Significant business acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

PCC and Duracell [Member]

Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

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

	PCC		Duracell
Cash and cash equivalents	$	250	$	1,807
Inventories		3,430		319
Property, plant and equipment		2,765		359
Goodwill		16,011		866
Other intangible assets		23,527		1,550
Other assets		1,916		242
Assets acquired	$	47,899	$	5,143
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	$	2,442	$	410
Notes payable and other borrowings		5,251		—
Income taxes, principally deferred		7,548		494
Liabilities assumed	$	15,241	$	904
Net assets	$	32,658	$	4,239

Schedule of pro forma consolidated earnings data

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the year ending December 31, 2015 as if the PCC and Duracell acquisitions were consummated on the same terms at the beginning of 2015 (in millions, except per share amount). Pro forma data for 2016 was not materially different from the amounts reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

	2015
Revenues	$	221,897
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		24,575
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share		14,956

AltaLink and Berkshire Hathaway Automotive [Member]

Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

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

	Berkshire Hathaway Automotive		AltaLink
Cash and investments	$	1,274	$	15
Property, plant and equipment		1,045		5,610
Goodwill		1,833		1,744
Other assets		2,488		300
Assets acquired	$	6,640	$	7,669
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	$	1,399	$	1,090
Notes payable and other borrowings		1,129		3,851
Liabilities assumed	$	2,528	$	4,941
Net assets	$	4,112	$	2,728