10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

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  ☒    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  ☒    No  ☐

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

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

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

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 26, 2017:

Class A —	753,528
Class B —	1,336,892,283

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

		Page No.
Part I – Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016		2-3
	Consolidated Statements of Earnings—Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2017 and 2016		4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2017 and 2016		5
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity—First Nine Months 2017 and 2016		5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—First Nine Months 2017 and 2016		6
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		7-24
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		43
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		43
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities		43
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		43
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		43
Item 5.	Other Information		43
Item 6.	Exhibits		44
Signature			44

1

Part I Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in millions)

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Insurance and Other:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	35,247	$	23,581
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills		61,352		47,338
Investments in fixed maturity securities		22,228		23,432
Investments in equity securities		151,639		120,471
Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company (Fair Value: September 30, 2017 – $25,238; December 31, 2016 – $28,418)		15,695		15,345
Other investments		3,303		14,364
Receivables		29,652		27,097
Inventories		16,931		15,727
Property, plant and equipment		19,946		19,325
Goodwill		54,584		53,994
Other intangible assets		32,974		33,481
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed		13,572		8,047
Other		7,793		7,126
		464,916		409,328
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Cash and cash equivalents		4,448		3,939
Property, plant and equipment		126,946		123,759
Goodwill		24,802		24,111
Regulatory assets		4,772		4,457
Other		15,365		13,550
		176,333		169,816
Finance and Financial Products:
Cash and cash equivalents		3,011		528
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills		5,242		10,984
Loans and finance receivables		13,593		13,300
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease		9,937		9,689
Goodwill		1,496		1,381
Other		7,026		5,828
		40,305		41,710
	$	681,554	$	620,854

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in millions)

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
	(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES
Insurance and Other:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	100,138		$	76,918
Unearned premiums		16,552			14,245
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		16,919			15,977
Other policyholder liabilities		7,549			6,714
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		21,763			22,164
Notes payable and other borrowings		27,262			27,175
		190,183			163,193
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		11,640			11,434
Regulatory liabilities		3,217			3,121
Notes payable and other borrowings		61,147			59,085
		76,004			73,640
Finance and Financial Products:
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		1,688			1,444
Derivative contract liabilities		2,187			2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings		13,081			15,384
		16,956			19,718
Income taxes, principally deferred		86,559			77,944
Total liabilities		369,702			334,495
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock		8			8
Capital in excess of par value		35,684			35,681
Accumulated other comprehensive income		50,183			37,298
Retained earnings		224,166			211,777
Treasury stock, at cost		(1,763	)		(1,763	)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity		308,278			283,001
Noncontrolling interests		3,574			3,358
Total shareholders’ equity		311,852			286,359
	$	681,554		$	620,854

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(dollars in millions except per share amounts)

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Revenues:
Insurance and Other:
Insurance premiums earned	$	13,349	$	11,364	$	47,469	$	33,287
Sales and service revenues		32,055		30,536		94,017		89,357
Interest, dividend and other investment income		1,320		1,051		3,804		3,613
Investment gains/losses		457		735		1,056		3,221
		47,181		43,686		146,346		129,478
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Revenues		10,652		10,330		29,899		28,026
Finance and Financial Products:
Sales and service revenues		1,824		1,588		5,002		4,557
Interest, dividend and other investment income		360		366		1,074		1,109
Investment gains/losses		200		2,415		206		2,422
Derivative gains/losses		308		458		703		(332	)
		2,692		4,827		6,985		7,756
Total revenues		60,525		58,843		183,230		165,260
Costs and expenses:
Insurance and Other:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		12,137		7,615		39,450		22,325
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		1,213		1,339		3,703		3,747
Insurance underwriting expenses		2,207		2,001		6,924		5,948
Cost of sales and services		25,815		24,472		75,594		71,617
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3,965		3,959		12,101		11,747
Interest expense		435		259		1,405		674
		45,772		39,645		139,177		116,058
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		6,984		6,763		20,678		19,421
Interest expense		700		681		2,090		1,962
		7,684		7,444		22,768		21,383
Finance and Financial Products:
Cost of sales and services		1,062		886		2,891		2,529
Selling, general and administrative expenses		531		465		1,442		1,301
Interest expense		98		103		305		307
		1,691		1,454		4,638		4,137
Total costs and expenses		55,147		48,543		166,583		141,578
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of The Kraft Heinz Company		5,378		10,300		16,647		23,682
Equity in earnings of The Kraft Heinz Company		252		225		800		671
Earnings before income taxes		5,630		10,525		17,447		24,353
Income tax expense		1,427		3,192		4,750		6,281
Net earnings		4,203		7,333		12,697		18,072
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		136		135		308		284
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	4,067	$	7,198	$	12,389	$	17,788
Net earnings per equivalent Class A share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders *	$	2,473	$	4,379	$	7,533	$	10,822
Average equivalent Class A Shares outstanding *		1,644,656		1,643,913		1,644,554		1,643,716

* Equivalent Class B shares outstanding are 1,500 times the equivalent Class A amount. Net earnings per equivalent Class B share outstanding are one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of the equivalent Class A amount.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in millions)

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Net earnings	$	4,203		$	7,333		$	12,697		$	18,072
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments		4,952			1,581			18,040			(1,381	)
Applicable income taxes		(1,716	)		(515	)		(6,247	)		478
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings		(646	)		(3,088	)		(1,235	)		(4,904	)
Applicable income taxes		226			1,080			432			1,716
Foreign currency translation		771			(44	)		2,127			(158	)
Applicable income taxes		(24	)		9			(116	)		23
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans		(3	)		(21	)		(57	)		34
Applicable income taxes		6			13			31			(6	)
Other, net		32			3			38			(3	)
Other comprehensive income, net		3,598			(982	)		13,013			(4,201	)
Comprehensive income		7,801			6,351			25,710			13,871
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		203			132			436			267
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	7,598		$	6,219		$	25,274		$	13,604

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

	Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity														Total
	Common stock and capital in excess of par value			Accumulated other comprehensive income			Retained earnings		Treasury stock			Non- controlling interests
First nine months of 2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	35,689		$	37,298		$	211,777	$	(1,763	)	$	3,358		$	286,359
Net earnings		—			—			12,389		—			308			12,697
Other comprehensive income, net		—			12,885			—		—			128			13,013
Issuance of common stock		58			—			—		—			—			58
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		(55	)		—			—		—			(220	)		(275	)
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	35,692		$	50,183		$	224,166	$	(1,763	)	$	3,574		$	311,852
First nine months of 2016
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	35,628		$	33,982		$	187,703	$	(1,763	)	$	3,077		$	258,627
Net earnings		—			—			17,788		—			284			18,072
Other comprehensive income, net		—			(4,184	)		—		—			(17	)		(4,201	)
Issuance of common stock		80			—			—		—			—			80
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		30			—			—		—			7			37
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	35,738		$	29,798		$	205,491	$	(1,763	)	$	3,351		$	272,615

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in millions)

	First Nine Months
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	12,697		$	18,072
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses		(1,262	)		(5,643	)
Depreciation and amortization		6,835			6,605
Other		1,110			(47	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		22,615			2,615
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed		(5,525	)		182
Unearned premiums		2,253			1,906
Receivables and originated loans		(2,890	)		(3,445	)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities		(704	)		137
Income taxes		2,593			3,601
Other		(225	)		1,114
Net cash flows from operating activities		37,497			25,097
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities		(106,597	)		(79,326	)
Purchases of equity securities		(14,936	)		(5,185	)
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities		35,143			8,430
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities		65,666			21,725
Sales and redemptions of equity securities		10,572			19,989
Purchases of loans and finance receivables		(1,392	)		(224	)
Collections of loans and finance receivables		1,599			271
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(2,640	)		(30,815	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(8,411	)		(9,429	)
Other		(198	)		(611	)
Net cash flows from investing activities		(21,194	)		(75,175	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings of insurance and other businesses		1,321			9,385
Proceeds from borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses		2,812			2,234
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses		1,298			4,740
Repayments of borrowings of insurance and other businesses		(1,763	)		(1,921	)
Repayments of borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses		(1,944	)		(1,879	)
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses		(3,605	)		(1,220	)
Changes in short term borrowings, net		122			888
Other		(108	)		(31	)
Net cash flows from financing activities		(1,867	)		12,196
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes		222			(10	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		14,658			(37,892	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year *		28,048			67,161
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30 *	$	42,706		$	29,269
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following:
Beginning of year—
Insurance and Other	$	23,581		$	56,612
Railroad, Utilities and Energy		3,939			3,437
Finance and Financial Products		528			7,112
	$	28,048		$	67,161
September 30—
Insurance and Other	$	35,247		$	21,778
Railroad, Utilities and Energy		4,448			3,893
Finance and Financial Products		3,011			3,598
	$	42,706		$	29,269

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2017

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. At December 31, 2016, we began presenting U.S. Treasury Bills with maturity dates greater than three months from their purchase dates separately in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2017, our aggregate holdings in U.S. Treasury Bills were approximately $80.6 billion, of which $66.6 billion had maturities greater than three months when acquired. Accordingly, we revised the comparative 2016 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows to reflect this change.

Financial information in this Quarterly Report reflects all 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. In addition, changes in the fair values of liabilities associated with derivative contracts and gains and losses associated with the periodic revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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. The framework prescribed by ASU 2014-09 includes (a) identifying the contract, (b) identifying the related performance obligations, (c) determining the transaction price, (d) allocating the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognizing revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. Based on our evaluations, we do not currently believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. However, the timing of the recognition of revenue and related costs may change with respect to certain of our contracts with customers. For instance, revenues and costs for certain contracts may be recognized over time rather than when the product or service is delivered, as is the current practice. In addition, certain contracts may be treated as leases for accounting purposes, rather than contracts with customers subject to ASU 2014-09. Our evaluations of these and other issues and implementation efforts concerning ASU 2014-09 are ongoing and also include consideration of the new disclosure requirements. We will adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018, under the modified retrospective method.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 “Financial Instruments—Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 generally requires that investments in equity securities (excluding equity method investments) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. Under existing GAAP, changes in fair value of available-for-sale equity securities are recorded in other comprehensive income. Given the current magnitude of our investments in equity securities, the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a significant impact on the periodic net earnings reported in our Consolidated Statement of Earnings, although it will not affect our comprehensive income or total shareholders’ equity. We will adopt ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018. As of that date, the accumulated net unrealized appreciation relating to our investments in equity securities, which is currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income, will be reclassified to retained earnings.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. ASU 2016-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements (Continued)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” which provides for the recognition and measurement at the reporting date of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities. Currently, credit losses are recognized and measured when such losses become probable based on the prevailing facts and circumstances. ASU 2016-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” ASU 2017-04 eliminates the requirement to determine the implied value of goodwill in measuring an impairment loss. Upon adoption, the measurement of a goodwill impairment will represent the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over fair value, limited to the carrying value of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.

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.

On January 29, 2016, Berkshire acquired all outstanding common stock of Precision Castparts Corp. (“PCC”) for $235 per share in cash pursuant to a merger agreement dated August 8, 2015. The aggregate consideration paid was approximately $32.7 billion, which included the value of PCC shares we already owned. We funded the acquisition with a combination of existing cash balances and proceeds from a short-term credit facility. PCC is a worldwide, diversified manufacturer of complex metal components and products. It serves the aerospace, power and general industrial markets. PCC is a market leader in manufacturing complex structural investment castings and forged components for aerospace markets, machined airframe components and highly engineered critical fasteners for aerospace applications, and in manufacturing airfoil castings for the aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. PCC also is a leading producer of titanium and nickel superalloy melted and mill products for the aerospace, chemical processing, oil and gas and pollution control industries, and PCC manufactures extruded seamless pipe, fittings and forgings for power generation and oil and gas applications.

On February 29, 2016, we acquired a recapitalized Duracell Company (“Duracell”) from The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”) in exchange for shares of P&G common stock held by Berkshire subsidiaries, which had a fair value of approximately $4.2 billion. Duracell is a leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries and is an innovator in wireless charging technologies.

Pro forma consolidated revenues and net earnings data for 2016 was not materially different from the amounts reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Goodwill from these acquisitions is not amortizable for income tax purposes. 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

8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2017
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,327	$	5	$	(11	)	$	4,321
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		988		51		(1	)		1,038
Foreign governments		8,556		233		(24	)		8,765
Corporate bonds		6,525		628		(4	)		7,149
Mortgage-backed securities		877		109		(3	)		983
	$	21,273	$	1,026	$	(43	)	$	22,256
December 31, 2016
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,519	$	16	$	(8	)	$	4,527
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,159		58		(1	)		1,216
Foreign governments		8,860		207		(66	)		9,001
Corporate bonds		6,899		714		(9	)		7,604
Mortgage-backed securities		997		126		(6	)		1,117
	$	22,434	$	1,121	$	(90	)	$	23,465

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

	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	22,228	$	23,432
Finance and financial products *		28		33
	$	22,256	$	23,465

*     Included in other assets.

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 September 30, 2017, approximately 93% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies. Approximately 81% of foreign government holdings were issued or guaranteed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia or Canada.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at September 30, 2017 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to early call or prepayment rights held by issuers. 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	$	6,901	$	10,825	$	572	$	2,098	$	877	$	21,273
Fair value		6,962		11,050		624		2,637		983		22,256

9

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 5. Investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2017 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	26,792	$	45,910	$	—		$	72,702
Consumer products		20,097		23,910		—			44,007
Commercial, industrial and other		29,290		12,398		(747	)		40,941
	$	76,179	$	82,218	$	(747	)	$	157,650

* Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2016*
Banks, insurance and finance	$	19,852	$	30,572	$	—		$	50,424
Consumer products		10,657		16,760		(9	)		27,408
Commercial, industrial and other		35,868		9,033		(701	)		44,200
	$	66,377	$	56,365	$	(710	)	$	122,032

* Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $94 million and $551 million, respectively.

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

	September 30, 2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	151,639	$	120,471
Railroad, utilities and energy *		2,087		1,186
Finance and financial products *		3,924		375
	$	157,650	$	122,032

* Included in other assets.

Note 6. Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

In June 2013, Berkshire invested $12.25 billion in a newly-formed company, H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”). The investment consisted of 425 million shares of common stock, warrants to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock at $0.01 per share and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. An affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”) also acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. At that time, Berkshire and 3G each owned a 50% share of Heinz Holding common stock. Heinz Holding then acquired H.J. Heinz Company.

10

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 6. Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company (Continued)

In June 2015, Berkshire exercised the aforementioned common stock warrants. On July 1, 2015, Berkshire and 3G acquired new shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $5.26 billion and $4.74 billion, respectively. After these transactions, Berkshire owned approximately 52.5% of the outstanding shares of Heinz Holding. On July 2, 2015, Heinz Holding acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”), at which time Heinz Holding was renamed The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft Heinz”). In connection with its acquisition of Kraft, Kraft Heinz issued one new share of Kraft Heinz common stock for each share of Kraft common stock, which reduced Berkshire’s and 3G’s ownership interests in Kraft Heinz to 26.8% and 24.2%, respectively.

Berkshire currently owns 26.7% of the outstanding shares of Kraft Heinz common stock. We account for our investment in Kraft Heinz common stock pursuant to the equity method. The carrying value of this investment was approximately $15.7 billion at September 30, 2017 and $15.3 billion at December 31, 2016. Our earnings determined under the equity method for the first nine months were $800 million in 2017 and $671 million in 2016. We received dividends on the common stock of $594 million in the first nine months of 2017 and $561 million in the first nine months of 2016, which we recorded as reductions of our investment. In the first nine months of 2016, we also received dividends of $180 million on our Preferred Stock investment, which Kraft Heinz redeemed for cash of $8.32 billion on June 7, 2016.

Kraft Heinz is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and marketers of food and beverage products, including condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, and other grocery products. Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Assets	$	120,051	$	120,480
Liabilities		61,080		62,906

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Sales	$	6,314	$	6,267	$	19,355	$	19,630
Net earnings attributable to Kraft Heinz common shareholders	$	944	$	842	$	2,996	$	2,508

Note 7. Other investments

Other investments are shown in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	Cost				Fair Value
	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	2,743	$	6,720	$	3,303	$	14,364
Finance and financial products *		6		1,000		8		2,892
	$	2,749	$	7,720	$	3,311	$	17,256

* Included in other assets.

In 2011, we acquired 50,000 shares of 6% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) with a liquidation value of $100,000 per share (“BAC Preferred”) and warrants to purchase up to 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”) at $7.142857 per share (up to $5 billion in the aggregate). On August 24, 2017, we exercised all of our BAC Warrants and acquired 700,000,000 shares of BAC common stock. We also surrendered substantially all of our BAC Preferred as payment of the $5 billion cost to exercise the BAC Warrants and acquire the BAC common stock. At September 30, 2017, our investment in BAC common stock is included in investments in equity securities.

We currently own Class A 9% Cumulative Compounding Perpetual Preferred Shares of Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (“RBI”) having a stated value of $3 billion (“RBI Preferred”). RBI is domiciled in Canada. We are entitled to dividends on the RBI Preferred on a cumulative basis at 9% per annum plus an additional amount, if necessary, to produce an after-tax yield as if the dividends were paid by a U.S.-based company. The RBI Preferred is redeemable by RBI beginning on December 12, 2017. In the second quarter of 2017, RBI announced its intention to redeem all or a portion of the RBI Preferred. On October 25, 2017, RBI’s Board of Directors approved the redemption of all of the RBI Preferred on December 12, 2017. The redemption price will be based on 109.9% of the stated value but it is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the related securities purchase agreement.

11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 8. Income taxes

Our consolidated effective income tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were 25.3% and 27.2%, respectively, and 30.3% and 25.8%, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016. Our effective income tax rate normally reflects recurring benefits from: (a) dividends received deductions applicable to certain investments in equity securities, (b) income production tax credits related to wind-powered electricity generation placed in service in the U.S. and (c) lower income tax rates applicable to earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries.

On February 29, 2016, we exchanged our long-held investment in P&G common stock for the common stock of Duracell. This exchange produced a pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion for financial reporting purposes. The exchange transaction was structured as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, no income taxes were payable on the excess of the fair value of the business received over the tax basis of the P&G shares exchanged, and we recorded a one-time reduction of certain deferred income tax liabilities (approximately $750 million) that were recorded in 2005 in connection with our exchange of The Gillette Company common stock for P&G common stock upon the merger of those two companies. The P&G/Duracell exchange produced a 4.7 percentage point reduction in our consolidated effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2016.

Note 9. Investment gains/losses

Investment gains/losses included in earnings are summarized below (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Fixed maturity securities—
Gross gains	$	56		$	5		$	82		$	44
Gross losses		(2	)		(24	)		(16	)		(41	)
Equity securities—
Gross gains		1,011			3,173			1,795			5,720
Gross losses		(419	)		(13	)		(626	)		(76	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses		—			—			—			(63	)
Other		11			9			27			59
	$	657		$	3,150		$	1,262		$	5,643

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. We recognize investment gains and losses when we sell or otherwise dispose such securities. We realized a pre-tax gain of approximately $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2017 related to the surrender of substantially all of our BAC Preferred as described in Note 7. Gains from equity securities in the third quarter of 2016 included approximately $2.4 billion from the disposition of our investment in Wrigley preferred stock. In the first nine months of 2016, gains from equity securities also included $610 million from the redemption of our investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock and a non-cash holding gain of approximately $1.1 billion from the exchange of our P&G common stock in connection with the acquisition of Duracell.

