inventories (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	June 30,   2015			December 31,  2014
Raw materials		$	1,855		$	1,881
Work in process and other			855			850
Finished manufactured goods			3,516			3,333
Goods acquired for resale			5,846			4,172
		$	12,072		$	10,236

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Common stock

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Common stock

Note 17. Common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first six months of 2015 are shown in the table below.

	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
Balance at December 31, 2014		838,019		(11,680)		826,339		1,226,265,250		(1,409,762)		1,224,855,488
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(14,481)		—		(14,481)		22,142,067		—		22,142,067
Balance at June 30, 2015		823,538		(11,680)		811,858		1,248,407,317		(1,409,762)		1,246,997,555

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 equivalent 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 1,643,190 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and 1,642,909 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued and outstanding.

Berkshire’s Board of Directors (“Berkshire’s Board”) has approved a common stock repurchase program under which Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares. Berkshire may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Berkshire’s Board authorization does not specify a maximum number of shares to be repurchased. However, repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash and cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. The repurchase program does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B shares and there is no expiration date to the program. There were no share repurchases under the program in the first six months of 2015.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 60,714	$ 57,011
Acquisitions of businesses	2,266	4,006
Other, including foreign currency translation	(181)	(303)
Balance at end of period	$ 62,799	$ 60,714

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 9,340	$ 11,231
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(459)	(3,497)
Depreciation and amortization	3,812	3,582
Other	160	(249)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	670	599
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	246	(216)
Unearned premiums	1,379	1,612
Receivables and originated loans	(2,667)	(2,815)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(1,144)	(405)
Income taxes	2,763	1,726
Other	(157)	265
Net cash flows from operating activities	13,943	11,833
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(3,001)	(3,477)
Purchases of equity securities	(4,714)	(2,054)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	622	577
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	2,295	3,159
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	2,160	2,961
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(57)	(141)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	246	658
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(4,500)	(676)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(6,836)	(6,093)
Other	41	262
Net cash flows from investing activities	(13,744)	(4,824)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in short term borrowings, net	(246)	317
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(70)	(1,287)
Other financing activities	(113)	(3)
Net cash flows from financing activities	3,196	239
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(77)	21
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,318	7,269
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	63,269	48,186
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	66,587	55,455
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(232)	(3,425)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,253	70
Repayments of borrowings	(1,843)	(36)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	57,974	42,433
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	60,394	49,182
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,238	2,772
Repayments of borrowings	(848)	(1,301)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,001	3,400
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	3,860	3,410
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(227)	(72)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	998	749
Repayments of borrowings	(1,173)	(1,042)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,294	2,353
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	$ 2,333	$ 2,863

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Investment gains/losses		$ 362	$ 2,366	$ 459	$ 3,497
Total revenues		51,368	49,762	100,012	95,215
Costs and expenses:
Total costs and expenses		45,522	40,846	86,519	79,701
Earnings before income taxes		5,846	8,916	13,493	15,514
Income tax expense		1,739	2,458	4,153	4,283
Net earnings		4,107	6,458	9,340	11,231
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		94	63	163	131
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		$ 4,013	$ 6,395	$ 9,177	$ 11,100
Average common shares outstanding	[1]	1,643,084	1,644,370	1,643,018	1,644,215
Class A [Member]
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	[1]	$ 2,442	$ 3,889	$ 5,585	$ 6,751
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned		$ 10,400	$ 9,323	$ 19,940	$ 18,739
Sales and service revenues		27,792	24,846	52,733	47,174
Interest, dividend and other investment income		1,323	1,583	2,626	2,738
Investment gains/losses		136	2,366	232	3,425
Total revenues		39,651	38,118	75,531	72,076
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		6,692	5,542	12,693	11,132
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		1,738	1,279	2,918	2,489
Insurance underwriting expenses		2,018	1,864	3,630	3,765
Cost of sales and services		22,589	20,063	42,848	38,200
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3,378	2,966	6,456	5,854
Interest expense		217	116	361	214
Total costs and expenses		36,632	31,830	68,906	61,654
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues		9,866	9,846	19,757	19,599
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		6,999	7,193	13,967	14,574
Interest expense		653	591	1,285	1,156
Total costs and expenses		7,652	7,784	15,252	15,730
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Revenues:
Sales and service revenues		1,383	1,314	2,605	2,410
Interest, dividend and other investment income		416	329	748	667
Investment gains/losses		226		227	72
Derivative gains/losses		(174)	155	1,144	391
Total revenues		1,851	1,798	4,724	3,540
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and services		739	692	1,398	1,281
Selling, general and administrative expenses		402	423	767	800
Interest expense		97	117	196	236
Total costs and expenses		$ 1,238	$ 1,232	$ 2,361	$ 2,317

[1] Average shares outstanding include average Class A common shares and average Class B common shares determined on an equivalent Class A common stock basis. Net earnings per common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B common share is equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such amount.

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Inventories

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Note 10. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	June 30,   2015			December 31,  2014
Raw materials		$	1,855		$	1,881
Work in process and other			855			850
Finished manufactured goods			3,516			3,333
Goods acquired for resale			5,846			4,172
		$	12,072		$	10,236

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Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jul. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	BRKA
Entity Registrant Name	BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001067983
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		811,755
Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,247,366,163

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

Note 11. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

Property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses is summarized below (in millions).

	Range of   estimated useful life		June 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Land		—	$	1,503			$	1,171
Buildings and improvements		2 – 40 years		7,216				6,600
Machinery and equipment		3 – 25 years		16,688				16,413
Furniture, fixtures and other		2 – 18 years		3,585				3,136
				28,992				27,320
Accumulated depreciation				(13,600	)			(13,167)
			$	15,392			$	14,153

Depreciation expense of insurance and other businesses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 was $824 million and $797 million, respectively.

Property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses is summarized below (in millions).