Note 10. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Raw materials	$	2,990	$	2,789
Work in process and other		2,805		2,506
Finished manufactured goods		4,338		4,033
Goods acquired for resale		6,798		6,399
	$	16,931	$	15,727

Note 11. Receivables

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

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Insurance premiums receivable	$	11,317		$	10,462
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,254			3,338
Trade and other receivables		15,443			13,630
Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(362	)		(333	)
	$	29,652		$	27,097

12

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 11. Receivables (Continued)

A summary of loans and finance receivables of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

	September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts	$	13,983		$	13,728
Allowances for uncollectible loans		(180	)		(182	)
Unamortized acquisition discounts		(210	)		(246	)
	$	13,593		$	13,300

Loans and finance receivables are primarily installment loans originated or acquired by our manufactured housing business. Provisions for loan losses in both the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were $124 million. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, in the first nine months were $126 million in 2017 and $123 million in 2016. At September 30, 2017, we evaluated approximately 98% of the manufactured housing loan balances 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 September 30, 2017, we considered approximately 99% of the loan balances to be performing and approximately 95% of the loan balances current as to payment status. In June 2017, we agreed to provide a Canadian-based financial institution with a C$2 billion (approximately $1.6 billion) one-year secured revolving credit facility. The credit facility expires on June 29, 2018. As of September 30, 2017, there were no outstanding loans under the credit facility.

Note 12. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

A summary of property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses follows (in millions).

	Ranges of estimated useful life		September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Land		—	$	2,226		$	2,108
Buildings and improvements		5 – 40 years		8,631			8,360
Machinery and equipment		3 – 25 years		21,409			20,463
Furniture, fixtures and other		2 – 15 years		4,705			4,080
				36,971			35,011
Accumulated depreciation				(17,025	)		(15,686	)
			$	19,946		$	19,325

A summary of property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses follows (in millions).

	Ranges of estimated useful life		September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Railroad:
Land		—	$	6,085		$	6,063
Track structure and other roadway		9 – 100 years		50,789			48,277
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment		6 – 41 years		12,459			12,075
Construction in progress		—		927			965
				70,260			67,380
Accumulated depreciation				(8,293	)		(6,130	)
				61,967			61,250
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, transmission and distribution systems		5 – 80 years		73,138			71,536
Interstate natural gas pipeline assets		3 – 80 years		6,991			6,942
Independent power plants and other assets		3 – 30 years		7,176			6,596
Construction in progress		—		3,503			2,098
				90,808			87,172
Accumulated depreciation				(25,829	)		(24,663	)
				64,979			62,509
			$	126,946		$	123,759

13

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 12. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Continued)

The utility generation, transmission and distribution systems and interstate natural gas pipeline assets are owned by regulated public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries.

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

	Ranges of estimated useful life	September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Assets held for lease	5 – 35 years	$	12,287		$	11,902
Land	—		230			224
Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,413			1,302
			13,930			13,428
Accumulated depreciation			(3,993	)		(3,739	)
		$	9,937		$	9,689

A summary of depreciation expense follows (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2017		2016
Insurance and other	$	1,636	$	1,595
Railroad, utilities and energy		3,604		3,459
Finance and financial products		487		466
	$	5,727	$	5,520

Note 13. Goodwill and other intangible assets

A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows (in millions).

	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Balance at beginning of year	$	79,486	$	62,708
Acquisitions of businesses		1,199		17,650
Other, including foreign currency translation		197		(872	)
Balance at end of period	$	80,882	$	79,486

Other intangible assets are summarized as follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other	$	40,528	$	7,554	$	39,976	$	6,495
Railroad, utilities and energy		974		323		898		293
	$	41,502	$	7,877	$	40,874	$	6,788
Trademarks and trade names	$	5,352	$	672	$	5,175	$	616
Patents and technology		4,487		2,605		4,341		2,328
Customer relationships		28,497		3,517		28,243		2,879
Other		3,166		1,083		3,115		965
	$	41,502	$	7,877	$	40,874	$	6,788

Amortization expense in the first nine months was $1,108 million in 2017 and $1,085 million in 2016. Intangible assets with indefinite lives were approximately $18.8 billion as of September 30, 2017 and $18.7 billion as of December 31, 2016.

14

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 14. Derivative contracts

We are party to derivative contracts primarily through our finance and financial products and our utilities and energy businesses. Currently, the derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses include equity index put option contracts written between 2004 and 2008. The liabilities and related notional values of such contracts follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Liabilities		Notional Value			Liabilities		Notional Value
Equity index put options	$	2,187	$	28,494	(1)	$	2,890	$	26,497	(1)

⁽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.

We record derivative contract liabilities at fair value and include the changes in the fair values of such contracts 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 follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Equity index put options	$	308	$	458	$	703	$	(421	)
Credit default		—		—		—		89
	$	308	$	458	$	703	$	(332	)

The equity index put option contracts are European style options written prior to March 2008 on four major equity indexes. The contracts expire between June 2018 and January 2026. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the prevailing index value is below the contract strike price at the expiration date. We received aggregate premiums of $4.2 billion on these contracts at the contract inception dates and therefore we have no counterparty credit risk. The aggregate intrinsic value (the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) was $640 million at September 30, 2017 and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2016. 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 3.2 years at September 30, 2017.

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 September 30, 2017, 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.

In July 2016, our last remaining credit default contract was terminated by mutual agreement with the counterparty. We paid $195 million upon termination of the contract.

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 and were $136 million as of September 30, 2017 and $142 million as of December 31, 2016. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities and were $131 million as of September 30, 2017 and $145 million as of December 31, 2016. Net derivative contract assets or liabilities of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery through rates, are offset by regulatory liabilities or assets. 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.

15

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 15. Supplemental cash flow information

Supplemental cash flow information follows (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2017		2016
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	1,774	$	2,237
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		747		499
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		2,111		2,130
Finance and financial products businesses		296		263
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		685		17,319
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisition		—		4,239
Equity securities surrendered in connection with warrant exercise		4,965		—

Note 16. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

The liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (also referred to as “claim liabilities”) under our short duration property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts are based upon estimates of the ultimate claim costs associated with claim occurrences as of the balance sheet date and include estimates for incurred-but-not-reported (“IBNR”) claims. Reconciliations of the changes in claim liabilities for the nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 follows (in millions).

	2017			2016
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses—beginning of year:
Gross liabilities	$	76,918		$	73,144
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges		(11,385	)		(10,994	)
Net balance		65,533			62,150
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events		28,632			22,737
Prior accident years’ events		(510	)		(1,453	)
Retroactive reinsurance and discount accretion		11,328			1,041
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses		39,450			22,325
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events		(11,539	)		(10,202	)
Prior accident years’ events		(9,973	)		(8,761	)
Retroactive reinsurance		(762	)		(857	)
Total payments		(22,274	)		(19,820	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		603			(158	)
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses—September 30:
Net balance		83,312			64,497
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges		16,826			10,972
Gross liabilities	$	100,138		$	75,469

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the preceding table reflect the losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded in earnings in each period related to insured events occurring in the current year and in prior years. We present incurred and paid losses under retroactive reinsurance contracts and discount accretion separately. Such amounts relate to prior accident years. Incurred losses with respect to current accident year events in 2017 included approximately $3 billion from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and an earthquake in Mexico that occurred in the third quarter.

16

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (Continued)

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 included decreases of $510 million and $1,453 million, respectively, in the estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years’ events. In the first nine months of 2017, we decreased prior accident years’ losses and loss adjustment expenses by $569 million with respect to primary insurance operations (primarily healthcare malpractice and workers’ compensation coverages), which was partly offset by a slight overall increase attributable to reinsurance operations. In the first nine months of 2016, we reduced estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years’ events for reinsurance operations ($697 million) and primary insurance ($756 million). The reductions related to reinsurance operations were primarily attributable to lower than expected reported losses, while the reductions for primary insurance primarily related to private passenger automobile, healthcare malpractice and workers’ compensation coverages.

In January 2017, a Berkshire subsidiary, National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), entered into a retroactive reinsurance agreement with various subsidiaries of American International Group, Inc. (collectively, “AIG”). NICO received cash consideration of $10.2 billion and agreed to indemnify AIG for 80% of up to $25 billion, excess of $25 billion retained by AIG, of losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses with respect to certain commercial insurance loss events occurring in years prior to 2016. The transaction became effective on February 2, 2017. Berkshire agreed to guarantee the timely payment of all amounts due to AIG under the agreement.

We accounted for the AIG agreement as retroactive reinsurance of short-duration insurance contracts. As of the effective date, we recorded premiums earned and losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $10.2 billion. We also recorded a liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of $16.4 billion, representing the estimated ultimate liabilities assumed, and a deferred charge reinsurance assumed asset of $6.2 billion, representing the excess of the liability over the premiums earned. This deferred charge asset will be amortized over the estimated claims settlement period using the interest method based on the estimated timing and amount of future loss payments. Amortization charges are included in losses and loss adjustment expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Note 17. 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 September 30, 2017.

	Weighted Average Interest Rate		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire:
U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings due 2017-2047		2.8%	$	10,614	$	11,709
Euro denominated borrowings due 2020-2035		1.1%		8,032		5,994
Short-term subsidiary borrowings		2.9%		1,819		2,094
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2017-2045		3.6%		6,797		7,378
			$	27,262	$	27,175

In January 2017, Berkshire issued €1.1 billion in senior unsecured notes. The notes consisted of €550 million of 0.25% notes due in 2021 and €550 million of 0.625% notes due in 2023. In January 2017, senior notes of $1.1 billion matured. In the first nine months of 2017, the carrying value of Berkshire’s Euro denominated senior notes increased $860 million due to changes in the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rates. This increase produced a corresponding charge to pre-tax earnings of $860 million in the first nine months of 2017, recorded as additional non-cash interest expense, of which $263 million was recorded in the third quarter.

17

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 17. Notes payable and other borrowings (Continued)

	Weighted Average Interest Rate		September 30, 2017		December 31,  2016
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2018-2045		5.4%	$	7,421	$	7,818
Subsidiary and other debt due 2017-2064		4.6%		31,195		29,223
Issued by BNSF due 2017-2097		4.8%		22,531		22,044
			$	61,147	$	59,085

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 debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. During the first nine months of 2017, BHE and its subsidiaries issued approximately $1.7 billion of debt with maturity dates ranging from 2022 to 2057 and a weighted average interest rate of 3.4%.

BNSF’s borrowings are primarily senior unsecured debentures. In March 2017, BNSF issued $1.25 billion of senior unsecured debentures consisting of $500 million of 3.25% debentures due in 2027 and $750 million of 4.125% debentures due in 2047. In May 2017, $650 million of BNSF debentures matured. As of September 30, 2017, BNSF, 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		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2018-2043		2.8%	$	12,925	$	14,423
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2017-2028		4.5%		156		961
			$	13,081	$	15,384

In January 2017, BHFC issued $1.3 billion of senior notes consisting of $950 million of floating rate notes due in 2019 and $350 million of floating rate notes due in 2020. In the first nine months of 2017, senior notes of $2.8 billion matured. The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire.

As of September 30, 2017, our subsidiaries had unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity aggregating approximately $9.2 billion to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. Such unused lines of credit included about $5.5 billion related to BHE and its subsidiaries. In addition to BHFC’s borrowings, at September 30, 2017, Berkshire guaranteed approximately $2.1 billion of other subsidiary borrowings. Generally, Berkshire’s guarantee of a subsidiary’s debt obligation is an absolute, unconditional and irrevocable guarantee for the full and prompt payment when due of all payment obligations.

18

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 18. Fair value measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury Bills, receivables 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)
September 30, 2017
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,321	$	4,321	$	2,752	$	1,569	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,038		1,038		—		1,038		—
Foreign governments		8,765		8,765		6,849		1,916		—
Corporate bonds		7,149		7,149		—		7,142		7
Mortgage-backed securities		983		983		—		983		—
Investments in equity securities		157,650		157,650		157,641		9		—
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock		15,695		25,238		25,238		—		—
Other investments		3,311		3,311		—		3,311		—
Loans and finance receivables		13,593		13,886		—		17		13,869
Derivative contract assets (1)		136		136		1		19		116
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		131		131		1		113		17
Equity index put options		2,187		2,187		—		—		2,187
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		27,262		28,093		—		28,093		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		61,147		68,881		—		68,881		—
Finance and financial products		13,081		13,578		—		13,577		1
December 31, 2016
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,527	$	4,527	$	3,099	$	1,428	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,216		1,216		—		1,216		—
Foreign governments		9,001		9,001		7,237		1,764		—
Corporate bonds		7,604		7,604		—		7,540		64
Mortgage-backed securities		1,117		1,117		—		1,117		—
Investments in equity securities		122,032		122,032		122,031		—		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock		15,345		28,418		28,418		—		—
Other investments		17,256		17,256		—		—		17,256
Loans and finance receivables		13,300		13,717		—		13		13,704
Derivative contract assets (1)		142		142		5		43		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		145		145		3		114		28
Equity index put options		2,890		2,890		—		—		2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		27,175		27,712		—		27,712		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		59,085		65,774		—		65,774		—
Finance and financial products		15,384		15,825		—		15,469		356

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

19

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 18. Fair value measurements (Continued)

The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. 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 it may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in valuing assets or liabilities.

Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 follow (in millions).

	Investments  in fixed maturity securities			Investments in equity securities and other investments			Net derivative  contract liabilities
Nine months ending September 30, 2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	64		$	17,257		$	(2,824	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			—			822
Other comprehensive income		1			1,156			(3	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(5	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements		(58	)		—			(78	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3		—			(18,413	)		—
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	7		$	—		$	(2,088	)
Nine months ending September 30, 2016
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	100		$	21,403		$	(3,785	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			2,409			(221	)
Other comprehensive income		3			(2,233	)		(2	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(12	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements		5			(4,461	)		(81	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3		(1	)		—			195
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	107		$	17,118		$	(3,906	)

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. Gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are primarily the net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and the reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings, as appropriate in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

20

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 18. Fair value measurements (Continued)

As disclosed in Note 7, in the third quarter of 2017, we exercised our BAC Warrants to acquire BAC common stock. As payment of the cost to acquire the BAC common stock, we surrendered substantially all of our BAC Preferred. Additionally, we expect that RBI will redeem our RBI Preferred investment in the fourth quarter of 2017. In the second quarter of 2017, we concluded the Level 3 inputs used in the previous fair value determinations of the BAC Warrants, BAC Preferred Stock and RBI Preferred were not significant and we transferred these measurements from Level 3 to Level 2. In the third quarter of 2016, our investment in Wrigley preferred stock was redeemed.

Quantitative information as of September 30, 2017, with respect to significant 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
Derivative contract liabilities:
Equity index put options	$	2,187		Option pricing model		Volatility		18%

Our equity index put option 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 certain of the 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 and 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. 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. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

Note 19. Common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first nine months of 2017 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, 2016		788,058			(11,680	)		776,378			1,303,323,927		(1,409,762	)		1,301,914,165
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of  replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(21,694	)		—			(21,694	)		33,134,413		—			33,134,413
Balance at September 30, 2017		766,364			(11,680	)		754,684			1,336,458,340		(1,409,762	)		1,335,048,578

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 1,644,716 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 1,644,321 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued.

21

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 19. Common stock (Continued)

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 the total value of Berkshire’s consolidated cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills 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.

Note 20. 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 nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 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
2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	43,176		$	(5,268	)	$	(593	)	$	(17	)	$	37,298
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		11,734			1,946			(90	)		19			13,609
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings		(803	)		—			61			18			(724	)
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	54,107		$	(3,322	)	$	(622	)	$	20		$	50,183
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses	$	(1,235	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,235	)
Other		—			—			82			32			114
Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,235	)		—			82			32			(1,121	)
Applicable income taxes		(432	)		—			21			14			(397	)
	$	(803	)	$	—		$	61		$	18		$	(724	)
2016
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	38,598		$	(3,856	)	$	(762	)	$	2		$	33,982
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		(912	)		(101	)		(39	)		(26	)		(1,078	)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings		(3,188	)		—			59			23			(3,106	)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	34,498		$	(3,957	)	$	(742	)	$	(1	)	$	29,798
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses	$	(4,904	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(4,904	)
Other		—			—			79			41			120
Reclassifications before income taxes		(4,904	)		—			79			41			(4,784	)
Applicable income taxes		(1,716	)		—			20			18			(1,678	)
	$	(3,188	)	$	—		$	59		$	23		$	(3,106	)

22

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 21. Contingencies and Commitments

We are parties in a variety of legal actions that routinely arise out of the normal course of business, including legal actions seeking to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. 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.

In the third quarter of 2016, NICO entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (“MLMIC”), a writer of medical professional liability insurance domiciled in New York. MLMIC’s assets and policyholders’ surplus determined under statutory accounting principles as of June 30, 2017 were approximately $5.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively. The acquisition price will be based on an amount equal to the sum of: (i) the tangible book value of MLMIC at the closing date (determined under U.S. GAAP); plus (ii) $100 million. The acquisition will involve the conversion of MLMIC from a mutual company to a stock company. The closing of the transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals, customary closing conditions and the approval of the MLMIC policyholders eligible to vote on the proposed demutualization and sale. We currently expect this acquisition will be completed in early 2018.

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. A significant source of funding for Berkadia’s operations is through the issuance of commercial paper, which is limited to $1.5 billion. Berkadia’s commercial paper outstanding is supported by a surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Leucadia has agreed to indemnify us for one-half of any losses we incur under the policy.

On July 7, 2017, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) agreed to acquire 80.03% of the outstanding equity interests of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (“Oncor”) for $9 billion pursuant to an agreement between BHE and Energy Future Holdings Corp. (“EFH”). In August 2017, the agreement to acquire Oncor was terminated by EFH.

On October 3, 2017, we entered into an investment agreement and an equity purchase agreement whereby we acquired a 38.6% interest in Pilot Travel Centers LLC, d/b/a Pilot Flying J (“Pilot Flying J”). Pilot Flying J, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the largest operators of travel centers in North America, with more than 27,000 team members, 750 locations across the U.S. and Canada, and approximately $20 billion in annual revenues. The Haslam family currently owns a 50.1% interest in Pilot Flying J and a third party owns the remaining 11.3% interest. In addition, on October 3, 2017, we entered into an agreement to acquire in 2023 an additional 41.4% interest in Pilot Flying J with the Haslam family retaining a 20% interest. As a result, Berkshire will become the majority owner in 2023.

23

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 22. Business segment data

Our operating businesses include a large and diverse group of insurance, railroad, utilities and energy, finance, manufacturing, service and retailing businesses. Our reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how management views those business activities. Certain businesses have been grouped together for segment reporting based upon similar products or product lines, marketing, selling and distribution characteristics, even though those business units are operated under separate local management. Revenues by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	7,543		$	6,474		$	21,632		$	18,771
General Re		1,630			1,389			4,599			4,168
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		2,324			1,872			15,951			5,767
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,852			1,629			5,287			4,581
Investment income		1,248			1,043			3,664			3,428
Total insurance group		14,597			12,407			51,133			36,715
BNSF		5,314			5,167			15,749			14,519
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		5,370			5,198			14,250			13,615
Manufacturing		12,819			12,082			37,654			34,837
McLane Company		12,798			12,271			37,480			36,121
Service and retailing		6,527			6,331			19,170			18,607
Finance and financial products		2,187			1,962			6,085			5,677
		59,612			55,418			181,521			160,091
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		965			3,608			1,965			5,311
Eliminations and other		(52	)		(183	)		(256	)		(142	)
	$	60,525		$	58,843		$	183,230		$	165,260

Earnings before income taxes by segment were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	(416	)	$	138		$	(122	)	$	552
General Re		(504	)		100			(622	)		144
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(1,341	)		(19	)		(2,341	)		86
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		52			190			473			485
Investment income		1,246			1,029			3,658			3,406
Total insurance group		(963	)		1,438			1,046			4,673
BNSF		1,710			1,633			4,592			4,129
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		1,262			1,246			2,547			2,481
Manufacturing		2,002			1,981			5,428			5,150
McLane Company		45			106			202			371
Service and retailing		491			449			1,439			1,230
Finance and financial products		530			517			1,504			1,578
		5,077			7,370			16,758			19,612
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		965			3,608			1,965			5,311
Income from Kraft Heinz		252			225			800			851
Interest expense, not allocated to segments		(386	)		(201	)		(1,243	)		(518	)
Eliminations and other		(278	)		(477	)		(833	)		(903	)
	$	5,630		$	10,525		$	17,447		$	24,353

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 (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Insurance – underwriting	$	(1,439	)	$	272		$	(1,728	)	$	822
Insurance – investment income		1,044			850			2,917			2,747
Railroad		1,042			1,020			2,838			2,576
Utilities and energy		963			932			1,980			1,855
Manufacturing, service and retailing		1,694			1,702			4,673			4,461
Finance and financial products		341			337			976			1,044
Investment and derivative gains/losses		623			2,347			1,270			4,593
Other		(201	)		(262	)		(537	)		(310	)
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	4,067		$	7,198		$	12,389		$	17,788

Through our subsidiaries, we engage in a number of diverse business activities. We manage our operating businesses 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. Our senior corporate management team participates in and is ultimately responsible for significant capital allocation decisions, investment activities and the selection of the Chief Executive to head each of the operating businesses. 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 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 22 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 third quarter and first nine months of 2017. Underwriting results in the third quarter of 2017 included estimated pre-tax losses of approximately $3.0 billion ($1.95 billion after-tax) attributable to three major hurricanes in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and an earthquake in Mexico. Underwriting results in 2017 also included after-tax foreign currency exchange rate losses from the revaluation of certain non-U.S. Dollar denominated reinsurance liabilities. Such after-tax losses were $80 million in the third quarter and $276 million for the first nine months of 2017 compared to gains of $46 million and $269 million in the comparable 2016 periods.

Our railroad business produced increased earnings in the third quarter (2%) and first nine months (10%) of 2017 compared to 2016, reflecting increased unit volume. Earnings of our utility and energy business were also higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016, reflecting slightly higher pre-tax earnings and lower effective income tax rates. Earnings of our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses in the third quarter of 2017 were relatively unchanged and increased 4.8% in the first nine months compared to the same periods in 2016. Earnings in the first nine months of 2017 reflected comparatively higher earnings from several of our larger operations and the impact of businesses acquired in 2016 and 2017, partly offset by losses and impairment charges related to the disposition of a prior bolt-on acquisition by one of our manufacturing businesses.

After-tax investment and derivative gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were $623 million and $1.3 billion, respectively, and $2.3 billion in the third quarter and $4.6 billion in the first nine months of 2016. After-tax investment gains in the third quarter of 2016 included approximately $1.6 billion from the sale of our Wrigley preferred stock investment and in the first nine months of 2016 also included non-cash gains of approximately $1.9 billion related to the exchange of P&G common stock for 100% of the common stock of Duracell.

In the first nine months of 2017, net unrealized gains related to our investments in equity securities (after-tax and net of noncontrolling interests) included in other comprehensive income were approximately $10.9 billion. Beginning in 2018, unrealized gains and losses on equity securities will be included in earnings after the adoption of a new accounting standard required under U.S. GAAP. We believe that investment and derivative gains/losses, whether realized from sales or unrealized from changes in market prices, are often meaningless in terms of understanding our reported results or evaluating our economic performance. Investment and derivative gains and losses have caused and will continue to cause significant volatility in our periodic earnings.

Other earnings in 2017 and 2016 included after-tax foreign currency exchange rate losses related to parent company Euro denominated notes payable. Such losses, which related to revaluations of the debt due to changes in exchange rates, were $172 million in the third quarter and $571 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $48 million in the third quarter and $107 million in the first nine months of 2016.

25

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

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 disaggregated as follows: GEICO, General Re, Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) and Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group.

Our management views insurance businesses as possessing two distinct operations – underwriting and investing. Underwriting decisions are the responsibility of the unit managers, while 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/losses.

The timing and amount of significant catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in our periodic underwriting results, particularly with respect to our reinsurance businesses. Generally, we consider pre-tax catastrophe losses in excess of $100 million from a current year event as significant, and in the third quarter of 2017, we had four such events. There were no significant events in 2016. 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 and the unpaid loss estimates recorded as of the balance sheet date will develop upward or downward in future periods, producing corresponding decreases or increases to pre-tax earnings. Our periodic underwriting results may also include significant gains and losses arising from the changes in the valuation of non-U.S. Dollar denominated reinsurance liabilities of our U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange rates can be volatile and the resulting impact on our underwriting earnings can be relatively significant. Underwriting results of our insurance businesses are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Underwriting gain (loss) attributable to:
GEICO	$	(416	)	$	138		$	(122	)	$	552
General Re		(504	)		100			(622	)		144
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(1,341	)		(19	)		(2,341	)		86
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		52			190			473			485
Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)		(2,209	)		409			(2,612	)		1,267
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		(770	)		137			(884	)		445
Net underwriting gain (loss)	$	(1,439	)	$	272		$	(1,728	)	$	822

GEICO

GEICO writes 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 most customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet or over the telephone. GEICO’s underwriting results are summarized below (dollars in millions).

	Third Quarter									First Nine Months
	2017					2016				2017					2016
	Amount			%		Amount		%		Amount			%		Amount		%
Premiums written	$	8,130				$	6,977			$	22,987				$	19,771
Premiums earned	$	7,543			100.0	$	6,474		100.0	$	21,632			100.0	$	18,771		100.0
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		6,933			91.9		5,335		82.4		18,631			86.1		15,331		81.7
Underwriting expenses		1,026			13.6		1,001		15.5		3,123			14.5		2,888		15.4
Total losses and expenses		7,959			105.5		6,336		97.9		21,754			100.6		18,219		97.1
Pre-tax underwriting gain	$	(416	)			$	138			$	(122	)			$	552

Premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased approximately $1.15 billion (16.5%) and $3.2 billion (16.3%), respectively, compared to 2016. Premiums earned in 2017 increased 16.5% in the third quarter and 15.2% in the first nine months compared to the same periods in 2016. Over the past year, voluntary auto policies-in-force grew approximately 9.9% and premiums per auto policy increased 6.0%. The increase in average premiums per policy was attributable to rate increases, coverage changes and changes in state and risk mix. Voluntary auto new business sales in 2017 increased 15.8% in the first nine months compared to the same period in 2016. Voluntary auto policies-in-force increased approximately 1,144,000 during the first nine months of 2017.

26

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

GEICO (Continued)

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, we incurred pre-tax underwriting losses compared to pre-tax gains in the corresponding 2016 periods. In the third quarter of 2017, our underwriting results included significant losses from hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Our underwriting results in 2017 were also affected by increased average claims severities.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses in 2017 increased approximately $1.6 billion (30.0%) in the third quarter and $3.3 billion (21.5%) in the first nine months compared to the corresponding periods in 2016. Our loss ratio (the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses to earned premiums) for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased 9.5 percentage points and 4.4 percentage points, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. In the third quarter of 2017, we incurred estimated losses related to hurricanes Harvey and Irma of approximately $500 million (6.6% of premiums earned in the third quarter and 2.3% in the first nine months). Average claims severities were higher in the first nine months of 2017 for property damage and collision coverages (four to six percent range) and bodily injury coverage (five to seven percent range). Claims frequencies in the first nine months of 2017 were relatively flat compared to 2016 for property damage, collision and bodily injury coverages and decreased about three percent for personal injury protection coverage. Losses and loss adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2017 included pre-tax losses of $37 million from the re-estimation of liabilities for prior years’ claims compared to pre-tax gains of $382 million in 2016.

Underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $25 million (2.5%) and $235 million (8.1%), respectively, compared to 2016. Our expense ratios (underwriting expenses to premiums earned) in 2017 declined 1.9 percentage points in the third quarter and 0.9 percentage points in the first nine months compared to 2016. The largest components of underwriting expenses are employee-related (salaries and benefits) and advertising, which increased at a slower rate than premiums earned.

General Re

General Re conducts a reinsurance business offering property and casualty coverages to clients worldwide through General Reinsurance Corporation, Germany-based General Reinsurance AG, Faraday Holdings in London and other wholly-owned affiliates. We also write life and health reinsurance primarily on a direct basis through General Re Life Corporation and General Reinsurance AG. We strive to generate underwriting profits in essentially all of our product lines. General Re’s underwriting results are summarized in the following table (in millions).

	Premiums earned								Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)
	Third Quarter				First Nine Months				Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017			2016		2017			2016
Property/casualty	$	844	$	643	$	2,275	$	1,919	$	(561	)	$	66	$	(718	)	$	119
Life/health		786		746		2,324		2,249		57			34		96			25
	$	1,630	$	1,389	$	4,599	$	4,168	$	(504	)	$	100	$	(622	)	$	144

Property/casualty

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, property/casualty premiums earned increased $201 million (31%) and $356 million (19%), respectively, compared to the corresponding 2016 periods. These increases reflected higher written premiums in both direct and broker markets, primarily derived from new business and increased participations for renewal business. Despite the increase in premium volume in 2017, industry capacity dedicated to property and casualty markets remains high and price competition in most reinsurance markets persists. We continue to decline business when we believe prices are inadequate.

Our property/casualty operations incurred pre-tax underwriting losses of $561 million in the third quarter and $718 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to pre-tax underwriting gains of $66 million and $119 million, respectively, in the comparable 2016 periods. In the third quarter of 2017, we incurred estimated losses aggregating $835 million from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and an earthquake in Mexico. In the first nine months of 2017, we also incurred estimated losses of approximately $50 million from a cyclone in Australia. Losses from catastrophe events in the first nine months of 2016 were not significant.

In the first nine months of 2017, we also increased our estimates for unpaid losses by approximately $140 million with respect to certain United Kingdom (“U.K.”) liability business written in prior years. The increase was the result of the U.K. Ministry of Justice’s decision in the first quarter to reduce the fixed discount rate required in lump sum settlement calculations of U.K. personal injury claims. The discount rate, referred to as the Ogden rate, was reduced from 2.5% to negative 0.75%. We expect this reduction in the Ogden rate will significantly increase claim costs associated with currently unsettled cases, as well as for future cases. The Ogden rate is subject to adjustment in the future at the discretion of the U.K Government and significant changes in that rate may have a significant effect on our claim liability estimates.

27

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

General Re (Continued)

Life/health

Life/health premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $40 million (5%) and $75 million (3%), respectively, compared to 2016. The increases reflected growth in North America and several international markets. Our life/health operations produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $57 million in the third quarter and $96 million in the first nine months of 2017, increases of $23 million over the third quarter and $71 million over the first nine months of 2016. Underwriting results in 2017 reflected lower underwriting expenses and the impact of increasing liabilities for estimated premium deficiencies on certain disability business in 2016. Underwriting results in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 also included pre-tax losses from the runoff of U.S. long-term care and disability business of $58 million and $48 million, respectively, primarily due to the periodic discount accretion on long-term care liabilities.

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group

BHRG underwrites excess-of-loss reinsurance and quota-share coverages on property and casualty risks for insurers and reinsurers worldwide, including property catastrophe insurance and reinsurance. BHRG also writes retroactive reinsurance on property/casualty exposures as well as life reinsurance and periodic payment annuity business. A summary of BHRG’s underwriting results follows (in millions).

	Premiums earned								Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)
	Third Quarter				First Nine Months				Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017			2016			2017			2016
Property/casualty	$	1,217	$	1,164	$	3,488	$	3,358	$	(927	)	$	40		$	(1,144	)	$	415
Retroactive reinsurance		550		—		10,736		582		(285	)		(114	)		(875	)		(196	)
Life and annuity		557		708		1,727		1,827		(129	)		55			(322	)		(133	)
	$	2,324	$	1,872	$	15,951	$	5,767	$	(1,341	)	$	(19	)	$	(2,341	)	$	86

Property/casualty

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, premiums earned increased $53 million (5%) and $130 million (4%), respectively, compared to 2016. In the third quarter of 2017, we earned premiums on certain contracts where policy limits were fully exhausted as a result of catastrophe losses. Such premiums would have been otherwise earned in future periods. Premiums written for the first nine months of 2017 declined 5% compared to 2016. Premium rates, in our view, are generally inadequate and we have constrained our volumes.

Our pre-tax underwriting losses were $927 million in the third quarter and $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2017. In the third quarter of 2017, we incurred estimated losses of approximately $1.45 billion related to hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and an earthquake in Mexico. Underwriting results in the first nine months of 2017 also included estimated losses of $110 million from a cyclone in Australia. In the first nine months of 2016, we incurred no significant losses from catastrophe loss events. In the first nine months of 2017, we also increased estimated ultimate liabilities for prior years’ loss events by approximately $200 million, compared to reductions of such liabilities of approximately $290 million in 2016. These increases and decreases produced corresponding decreases and increases in pre-tax underwriting earnings in those periods.

Retroactive reinsurance

We periodically write retroactive reinsurance contracts, which provide indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events. In January 2017, NICO entered into an aggregate excess-of-loss retroactive reinsurance agreement with AIG (the “AIG Agreement”) that became effective on February 2, 2017. In connection with the AIG Agreement, we received cash premiums of $10.2 billion. As of the effective date, we also recorded losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $10.2 billion. Thus, on the effective date, the AIG Agreement had no effect on our pre-tax underwriting results. See Note 16 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

Pre-tax underwriting results in 2017 included losses of $60 million in the third quarter and $251 million in the first nine months from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which increased foreign currency denominated liabilities of U.S subsidiaries. In 2016, foreign currency exchange rate changes reduced such liabilities and resulted in pre-tax gains of $21 million in the third quarter and $198 million in the first nine months.

28

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (Continued)

Retroactive reinsurance (Continued)

Before foreign currency gains/losses, retroactive reinsurance contracts produced pre-tax underwriting losses of $225 million and $624 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, respectively, and $135 million and $394 million, respectively, in the comparable 2016 periods. The comparative increases in pre-tax losses in 2017 were primarily attributable to deferred charge amortization from contracts written over the past twelve months, including the aforementioned AIG Agreement, partly offset by comparatively lower amortization on prior years’ contracts.

Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses associated with our retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $40.7 billion at September 30, 2017 and $24.7 billion at December 31, 2016. Unamortized deferred charges related to these contracts were approximately $13.5 billion at September 30, 2017 and $8.0 billion at December 31, 2016. The increases in such liabilities and deferred charges were primarily due to the AIG agreement.

Life and annuity

A summary of BHRG’s life and annuity underwriting results follows (in millions).

	Premiums earned								Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)
	Third Quarter				First Nine Months				Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017			2016			2017			2016
Periodic payment annuity	$	197	$	367	$	647	$	771	$	(185	)	$	(61	)	$	(528	)	$	(123	)
Life reinsurance		355		337		1,067		1,043		11			(9	)		9			5
Variable annuity guarantee		5		4		13		13		45			125			197			(15	)
	$	557	$	708	$	1,727	$	1,827	$	(129	)	$	55		$	(322	)	$	(133	)

Periodic payment annuity premiums consist of upfront consideration received under direct and assumed contracts that provide for structured settlement annuity payments, typically over very long periods. Premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 declined compared to the same periods in 2016, due to lower volumes. Liabilities under certain of our contracts are denominated in foreign currencies. During 2017, the value of the U.S. Dollar weakened producing pre-tax losses of $63 million in the third quarter and $173 million in the first nine months of 2017. In 2016, foreign currency exchange rate changes produced pre-tax gains of $50 million in the third quarter and $216 million in the first nine months.

Before foreign currency gains and losses, pre-tax underwriting losses from periodic payment annuity contracts were $122 million in the third quarter and $355 million in the first nine months of 2017 and $111 million and $339 million, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016. We expect these contracts will generate pre-tax losses over time attributable to the accretion of discounted annuity liabilities. Discounted periodic payment annuity liabilities were approximately $10.9 billion at September 30, 2017, and our weighted average discount rate was approximately 4.1%.

The comparative improvements in our underwriting results in 2017 from life reinsurance reflected decreased benefit liabilities on certain blocks of business. Underwriting results from our variable annuity business (reinsurance contracts that provide guarantees on closed blocks of variable annuity business) reflected changes in liabilities for guaranteed benefits, resulting from changes in securities markets and interest rates and from the periodic recognition of expected profit margins. Our estimated liabilities for variable annuity guarantees were approximately $1.9 billion at September 30, 2017 and $2.1 billion at December 31, 2016. Periodic underwriting results from these contracts can be volatile reflecting the volatility of securities markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group

The Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (“BH Primary”) consists of a wide variety of independently managed underwriting businesses that primarily provide a variety of commercial insurance products, including healthcare malpractice, workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability, property and various specialty coverages for small, medium and large clients. The largest of these insurers include the MedPro Group, National Indemnity Company (“NICO Primary”), Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (“BHHC”), Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (“BH Specialty”) and Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (“GUARD”). Other BH Primary insurers include U.S. Liability Insurance Company, Applied Underwriters and Central States Indemnity Company.

29

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (Continued)

A summary of BH Primary’s underwriting results follows (dollars in millions).

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	2017				2016				2017				2016
	Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%
Premiums written	$	1,995			$	1,828			$	5,645			$	5,051
Premiums earned	$	1,852		100.0	$	1,629		100.0	$	5,287		100.0	$	4,581		100.0
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		1,342		72.5		985		60.5		3,426		64.8		2,817		61.5
Underwriting expenses		458		24.7		454		27.8		1,388		26.3		1,279		27.9
Total losses and expenses		1,800		97.2		1,439		88.3		4,814		91.1		4,096		89.4
Pre-tax underwriting gain	$	52			$	190			$	473			$	485

Premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months in 2017 increased 9.1% and 11.8%, respectively, over the same periods in 2016. All of the BH Primary insurers generated increased premiums written in the first nine months of 2017, led by BH Specialty (23%), GUARD (26%) and BHHC (10%). Premiums earned increased $223 million (13.7%) in the third quarter and $706 million (15.4%) in the first nine months as compared to 2016.

The BH Primary insurers produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $52 million in the third quarter and $473 million in the first nine months of 2017. In the third quarter of 2017, losses and loss adjustment expenses included approximately $225 million (12% of premiums earned) related to hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Losses and loss adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 also included net reductions of estimated ultimate liabilities for prior years’ loss events of $606 million and $373 million, respectively, which produced corresponding increases in pre-tax underwriting gains. The gains from the development of prior years’ claim estimates in 2017 were primarily attributable to healthcare malpractice and workers’ compensation business. Many of our businesses write significant levels of liability and workers’ compensation business and the related claim costs may be subject to higher severity and longer-claims tails, which may contribute to significant claims development gains or losses in the future.

Insurance—Investment Income

A summary of net investment income generated by investments held by our insurance operations follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Interest income	$	344	$	224	$	870	$	668
Dividend income		902		805		2,788		2,738
Investment income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests		1,246		1,029		3,658		3,406
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		202		179		741		659
Net investment income	$	1,044	$	850	$	2,917	$	2,747

Pre-tax investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $217 million (21%) and $252 million (7%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The increases in interest income reflected higher interest rates on short-term investments and certain fixed maturity investments. We continue to hold significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills earning low yields. We believe that maintaining ample liquidity is paramount and we insist on safety over yield with respect to such balances.

The increases in dividend income for the third quarter and first nine months reflected increased rates, increased overall investment levels and an aggregate increase from our investments in Bank of America, partially offset by the impact of the conversion of our $3 billion investment in Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) 8.5% preferred stock into Dow common stock at the end of 2016.