	Range of  estimated useful life		June 30,      2015		December 31,  2014
Railroad:
Land		—	$	6,024	$	5,983
Track structure and other roadway		7 – 100 years		44,054		42,588
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment		6 – 40 years		10,414		9,493
Construction in progress		—		1,216		1,292
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system		5 – 80 years		66,158		64,645
Interstate pipeline assets		3 – 80 years		6,711		6,660
Independent power plants and other assets		3 – 30 years		5,565		5,035
Construction in progress		—		4,413		5,194
				144,555		140,890
Accumulated depreciation				(27,332)		(25,836)
			$	117,223	$	115,054

Railroad property, plant and equipment includes the land, other roadway, track structure and rolling stock (primarily locomotives and freight cars) of BNSF. The utility generation, distribution and transmission system and interstate pipeline assets are the regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. Depreciation expense of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 was $2,155 million and $1,924 million, respectively.

Assets held for lease and property, plant and equipment of our finance and financial products businesses are summarized below (in millions).

	Range of  estimated useful life		June 30,   2015		December 31,  2014
Assets held for lease		5 – 30 years	$	10,137		$	9,810
Land		—		224			227
Buildings, machinery and other		3 – 50 years		1,189			1,179
				11,550			11,216
Accumulated depreciation				(3,286)			(3,179)
			$	8,264		$	8,037

Assets held for lease includes railcars, intermodal tank containers, cranes, over-the-road trailers, storage units and furniture. Depreciation expense of the finance and financial products businesses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 was $296 million in each period.

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Common stock (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 shares
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued, beginning of year (in shares)	838,019
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	(14,481)
Shares issued, end of period (in shares)	823,538
Treasury shares, beginning of year	(11,680)
Treasury shares, end of period	(11,680)
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	826,339
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	811,858
Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued, beginning of year (in shares)	1,226,265,250
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	22,142,067
Shares issued, end of period (in shares)	1,248,407,317
Treasury shares, beginning of year	(1,409,762)
Treasury shares, end of period	(1,409,762)
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	1,224,855,488
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	1,246,997,555

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Parenthetical)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Class B [Member]
Ratio of earnings per Class B share to earnings per Class A share	0.000667

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Investments in equity securities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in equity securities

Note 5. Investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized   Gains		Unrealized   Losses			Fair        Value
June 30, 2015 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	23,388	$	31,312	$	(2	)	$	54,698
Consumer products		6,908		16,710		(2	)		23,616
Commercial, industrial and other		31,536		8,846		(974	)		39,408
	$	61,832	$	56,868	$	(978	)	$	117,722

 * Approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $11.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $27.6 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.9 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $15.7 billion).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized   Gains		Unrealized   Losses			Fair        Value
December 31, 2014 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,495	$	33,170	$	—		$	55,665
Consumer products		6,951		18,389		(1	)		25,339
Commercial, industrial and other		28,924		8,578		(1,036	)		36,466
	$	58,370	$	60,137	$	(1,037	)	$	117,470

 * Approximately 59% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $14.1 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $26.5 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.3 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.9 billion).

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we concluded that there were no unrealized losses that were other than temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $128 million and $65 million, respectively.

Investments in equity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	June 30,      2015		December 31,   2014
Insurance and other	$	110,776	$	115,529
Railroad, utilities and energy *		1,351		881
Finance and financial products		5,595		1,060
	$	117,722	$	117,470

 * Included in other assets.

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Investments in fixed maturity securities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in fixed maturity securities

Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized  Gains		Unrealized  Losses			Fair     Value
June 30, 2015
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,708	$	19	$	(2	)	$	3,725
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,752		83		(2	)		1,833
Foreign governments		11,830		295		(77	)		12,048
Corporate bonds		7,138		912		(12	)		8,038
Mortgage-backed securities		1,600		199		(4	)		1,795
	$	26,028	$	1,508	$	(97	)	$	27,439
December 31, 2014
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,921	$	14	$	(5	)	$	2,930
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,820		93		(1	)		1,912
Foreign governments		12,023		373		(126	)		12,270
Corporate bonds		7,704		1,072		(5	)		8,771
Mortgage-backed securities		1,555		202		(4	)		1,753
	$	26,023	$	1,754	$	(141	)	$	27,636

Investments in fixed maturity securities are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	June 30,  2015		December 31,   2014
Insurance and other		$27,224		$27,397
Finance and financial products		215		239
		$27,439		$27,636

Investments in foreign government securities include securities issued by national and provincial government entities as well as instruments that are unconditionally guaranteed by such entities. As of June 30, 2015, approximately 94% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies. Approximately 75% of foreign government holdings were issued or guaranteed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada or The Netherlands. Unrealized losses on all fixed maturity investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $11 million as of June 30, 2015 and $15 million as of December 31, 2014.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at June 30, 2015 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. Amounts are in millions.

	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		$8,267		$11,218		$2,224		$2,719		$1,600		$26,028
Fair value		8,319		11,747		2,352		3,226		1,795		27,439

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Fair value measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurements

Note 16. Fair value measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities are considered to be reasonable estimates of their fair values.

	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
June 30, 2015
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,725	$	3,725	$	2,691	$	1,034	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,833		1,833		—		1,833		—
Foreign governments		12,048		12,048		7,719		4,329		—
Corporate bonds		8,038		8,038		—		8,031		7
Mortgage-backed securities		1,795		1,795		—		1,795		—
Investments in equity securities		117,722		117,722		117,684		37		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock		7,710		8,672		—		—		8,672
Other investments		21,988		21,988		322		—		21,666
Loans and finance receivables		12,592		12,959		—		16		12,943
Derivative contract assets (1)		116		116		—		22		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		227		227		12		160		55
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		3,387		3,387		—		—		3,387
Credit default		279		279		—		—		279
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		14,746		14,853		—		14,853		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		57,269		62,513		—		62,513		—
Finance and financial products		12,563		13,009		—		12,501		508
December 31, 2014
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,930	$	2,930	$	2,264	$	666	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,912		1,912		—		1,912		—
Foreign governments		12,270		12,270		7,981		4,289		—
Corporate bonds		8,771		8,771		—		8,763		8
Mortgage-backed securities		1,753		1,753		—		1,753		—
Investments in equity securities		117,470		117,470		117,424		45		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock		7,710		8,416		—		—		8,416
Other investments		22,324		22,324		329		—		21,995
Loans and finance receivables		12,566		12,891		—		33		12,858
Derivative contract assets (1)		108		108		1		13		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		230		230		18		169		43
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,560		4,560		—		—		4,560
Credit default		250		250		—		—		250
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		11,894		12,484		—		12,484		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		55,579		62,802		—		62,802		—
Finance and financial products		12,736		13,417		—		12,846		571

⁽¹⁾  Assets are included in other assets and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.