Invested assets of our insurance businesses derive from shareholder capital, including reinvested earnings, and from 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 $113 billion at September 30, 2017 and $91 billion at December 31, 2016. The increase in float in the first nine months of 2017 reflected increases in net unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including liabilities assumed under retroactive reinsurance contracts written in 2017, estimated liabilities related to catastrophe events, and overall growth of our insurance operations. Our pre-tax underwriting losses were approximately $2.6 billion in the first nine months of 2017 and our average cost of float was approximately 2.5%.

30

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

Insurance—Investment Income (Continued)

A summary of cash and investments held in our insurance businesses follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Cash and cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills	$	68,974	$	48,888
Equity securities		150,819		119,780
Fixed maturity securities		21,532		22,778
Other investments		3,303		14,364
	$	244,628	$	205,810

Fixed maturity securities as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (in millions).

	Amortized cost		Unrealized gains (losses)			Carrying value
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	3,942	$	(6	)	$	3,936
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		964		50			1,014
Foreign governments		8,554		209			8,763
Corporate bonds, investment grade		5,471		413			5,884
Corporate bonds, non-investment grade		868		210			1,078
Mortgage-backed securities		753		104			857
	$	20,552	$	980		$	21,532

U.S. government obligations are rated AA+ or Aaa by the major rating agencies and approximately 88% of all state, municipal and political subdivisions, foreign government obligations and mortgage-backed securities were rated AA or higher by the major rating agencies. Non-investment grade securities represent securities rated below BBB- or Baa3. Foreign government securities include obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by national or provincial government entities.

Railroad (“Burlington Northern Santa Fe”)

Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (“BNSF”) operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America. BNSF operates approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states, as well as 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. A summary of BNSF’s earnings follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Revenues	$	5,314	$	5,167	$	15,749	$	14,519
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits		1,160		1,193		3,685		3,535
Fuel		595		533		1,777		1,359
Purchased services		608		562		1,843		1,789
Depreciation and amortization		591		534		1,756		1,584
Equipment rents, materials and other		397		462		1,335		1,379
Total operating expenses		3,351		3,284		10,396		9,646
Interest expense		253		250		761		744
		3,604		3,534		11,157		10,390
Pre-tax earnings		1,710		1,633		4,592		4,129
Income taxes		668		613		1,754		1,553
Net earnings	$	1,042	$	1,020	$	2,838	$	2,576

31

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

Railroad (“Burlington Northern Santa Fe”) (Continued)

Consolidated revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were $5.3 billion and $15.7 billion, respectively, representing increases of $147 million (2.8%) and $1.23 billion (8.5%), respectively, versus the corresponding periods in 2016. Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased 4.7% and 11.2%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016.

In the first nine months of 2017, revenues reflected a 2.4% comparative increase in average revenue per car/unit and a 6.0% increase in volume. Our year-to-date volume was 7.6 million cars/units compared to 7.2 million in 2016. Our overall volume growth moderated in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the growth experienced in the first half of the year and we expect continued moderation in the fourth quarter. The increase in average revenue per car/unit was primarily attributable to higher fuel surcharge revenue and increased rates per car/unit.

Freight revenues from consumer products in 2017 were $1.8 billion in the third quarter and $5.2 billion in the first nine months, representing increases of 7.6% and 8.2%, respectively, compared to 2016. The revenue increases reflected volume increases of 7.4% in the third quarter and 6.3% in the first nine months as well as higher average revenue per car/unit. The volume increases were primarily attributable to improving economic conditions, normalizing of retail inventories, new services and higher market share, which benefited domestic intermodal, international intermodal and automotive volumes.

Freight revenues from industrial products in 2017 were $1.3 billion in the third quarter and $3.8 billion for the first nine months, or increases of 4.0% and 5.1%, respectively, from the comparable 2016 periods. The increases were attributable to higher average revenue per car/unit, as well as volume increases of 2.0% in the third quarter and 2.2% in the first nine months. Volumes in 2017 were higher for sand and other commodities that support drilling. In addition, broad strengthening in the industrial sector drove greater demand for steel and taconite. These volume increases were partially offset by lower petroleum products volume due to pipeline displacement of U.S. crude rail traffic as well as lower aggregates and plastics volume.

Freight revenues from agricultural products in 2017 decreased 9.4% in the third quarter to $992 million and increased 4.0% to $3.2 billion in the first nine months compared to the same periods in 2016. The decrease in the third quarter was driven by a volume decrease of 12.0% compared to 2016, partially offset by higher average revenue per car/unit. The volume decrease in the third quarter was driven by lower grain exports, partially offset by higher domestic grain. Revenue growth in the first nine months reflected higher average revenue per car/unit as well as volume increases of 0.7%. The volume growth in the first nine months of 2017 was primarily due to higher shipments of domestic grain, as well as ethanol and other grain products, partially offset by lower grain exports.

Freight revenues from coal in 2017 increased 5.9% in the third quarter to $1.0 billion and 20.7% in the first nine months to $2.9 billion compared to 2016. The increase in revenues reflected higher volumes, 1.9% in the third quarter and 12.4% year-to-date, as well as higher average revenue per car/unit. The volume increases in 2017 were due to continued effects of higher natural gas prices, which led to increased utility coal usage. This was partially offset by the effects of unit retirements of coal generating facilities, increased renewable generation and coal inventory adjustments at customer facilities.

Operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were $3.4 billion and $10.4 billion, respectively, increases of $67 million (2.0%) and $750 million (7.8%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. Our ratios of operating expenses to revenues decreased 0.5 percentage points to 63.1% in the third quarter and 0.4 percentage points to 66.0% for the first nine months of 2017 versus the corresponding prior year periods.

Compensation and benefits expenses decreased $33 million (2.8%) for the third quarter of 2017 and increased $150 million (4.2%) for the first nine months compared to 2016. The third quarter decrease was due to lower wages and headcount, partially offset by higher health and welfare costs and volume-related increases. The year-to-date increase was primarily due to higher health and welfare costs and volume-related increases, partially offset by lower headcount.

Fuel expenses increased $62 million (11.6%) for the third quarter of 2017 due to higher average fuel prices and lower efficiency. Fuel expenses increased $418 million (30.8%) for the first nine months compared to 2016 primarily due to higher average fuel prices and increased volumes, partially offset by improved efficiency. Purchased services increased $46 million (8.2%) in the third quarter and $54 million (3.0%) in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to 2016. The increases are due to higher purchased transportation costs of our logistics services business and a prior year insurance recovery which reduced expenses in 2016.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $57 million (10.7%) for the third quarter of 2017 and $172 million (10.9%) for the first nine months compared to 2016 due to a larger base of depreciable assets in service. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, equipment rents, materials and other expense declined $65 million (14.1%) and $44 million (3.2%), respectively, compared to 2016. These declines resulted from lower personal injury and other casualty related costs offset by higher equipment related material costs.

BNSF’s effective income tax rate was 38.2% and 37.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by a tax rate increase enacted by the State of Illinois during the third quarter of 2017.

32

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

Utilities and Energy (“Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company”)

We hold a 90.2% ownership interest in Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”), which operates a global energy business. BHE’s domestic regulated utility interests are 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. Other energy businesses include AltaLink, L.P. (“AltaLink”), a regulated electricity transmission-only business in Alberta, Canada and a diversified portfolio of independent power projects. In addition, BHE also operates the second-largest residential real estate brokerage firm and one of the largest residential real estate brokerage franchise networks in the United States.

The rates our regulated businesses charge customers for energy and services are based, in large part, on the costs of business operations, including a return on capital, and are subject to regulatory approval. To the extent these operations are not allowed to include such costs in the approved rates, operating results will be adversely affected. Revenues and earnings of BHE are summarized below (in millions).

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Earnings				Revenues				Earnings
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
PacifiCorp	$	1,443	$	1,445	$	389	$	365	$	3,991	$	3,952	$	912	$	867
MidAmerican Energy Company		832		806		250		241		2,209		2,031		402		389
NV Energy		1,057		997		347		345		2,412		2,335		539		495
Northern Powergrid		220		220		48		57		685		749		215		274
Natural gas pipelines		198		204		60		59		706		709		303		288
Other energy businesses		655		703		198		204		1,736		1,677		311		336
Real estate brokerage		965		823		81		89		2,511		2,162		197		187
	$	5,370	$	5,198					$	14,250	$	13,615
Earnings before corporate interest and income taxes (“EBIT”)						1,373		1,360						2,879		2,836
Corporate interest						111		114						332		355
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests						299		314						567		626
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders					$	963	$	932					$	1,980	$	1,855

PacifiCorp

PacifiCorp operates a regulated electric utility in portions of several Western states, including Utah, Oregon and Wyoming. Revenues in the third quarter were essentially unchanged and in the first nine months of 2017 increased 1% compared with the same periods in 2016. Retail revenues in the third quarter of 2017 declined slightly compared to 2016 and for the first nine months increased slightly, reflecting higher volumes, partly offset by lower average rates. In the first nine months of 2017, wholesale and other revenues increased, attributable to higher volumes and average rates.

EBIT increased $24 million (7%) in the third quarter and $45 million (5%) in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the same periods in 2016. The comparative increases were primarily due to increased gross margins and lower operations and maintenance expenses, partially offset by increased depreciation and amortization associated with additional plant in-service.

MidAmerican Energy Company

MEC operates a regulated electric and natural gas utility primarily in Iowa and Illinois. Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $26 million (3%) and $178 million (9%), respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2016. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, electric operating revenues increased $15 million and $105 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2016. The increase in year-to-date electric revenues was attributable to higher wholesale and other revenues ($53 million) and retail revenues ($52 million). The increase in wholesale and other electric revenues reflected comparative increases in volumes, average rates and transmission fees. The increase in retail electric revenues was primarily attributable to higher recoveries through bill riders (which are substantially offset by increases in costs of sales and operating and income tax expenses) and from non-weather usage and rate factors, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of milder temperatures in 2017. Natural gas operating revenues in the first nine months of 2017 increased $55 million compared to 2016, due primarily to higher average per-unit cost of gas sold, which is offset in cost of sales.

EBIT in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $9 million (4%) and $13 million (3%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. These increases reflected comparative increases in electric gross margins of $15 million in the third quarter and $75 million in the first nine months, partially offset by increased depreciation, maintenance and other operating expenses and interest expense.

33

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

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

NV Energy

NV Energy operates regulated electric and natural gas utilities in Nevada. Revenues increased $60 million (6%) in the third quarter and $77 million (3%) in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016. These increases were due primarily to increases in retail electric operating revenues of $58 million in the third quarter and $81 million in the first nine months. The increases in retail electric revenues included a combination of increased rates from pass-through cost adjustments and higher volumes, partly offset by lower revenues from energy efficiency programs, which are offset by lower operating expenses. In 2017, NV Energy also experienced retail electric revenue declines from the transition of certain commercial and industrial customers electing to purchase power from alternative sources and thus becoming distribution service only customers. Natural gas operating revenue declined $15 million in the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to lower rates, partially offset by higher customer usage.

EBIT in the third quarter was relatively unchanged from the same period in 2016, as lower gross margins were offset by lower operating expenses. In the first nine months of 2017, EBIT increased $44 million (9%) compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to lower operating and interest expenses.

Northern Powergrid

Revenues in the third quarter of 2017 were unchanged and declined $64 million (9%) in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016. Unfavorable foreign currency translation effects of a comparatively stronger U.S. Dollar in the first nine months of 2017 resulted in a $66 million decline in comparative revenues, substantially all of which occurred in the first half of the year. Otherwise, the comparative declines in distribution revenues were substantially offset by higher smart metering revenue. EBIT in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 declined $9 million (16%) and $59 million (22%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The EBIT declines were primarily due to foreign currency translation effects, as well as from higher depreciation expense attributable to additional assets placed in-service and increased pension expenses.

Natural gas pipelines

Revenues in the first nine months of 2017 declined slightly compared to the same period in 2016. In 2017, higher gas sales, primarily from system balancing activities (largely offset in cost of sales), and higher transportation revenues at Northern Natural Gas were offset by lower transportation revenues at Kern River. EBIT in the first nine months of 2017 increased $15 million (5%) compared to the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to a reduction in expenses and regulatory liabilities related to the impact of an alternative rate structure approved by Kern River’s regulators in the first quarter of 2017 and from the changes in transportation revenues.

Other energy businesses

Revenues in the third quarter of 2017 declined $48 million (7%) and in the first nine months increased $59 million (4%) compared to the same periods in 2016. Revenues in 2017 reflected comparative declines of 20% in the third quarter and 13% in the first nine months from the unregulated service business and comparative increases of 4% in the third quarter and 11% in the first nine months from renewable energy. The comparative revenue increase in the first nine months of 2017 also included the effects of a decision in May 2016 by AltaLink’s regulator, which changed the timing of when construction-in-progress expenditures included in the rate base are billable to customers and earned in revenues. The decision resulted in a one-time net reduction in revenue in the second quarter of 2016, with offsetting reductions in expenses. EBIT in the first nine months of 2017 declined 7% compared to the same period in 2016, which reflected lower earnings from renewable energy and the unregulated retail services business, partly offset by increased earnings from AltaLink.

Real estate brokerage

Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased 17% and 16%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2016. The revenue increases were primarily due to recent business acquisitions and an increase in average home sales prices for existing businesses. EBIT declined 9% in the third quarter and increased 5% in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to 2016. Earnings in 2017 reflected a favorable impact from franchise businesses, partially offset by lower earnings from brokerage businesses, which were primarily due to higher operating expenses, and lower mortgage revenue. Overall, our year-to-date 2017 pre-tax margin rate declined 0.8 percentage points compared to 2016.

Corporate interest and income taxes

Corporate interest includes interest on unsecured debt issued by BHE and borrowings from certain Berkshire insurance subsidiaries. BHE’s effective income tax rates for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were approximately 13% and 16%, respectively. The effective tax rate in 2017 decreased primarily due to an increase in production tax credits recognized, partially offset by the impact of a decline in the United Kingdom statutory income tax rate enacted in the third quarter of 2016.

34

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

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing

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

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Earnings *				Revenues				Earnings *
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
Manufacturing	$	12,819	$	12,082	$	2,002	$	1,981	$	37,654	$	34,837	$	5,428	$	5,150
Service and retailing		19,325		18,602		536		555		56,650		54,728		1,641		1,601
	$	32,144	$	30,684					$	94,304	$	89,565
Pre-tax earnings						2,538		2,536						7,069		6,751
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests						844		834						2,396		2,290
					$	1,694	$	1,702					$	4,673	$	4,461

* Excludes certain acquisition accounting expenses, which were primarily from the amortization of identified intangible assets recorded in connection with our business acquisitions. The after-tax acquisition accounting expenses excluded from earnings above for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were $184 million and $485 million, respectively, compared to $281 million and $486 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2016, respectively. These expenses are included in “other” in the summary of earnings on page 25 and in the “other” earnings section on page 40.

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing group includes a variety of businesses that produce industrial, building and consumer products. Industrial products businesses include specialty chemicals (The Lubrizol Corporation (“Lubrizol”)), metal cutting tools/systems (IMC International Metalworking Companies (“IMC”)), equipment and systems for the livestock and agricultural industries (CTB International (“CTB”)), and a variety of industrial products for diverse markets (Marmon, Scott Fetzer and LiquidPower Specialty Products (“LSPI”)). Beginning on January 29, 2016, our industrial products group also includes Precision Castparts Corp. (“PCC”), a leading manufacturer of complex metal products for aerospace, power and general industrial markets.

Our building products businesses include flooring (Shaw), insulation, roofing and engineered products (Johns Manville), bricks and masonry products (Acme Building Brands), paint and coatings (Benjamin Moore), and residential and commercial construction and engineering products and systems (MiTek). Our consumer products businesses include leisure vehicles (Forest River), several apparel and footwear operations (including Fruit of the Loom, Garan, H.H. Brown Shoe Group and Brooks Sports), and beginning on February 29, 2016, the Duracell Company (“Duracell”), a leading manufacturer of high performance alkaline batteries. This group also includes custom picture framing products (Larson Juhl) and jewelry products (Richline). A summary of revenues and pre-tax earnings of our manufacturing operations follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Pre-tax earnings				Revenues				Pre-tax earnings
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
Industrial products	$	6,657	$	6,400	$	1,247	$	1,347	$	19,802	$	18,599	$	3,508	$	3,534
Building products		3,124		2,841		407		362		8,983		8,149		1,057		909
Consumer products		3,038		2,841		348		272		8,869		8,089		863		707
	$	12,819	$	12,082	$	2,002	$	1,981	$	37,654	$	34,837	$	5,428	$	5,150

Aggregate revenues from manufacturing increased $737 million (6.1%) in the third quarter and $2.8 billion (8.1%) in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016. Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2017 were approximately $2.0 billion, relatively unchanged from the third quarter of 2016 and $5.4 billion in the first nine months, an increase of $278 million (5.4%), over earnings in the corresponding 2016 period. Operating results of our industrial products and consumer products businesses included the results of PCC and Duracell from their respective acquisition dates. Pre-tax earnings in the first nine months of 2017 included pre-tax losses of approximately $190 million in connection with the disposition of an underperforming bolt-on business acquired by Lubrizol in 2014.

Industrial products

Revenues of our industrial products businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $257 million (4.0%) and $1.2 billion (6.5%), respectively, compared to the corresponding 2016 periods. Marmon and IMC produced comparative third quarter and year-to-date revenue increases. The IMC increases were primarily due to increased customer demand and unit sales. Marmon’s revenues increased 11% in the third quarter and 6% in the first nine months of 2017 versus 2016, reflecting a mixture of increases from business acquisitions and higher average metal prices. Marmon’s highway transportation, retail food and restaurant equipment businesses generated volume-based revenue growth in the third quarter, while engineered wire/cable and retail store product businesses experienced volume-based revenue declines compared to 2016.

35

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

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

Industrial products (Continued)

PCC’s revenues in the third quarter of 2017 were relatively unchanged from 2016. PCC’s revenues increased 10% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the eight month post-acquisition period in 2016. On a comparable full year-to-date basis, PCC’s revenues increased approximately 2% compared to 2016. In 2017, PCC produced revenue increases from structural castings, airfoils and forged products and from new business acquisitions, partly offset by lower revenues from airframe products. PCC is presently transitioning into product lines for new programs within the aerospace markets, which are expected to produce future revenue increases, but may have negative effects on revenues in the near term as prior programs wind down. Industrial gas turbine demand is expected to substantially decrease in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Lubrizol’s revenues increased 1.5% in the third quarter and first nine months compared to the same periods in 2016, primarily due to higher unit volumes. CTB’s revenues in the third quarter declined 6% and in the first nine months of 2017 increased 1% compared to 2016, reflecting relatively weak demand and selling price pressures.

Pre-tax earnings of our industrial products businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 decreased $100 million (7.4%) and $26 million (1%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The comparative decline in the third quarter earnings was primarily attributable to a reclassification to “other” earnings (see page 40) in the third quarter of 2016 of certain acquisition accounting related amortization expenses that were reflected in PCC’s pre-tax earnings in the first and second quarters of 2016. Otherwise, pre-tax earnings of our industrial products businesses in the third quarter of 2017 increased 6.9% compared to 2016. PCC’s pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2017 declined 5% compared to 2016, as adjusted for the aforementioned reclassification, and in first nine months of 2017, increased 5% compared to the eight month post-acquisition date period in 2016.

Pre-tax earnings from IMC and Marmon in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased compared to the same periods in 2016. The increases were attributable to increased sales, ongoing expense control efforts and lower foreign currency exchange losses. Lubrizol’s pre-tax earnings increased slightly in the third quarter of 2017 and decreased 29% in the first nine months compared to the same periods in 2016. Lubrizol recognized pre-tax losses of approximately $190 million in the first nine months of 2017, substantially all of which was in the first quarter, related to the disposition of an underperforming bolt-on business and related intangible asset impairments and restructuring charges.

Building products

Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $283 million (10.0%) and $834 million (10.2%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The increases were primarily due to the effect of bolt-on business acquisitions (Shaw and MiTek) and sales volume increases (MiTek, Benjamin Moore and Johns Manville), partly offset by lower average sales prices and changes in product mix.

Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $45 million (12.4%) and $148 million (16.3%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The comparative earnings increase in the first nine months reflected the impact of approximately $100 million in asset impairment, pension settlement and environmental claim charges recorded in 2016 by Shaw and Benjamin Moore (most of which was recorded in the first six months of 2016), and earnings from recent bolt-on acquisitions, partly offset by comparative declines in the average gross margin rates.

Consumer products

Revenues increased $197 million (6.9%) in the third quarter and $780 million (9.6%) in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016. These increases were driven by comparative revenue increases from Duracell and Forest River. Duracell’s revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased 6% and 40%, respectively, compared to the third quarter and seven month post-acquisition date period in 2016. Forest River’s revenues increased 17% in the third quarter and 12% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016, primarily due to increases in unit sales. Apparel and footwear revenues in the first nine months of 2017 declined 1% compared to 2016.

Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $76 million (27.9%) and $156 million (22.1%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. The increases in earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were primarily due to increased earnings from Duracell and Forest River. Duracell’s comparative results in the 2017 periods reflected significant decreases in transition costs arising from the acquisition in 2016 and otherwise improved operating results. Earnings from apparel and footwear businesses increased 9% in the third quarter and decreased 3% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016. The increase in third quarter earnings was primarily due to higher earnings from our footwear businesses, while the decline in the first nine months reflected lower earnings from Fruit of the Loom, partly offset by increased earnings from the footwear businesses.

36

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

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

Service and retailing

A summary of revenues and pre-tax earnings of our service and retailing businesses follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Pre-tax earnings				Revenues				Pre-tax earnings
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
Service	$	2,775	$	2,619	$	315	$	305	$	8,184	$	7,557	$	926	$	826
Retailing		3,752		3,712		176		144		10,986		11,050		513		404
McLane Company		12,798		12,271		45		106		37,480		36,121		202		371
	$	19,325	$	18,602	$	536	$	555	$	56,650	$	54,728	$	1,641	$	1,601

Service

Our service businesses offer fractional ownership programs for general aviation aircraft (NetJets) and high technology training to operators of aircraft (FlightSafety). We also distribute electronic components (TTI) and service a network of quick service restaurant franchises (Dairy Queen). Service businesses also include the electronic distribution of corporate news, multimedia and regulatory filings (Business Wire), publication of newspapers and other publications (Buffalo News and the BH Media Group) and operation of a television station in Miami, Florida (WPLG). We also offer third party logistics services that primarily serve the petroleum and chemical industries (Charter Brokerage).

Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $156 million (6%) and $627 million (8%), respectively, as compared to 2016. The year-to-date revenue increase was driven by TTI, NetJets and FlightSafety. Higher unit volumes and customer demand in most geographic regions and markets drove TTI’s revenue increase in 2017. NetJets’ revenue increase reflected comparatively higher aircraft sales over the first nine months of 2017 and a 5% year-to-date increase in revenue flight hours. The revenue increase at FlightSafety was primarily due to comparative increases in training hours and equipment sales.

Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $10 million (3%) and $100 million (12%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2016. Earnings in the third quarter of 2017 reflected higher earnings at TTI, due to the aforementioned increase in revenues, and lower earnings from NetJets and our media businesses. The comparative increase in earnings for the first nine months of 2017 was primarily attributable to increased earnings of NetJets and TTI, partly offset by lower earnings from our media and logistics services businesses.

Retailing

Our retailing businesses include four home furnishings retailing businesses (Nebraska Furniture Mart, R.C. Willey, Star Furniture and Jordan’s), which sell furniture, appliances, flooring and electronics. Our retailers also include Berkshire Hathaway Automotive (“BHA”), which includes over 80 auto dealerships, which sell new and pre-owned automobiles and offer repair and other related services and products. BHA also operates two related insurance businesses, two auto auctions and an automotive fluid maintenance products distributor.

Our other retailing businesses also include three jewelry retailing businesses (Borsheims, Helzberg and Ben Bridge), See’s Candies (confectionary products), Pampered Chef (high quality kitchen tools), Oriental Trading Company (party supplies, school supplies and toys and novelties) and Detlev Louis Motorrad (“Louis”), a Germany-based retailer of motorcycle accessories.

Revenues of our retailing businesses in the third quarter of 2017 increased 1.1% and declined 0.6% in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016. In the first nine months of 2017, BHA’s aggregate revenues, which represented 64% of our total retailing revenues, declined 2% compared to 2016, due primarily to lower vehicle units sold, partly offset by higher service, finance and insurance revenues. In the first nine months of 2017, revenues of our other retailers increased 2% compared to 2016.

Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $32 million (22%) and $109 million (27%), respectively, over earnings in the corresponding 2016 periods. These increases reflected comparatively higher earnings from BHA in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, primarily due to increased earnings from finance and insurance activities and lower selling and administrative expenses, partly offset by lower auto sales margins. Earnings of our home furnishings retailers in the third quarter of 2017 were relatively flat versus 2016 and in the first nine months increased 18% compared to 2016. The year-to date increase was attributable to a slight increase in the overall gross margin rate and lower operating expense rates. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, Pampered Chef produced comparatively higher earnings, primarily attributable to revenue increases and cost management efforts.

37

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

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

McLane Company

McLane operates a wholesale distribution business that provides grocery and non-food consumer products to retailers and convenience stores (“grocery”) and to restaurants (“foodservice”). McLane also operates businesses that are wholesale distributors of distilled spirits, wine and beer (“beverage”). The grocery and foodservice units are marked by high sales volumes 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 an adverse impact on McLane’s periodic revenues and earnings.

Revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were approximately $12.8 billion and $37.5 billion, respectively, increases of 4.3% and 3.8%, respectively, compared to corresponding 2016 periods. The increases in revenues were primarily due to a 5% year-to-date increase in grocery business sales.

Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were $45 million and $202 million, respectively, decreases of $61 million (58%) and $169 million (46%), respectively, compared to corresponding 2016 periods. The earnings declines reflected a 65% decline in year-to-date earnings from our grocery operations. Throughout 2017, significant pricing pressures and an increasingly competitive business environment negatively affected our operating results, particularly with respect to the grocery business. These conditions contributed to declining gross margin rates, which together with increased payroll and other operating expenses produced a 49 basis point decline in our overall operating margin for the first nine months of 2017.

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. A summary of earnings from our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Earnings				Revenues				Earnings
	2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016		2017		2016
Manufactured housing and finance	$	1,318	$	1,099	$	173	$	165	$	3,591	$	3,057	$	546	$	514
Transportation equipment leasing		652		655		219		235		1,928		2,009		649		731
Other		217		208		138		117		566		611		309		333
	$	2,187	$	1,962		530		517	$	6,085	$	5,677		1,504		1,578
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests						189		180						528		534
					$	341	$	337					$	976	$	1,044

Manufactured housing and finance

Clayton Homes’ revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 increased $219 million (20%) and $534 million (17%), respectively, compared to the corresponding 2016 periods. These increases were primarily due to higher home sales, attributable to a year-to-date increase in overall unit sales (12%) and higher average prices, primarily due to sales mix changes. In 2017, home sales included a higher mix of site built homes, which have a higher land content and, therefore, unit prices tend to be higher. Gross sales margin rates for site built homes, however, are typically lower than manufactured homes. Pre-tax earnings increased $8 million (5%) in the third quarter and $32 million (6%) in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the corresponding 2016 periods. Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2017 were negatively impacted by increased insurance claim costs, due primarily to hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Pre-tax earnings in the first nine months of 2017 also reflected increased earnings from manufacturing, retailing and site-built activities, comparatively lower servicing asset impairment charges and a gain from a legal settlement, partly offset by increased employee healthcare, technology, marketing and legal expenses.

Transportation equipment leasing

Transportation equipment leasing revenues in the third quarter were relatively flat and in the first nine months of 2017 declined $81 million (4%) compared to the corresponding 2016 periods. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2017, leasing revenues declined primarily due to lower railcar and trailer units on lease and lower railcar rental rates. We currently believe industry railcar capacity available for lease exceeds demand, which is contributing to lower lease rates. In the first nine months of 2017, we also experienced lower equipment sales to third parties, although sales during the third quarter of 2017 increased compared to 2016.

Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 declined $16 million (7%) and $82 million (11%), respectively, compared to the corresponding 2016 periods. These decreases reflected the aforementioned revenue declines and higher railcar repair and storage costs. Significant components of our operating costs, such as depreciation expense, do not vary proportionately to revenue changes and 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 other 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. Pre-tax earnings in the first nine months of 2017 declined $24 million compared to 2016, reflecting lower interest and dividend income from investments and lower earnings from CORT, partly offset by higher earnings from Berkadia. Other earnings also includes income from interest rate spreads charged on borrowings by a Berkshire financing subsidiary that are used to finance loans and assets held for lease. The corresponding expenses are included in the results of our manufactured housing and finance and transportation equipment leasing business groups. Pre-tax interest rate spreads charged to these businesses in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were $57 million and $55 million, respectively.

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses

A summary of investment and derivative gains and losses follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Investment gains/losses	$	657	$	3,150	$	1,262	$	5,643
Derivative gains/losses		308		458		703		(332	)
Gains/losses before income taxes and noncontrolling interests		965		3,608		1,965		5,311
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		342		1,261		695		718
Net gains/losses	$	623	$	2,347	$	1,270	$	4,593

Investment gains/losses

Investment gains/losses arise primarily from the sale, redemption or exchange of investments. 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.

As discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we will adopt a new accounting standard on January 1, 2018 that will change the reporting of unrealized gains and losses on our investments in equity securities. Beginning as of that date, unrealized gains and losses on investments in equity securities will be included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings along with realized gains from dispositions. This new standard is required to be adopted prospectively and prior years’ statements of earnings may not be restated to reflect the change. Upon adoption of this accounting standard, we will reclassify the net unrealized gains related to our investments in equity securities from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. As of September 30, 2017, accumulated after-tax net unrealized appreciation related to our equity securities was approximately $53 billion.

While the adoption of this standard will not affect our total consolidated shareholders’ equity, it will almost certainly produce a very significant increase in the volatility of our periodic net earnings given the magnitude of our existing equity securities portfolio and the inherent volatility of equity securities prices. To illustrate the impact of this standard, our other comprehensive income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 included after-tax net unrealized gains from equity securities of approximately $2.8 billion and $10.9 billion, respectively. Had this new standard been in effect as of the beginning 2017, these amounts would have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. However, our consolidated comprehensive income for those periods would have been unchanged.

We believe the amount of investment gains/losses included in earnings in any given quarterly or annual 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. Market price changes related to our investment securities will likely have a material impact on our reported earnings after 2017. Although we do not consider investment gains and losses as necessarily meaningful or useful in evaluating our quarterly or annual results of operations, we provide information concerning such gains and losses when reflected in our earnings.

39

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

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses (Continued)

Investment gains/losses (Continued)

Pre-tax investment gains in the third quarter were $657 million in 2017 and $3.15 billion in 2016. Investment gains in the third quarter of 2016 included $2.4 billion from the disposition of our Wrigley preferred stock investment. Pre-tax investment gains in the first nine months of 2016 also included $1.1 billion realized in connection with the tax-free exchange of our shares of P&G common stock for 100% of the common stock of Duracell. Income tax expense allocated to investment gains included a benefit from the reduction of certain deferred income tax liabilities in connection with the exchange of P&G common stock for Duracell. Our after-tax gain from this transaction was approximately $1.9 billion.

Derivative gains/losses

Derivative gains/losses currently represent the changes in fair value of our equity index put option contract liabilities. The periodic changes in the fair values of these contracts are recorded in earnings and can be significant, reflecting the volatility of underlying equity markets and the changes in the inputs used to measure such liabilities. Our equity index put option contracts produced pre-tax gains of $703 million in the first nine months of 2017, which were primarily attributable to increased index values, shorter contract durations and changes in expected volatilities, partly offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate changes. In the first nine months of 2016, these contracts generated pre-tax losses of $421 million, driven by lower interest rates and lower index values related to certain contracts. As of September 30, 2017, equity index put option intrinsic values were $640 million and our recorded liabilities at fair value were approximately $2.2 billion. Our ultimate payment obligations, if any, under our equity index put option contracts will be determined as of the contract expiration dates (beginning in 2018), and will be based on the intrinsic value as defined under the contracts. In July 2016, our last credit default contract was terminated. This contract produced a pre-tax gain of $89 million in the first nine months of 2016.

Other

A summary of after-tax other earnings (losses) follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Kraft Heinz earnings	$	215		$	146		$	725		$	552
Acquisition accounting expenses		(196	)		(290	)		(518	)		(550	)
Corporate interest expense		(238	)		(116	)		(769	)		(297	)
Other		18			(2	)		25			(15	)
Net earnings (losses) attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	(201	)	$	(262	)	$	(537	)	$	(310	)

Our after-tax Kraft Heinz earnings includes Berkshire’s share of Kraft Heinz’s earnings attributable to common shareholders determined pursuant to the equity method. In the first nine months of 2016, Kraft Heinz earnings also included $180 million in pre-tax dividend income from our Preferred Stock investment, which was redeemed in June 2016. After-tax other earnings (losses) also include charges arising from the application of the acquisition method in connection with Berkshire’s past business acquisitions. Such charges were primarily from the amortization of intangible assets recorded in connection with those business acquisitions.

In each of the last three years, Berkshire issued Euro-denominated debt and at September 30, 2017, the aggregate par amount outstanding was €6.85 billion. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can produce sizable non-cash gains and losses from the periodic revaluation of these liabilities into U.S. Dollars. After-tax corporate interest expense included foreign currency exchange rate losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 of $172 million and $571 million, respectively, related to our Euro denominated debt. In 2016, after-tax corporate interest included foreign currency exchange rate losses of $48 million in the third quarter and $107 million in the first nine months. Excluding these foreign currency gains and losses, after-tax corporate interest expense in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 was $198 million and $190 million, respectively.

Financial Condition

Our balance sheet reflects significant liquidity and a strong capital base. Our consolidated shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2017 was approximately $308.3 billion, an increase of $25.3 billion since December 31, 2016. Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders in the first nine months of 2017 were $12.4 billion. Net unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currency translation gains included in other comprehensive income in the first nine months of 2017 were approximately $10.9 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively.

At September 30, 2017, our insurance and other businesses held cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills of approximately $96.6 billion and investments (excluding our investment in Kraft Heinz) of $177.2 billion. In January 2017, Berkshire issued €1.1 billion of new senior notes and repaid $1.1 billion of maturing senior notes. Berkshire’s debt outstanding at September 30, 2017 was approximately $18.6 billion, an increase of $943 million from December 31, 2016, of which $860 million was attributable to foreign currency exchange rate changes applicable to the €6.85 billion par amount of our Euro-denominated senior notes. Berkshire term debt of $1.55 billion will mature within the next twelve months.

40

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

Financial Condition (Continued)

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 nine months of 2017, capital expenditures were $3.2 billion by BHE and $2.4 billion by BNSF. We forecast the aggregate capital expenditures of these businesses for the remainder of 2017 will approximate $2.6 billion and we currently expect to fund such future capital expenditures with cash on hand, cash flows from operations and debt issuances.

BNSF’s outstanding debt approximated $22.5 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increase of $487 million since December 31, 2016. In March 2017, BNSF issued $1.25 billion of senior unsecured debentures with $500 million due in 2027 and $750 million due in 2047. BNSF debentures totaling $650 million par amount will mature in March 2018. Outstanding borrowings of BHE and its subsidiaries were approximately $38.6 billion at September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.6 billion since December 31, 2016. During the first nine months of 2017, BHE and its subsidiaries issued approximately $1.7 billion of debt with maturity dates ranging from 2022 to 2057. Within the next twelve months, approximately $2.8 billion of BHE and subsidiary term debt will mature. 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 BNSF, BHE or any of their subsidiaries.

Finance and financial products assets were approximately $40.3 billion as of September 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.4 billion from December 31, 2016. Finance assets consist primarily of loans and finance receivables, various types of property held for lease, cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills. Finance and financial products liabilities declined $2.76 billion to approximately $17.0 billion as of September 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in borrowings of approximately $2.3 billion, reflecting repayments of $3.6 billion, partly offset by $1.3 billion of senior unsecured notes issued in January by a wholly-owned financing subsidiary, Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”). The new BHFC notes mature in 2019 and 2020. BHFC’s outstanding borrowings were $12.9 billion at September 30, 2017. In the first six months of 2018, $4.1 billion of BHFC senior notes will mature. BHFC’s senior note borrowings are used to fund loans originated and acquired by Clayton Homes and a portion of assets held for lease by our UTLX railcar leasing business. Berkshire guarantees the full and timely payment of principal and interest with respect to BHFC’s senior notes.

Berkshire’s Board of Directors has authorized Berkshire management to repurchase, at its discretion, Berkshire Class A and Class B common stock at prices no higher than a 20% premium over book value. There is no obligation to repurchase any stock and the program is expected to continue indefinitely. We will not repurchase our stock if it reduces the total amount of Berkshire’s consolidated cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills holdings below $20 billion. Financial strength and redundant liquidity will always be of paramount importance at Berkshire. There were no repurchases in 2017.

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 included 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, but will be recognized in future periods as the goods are delivered or services are provided.

The timing and amount of the payments under certain contracts, such as insurance and reinsurance contracts, are contingent upon the outcome of future events and claim settlements. Actual payments will likely vary, perhaps materially, from the estimated liabilities currently recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. As previously discussed, we entered into a retroactive reinsurance agreement with AIG, which became effective in February 2017. In connection with this agreement, we recorded liabilities of $16.4 billion for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, representing our current estimate of the claims we ultimately expect to pay under the agreement. We estimate future payments under this agreement as follows: 2020-2021 – $3.6 billion and thereafter – $12.8 billion; however, as generally noted above, actual payments under this agreement will likely vary, perhaps materially, from these estimates. Further, our liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses increased an additional $6.8 billion during the first nine months of 2017 due to various factors, including catastrophe loss events during the third quarter of 2017 and overall growth in our primary insurance businesses.

Except as otherwise disclosed in this Quarterly Report, our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2017 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, 2016.

41

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

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, 2016.

Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2017 includes estimated liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses from property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts of approximately $100 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 as of September 30, 2017 includes goodwill of acquired businesses of approximately $81 billion. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually and we conducted our most recent annual review during the fourth quarter of 2016. Although we believe that the goodwill reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet 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 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, act of terrorism or cyber attack that causes losses insured by our insurance subsidiaries and/or losses to our business operations, 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 September 30, 2017, 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, 2016.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’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 Company’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 Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings. During the quarter, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect internal control over financial reporting.

Part II Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Berkshire and its subsidiaries are parties in a variety of legal actions that routinely arise out of the normal course of business, including legal actions seeking to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. 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.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our significant business risks are described in Item 1A to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 to which reference is made herein.

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

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 the total value of Berkshire’s consolidated cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills 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 nine months of 2017.

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

43

Item 6. Exhibits

	a. Exhibits
3(i)	Restated Certificate of Incorporation Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2015.
3(ii)	By-Laws Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2016.
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 September 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and detail.