The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair values presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value. 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 we 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 pricing assets or liabilities.

Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ending June 30, 2015 and 2014 follow (in millions).

	Investments in fixed maturity securities				Investments in equity securities and other investments				Net derivative contract liabilities
Six months ending June 30, 2015
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	8			$	21,996			$	(4,759	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings			—				—				1,200
Other comprehensive income			—				(329	)			(3	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—				—				(17	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements			(1	)			—				(51	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3			—				—				3
Balance at June 30, 2015		$	7			$	21,667			$	(3,627	)
Six months ending June 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	372			$	17,958			$	(5,255	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings			—				—				369
Other comprehensive income			—				(31	)			4
Regulatory assets and liabilities			—				—				—
Dispositions and settlements			(1	)			—				1
Transfers into/out of Level 3			(56	)			—				(35	)
Balance at June 30, 2014		$	315			$	17,927			$	(4,916	)

Gains and losses included in earnings are included as components of investment gains/losses, derivative gains/losses and other revenues, as appropriate and are primarily related to changes in the values of derivative contracts and settlement transactions. Substantially all of the gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are included as components of the net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and the reclassification of investment appreciation in earnings, as appropriate in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Quantitative information as of June 30, 2015, with respect to assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) follows (in millions).

	Fair value		Principal valuation techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Weighted Average
Other investments:
Preferred stocks	$	15,002	Discounted cash flow	Expected duration	7 years
				Discount for transferability  restrictions and subordination	134 basis points
Common stock warrants		6,664	Warrant pricing model	Discount for transferability  and hedging restrictions	7%
Net derivative liabilities:
Equity index put options		3,387	Option pricing model	Volatility	21%
Credit default		279	Discounted cash flow	Credit spreads	41 basis points

Other investments consist of preferred stocks and common stock warrants that we acquired in a few relatively large private placement transactions. These investments are subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and may contain provisions that prevent us from economically hedging our investments. In applying discounted estimated cash flow techniques in valuing the perpetual preferred stocks, we made assumptions regarding the expected durations of the investments, as the issuers may have the right to redeem or convert these investments. We also made estimates regarding the impact of subordination, as the preferred stocks have a lower priority in liquidation than debt instruments of the issuers. In valuing the common stock warrants, we used a warrant valuation model. While most of the inputs to the model are observable, we are subject to the aforementioned contractual restrictions and we have applied discounts with respect to such restrictions. Increases or decreases to these inputs would result in decreases or increases to the fair values of the investments.

Our equity index put option and credit default contracts are illiquid and contain contract terms that are not standard in derivatives markets. For example, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts and many contracts have relatively long durations. For these and other reasons, we classified these contracts as Level 3. The methods we use to value these contracts are those that we believe market participants would use in determining exchange prices with respect to our contracts.

We value equity index put option contracts based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Inputs to this model include index price, contract duration, dividend and interest rate inputs (including a Berkshire non-performance input) which are observable. However, we believe that the valuation of long-duration options using any model is inherently subjective and, given the lack of observable transactions and prices, acceptable values may be subject to wide ranges. Expected volatility inputs represent our expectations, which consider the remaining duration of each contract and assume that the contracts will remain outstanding until the expiration dates without offsetting transactions occurring in the interim. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Note 12. Goodwill and other intangible assets

The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the first six months of 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 is summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	60,714		$	57,011
Acquisitions of businesses		2,266			4,006
Other, including foreign currency translation		(181)			(303)
Balance at end of period	$	62,799		$	60,714

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Gross carrying amount			Accumulated  amortization			Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other		$	14,700		$	4,911		$	13,714		$	4,476
Railroad, utilities and energy			870			213			2,254			1,551
		$	15,570		$	5,124		$	15,968		$	6,027
Trademarks and trade names		$	3,057		$	651		$	3,117		$	599
Patents and technology			4,196			1,916			5,425			3,133
Customer relationships			5,439			1,947			5,603			1,768
Other			2,878			610			1,823			527
		$	15,570		$	5,124		$	15,968		$	6,027

In the first six months of 2015 and 2014, amortization expense was $537 million and $565 million, respectively. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $3,149 million and $2,586 million, respectively.

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Accumulated other comprehensive income - Reclassified Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ 362	$ 2,366	$ 459	$ 3,497
Reclassifications before income taxes	5,846	8,916	13,493	15,514
Applicable income taxes	1,739	2,458	4,153	4,283
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings	4,107	6,458	9,340	11,231
Insurance and Other [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	136	$ 2,366	232	3,425
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ 226		227	72
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			24	38
Reclassifications before income taxes			(171)	(3,411)
Applicable income taxes			(55)	(1,216)
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			(116)	(2,195)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(194)	(3,377)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(1)	(72)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before income taxes			(195)	(3,449)
Applicable income taxes			(68)	(1,207)
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			(127)	(2,242)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(194)	(3,377)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(1)	(72)
Foreign currency translation [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other				47
Reclassifications before income taxes				47
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings				47
Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			15	36
Reclassifications before income taxes			15	36
Applicable income taxes			7	9
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			8	27
Other AOCI transactions [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			9	(45)
Reclassifications before income taxes			9	(45)
Applicable income taxes			6	(18)
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			$ 3	$ (27)