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: November 3, 2017	/S/ MARC D. HAMBURG
		(Signature)
		Marc D. Hamburg,
		Senior Vice President and
		Principal Financial Officer

44

EX-12

Exhibit 12

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

Calculation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Consolidated Fixed Charges

(Dollars in millions)

	Nine Months Ending September 30, 2017			Year Ended December 31,
				2016			2015		2014		2013		2012
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	12,389		$	24,074		$	24,083	$	19,872	$	19,476	$	14,824
Income tax expense		4,750			9,240			10,532		7,935		8,951		6,924
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		308			353			331		298		369		488
Equity in net (earnings) loss of The Kraft Heinz Company		(800	)		(923	)		122		26		262		—
Dividends from The Kraft Heinz Company		594			952			366		—		—		—
Fixed charges		4,222			4,195			4,134		3,882		3,386		3,304
Earnings available for fixed charges	$	21,463		$	37,891		$	39,568	$	32,013	$	32,444	$	25,540
Fixed charges
Interest expense, including amortization(1)	$	3,800		$	3,497		$	3,515	$	3,253	$	2,801	$	2,744
Rentals representing interest and capitalized interest		422			698			619		629		585		560
	$	4,222		$	4,195		$	4,134	$	3,882	$	3,386	$	3,304
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		5.08x			9.03x			9.57x		8.25x		9.58x		7.73x

(1) Includes foreign currency exchange losses of $878 million for the first nine months of 2017 related to Berkshire’s Euro denominated debt. Also includes gains of $244 million in 2016 and losses of $69 million in 2015 with respect to Berkshire’s Euro denominated debt. These gains and losses were predominantly from the periodic revaluation of the Euro denominated debt due to changes in the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate.

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

Quarter ended September 30, 2017

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: November 3, 2017

/S/ WARREN E. BUFFETT

Chairman—Principal Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

Quarter ended September 30, 2017

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: November 3, 2017

/S/ MARC D. HAMBURG

Senior Vice President—Principal Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

Section 1350 Certifications

Quarter ended September 30, 2017

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 September 30, 2017 (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: November 3, 2017

/S/ WARREN E. BUFFETT

Warren E. Buffett

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

Section 1350 Certifications

Quarter ended September 30, 2017

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 September 30, 2017 (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: November 3, 2017

/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 September 30, 2017 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. Clay and other reserves that are not yet mined and mines that are closed or idled are not included in the information below as no reportable events occurred at those locations during the three-month period ended September 30, 2017. 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 September 30, 2017.

	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:
Bridger (surface)		—			—		—		—		—	$		1		—				1		—			—
Bridger (underground)			5		—		—		—		—			4			1			1			1			7
Wyodak Coal Crushing Facility		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Clay, shale and limestone:
Malvern		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Wheeler		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Fort Smith		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Oklahoma City		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Tulsa		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Denver		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Bennett		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Denton		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Elgin		—			—		—		—		—		—			—			—			—			—
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 two contests of proposed penalties under Subpart C 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.

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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 26, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
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		753,528
Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,336,892,283

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 42,706		$ 28,048
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	66,600
Investments in fixed maturity securities	22,256		23,465
Investments in equity securities	157,650	[1]	122,032	[2]
Inventories	16,931		15,727
Goodwill	80,882		79,486
Total assets	681,554		620,854
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred	86,559		77,944
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	100,138		76,918
Total liabilities	369,702		334,495
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	8		8
Capital in excess of par value	35,684		35,681
Accumulated other comprehensive income	50,183		37,298
Retained earnings	224,166		211,777
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,763)		(1,763)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	308,278		283,001
Noncontrolling interests	3,574		3,358
Total shareholders' equity	311,852		286,359
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	681,554		620,854
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	35,247		23,581
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	61,352		47,338
Investments in fixed maturity securities	22,228		23,432
Investments in equity securities	151,639		120,471
Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company (Fair Value: September 30, 2017 - $25,238; December 31, 2016 - $28,418)	15,695		15,345
Other investments	3,303		14,364
Receivables	29,652		27,097
Inventories	16,931		15,727
Property, plant and equipment	19,946		19,325
Goodwill	54,584		53,994
Other intangible assets	32,974		33,481
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	13,572		8,047
Other	7,793		7,126
Total assets	464,916		409,328
LIABILITIES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	100,138		76,918
Unearned premiums	16,552		14,245
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	16,919		15,977
Other policyholder liabilities	7,549		6,714
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	21,763		22,164
Notes payable and other borrowings	27,262		27,175
Total liabilities	190,183		163,193
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,448		3,939
Property, plant and equipment	126,946		123,759
Goodwill	24,802		24,111
Regulatory assets	4,772		4,457
Other	15,365		13,550
Total assets	176,333		169,816
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	11,640		11,434
Regulatory liabilities	3,217		3,121
Notes payable and other borrowings	61,147		59,085
Total liabilities	76,004		73,640
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	3,011		528
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	5,242		10,984
Loans and finance receivables	13,593		13,300
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	9,937		9,689
Goodwill	1,496		1,381
Other	7,026		5,828
Total assets	40,305		41,710
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	1,688		1,444
Derivative contract liabilities	2,187		2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings	13,081		15,384
Total liabilities	$ 16,956		$ 19,718

[1] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

[2] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance and Other [Member]
Investment in The Kraft Heinz Company, Fair Value	$ 25,238	$ 28,418

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenues:
Investment gains/losses		$ 657	$ 3,150	$ 1,262	$ 5,643
Total revenues		60,525	58,843	183,230	165,260
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses				39,450	22,325
Total costs and expenses		55,147	48,543	166,583	141,578
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings of The Kraft Heinz Company		5,378	10,300	16,647	23,682
Equity in earnings of The Kraft Heinz Company		252	225	800	671
Earnings before income taxes		5,630	10,525	17,447	24,353
Income tax expense		1,427	3,192	4,750	6,281
Net earnings		4,203	7,333	12,697	18,072
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		136	135	308	284
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		$ 4,067	$ 7,198	$ 12,389	$ 17,788
Equivalent Class A [Member]
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	[1]	$ 2,473	$ 4,379	$ 7,533	$ 10,822
Average equivalent Class A Shares outstanding	[1]	1,644,656	1,643,913	1,644,554	1,643,716
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned		$ 13,349	$ 11,364	$ 47,469	$ 33,287
Sales and service revenues		32,055	30,536	94,017	89,357
Interest, dividend and other investment income		1,320	1,051	3,804	3,613
Investment gains/losses		457	735	1,056	3,221
Total revenues		47,181	43,686	146,346	129,478
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		12,137	7,615	39,450	22,325
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		1,213	1,339	3,703	3,747
Insurance underwriting expenses		2,207	2,001	6,924	5,948
Cost of sales and services		25,815	24,472	75,594	71,617
Selling, general and administrative expenses		3,965	3,959	12,101	11,747
Interest expense		435	259	1,405	674
Total costs and expenses		45,772	39,645	139,177	116,058
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues		10,652	10,330	29,899	28,026
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		6,984	6,763	20,678	19,421
Interest expense		700	681	2,090	1,962
Total costs and expenses		7,684	7,444	22,768	21,383
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Revenues:
Sales and service revenues		1,824	1,588	5,002	4,557
Interest, dividend and other investment income		360	366	1,074	1,109
Investment gains/losses		200	2,415	206	2,422
Derivative gains/losses		308	458	703	(332)
Total revenues		2,692	4,827	6,985	7,756
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and services		1,062	886	2,891	2,529
Selling, general and administrative expenses		531	465	1,442	1,301
Interest expense		98	103	305	307
Total costs and expenses		$ 1,691	$ 1,454	$ 4,638	$ 4,137

[1] Equivalent Class B shares outstanding are 1,500 times the equivalent Class A amount. Net earnings per equivalent Class B share outstanding are one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of the equivalent Class A amount.

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Parenthetical)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Class B [Member]
Ratio of earnings per Class B share to earnings per Class A share	0.000667

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 4,203	$ 7,333	$ 12,697	$ 18,072
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	4,952	1,581	18,040	(1,381)
Applicable income taxes	(1,716)	(515)	(6,247)	478
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(646)	(3,088)	(1,235)	(4,904)
Applicable income taxes	226	1,080	432	1,716
Foreign currency translation	771	(44)	2,127	(158)
Applicable income taxes	(24)	9	(116)	23
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	(3)	(21)	(57)	34
Applicable income taxes	6	13	31	(6)
Other, net	32	3	38	(3)
Other comprehensive income, net	3,598	(982)	13,013	(4,201)
Comprehensive income	7,801	6,351	25,710	13,871
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	203	132	436	267
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 7,598	$ 6,219	$ 25,274	$ 13,604

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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
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 258,627	$ 35,628	$ 33,982	$ 187,703	$ (1,763)	$ 3,077
Net earnings	18,072			17,788		284
Other comprehensive income, net	(4,201)		(4,184)			(17)
Issuance of common stock	80	80
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	37	30				7
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	272,615	35,738	29,798	205,491	(1,763)	3,351
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	286,359	35,689	37,298	211,777	(1,763)	3,358
Net earnings	12,697			12,389		308
Other comprehensive income, net	13,013		12,885			128
Issuance of common stock	58	58
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	(275)	(55)				(220)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 311,852	$ 35,692	$ 50,183	$ 224,166	$ (1,763)	$ 3,574

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 12,697	$ 18,072
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(1,262)	(5,643)
Depreciation and amortization	6,835	6,605
Other	1,110	(47)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	22,615	2,615
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(5,525)	182
Unearned premiums	2,253	1,906
Receivables and originated loans	(2,890)	(3,445)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(704)	137
Income taxes	2,593	3,601
Other	(225)	1,114
Net cash flows from operating activities	37,497	25,097
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	(106,597)	(79,326)
Purchases of equity securities	(14,936)	(5,185)
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	35,143	8,430
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	65,666	21,725
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	10,572	19,989
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(1,392)	(224)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	1,599	271
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(2,640)	(30,815)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(8,411)	(9,429)
Other	(198)	(611)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(21,194)	(75,175)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	122	888
Other financing activities	(108)	(31)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,867)	12,196
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	222	(10)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,658	(37,892)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	28,048	67,161
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	42,706	29,269
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(1,056)	(3,221)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,321	9,385
Repayments of borrowings	(1,763)	(1,921)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	23,581	56,612
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	35,247	21,778
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	2,812	2,234
Repayments of borrowings	(1,944)	(1,879)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,939	3,437
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	4,448	3,893
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(206)	(2,422)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,298	4,740
Repayments of borrowings	(3,605)	(1,220)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	528	7,112
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	$ 3,011	$ 3,598

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General

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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. At December 31, 2016, we began presenting U.S. Treasury Bills with maturity dates greater than three months from their purchase dates separately in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2017, our aggregate holdings in U.S. Treasury Bills were approximately $80.6 billion, of which $66.6 billion had maturities greater than three months when acquired. Accordingly, we revised the comparative 2016 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows to reflect this change.

Financial information in this Quarterly Report reflects all 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. In addition, changes in the fair values of liabilities associated with derivative contracts and gains and losses associated with the periodic revaluation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

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New accounting pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

New accounting pronouncements

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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. The framework prescribed by ASU 2014-09 includes (a) identifying the contract, (b) identifying the related performance obligations, (c) determining the transaction price, (d) allocating the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognizing revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. Based on our evaluations, we do not currently believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. However, the timing of the recognition of revenue and related costs may change with respect to certain of our contracts with customers. For instance, revenues and costs for certain contracts may be recognized over time rather than when the product or service is delivered, as is the current practice. In addition, certain contracts may be treated as leases for accounting purposes, rather than contracts with customers subject to ASU 2014-09. Our evaluations of these and other issues and implementation efforts concerning ASU 2014-09 are ongoing and also include consideration of the new disclosure requirements. We will adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018, under the modified retrospective method.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 “Financial Instruments—Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 generally requires that investments in equity securities (excluding equity method investments) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. Under existing GAAP, changes in fair value of available-for-sale equity securities are recorded in other comprehensive income. Given the current magnitude of our investments in equity securities, the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a significant impact on the periodic net earnings reported in our Consolidated Statement of Earnings, although it will not affect our comprehensive income or total shareholders’ equity. We will adopt ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018. As of that date, the accumulated net unrealized appreciation relating to our investments in equity securities, which is currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income, will be reclassified to retained earnings.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. ASU 2016-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” which provides for the recognition and measurement at the reporting date of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities. Currently, credit losses are recognized and measured when such losses become probable based on the prevailing facts and circumstances. ASU 2016-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” ASU 2017-04 eliminates the requirement to determine the implied value of goodwill in measuring an impairment loss. Upon adoption, the measurement of a goodwill impairment will represent the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over fair value, limited to the carrying value of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.

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Significant business acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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.

On January 29, 2016, Berkshire acquired all outstanding common stock of Precision Castparts Corp. (“PCC”) for $235 per share in cash pursuant to a merger agreement dated August 8, 2015. The aggregate consideration paid was approximately $32.7 billion, which included the value of PCC shares we already owned. We funded the acquisition with a combination of existing cash balances and proceeds from a short-term credit facility. PCC is a worldwide, diversified manufacturer of complex metal components and products. It serves the aerospace, power and general industrial markets. PCC is a market leader in manufacturing complex structural investment castings and forged components for aerospace markets, machined airframe components and highly engineered critical fasteners for aerospace applications, and in manufacturing airfoil castings for the aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets. PCC also is a leading producer of titanium and nickel superalloy melted and mill products for the aerospace, chemical processing, oil and gas and pollution control industries, and PCC manufactures extruded seamless pipe, fittings and forgings for power generation and oil and gas applications.

On February 29, 2016, we acquired a recapitalized Duracell Company (“Duracell”) from The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”) in exchange for shares of P&G common stock held by Berkshire subsidiaries, which had a fair value of approximately $4.2 billion. Duracell is a leading manufacturer of high-performance alkaline batteries and is an innovator in wireless charging technologies.

Pro forma consolidated revenues and net earnings data for 2016 was not materially different from the amounts reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Goodwill from these acquisitions is not amortizable for income tax purposes. 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

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Investments in fixed maturity securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2017
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,327	$	5	$	(11	)	$	4,321
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		988		51		(1	)		1,038
Foreign governments		8,556		233		(24	)		8,765
Corporate bonds		6,525		628		(4	)		7,149
Mortgage-backed securities		877		109		(3	)		983
	$	21,273	$	1,026	$	(43	)	$	22,256
December 31, 2016
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,519	$	16	$	(8	)	$	4,527
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,159		58		(1	)		1,216
Foreign governments		8,860		207		(66	)		9,001
Corporate bonds		6,899		714		(9	)		7,604
Mortgage-backed securities		997		126		(6	)		1,117
	$	22,434	$	1,121	$	(90	)	$	23,465

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

	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	22,228	$	23,432
Finance and financial products *		28		33
	$	22,256	$	23,465

*     Included in other assets.

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 September 30, 2017, approximately 93% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies. Approximately 81% of foreign government holdings were issued or guaranteed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia or Canada.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at September 30, 2017 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to early call or prepayment rights held by issuers. 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	$	6,901	$	10,825	$	572	$	2,098	$	877	$	21,273
Fair value		6,962		11,050		624		2,637		983		22,256

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Investments in equity securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in equity securities

Note 5. Investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2017 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	26,792	$	45,910	$	—		$	72,702
Consumer products		20,097		23,910		—			44,007
Commercial, industrial and other		29,290		12,398		(747	)		40,941
	$	76,179	$	82,218	$	(747	)	$	157,650

* Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2016*
Banks, insurance and finance	$	19,852	$	30,572	$	—		$	50,424
Consumer products		10,657		16,760		(9	)		27,408
Commercial, industrial and other		35,868		9,033		(701	)		44,200
	$	66,377	$	56,365	$	(710	)	$	122,032

* Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $94 million and $551 million, respectively.

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

	September 30, 2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	151,639	$	120,471
Railroad, utilities and energy *		2,087		1,186
Finance and financial products *		3,924		375
	$	157,650	$	122,032

* Included in other assets.

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Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

Note 6. Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company

In June 2013, Berkshire invested $12.25 billion in a newly-formed company, H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”). The investment consisted of 425 million shares of common stock, warrants to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock at $0.01 per share and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. An affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”) also acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. At that time, Berkshire and 3G each owned a 50% share of Heinz Holding common stock. Heinz Holding then acquired H.J. Heinz Company.

In June 2015, Berkshire exercised the aforementioned common stock warrants. On July 1, 2015, Berkshire and 3G acquired new shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $5.26 billion and $4.74 billion, respectively. After these transactions, Berkshire owned approximately 52.5% of the outstanding shares of Heinz Holding. On July 2, 2015, Heinz Holding acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (“Kraft”), at which time Heinz Holding was renamed The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft Heinz”). In connection with its acquisition of Kraft, Kraft Heinz issued one new share of Kraft Heinz common stock for each share of Kraft common stock, which reduced Berkshire’s and 3G’s ownership interests in Kraft Heinz to 26.8% and 24.2%, respectively.

Berkshire currently owns 26.7% of the outstanding shares of Kraft Heinz common stock. We account for our investment in Kraft Heinz common stock pursuant to the equity method. The carrying value of this investment was approximately $15.7 billion at September 30, 2017 and $15.3 billion at December 31, 2016. Our earnings determined under the equity method for the first nine months were $800 million in 2017 and $671 million in 2016. We received dividends on the common stock of $594 million in the first nine months of 2017 and $561 million in the first nine months of 2016, which we recorded as reductions of our investment. In the first nine months of 2016, we also received dividends of $180 million on our Preferred Stock investment, which Kraft Heinz redeemed for cash of $8.32 billion on June 7, 2016.

Kraft Heinz is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and marketers of food and beverage products, including condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, and other grocery products. Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Assets	$	120,051	$	120,480
Liabilities		61,080		62,906

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Sales	$	6,314	$	6,267	$	19,355	$	19,630
Net earnings attributable to Kraft Heinz common shareholders	$	944	$	842	$	2,996	$	2,508

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Other investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Other investments

Note 7. Other investments

Other investments are shown in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	Cost				Fair Value
	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	2,743	$	6,720	$	3,303	$	14,364
Finance and financial products *		6		1,000		8		2,892
	$	2,749	$	7,720	$	3,311	$	17,256

* Included in other assets.

In 2011, we acquired 50,000 shares of 6% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock of Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) with a liquidation value of $100,000 per share (“BAC Preferred”) and warrants to purchase up to 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”) at $7.142857 per share (up to $5 billion in the aggregate). On August 24, 2017, we exercised all of our BAC Warrants and acquired 700,000,000 shares of BAC common stock. We also surrendered substantially all of our BAC Preferred as payment of the $5 billion cost to exercise the BAC Warrants and acquire the BAC common stock. At September 30, 2017, our investment in BAC common stock is included in investments in equity securities.

We currently own Class A 9% Cumulative Compounding Perpetual Preferred Shares of Restaurant Brands International, Inc. (“RBI”) having a stated value of $3 billion (“RBI Preferred”). RBI is domiciled in Canada. We are entitled to dividends on the RBI Preferred on a cumulative basis at 9% per annum plus an additional amount, if necessary, to produce an after-tax yield as if the dividends were paid by a U.S.-based company. The RBI Preferred is redeemable by RBI beginning on December 12, 2017. In the second quarter of 2017, RBI announced its intention to redeem all or a portion of the RBI Preferred. On October 25, 2017, RBI’s Board of Directors approved the redemption of all of the RBI Preferred on December 12, 2017. The redemption price will be based on 109.9% of the stated value but it is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the related securities purchase agreement.

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Income taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income taxes

Note 8. Income taxes

Our consolidated effective income tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 were 25.3% and 27.2%, respectively, and 30.3% and 25.8%, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2016. Our effective income tax rate normally reflects recurring benefits from: (a) dividends received deductions applicable to certain investments in equity securities, (b) income production tax credits related to wind-powered electricity generation placed in service in the U.S. and (c) lower income tax rates applicable to earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries.

On February 29, 2016, we exchanged our long-held investment in P&G common stock for the common stock of Duracell. This exchange produced a pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion for financial reporting purposes. The exchange transaction was structured as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, no income taxes were payable on the excess of the fair value of the business received over the tax basis of the P&G shares exchanged, and we recorded a one-time reduction of certain deferred income tax liabilities (approximately $750 million) that were recorded in 2005 in connection with our exchange of The Gillette Company common stock for P&G common stock upon the merger of those two companies. The P&G/Duracell exchange produced a 4.7 percentage point reduction in our consolidated effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2016.

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Investment gains/losses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investment gains/losses

Note 9. Investment gains/losses

Investment gains/losses included in earnings are summarized below (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Fixed maturity securities—
Gross gains	$	56		$	5		$	82		$	44
Gross losses		(2	)		(24	)		(16	)		(41	)
Equity securities—
Gross gains		1,011			3,173			1,795			5,720
Gross losses		(419	)		(13	)		(626	)		(76	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses		—			—			—			(63	)
Other		11			9			27			59
	$	657		$	3,150		$	1,262		$	5,643

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. We recognize investment gains and losses when we sell or otherwise dispose such securities. We realized a pre-tax gain of approximately $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2017 related to the surrender of substantially all of our BAC Preferred as described in Note 7. Gains from equity securities in the third quarter of 2016 included approximately $2.4 billion from the disposition of our investment in Wrigley preferred stock. In the first nine months of 2016, gains from equity securities also included $610 million from the redemption of our investment in Kraft Heinz Preferred Stock and a non-cash holding gain of approximately $1.1 billion from the exchange of our P&G common stock in connection with the acquisition of Duracell.

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Inventories

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Note 10. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Raw materials	$	2,990	$	2,789
Work in process and other		2,805		2,506
Finished manufactured goods		4,338		4,033
Goods acquired for resale		6,798		6,399
	$	16,931	$	15,727

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Receivables

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Receivables [Abstract]

Receivables

Note 11. Receivables

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

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Insurance premiums receivable	$	11,317		$	10,462
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,254			3,338
Trade and other receivables		15,443			13,630
Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(362	)		(333	)
	$	29,652		$	27,097

A summary of loans and finance receivables of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

	September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts	$	13,983		$	13,728
Allowances for uncollectible loans		(180	)		(182	)
Unamortized acquisition discounts		(210	)		(246	)
	$	13,593		$	13,300

Loans and finance receivables are primarily installment loans originated or acquired by our manufactured housing business. Provisions for loan losses in both the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were $124 million. Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, in the first nine months were $126 million in 2017 and $123 million in 2016. At September 30, 2017, we evaluated approximately 98% of the manufactured housing loan balances 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 September 30, 2017, we considered approximately 99% of the loan balances to be performing and approximately 95% of the loan balances current as to payment status. In June 2017, we agreed to provide a Canadian-based financial institution with a C$2 billion (approximately $1.6 billion) one-year secured revolving credit facility. The credit facility expires on June 29, 2018. As of September 30, 2017, there were no outstanding loans under the credit facility.

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

Note 12. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

A summary of property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses follows (in millions).

	Ranges of estimated useful life		September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Land		—	$	2,226		$	2,108
Buildings and improvements		5 – 40 years		8,631			8,360
Machinery and equipment		3 – 25 years		21,409			20,463
Furniture, fixtures and other		2 – 15 years		4,705			4,080
				36,971			35,011
Accumulated depreciation				(17,025	)		(15,686	)
			$	19,946		$	19,325

A summary of property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses follows (in millions).

	Ranges of estimated useful life		September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Railroad:
Land		—	$	6,085		$	6,063
Track structure and other roadway		9 – 100 years		50,789			48,277
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment		6 – 41 years		12,459			12,075
Construction in progress		—		927			965
				70,260			67,380
Accumulated depreciation				(8,293	)		(6,130	)
				61,967			61,250
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, transmission and distribution systems		5 – 80 years		73,138			71,536
Interstate natural gas pipeline assets		3 – 80 years		6,991			6,942
Independent power plants and other assets		3 – 30 years		7,176			6,596
Construction in progress		—		3,503			2,098
				90,808			87,172
Accumulated depreciation				(25,829	)		(24,663	)
				64,979			62,509
			$	126,946		$	123,759

The utility generation, transmission and distribution systems and interstate natural gas pipeline assets are owned by regulated public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries.

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

	Ranges of estimated useful life	September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Assets held for lease	5 – 35 years	$	12,287		$	11,902
Land	—		230			224
Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,413			1,302
			13,930			13,428
Accumulated depreciation			(3,993	)		(3,739	)
		$	9,937		$	9,689

A summary of depreciation expense follows (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2017		2016
Insurance and other	$	1,636	$	1,595
Railroad, utilities and energy		3,604		3,459
Finance and financial products		487		466
	$	5,727	$	5,520

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Goodwill and other intangible assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Note 13. Goodwill and other intangible assets

A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows (in millions).

	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Balance at beginning of year	$	79,486	$	62,708
Acquisitions of businesses		1,199		17,650
Other, including foreign currency translation		197		(872	)
Balance at end of period	$	80,882	$	79,486

Other intangible assets are summarized as follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other	$	40,528	$	7,554	$	39,976	$	6,495
Railroad, utilities and energy		974		323		898		293
	$	41,502	$	7,877	$	40,874	$	6,788
Trademarks and trade names	$	5,352	$	672	$	5,175	$	616
Patents and technology		4,487		2,605		4,341		2,328
Customer relationships		28,497		3,517		28,243		2,879
Other		3,166		1,083		3,115		965
	$	41,502	$	7,877	$	40,874	$	6,788

Amortization expense in the first nine months was $1,108 million in 2017 and $1,085 million in 2016. Intangible assets with indefinite lives were approximately $18.8 billion as of September 30, 2017 and $18.7 billion as of December 31, 2016.

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Derivative contracts

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative contracts

Note 14. Derivative contracts

We are party to derivative contracts primarily through our finance and financial products and our utilities and energy businesses. Currently, the derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses include equity index put option contracts written between 2004 and 2008. The liabilities and related notional values of such contracts follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Liabilities		Notional Value			Liabilities		Notional Value
Equity index put options	$	2,187	$	28,494	(1)	$	2,890	$	26,497	(1)

⁽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.

We record derivative contract liabilities at fair value and include the changes in the fair values of such contracts 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 follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Equity index put options	$	308	$	458	$	703	$	(421	)
Credit default		—		—		—		89
	$	308	$	458	$	703	$	(332	)

The equity index put option contracts are European style options written prior to March 2008 on four major equity indexes. The contracts expire between June 2018 and January 2026. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the prevailing index value is below the contract strike price at the expiration date. We received aggregate premiums of $4.2 billion on these contracts at the contract inception dates and therefore we have no counterparty credit risk. The aggregate intrinsic value (the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) was $640 million at September 30, 2017 and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2016. 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 3.2 years at September 30, 2017.

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 September 30, 2017, 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.

In July 2016, our last remaining credit default contract was terminated by mutual agreement with the counterparty. We paid $195 million upon termination of the contract.

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 and were $136 million as of September 30, 2017 and $142 million as of December 31, 2016. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities and were $131 million as of September 30, 2017 and $145 million as of December 31, 2016. Net derivative contract assets or liabilities of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery through rates, are offset by regulatory liabilities or assets. 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.

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Supplemental cash flow information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental cash flow information

Note 15. Supplemental cash flow information

Supplemental cash flow information follows (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2017		2016
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	1,774	$	2,237
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		747		499
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		2,111		2,130
Finance and financial products businesses		296		263
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		685		17,319
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisition		—		4,239
Equity securities surrendered in connection with warrant exercise		4,965		—

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Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Insurance [Abstract]

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

Note 16. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

The liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (also referred to as “claim liabilities”) under our short duration property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts are based upon estimates of the ultimate claim costs associated with claim occurrences as of the balance sheet date and include estimates for incurred-but-not-reported (“IBNR”) claims. Reconciliations of the changes in claim liabilities for the nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 follows (in millions).

	2017			2016
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses—beginning of year:
Gross liabilities	$	76,918		$	73,144
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges		(11,385	)		(10,994	)
Net balance		65,533			62,150
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events		28,632			22,737
Prior accident years’ events		(510	)		(1,453	)
Retroactive reinsurance and discount accretion		11,328			1,041
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses		39,450			22,325
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events		(11,539	)		(10,202	)
Prior accident years’ events		(9,973	)		(8,761	)
Retroactive reinsurance		(762	)		(857	)
Total payments		(22,274	)		(19,820	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		603			(158	)
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses—September 30:
Net balance		83,312			64,497
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges		16,826			10,972
Gross liabilities	$	100,138		$	75,469

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the preceding table reflect the losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded in earnings in each period related to insured events occurring in the current year and in prior years. We present incurred and paid losses under retroactive reinsurance contracts and discount accretion separately. Such amounts relate to prior accident years. Incurred losses with respect to current accident year events in 2017 included approximately $3 billion from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and an earthquake in Mexico that occurred in the third quarter.

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 included decreases of $510 million and $1,453 million, respectively, in the estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years’ events. In the first nine months of 2017, we decreased prior accident years’ losses and loss adjustment expenses by $569 million with respect to primary insurance operations (primarily healthcare malpractice and workers’ compensation coverages), which was partly offset by a slight overall increase attributable to reinsurance operations. In the first nine months of 2016, we reduced estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years’ events for reinsurance operations ($697 million) and primary insurance ($756 million). The reductions related to reinsurance operations were primarily attributable to lower than expected reported losses, while the reductions for primary insurance primarily related to private passenger automobile, healthcare malpractice and workers’ compensation coverages.

In January 2017, a Berkshire subsidiary, National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), entered into a retroactive reinsurance agreement with various subsidiaries of American International Group, Inc. (collectively, “AIG”). NICO received cash consideration of $10.2 billion and agreed to indemnify AIG for 80% of up to $25 billion, excess of $25 billion retained by AIG, of losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses with respect to certain commercial insurance loss events occurring in years prior to 2016. The transaction became effective on February 2, 2017. Berkshire agreed to guarantee the timely payment of all amounts due to AIG under the agreement.

We accounted for the AIG agreement as retroactive reinsurance of short-duration insurance contracts. As of the effective date, we recorded premiums earned and losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred of $10.2 billion. We also recorded a liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of $16.4 billion, representing the estimated ultimate liabilities assumed, and a deferred charge reinsurance assumed asset of $6.2 billion, representing the excess of the liability over the premiums earned. This deferred charge asset will be amortized over the estimated claims settlement period using the interest method based on the estimated timing and amount of future loss payments. Amortization charges are included in losses and loss adjustment expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

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Notes payable and other borrowings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Notes payable and other borrowings

Note 17. 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 September 30, 2017.

	Weighted Average Interest Rate		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire:
U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings due 2017-2047		2.8%	$	10,614	$	11,709
Euro denominated borrowings due 2020-2035		1.1%		8,032		5,994
Short-term subsidiary borrowings		2.9%		1,819		2,094
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2017-2045		3.6%		6,797		7,378
			$	27,262	$	27,175

In January 2017, Berkshire issued €1.1 billion in senior unsecured notes. The notes consisted of €550 million of 0.25% notes due in 2021 and €550 million of 0.625% notes due in 2023. In January 2017, senior notes of $1.1 billion matured. In the first nine months of 2017, the carrying value of Berkshire’s Euro denominated senior notes increased $860 million due to changes in the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rates. This increase produced a corresponding charge to pre-tax earnings of $860 million in the first nine months of 2017, recorded as additional non-cash interest expense, of which $263 million was recorded in the third quarter.

	Weighted Average Interest Rate		September 30, 2017		December 31,  2016
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2018-2045		5.4%	$	7,421	$	7,818
Subsidiary and other debt due 2017-2064		4.6%		31,195		29,223
Issued by BNSF due 2017-2097		4.8%		22,531		22,044
			$	61,147	$	59,085

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 debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. During the first nine months of 2017, BHE and its subsidiaries issued approximately $1.7 billion of debt with maturity dates ranging from 2022 to 2057 and a weighted average interest rate of 3.4%.

BNSF’s borrowings are primarily senior unsecured debentures. In March 2017, BNSF issued $1.25 billion of senior unsecured debentures consisting of $500 million of 3.25% debentures due in 2027 and $750 million of 4.125% debentures due in 2047. In May 2017, $650 million of BNSF debentures matured. As of September 30, 2017, BNSF, 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		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2018-2043		2.8%	$	12,925	$	14,423
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2017-2028		4.5%		156		961
			$	13,081	$	15,384

In January 2017, BHFC issued $1.3 billion of senior notes consisting of $950 million of floating rate notes due in 2019 and $350 million of floating rate notes due in 2020. In the first nine months of 2017, senior notes of $2.8 billion matured. The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire.

As of September 30, 2017, our subsidiaries had unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity aggregating approximately $9.2 billion to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. Such unused lines of credit included about $5.5 billion related to BHE and its subsidiaries. In addition to BHFC’s borrowings, at September 30, 2017, Berkshire guaranteed approximately $2.1 billion of other subsidiary borrowings. Generally, Berkshire’s guarantee of a subsidiary’s debt obligation is an absolute, unconditional and irrevocable guarantee for the full and prompt payment when due of all payment obligations.

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Fair value measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurements

Note 18. Fair value measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury Bills, receivables 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)
September 30, 2017
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,321	$	4,321	$	2,752	$	1,569	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,038		1,038		—		1,038		—
Foreign governments		8,765		8,765		6,849		1,916		—
Corporate bonds		7,149		7,149		—		7,142		7
Mortgage-backed securities		983		983		—		983		—
Investments in equity securities		157,650		157,650		157,641		9		—
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock		15,695		25,238		25,238		—		—
Other investments		3,311		3,311		—		3,311		—
Loans and finance receivables		13,593		13,886		—		17		13,869
Derivative contract assets (1)		136		136		1		19		116
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		131		131		1		113		17
Equity index put options		2,187		2,187		—		—		2,187
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		27,262		28,093		—		28,093		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		61,147		68,881		—		68,881		—
Finance and financial products		13,081		13,578		—		13,577		1
December 31, 2016
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,527	$	4,527	$	3,099	$	1,428	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,216		1,216		—		1,216		—
Foreign governments		9,001		9,001		7,237		1,764		—
Corporate bonds		7,604		7,604		—		7,540		64
Mortgage-backed securities		1,117		1,117		—		1,117		—
Investments in equity securities		122,032		122,032		122,031		—		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock		15,345		28,418		28,418		—		—
Other investments		17,256		17,256		—		—		17,256
Loans and finance receivables		13,300		13,717		—		13		13,704
Derivative contract assets (1)		142		142		5		43		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		145		145		3		114		28
Equity index put options		2,890		2,890		—		—		2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		27,175		27,712		—		27,712		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		59,085		65,774		—		65,774		—
Finance and financial products		15,384		15,825		—		15,469		356

⁽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 it may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in valuing assets or liabilities.

Reconciliations of assets and liabilities measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 follow (in millions).

	Investments  in fixed maturity securities			Investments in equity securities and other investments			Net derivative  contract liabilities
Nine months ending September 30, 2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	64		$	17,257		$	(2,824	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			—			822
Other comprehensive income		1			1,156			(3	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(5	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements		(58	)		—			(78	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3		—			(18,413	)		—
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	7		$	—		$	(2,088	)
Nine months ending September 30, 2016
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	100		$	21,403		$	(3,785	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			2,409			(221	)
Other comprehensive income		3			(2,233	)		(2	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(12	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements		5			(4,461	)		(81	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3		(1	)		—			195
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	107		$	17,118		$	(3,906	)

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. Gains and losses included in other comprehensive income are primarily the net change in unrealized appreciation of investments and the reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings, as appropriate in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

As disclosed in Note 7, in the third quarter of 2017, we exercised our BAC Warrants to acquire BAC common stock. As payment of the cost to acquire the BAC common stock, we surrendered substantially all of our BAC Preferred. Additionally, we expect that RBI will redeem our RBI Preferred investment in the fourth quarter of 2017. In the second quarter of 2017, we concluded the Level 3 inputs used in the previous fair value determinations of the BAC Warrants, BAC Preferred Stock and RBI Preferred were not significant and we transferred these measurements from Level 3 to Level 2. In the third quarter of 2016, our investment in Wrigley preferred stock was redeemed.

Quantitative information as of September 30, 2017, with respect to significant 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
Derivative contract liabilities:
Equity index put options	$	2,187		Option pricing model		Volatility		18%

Our equity index put option 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 certain of the 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 and 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. 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. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

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Common stock

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Common stock

Note 19. Common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first nine months of 2017 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, 2016		788,058			(11,680	)		776,378			1,303,323,927		(1,409,762	)		1,301,914,165
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of  replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(21,694	)		—			(21,694	)		33,134,413		—			33,134,413
Balance at September 30, 2017		766,364			(11,680	)		754,684			1,336,458,340		(1,409,762	)		1,335,048,578

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 1,644,716 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 1,644,321 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued.

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 the total value of Berkshire’s consolidated cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills 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.

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Accumulated other comprehensive income

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Accumulated other comprehensive income

Note 20. 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 nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 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
2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	43,176		$	(5,268	)	$	(593	)	$	(17	)	$	37,298
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		11,734			1,946			(90	)		19			13,609
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings		(803	)		—			61			18			(724	)
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	54,107		$	(3,322	)	$	(622	)	$	20		$	50,183
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses	$	(1,235	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,235	)
Other		—			—			82			32			114
Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,235	)		—			82			32			(1,121	)
Applicable income taxes		(432	)		—			21			14			(397	)
	$	(803	)	$	—		$	61		$	18		$	(724	)
2016
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	38,598		$	(3,856	)	$	(762	)	$	2		$	33,982
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		(912	)		(101	)		(39	)		(26	)		(1,078	)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings		(3,188	)		—			59			23			(3,106	)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	34,498		$	(3,957	)	$	(742	)	$	(1	)	$	29,798
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses	$	(4,904	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(4,904	)
Other		—			—			79			41			120
Reclassifications before income taxes		(4,904	)		—			79			41			(4,784	)
Applicable income taxes		(1,716	)		—			20			18			(1,678	)
	$	(3,188	)	$	—		$	59		$	23		$	(3,106	)

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Contingencies and Commitments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies and Commitments

Note 21. Contingencies and Commitments

We are parties in a variety of legal actions that routinely arise out of the normal course of business, including legal actions seeking to establish liability directly through insurance contracts or indirectly through reinsurance contracts issued by Berkshire subsidiaries. Plaintiffs occasionally seek punitive or exemplary damages. 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.

In the third quarter of 2016, NICO entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (“MLMIC”), a writer of medical professional liability insurance domiciled in New York. MLMIC’s assets and policyholders’ surplus determined under statutory accounting principles as of June 30, 2017 were approximately $5.5 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively. The acquisition price will be based on an amount equal to the sum of: (i) the tangible book value of MLMIC at the closing date (determined under U.S. GAAP); plus (ii) $100 million. The acquisition will involve the conversion of MLMIC from a mutual company to a stock company. The closing of the transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals, customary closing conditions and the approval of the MLMIC policyholders eligible to vote on the proposed demutualization and sale. We currently expect this acquisition will be completed in early 2018.