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Investment gains/losses

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investment gains/losses

Note 8. Investment gains/losses

Investment gains/losses, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses are summarized below (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Fixed maturity securities —
Gross gains	$	53		$	39		$	82		$	229
Gross losses		(46	)		(19	)		(84	)		(48	)
Equity securities —
Gross gains		342			2,391			448			3,395
Gross losses		(14	)		(3	)		(20	)		(3	)
OTTI losses		—			—			—			(19	)
Other		27			(42	)		33			(57	)
	$	362		$	2,366		$	459		$	3,497

Gains from equity securities in 2014 included non-cash holding gains of approximately $1.1 billion in the second quarter and $2.1 billion in the first six months from the exchange of Phillips 66 (“PSX”) common stock in connection with the acquisition of Phillips Specialty Products Inc. (subsequently renamed Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (“LSPI”)) and the exchange of Graham Holding Company (“GHC”) common stock for WPLG, Inc. (“WPLG”). The PSX/LSPI exchange was completed February 25, 2014 and the GHC/WPLG exchange was completed June 30, 2014. The holding gains represented the excess of the respective fair value of the net assets of LSPI and WPLG received over the respective cost basis of the PSX and GHC shares exchanged.

We record investments in equity and fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale at fair value and record the difference between fair value and cost in other comprehensive income. OTTI losses recognized in earnings represent reductions in the cost basis of the investment, but not the fair value. Accordingly, such losses that are included in earnings are generally offset by a credit to other comprehensive income, producing no net effect on shareholders’ equity as of the balance sheet date.

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Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company (Detail) - Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Assets		$ 36,062		$ 36,062		$ 36,763
Liabilities		20,761		20,761		$ 21,077
Sales		2,616	$ 2,728	5,094	$ 5,528
Net earnings (loss)		(164)	127	112	322
Preferred stock dividends		(180)	(180)	(360)	(360)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		(344)	(53)	(248)	(38)
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders	[1]	$ 50	$ 116	$ 200	$ 293

[1] Includes dividends earned on Preferred Stock and Berkshire's share of net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders, net of applicable income taxes.

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Other investments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Other investments

Note 6. Other investments

Other investments include preferred stock of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”), The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”), warrants to purchase common stock of BAC and our investments in Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (“RBI”). Other investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value and are shown in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	Cost				Fair Value
	June 30,    2015		December 31, 2014		June 30,    2015		December 31, 2014
Insurance and other		$9,970		$9,970		$16,183		$16,346
Finance and financial products		3,052		3,052		5,805		5,978
		$13,022		$13,022		$21,988		$22,324

We acquired $2.1 billion liquidation amount of Wrigley preferred stock in conjunction with the Mars Incorporated (“Mars”) acquisition of Wrigley. The Wrigley preferred stock is entitled to dividends at 5% per annum and is subject to certain put and call arrangements in 2016 and then annually beginning in 2021. The redemption amount will be based upon the earnings of Wrigley.

We own 3,000,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock of Dow (“Dow Preferred”) with a liquidation value of $1,000 per share. Each share of the Dow Preferred is convertible into 24.201 shares of Dow common stock (equivalent to a conversion price of $41.32 per share). Dow currently has the option to cause some or all of the Dow Preferred to be converted into Dow common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, if the New York Stock Exchange closing price of its common stock exceeds $53.72 per share for any 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the day before Dow exercises its option. The Dow Preferred is entitled to dividends at a rate of 8.5% per annum.

We own 50,000 shares of 6% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of BAC (“BAC Preferred”) with a liquidation value of $100,000 per share and warrants to purchase 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”). The BAC Preferred may not be redeemed at the option of BAC before May 7, 2019. The BAC Preferred redemption price is $105,000 per share (or $5.25 billion in aggregate). The BAC Warrants expire in 2021 and are exercisable for an additional aggregate cost of $5 billion ($7.142857/share).

On December 12, 2014, we acquired Class A 9% Cumulative Compounding Perpetual Preferred Shares of RBI (“RBI Preferred”) having a stated value of $3 billion and common stock of RBI for an aggregate cost of $3 billion. RBI, domiciled in Canada, is the ultimate parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons. As of the acquisition date, our combined investment in RBI possessed approximately 14.4% of the voting interests of RBI. The RBI Preferred is entitled to dividends on a cumulative basis of 9% per annum plus an additional amount that is intended to produce an after-tax yield to Berkshire as if the dividends were paid by a U.S.-based company.

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Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

Note 7. Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

On June 7, 2013, Berkshire and an affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”), through a newly formed holding company, H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”), acquired H.J. Heinz Company (“Heinz”). Berkshire and 3G each made equity investments in Heinz Holding, which, together with debt financing obtained by Heinz Holding, was used to acquire Heinz.

Heinz is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz^® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta, infant foods, Ore-Ida^® potato products, Weight Watchers^® Smart Ones^® entrées and T.G.I. Friday’s^® snacks.

Berkshire’s initial investments consisted of 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock, warrants, which were exercised in June 2015, to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock at one cent per share, and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. The aggregate cost of these investments was $12.25 billion. 3G also acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. In addition, Heinz Holding reserved 39.6 million shares of common stock for issuance to its management and directors under equity grants, including stock options. At that time, Berkshire and 3G each owned 50% of the outstanding common stock of Heinz Holding.

In March 2015, Heinz Holding and Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”) entered into a merger agreement under which Kraft shareholders were entitled to receive one share of newly issued Heinz Holding common stock for each share of Kraft common stock and a special cash dividend of $16.50 per share. Kraft is one of North America’s largest consumer packaged food and beverage companies, with annual revenues of more than $18 billion. The company’s iconic brands include Kraft, Capri Sun, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters and Velveeta. Upon consummation of the merger on July 2, 2015, Heinz Holding was renamed The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft Heinz”).

As of June 30, 2015, we owned approximately 52.5% of the outstanding common stock of Heinz Holding (hereinafter, “Kraft Heinz”). The Preferred Stock possesses no voting rights except as are required by law or for certain matters. The Preferred Stock is entitled to dividends at 9% per annum whether or not declared, is senior in priority to the common stock and is callable after June 7, 2016 at the liquidation value plus an applicable premium and any accrued and unpaid dividends. After June 7, 2021, Berkshire can cause Kraft Heinz to attempt to sell shares of common stock through public offerings or other issuances (“redemption offerings”), the proceeds of which would be required to be used to redeem any outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock. Kraft Heinz has announced its intention to call the Preferred Stock after June 7, 2016 and prior to June 7, 2017, although it has no obligation to do so.

We account for our investment in the common stock on the equity method. We include our proportionate share of net earnings attributable to common stockholders and other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. We account for our investment in the Preferred Stock as an equity investment and it is carried at cost in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Dividends earned on the Preferred Stock and our share of net earnings or loss attributable to common stockholders are included in interest, dividend and other investment income of Insurance and Other in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz follows (in millions).

	June 28,           2015		December 28,     2014
Assets	$	36,062	$	36,763
Liabilities		20,761		21,077

	Second quarter								First six months
	2015				2014				2015			2014
Sales		$	2,616			$	2,728			$	5,094		$	5,528
Net earnings (loss)		$	(164	)		$	127			$	112		$	322
Preferred stock dividends			(180	)			(180	)			(360)			(360	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$	(344	)		$	(53	)		$	(248)		$	(38	)
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders *		$	50			$	116			$	200		$	293

 * Includes dividends earned on Preferred Stock and Berkshire’s share of net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders, net of applicable income taxes.

On July 1, 2015, Berkshire acquired 262.9 million shares of newly issued common stock of Kraft Heinz for $5.26 billion and 3G acquired 237.1 million shares of newly issued common stock for $4.74 billion. Immediately thereafter, Kraft Heinz executed a reverse stock split at a rate of 0.443332 of a share for each share. Upon completion of these transactions, Berkshire owned approximately 325.4 million shares of Kraft Heinz common stock, or 52.5% of the then outstanding shares. Following the approval by the Kraft shareholders, the merger transaction closed on July 2, 2015 and Kraft Heinz issued approximately 592 million new shares of its common stock to the former Kraft shareholders. Upon completion of the merger, Berkshire and 3G owned approximately 51% of the outstanding Kraft Heinz common stock, with Berkshire owning approximately 26.9% and 3G owning 24.2%.

Following the consummation of the merger transaction with Kraft, we will continue to account for our investment in Kraft Heinz common stock under the equity method. As previously discussed, the issuance of new common stock by Kraft Heinz for Kraft common stock reduced our ownership of Kraft Heinz from approximately 52.5% to 26.9%. Under the equity method of accounting, the issuance of shares by an investee is accounted for by the investor as if the investor had sold a proportionate share of its investment. As a result, we currently expect to record a non-cash pre-tax holding gain of approximately $7 billion in the third quarter of 2015, representing the excess of the fair value of new Kraft Heinz common stock issued for Kraft common stock over our carrying value associated with the reduction in our ownership of Kraft Heinz.

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Receivables

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Receivables [Abstract]

Receivables

Note 9. Receivables

Receivables of insurance and other businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

	June 30,   2015				December 31, 2014
Insurance premiums receivable		$	9,001			$	7,914
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses			3,321				3,116
Trade and other receivables			12,607				11,133
Allowances for uncollectible accounts			(323	)			(311	)
		$	24,606			$	21,852

Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30,   2015				December 31, 2014
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts		$	13,040			$	13,150
Allowances for uncollectible loans			(195	)			(303	)
Unamortized acquisition discounts			(253	)			(281	)
		$	12,592			$	12,566

 Loans and finance receivables are predominantly installment loans originated or acquired by our manufactured housing business. Provisions for loan losses for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 were $77 million and $94 million, respectively. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 were $93 million and $102 million, respectively. In 2015, we reclassified $93 million of allowances for uncollectible loans and related installment loan receivables that were in-substance foreclosures or repossessions to other assets. The reclassifications had no impact on earnings or cash flows. At June 30, 2015, approximately 98% of the loan balances were evaluated collectively for impairment. As a part of the evaluation process, credit quality indicators are reviewed and loans are designated as performing or non-performing. At June 30, 2015, approximately 99% of the loan balances were determined to be performing and approximately 96% of the loan balances were current as to payment status.

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Receivables - Narrative (Detail) - Loans and finance receivables [Member] - Finance and Financial Products [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provisions for loan losses	$ 77	$ 94
Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries	93	$ 102
Allowances in uncollectible loans and related installment loan receivables reclassified to other assets	$ 93
Percent of loan balances evaluated collectively for impairment	98.00%
Percent of loan balances that are performing	99.00%
Percent of loan balances that are current as to payment status	96.00%

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Contingencies and Commitments - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Nov. 13, 2014
Duracell Company [Member] | Purchase Agreement [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Cash to be acquired at closing		$ 1,700
Proctor & Gamble Company [Member] | Duracell Company [Member] | Purchase Agreement [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Value of shares agreed to exchange in business acquisition		$ 4,100
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Voting interest in investee	50.00%
Commercial paper outstanding	$ 2,470
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member] | Leucadia National Corporation (venture partner) [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Voting interest in investee	50.00%
Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Reimbursement rate from joint venture partner of Company's surety bond claim losses	50.00%
Surety bonds [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantee obligation, maximum amount of exposure	$ 2,500

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 28,992	$ 27,320
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	(13,600)	(13,167)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	15,392	14,153
Insurance and Other [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	7,216	6,600
Insurance and Other [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	16,688	16,413
Insurance and Other [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,585	3,136
Insurance and Other [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,503	1,171
Railroad [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	6,024	5,983
Railroad [Member] | Track structure and other roadway [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	44,054	42,588
Railroad [Member] | Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	10,414	9,493
Railroad [Member] | Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,216	1,292
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	66,158	64,645
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Interstate pipeline assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	6,711	6,660
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Independent power plants and other assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	5,565	5,035
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,413	5,194
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	144,555	140,890
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	(27,332)	(25,836)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	117,223	115,054
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross	11,550	11,216
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, accumulated depreciation	(3,286)	(3,179)
Total property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, net	8,264	8,037
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross	224	227
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Assets held for lease [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross	10,137	9,810
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Buildings, machinery and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross	$ 1,189	$ 1,179
Minimum [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Railroad [Member] | Track structure and other roadway [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	7 years
Minimum [Member] | Railroad [Member] | Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	6 years
Minimum [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Interstate pipeline assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Independent power plants and other assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Assets held for lease [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Buildings, machinery and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	25 years
Maximum [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	18 years
Maximum [Member] | Railroad [Member] | Track structure and other roadway [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	100 years
Maximum [Member] | Railroad [Member] | Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	80 years
Maximum [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Interstate pipeline assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	80 years
Maximum [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Independent power plants and other assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	30 years
Maximum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Assets held for lease [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	30 years
Maximum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Buildings, machinery and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	50 years

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Receivables (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance and Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Insurance premiums receivable	$ 9,001	$ 7,914
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	3,321	3,116
Trade and other receivables	12,607	11,133
Allowances for uncollectible accounts	(323)	(311)
Total receivables of insurance and other businesses	24,606	21,852
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts	13,040	13,150
Allowances for uncollectible loans	(195)	(303)
Unamortized acquisition discounts	(253)	(281)
Total loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses	$ 12,592	$ 12,566

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Investment gains/losses (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investment gains/losses, including other-than-temporary impairment losses

Investment gains/losses, including other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses are summarized below (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Fixed maturity securities —
Gross gains	$	53		$	39		$	82		$	229
Gross losses		(46	)		(19	)		(84	)		(48	)
Equity securities —
Gross gains		342			2,391			448			3,395
Gross losses		(14	)		(3	)		(20	)		(3	)
OTTI losses		—			—			—			(19	)
Other		27			(42	)		33			(57	)
	$	362		$	2,366		$	459		$	3,497

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Narrative (Detail) - Fixed Maturities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Unrealized losses related to securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months	$ 11	$ 15
Foreign governments [Member] | United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada or The Netherlands [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by geographic location	75.00%
Foreign governments [Member] | AA or Higher Credit Rating [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by credit rating	94.00%

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Supplemental cash flow information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental cash flow information

Note 14. Supplemental cash flow information

A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 is presented in the following table (in millions).

	First Six Months
	2015		2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	1,128	$	2,151
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		185		181
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		1,319		1,209
Finance and financial products businesses		215		237
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions		—		2,478
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		2,478		1,038
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition		—		400

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Contingencies and Commitments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies and Commitments

Note 19. Contingencies and Commitments

We are parties in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. We do not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Berkshire and certain of its subsidiaries are also involved in other kinds of legal actions, some of which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines and penalties. We believe that any liability that may arise as a result of other pending legal actions will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

On November 13, 2014, Berkshire entered into a definitive agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”) whereby it will acquire the Duracell battery business from P&G. Pursuant to the agreement, in exchange for a recapitalized Duracell Company, which will include approximately $1.7 billion in cash at closing, P&G will receive shares of its common stock currently held by Berkshire subsidiaries having a fair value at June 30, 2015 of approximately $4.1 billion. The transaction is currently expected to close in the first quarter of 2016 and is subject to obtaining various regulatory approvals as well as certain other customary closing conditions.

We own a 50% interest in a joint venture, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC (“Berkadia”), with Leucadia National Corporation (“Leucadia”) owning the other 50% interest. Berkadia is a servicer of commercial real estate loans in the U.S., performing primary, master and special servicing functions for U.S. government agency programs, commercial mortgage-backed securities transactions, banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. A significant source of funding for Berkadia’s operations is through the issuance of commercial paper. Repayment of the commercial paper is supported by a $2.5 billion surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Leucadia has agreed to indemnify us for one-half of any losses incurred under the policy. On June 30, 2015, the aggregate amount of Berkadia commercial paper outstanding was $2.47 billion.

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Investments in fixed maturity securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	$ 26,028	$ 26,023
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	1,508	1,754
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(97)	(141)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	27,439	27,636
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	3,708	2,921
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	19	14
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(2)	(5)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	3,725	2,930
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	1,752	1,820
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	83	93
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(2)	(1)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	1,833	1,912
Foreign governments [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	11,830	12,023
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	295	373
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(77)	(126)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	12,048	12,270
Corporate bonds [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	7,138	7,704
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	912	1,072
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(12)	(5)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	8,038	8,771
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	1,600	1,555
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	199	202
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(4)	(4)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	$ 1,795	$ 1,753

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Notes payable and other borrowings (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Insurance and Other [Member]

Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure

Notes payable and other borrowings are summarized below (in millions). The weighted average interest rates and maturity date ranges shown in the following tables are based on borrowings as of June 30, 2015.

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30,   2015		December 31, 2014
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire due 2015-2047	2.2%	$	9,896	$	8,354
Short-term subsidiary borrowings	1.8%		2,102		839
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2015-2044	6.0%		2,748		2,701
		$	14,746	$	11,894

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30,   2015		December 31,   2014
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2017-2045	5.1%	$	7,860	$	7,860
Subsidiary and other debt due 2015-2064	4.9%		28,493		28,439
Issued by BNSF due 2015-2097	4.9%		20,916		19,280
		$	57,269	$	55,579

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure

	Weighted Average  Interest Rate	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2015-2043	2.7%	$	11,178	$	11,178
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2015-2036	5.3%		1,385		1,558
		$	12,563	$	12,736

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 4,107	$ 6,458	$ 9,340	$ 11,231
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	234	2,639	(3,562)	5,230
Applicable income taxes	(151)	(938)	1,280	(1,836)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(104)	(2,408)	(195)	(3,449)
Applicable income taxes	36	843	68	1,207
Foreign currency translation	577	354	(783)	380
Applicable income taxes	4	(77)	(19)	(70)
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	(44)	(16)	5	(9)
Applicable income taxes	13	5	(2)	5
Other, net	25	(25)	(100)	(29)
Other comprehensive income, net	590	377	(3,308)	1,429
Comprehensive income	4,697	6,835	6,032	12,660
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	131	68	170	164
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 4,566	$ 6,767	$ 5,862	$ 12,496

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Significant business acquisitions

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Significant business acquisitions

Note 3. Significant business acquisitions

Our long-held acquisition strategy is to acquire businesses at sensible prices 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.

In the first quarter of 2015, Berkshire acquired controlling interests of the Van Tuyl Group. The Van Tuyl Group (now named Berkshire Hathaway Automotive) included 81 automotive dealerships located in 10 states as well as two related insurance businesses, two auto auctions and a manufacturer of automotive fluid maintenance products. In addition to selling new and pre-owned automobiles, the Berkshire Hathaway Automotive group offers repair and other services and products, including extended warranty services and other automotive protection plans. Consideration paid for the acquisition was $4.1 billion. On December 1, 2014, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company acquired AltaLink, L.P. (“AltaLink”) for a cash purchase price of C$3.1 billion (approximately $2.7 billion). AltaLink is a regulated electric transmission-only business, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

Preliminary fair values of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at their respective acquisition dates are summarized as follows (in millions).

	Berkshire Hathaway Automotive			AltaLink
Cash and investments		$	1,274		$	15
Inventories			1,209			—
Property, plant and equipment			1,034			5,610
Goodwill			1,715			1,731
Other assets			1,400			287
Assets acquired		$	6,632		$	7,643
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		$	1,210		$	1,064
Notes payable and other borrowings			1,129			3,851
Noncontrolling interests			181			—
Liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests		$	2,520		$	4,915
Net assets		$	4,112		$	2,728

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first six months of 2014 as if the acquisitions discussed previously were consummated on the same terms at the beginning of the year preceding their respective acquisition dates (in millions, except the per share amount). Pro forma data for the first six months of 2015 was not materially different from the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

	First six months  2014
Revenues	$	99,634
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		11,174
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		6,796

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Other investments - Narrative (Detail) - Available-for-sale Securities [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
	Dec. 12, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value | $		$ 2,100
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate		5.00%
Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] | The Dow Chemical Company [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate		8.50%
Investment, number of shares owned | shares		3,000,000
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value per share		$ 1,000
Conversion ratio of preferred stock into common stock		24.201
Preferred stock conversion price, per share		$ 41.32
Common stock threshold price, per share, to trigger the issuer's option to convert preferred stock into common stock		$ 53.72
Minimum number of trading days in a consecutive-day period that the issuer's common stock price must exceed to trigger the issuer's option to convert preferred stock to common stock		20 days
Range of trading days in a consecutive day period, number of days		30 days
Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] | Bank of America Corporation [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate		6.00%
Investment, number of shares owned | shares		50,000
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value per share		$ 100,000
Redemption value of Perpetual Preferred Stock, per share		$ 105,000
Redemption value of Perpetual Preferred Stock, aggregate value | $		$ 5,250
Warrants Expiring 2021 [Member] | Bank of America Corporation [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Number of common shares that can be purchased | shares		700,000,000
Aggregate cost to exercise warrants | $		$ 5,000
Exercise price for warrants, per share		$ 7.142857
Class A 9% Cumulative Compounding Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] | RBI - Parent Company of Burger King and Tim Hortons [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate		9.00%
Stated value of equity securities acquired | $	$ 3,000
Class A 9% Cumulative Compounding Perpetual Preferred Stock and Common Stock [Member] | RBI - Parent Company of Burger King and Tim Hortons [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Amount paid for an investment | $	$ 3,000
Percentage of voting interests	14.40%

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Common stock - Narrative (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) Vote shares	Dec. 31, 2014 shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	1,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	0
Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares repurchase, authorization description	Berkshire's Board of Directors ("Berkshire's Board") has approved a common stock repurchase program under which Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares.
Minimum cash and cash equivalent threshold after repurchase of common stock shares, amount | $	$ 20,000,000,000
Number of shares acquired	0
Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Ratio of net earnings per equivalent common share and dividend and distribution rights of Class B shares to Class A shares	0.000667
Number of votes entitled per share, number | Vote	0.0001
Number of shares of Class B stock obtainable from converting one Class A share	1,500
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of votes entitled per share, number | Vote	1
Class A equivalent shares outstanding	1,643,190	1,642,909

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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 15,570	$ 15,968
Accumulated amortization	5,124	6,027
Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	3,057	3,117
Accumulated amortization	651	599
Patents and technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	4,196	5,425
Accumulated amortization	1,916	3,133
Customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	5,439	5,603
Accumulated amortization	1,947	1,768
Other intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	2,878	1,823
Accumulated amortization	610	527
Insurance and Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	14,700	13,714
Accumulated amortization	4,911	4,476
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	870	2,254
Accumulated amortization	$ 213	$ 1,551

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Business segment data

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business segment data

Note 20. Business segment data

Revenues by segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	5,619		$	5,081		$	11,004		$	9,965
General Re		1,494			1,610			2,992			3,167
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		1,978			1,583			3,425			3,605
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,309			1,049			2,519			2,002
Investment income		1,338			1,501			2,428			2,452
Total insurance group		11,738			10,824			22,368			21,191
BNSF		5,369			5,735			10,971			11,182
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		4,543			4,185			8,874			8,491
McLane Company		12,293			11,722			23,936			22,176
Manufacturing		9,524			9,613			18,387			18,254
Service and retailing		6,294			3,605			10,815			6,963
Finance and financial products		1,799			1,642			3,353			3,077
		51,560			47,326			98,704			91,334
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		188			2,521			1,603			3,888
Eliminations and other		(380	)		(85	)		(295	)		(7	)
	$	51,368		$	49,762		$	100,012		$	95,215

Earnings before income taxes by segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter						First Six Months
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	53		$	393		$	213		$	746
General Re		107			116			60			196
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(411	)		(9	)		48			174
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		203			137			378			236
Investment income		1,334			1,498			2,421			2,444
Total insurance group		1,286			2,135			3,120			3,796
BNSF		1,536			1,472			3,208			2,641
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		649			578			1,245			1,197
McLane Company		147			126			278			241
Manufacturing		1,393			1,369			2,598			2,437
Service and retailing		498			453			882			740
Finance and financial products		550			422			994			794
		6,059			6,555			12,325			11,846
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		188			2,521			1,603			3,888
Interest expense, not allocated to segments		(189	)		(77	)		(308	)		(154	)
Eliminations and other		(212	)		(83	)		(127	)		(66	)
	$	5,846		$	8,916		$	13,493		$	15,514

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Supplemental cash flow information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$ 1,128	$ 2,151
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions		2,478
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions	2,478	1,038
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition		400
Insurance and Other [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	185	181
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	1,319	1,209
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	$ 215	$ 237

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Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Reconciliation of the change in goodwill

The change in the carrying value of goodwill for the first six months of 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 is summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	60,714		$	57,011
Acquisitions of businesses		2,266			4,006
Other, including foreign currency translation		(181)			(303)
Balance at end of period	$	62,799		$	60,714

Schedule of intangible assets

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Gross carrying amount			Accumulated  amortization			Gross carrying amount			Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other		$	14,700		$	4,911		$	13,714		$	4,476
Railroad, utilities and energy			870			213			2,254			1,551
		$	15,570		$	5,124		$	15,968		$	6,027
Trademarks and trade names		$	3,057		$	651		$	3,117		$	599
Patents and technology			4,196			1,916			5,425			3,133
Customer relationships			5,439			1,947			5,603			1,768
Other			2,878			610			1,823			527
		$	15,570		$	5,124		$	15,968		$	6,027

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Derivative contracts

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative contracts

Note 13. Derivative contracts

Derivative contracts have been entered into primarily through our finance and financial products and our energy businesses. Derivative contract liabilities associated with our finance and financial products businesses are concentrated in equity index put option and credit default contracts. A summary of those liabilities and related notional values follows (in millions).

	June 30, 2015							December 31, 2014
	Liabilities			Notional   Value				Liabilities			Notional   Value
Equity index put options		$	3,387		$	28,367	(1)		$	4,560		$	29,469	(1)
Credit default			279			7,792	(2)			250			7,792	(2)
		$	3,666						$	4,810

⁽¹⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable assuming that the value of each index is zero at each contract’s expiration date. Certain of these contracts are denominated in foreign currencies. Notional amounts are based on the foreign currency exchange rates as of each balance sheet date.

⁽²⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amounts payable under the contracts assuming all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

The derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses are recorded at fair value and the changes in the fair values of such contracts are reported in earnings as derivative gains/losses. We entered into these contracts with the expectation that the premiums received would exceed the amounts ultimately paid to counterparties. A summary of the derivative gains/losses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 and 2014 follows (in millions).

	Second Quarter					First Six Months
	2015			2014		2015			2014
Equity index put options	$	(138	)	$	65	$	1,173		$	(67	)
Credit default		(36	)		84		(29	)		457
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—			6		—			1
	$	(174	)	$	155	$	1,144		$	391

The equity index put option contracts were written between 2004 and 2008. These contracts are European style options written on four major equity indexes and will expire between June 2018 and January 2026. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the underlying index value is below the strike price at the contract expiration date. We received the premiums on these contracts in full at the contract inception dates and therefore have no counterparty credit risk.

The aggregate intrinsic value (which is the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) of our equity index put option contracts was approximately $846 million at June 30, 2015 and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2014. However, these contracts may not be unilaterally terminated or fully settled before the expiration dates. Therefore, the ultimate amount of cash basis gains or losses on these contracts will not be determined for several years. The remaining weighted average life of all contracts was approximately 5.5 years at June 30, 2015.

Our remaining credit default contract was written in 2008 and relates to approximately 500 zero-coupon municipal debt issues with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2054. The underlying debt issues have a weighted average maturity of approximately 16.25 years. Pursuant to the contract terms, future loss payments are required in the event of non-payment by the issuer and non-performance by the primary financial guarantee insurers under their contracts with the issuers. Payments under our contract, if any, are not required prior to the maturity dates of the underlying obligations. The premium was received at the inception of this contract and therefore we have no counterparty credit risk.

A limited number of our equity index put option contracts contain collateral posting requirements with respect to changes in the fair value or intrinsic value of the contracts and/or a downgrade of Berkshire’s credit ratings. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we did not have any collateral posting requirements. If Berkshire’s credit ratings (currently AA from Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 from Moody’s) are downgraded below either A- by Standard & Poor’s or A3 by Moody’s, collateral of up to $1.1 billion could be required to be posted.

Our regulated utility subsidiaries are exposed to variations in the prices of fuel required to generate electricity, wholesale electricity purchased and sold and natural gas supplied for customers. Derivative instruments, including forward purchases and sales, futures, swaps and options, are used to manage a portion of these price risks. Derivative contract assets are included in other assets of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $116 million and $108 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $227 million and $230 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses under the contracts of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery or refund through rates are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Unrealized gains or losses on contracts accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income or in net earnings, as appropriate.