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. A significant source of funding for Berkadia’s operations is through the issuance of commercial paper, which is limited to $1.5 billion. Berkadia’s commercial paper outstanding is supported by a surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Leucadia has agreed to indemnify us for one-half of any losses we incur under the policy.

On July 7, 2017, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) agreed to acquire 80.03% of the outstanding equity interests of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (“Oncor”) for $9 billion pursuant to an agreement between BHE and Energy Future Holdings Corp. (“EFH”). In August 2017, the agreement to acquire Oncor was terminated by EFH.

On October 3, 2017, we entered into an investment agreement and an equity purchase agreement whereby we acquired a 38.6% interest in Pilot Travel Centers LLC, d/b/a Pilot Flying J (“Pilot Flying J”). Pilot Flying J, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, is one of the largest operators of travel centers in North America, with more than 27,000 team members, 750 locations across the U.S. and Canada, and approximately $20 billion in annual revenues. The Haslam family currently owns a 50.1% interest in Pilot Flying J and a third party owns the remaining 11.3% interest. In addition, on October 3, 2017, we entered into an agreement to acquire in 2023 an additional 41.4% interest in Pilot Flying J with the Haslam family retaining a 20% interest. As a result, Berkshire will become the majority owner in 2023.

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Business segment data

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business segment data

Note 22. Business segment data

Our operating businesses include a large and diverse group of insurance, railroad, utilities and energy, finance, manufacturing, service and retailing businesses. Our reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how management views those business activities. Certain businesses have been grouped together for segment reporting based upon similar products or product lines, marketing, selling and distribution characteristics, even though those business units are operated under separate local management. Revenues by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	7,543		$	6,474		$	21,632		$	18,771
General Re		1,630			1,389			4,599			4,168
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		2,324			1,872			15,951			5,767
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,852			1,629			5,287			4,581
Investment income		1,248			1,043			3,664			3,428
Total insurance group		14,597			12,407			51,133			36,715
BNSF		5,314			5,167			15,749			14,519
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		5,370			5,198			14,250			13,615
Manufacturing		12,819			12,082			37,654			34,837
McLane Company		12,798			12,271			37,480			36,121
Service and retailing		6,527			6,331			19,170			18,607
Finance and financial products		2,187			1,962			6,085			5,677
		59,612			55,418			181,521			160,091
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		965			3,608			1,965			5,311
Eliminations and other		(52	)		(183	)		(256	)		(142	)
	$	60,525		$	58,843		$	183,230		$	165,260

Earnings before income taxes by segment were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	(416	)	$	138		$	(122	)	$	552
General Re		(504	)		100			(622	)		144
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(1,341	)		(19	)		(2,341	)		86
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		52			190			473			485
Investment income		1,246			1,029			3,658			3,406
Total insurance group		(963	)		1,438			1,046			4,673
BNSF		1,710			1,633			4,592			4,129
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		1,262			1,246			2,547			2,481
Manufacturing		2,002			1,981			5,428			5,150
McLane Company		45			106			202			371
Service and retailing		491			449			1,439			1,230
Finance and financial products		530			517			1,504			1,578
		5,077			7,370			16,758			19,612
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		965			3,608			1,965			5,311
Income from Kraft Heinz		252			225			800			851
Interest expense, not allocated to segments		(386	)		(201	)		(1,243	)		(518	)
Eliminations and other		(278	)		(477	)		(833	)		(903	)
	$	5,630		$	10,525		$	17,447		$	24,353

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New accounting pronouncements (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

New accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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. The framework prescribed by ASU 2014-09 includes (a) identifying the contract, (b) identifying the related performance obligations, (c) determining the transaction price, (d) allocating the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognizing revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. Based on our evaluations, we do not currently believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. However, the timing of the recognition of revenue and related costs may change with respect to certain of our contracts with customers. For instance, revenues and costs for certain contracts may be recognized over time rather than when the product or service is delivered, as is the current practice. In addition, certain contracts may be treated as leases for accounting purposes, rather than contracts with customers subject to ASU 2014-09. Our evaluations of these and other issues and implementation efforts concerning ASU 2014-09 are ongoing and also include consideration of the new disclosure requirements. We will adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018, under the modified retrospective method.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 “Financial Instruments—Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 generally requires that investments in equity securities (excluding equity method investments) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. Under existing GAAP, changes in fair value of available-for-sale equity securities are recorded in other comprehensive income. Given the current magnitude of our investments in equity securities, the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a significant impact on the periodic net earnings reported in our Consolidated Statement of Earnings, although it will not affect our comprehensive income or total shareholders’ equity. We will adopt ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018. As of that date, the accumulated net unrealized appreciation relating to our investments in equity securities, which is currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income, will be reclassified to retained earnings.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. ASU 2016-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” which provides for the recognition and measurement at the reporting date of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities. Currently, credit losses are recognized and measured when such losses become probable based on the prevailing facts and circumstances. ASU 2016-13 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” ASU 2017-04 eliminates the requirement to determine the implied value of goodwill in measuring an impairment loss. Upon adoption, the measurement of a goodwill impairment will represent the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over fair value, limited to the carrying value of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.

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Significant business acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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

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Investments in fixed maturity securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of investments in securities with fixed maturities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2017
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,327	$	5	$	(11	)	$	4,321
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		988		51		(1	)		1,038
Foreign governments		8,556		233		(24	)		8,765
Corporate bonds		6,525		628		(4	)		7,149
Mortgage-backed securities		877		109		(3	)		983
	$	21,273	$	1,026	$	(43	)	$	22,256
December 31, 2016
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,519	$	16	$	(8	)	$	4,527
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,159		58		(1	)		1,216
Foreign governments		8,860		207		(66	)		9,001
Corporate bonds		6,899		714		(9	)		7,604
Mortgage-backed securities		997		126		(6	)		1,117
	$	22,434	$	1,121	$	(90	)	$	23,465

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

	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	22,228	$	23,432
Finance and financial products *		28		33
	$	22,256	$	23,465

*     Included in other assets.

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 September 30, 2017 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to early call or prepayment rights held by issuers. 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	$	6,901	$	10,825	$	572	$	2,098	$	877	$	21,273
Fair value		6,962		11,050		624		2,637		983		22,256

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Investments in equity securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized based on the primary industry of the investee in the table below (in millions).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2017 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	26,792	$	45,910	$	—		$	72,702
Consumer products		20,097		23,910		—			44,007
Commercial, industrial and other		29,290		12,398		(747	)		40,941
	$	76,179	$	82,218	$	(747	)	$	157,650

* Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2016*
Banks, insurance and finance	$	19,852	$	30,572	$	—		$	50,424
Consumer products		10,657		16,760		(9	)		27,408
Commercial, industrial and other		35,868		9,033		(701	)		44,200
	$	66,377	$	56,365	$	(710	)	$	122,032

* Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

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

	September 30, 2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	151,639	$	120,471
Railroad, utilities and energy *		2,087		1,186
Finance and financial products *		3,924		375
	$	157,650	$	122,032

* Included in other assets.

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Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Summarized consolidated financial information of Kraft Heinz

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

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Assets	$	120,051	$	120,480
Liabilities		61,080		62,906

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Sales	$	6,314	$	6,267	$	19,355	$	19,630
Net earnings attributable to Kraft Heinz common shareholders	$	944	$	842	$	2,996	$	2,508

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Other investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]

Schedule of other investments

Other investments are shown in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions).

	Cost				Fair Value
	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other	$	2,743	$	6,720	$	3,303	$	14,364
Finance and financial products *		6		1,000		8		2,892
	$	2,749	$	7,720	$	3,311	$	17,256

* Included in other assets.

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Investment gains/losses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of investment gains/losses

Investment gains/losses included in earnings are summarized below (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Fixed maturity securities—
Gross gains	$	56		$	5		$	82		$	44
Gross losses		(2	)		(24	)		(16	)		(41	)
Equity securities—
Gross gains		1,011			3,173			1,795			5,720
Gross losses		(419	)		(13	)		(626	)		(76	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses		—			—			—			(63	)
Other		11			9			27			59
	$	657		$	3,150		$	1,262		$	5,643

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Inventories (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Raw materials	$	2,990	$	2,789
Work in process and other		2,805		2,506
Finished manufactured goods		4,338		4,033
Goods acquired for resale		6,798		6,399
	$	16,931	$	15,727

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Receivables (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Schedule of receivables

A summary of loans and finance receivables of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

	September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts	$	13,983		$	13,728
Allowances for uncollectible loans		(180	)		(182	)
Unamortized acquisition discounts		(210	)		(246	)
	$	13,593		$	13,300

Insurance and Other [Member]

Schedule of receivables

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

	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Insurance premiums receivable	$	11,317		$	10,462
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,254			3,338
Trade and other receivables		15,443			13,630
Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(362	)		(333	)
	$	29,652		$	27,097

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Schedule of depreciation expense

A summary of depreciation expense follows (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2017		2016
Insurance and other	$	1,636	$	1,595
Railroad, utilities and energy		3,604		3,459
Finance and financial products		487		466
	$	5,727	$	5,520

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).

	Ranges of estimated useful life	September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Assets held for lease	5 – 35 years	$	12,287		$	11,902
Land	—		230			224
Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,413			1,302
			13,930			13,428
Accumulated depreciation			(3,993	)		(3,739	)
		$	9,937		$	9,689

Insurance and Other [Member]

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

A summary of property, plant and equipment of our insurance and other businesses follows (in millions).

	Ranges of estimated useful life		September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Land		—	$	2,226		$	2,108
Buildings and improvements		5 – 40 years		8,631			8,360
Machinery and equipment		3 – 25 years		21,409			20,463
Furniture, fixtures and other		2 – 15 years		4,705			4,080
				36,971			35,011
Accumulated depreciation				(17,025	)		(15,686	)
			$	19,946		$	19,325

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Schedule of property, plant and equipment

A summary of property, plant and equipment of our railroad and our utilities and energy businesses follows (in millions).

	Ranges of estimated useful life		September 30,  2017			December 31,  2016
Railroad:
Land		—	$	6,085		$	6,063
Track structure and other roadway		9 – 100 years		50,789			48,277
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment		6 – 41 years		12,459			12,075
Construction in progress		—		927			965
				70,260			67,380
Accumulated depreciation				(8,293	)		(6,130	)
				61,967			61,250
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, transmission and distribution systems		5 – 80 years		73,138			71,536
Interstate natural gas pipeline assets		3 – 80 years		6,991			6,942
Independent power plants and other assets		3 – 30 years		7,176			6,596
Construction in progress		—		3,503			2,098
				90,808			87,172
Accumulated depreciation				(25,829	)		(24,663	)
				64,979			62,509
			$	126,946		$	123,759

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Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Reconciliation of the change in goodwill

A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows (in millions).

	September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Balance at beginning of year	$	79,486	$	62,708
Acquisitions of businesses		1,199		17,650
Other, including foreign currency translation		197		(872	)
Balance at end of period	$	80,882	$	79,486

Schedule of intangible assets

Other intangible assets are summarized as follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other	$	40,528	$	7,554	$	39,976	$	6,495
Railroad, utilities and energy		974		323		898		293
	$	41,502	$	7,877	$	40,874	$	6,788
Trademarks and trade names	$	5,352	$	672	$	5,175	$	616
Patents and technology		4,487		2,605		4,341		2,328
Customer relationships		28,497		3,517		28,243		2,879
Other		3,166		1,083		3,115		965
	$	41,502	$	7,877	$	40,874	$	6,788

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Derivative contracts outstanding

The liabilities and related notional values of such contracts follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Liabilities		Notional Value			Liabilities		Notional Value
Equity index put options	$	2,187	$	28,494	(1)	$	2,890	$	26,497	(1)

⁽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.

Derivative gains/losses included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings

A summary of the derivative gains/losses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Equity index put options	$	308	$	458	$	703	$	(421	)
Credit default		—		—		—		89
	$	308	$	458	$	703	$	(332	)

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Supplemental cash flow information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of supplemental cash flow information

Supplemental cash flow information follows (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2017		2016
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	1,774	$	2,237
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		747		499
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		2,111		2,130
Finance and financial products businesses		296		263
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		685		17,319
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisition		—		4,239
Equity securities surrendered in connection with warrant exercise		4,965		—

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Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Insurance [Abstract]

Schedule of liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense

Reconciliations of the changes in claim liabilities for the nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 follows (in millions).

	2017			2016
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses—beginning of year:
Gross liabilities	$	76,918		$	73,144
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges		(11,385	)		(10,994	)
Net balance		65,533			62,150
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events		28,632			22,737
Prior accident years’ events		(510	)		(1,453	)
Retroactive reinsurance and discount accretion		11,328			1,041
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses		39,450			22,325
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events		(11,539	)		(10,202	)
Prior accident years’ events		(9,973	)		(8,761	)
Retroactive reinsurance		(762	)		(857	)
Total payments		(22,274	)		(19,820	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		603			(158	)
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses—September 30:
Net balance		83,312			64,497
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges		16,826			10,972
Gross liabilities	$	100,138		$	75,469

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Notes payable and other borrowings (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure

	Weighted Average Interest Rate		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2018-2043		2.8%	$	12,925	$	14,423
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2017-2028		4.5%		156		961
			$	13,081	$	15,384

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 September 30, 2017.

	Weighted Average Interest Rate		September 30,  2017		December 31,  2016
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire:
U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings due 2017-2047		2.8%	$	10,614	$	11,709
Euro denominated borrowings due 2020-2035		1.1%		8,032		5,994
Short-term subsidiary borrowings		2.9%		1,819		2,094
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2017-2045		3.6%		6,797		7,378
			$	27,262	$	27,175

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure

	Weighted Average Interest Rate		September 30, 2017		December 31,  2016
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2018-2045		5.4%	$	7,421	$	7,818
Subsidiary and other debt due 2017-2064		4.6%		31,195		29,223
Issued by BNSF due 2017-2097		4.8%		22,531		22,044
			$	61,147	$	59,085

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Fair value measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury Bills, receivables 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)
September 30, 2017
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,321	$	4,321	$	2,752	$	1,569	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,038		1,038		—		1,038		—
Foreign governments		8,765		8,765		6,849		1,916		—
Corporate bonds		7,149		7,149		—		7,142		7
Mortgage-backed securities		983		983		—		983		—
Investments in equity securities		157,650		157,650		157,641		9		—
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock		15,695		25,238		25,238		—		—
Other investments		3,311		3,311		—		3,311		—
Loans and finance receivables		13,593		13,886		—		17		13,869
Derivative contract assets (1)		136		136		1		19		116
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		131		131		1		113		17
Equity index put options		2,187		2,187		—		—		2,187
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		27,262		28,093		—		28,093		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		61,147		68,881		—		68,881		—
Finance and financial products		13,081		13,578		—		13,577		1
December 31, 2016
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	4,527	$	4,527	$	3,099	$	1,428	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,216		1,216		—		1,216		—
Foreign governments		9,001		9,001		7,237		1,764		—
Corporate bonds		7,604		7,604		—		7,540		64
Mortgage-backed securities		1,117		1,117		—		1,117		—
Investments in equity securities		122,032		122,032		122,031		—		1
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock		15,345		28,418		28,418		—		—
Other investments		17,256		17,256		—		—		17,256
Loans and finance receivables		13,300		13,717		—		13		13,704
Derivative contract assets (1)		142		142		5		43		94
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		145		145		3		114		28
Equity index put options		2,890		2,890		—		—		2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		27,175		27,712		—		27,712		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		59,085		65,774		—		65,774		—
Finance and financial products		15,384		15,825		—		15,469		356

⁽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 nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 follow (in millions).

	Investments  in fixed maturity securities			Investments in equity securities and other investments			Net derivative  contract liabilities
Nine months ending September 30, 2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	64		$	17,257		$	(2,824	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			—			822
Other comprehensive income		1			1,156			(3	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(5	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements		(58	)		—			(78	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3		—			(18,413	)		—
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	7		$	—		$	(2,088	)
Nine months ending September 30, 2016
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	100		$	21,403		$	(3,785	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			2,409			(221	)
Other comprehensive income		3			(2,233	)		(2	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(12	)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements		5			(4,461	)		(81	)
Transfers into/out of Level 3		(1	)		—			195
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	107		$	17,118		$	(3,906	)

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

Quantitative information as of September 30, 2017, with respect to significant 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
Derivative contract liabilities:
Equity index put options	$	2,187		Option pricing model		Volatility		18%

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Common stock (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Changes in issued, treasury and outstanding Berkshire common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first nine months of 2017 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, 2016		788,058			(11,680	)		776,378			1,303,323,927		(1,409,762	)		1,301,914,165
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of  replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(21,694	)		—			(21,694	)		33,134,413		—			33,134,413
Balance at September 30, 2017		766,364			(11,680	)		754,684			1,336,458,340		(1,409,762	)		1,335,048,578

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

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 nine months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 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
2017
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	43,176		$	(5,268	)	$	(593	)	$	(17	)	$	37,298
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		11,734			1,946			(90	)		19			13,609
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings		(803	)		—			61			18			(724	)
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	54,107		$	(3,322	)	$	(622	)	$	20		$	50,183
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses	$	(1,235	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,235	)
Other		—			—			82			32			114
Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,235	)		—			82			32			(1,121	)
Applicable income taxes		(432	)		—			21			14			(397	)
	$	(803	)	$	—		$	61		$	18		$	(724	)
2016
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	38,598		$	(3,856	)	$	(762	)	$	2		$	33,982
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		(912	)		(101	)		(39	)		(26	)		(1,078	)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings		(3,188	)		—			59			23			(3,106	)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	34,498		$	(3,957	)	$	(742	)	$	(1	)	$	29,798
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Investment gains/losses	$	(4,904	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(4,904	)
Other		—			—			79			41			120
Reclassifications before income taxes		(4,904	)		—			79			41			(4,784	)
Applicable income taxes		(1,716	)		—			20			18			(1,678	)
	$	(3,188	)	$	—		$	59		$	23		$	(3,106	)

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Business segment data (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of revenues and earnings by segment

Revenues by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	7,543		$	6,474		$	21,632		$	18,771
General Re		1,630			1,389			4,599			4,168
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		2,324			1,872			15,951			5,767
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,852			1,629			5,287			4,581
Investment income		1,248			1,043			3,664			3,428
Total insurance group		14,597			12,407			51,133			36,715
BNSF		5,314			5,167			15,749			14,519
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		5,370			5,198			14,250			13,615
Manufacturing		12,819			12,082			37,654			34,837
McLane Company		12,798			12,271			37,480			36,121
Service and retailing		6,527			6,331			19,170			18,607
Finance and financial products		2,187			1,962			6,085			5,677
		59,612			55,418			181,521			160,091
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		965			3,608			1,965			5,311
Eliminations and other		(52	)		(183	)		(256	)		(142	)
	$	60,525		$	58,843		$	183,230		$	165,260

Earnings before income taxes by segment were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting:
GEICO	$	(416	)	$	138		$	(122	)	$	552
General Re		(504	)		100			(622	)		144
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		(1,341	)		(19	)		(2,341	)		86
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		52			190			473			485
Investment income		1,246			1,029			3,658			3,406
Total insurance group		(963	)		1,438			1,046			4,673
BNSF		1,710			1,633			4,592			4,129
Berkshire Hathaway Energy		1,262			1,246			2,547			2,481
Manufacturing		2,002			1,981			5,428			5,150
McLane Company		45			106			202			371
Service and retailing		491			449			1,439			1,230
Finance and financial products		530			517			1,504			1,578
		5,077			7,370			16,758			19,612
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		965			3,608			1,965			5,311
Income from Kraft Heinz		252			225			800			851
Interest expense, not allocated to segments		(386	)		(201	)		(1,243	)		(518	)
Eliminations and other		(278	)		(477	)		(833	)		(903	)
	$	5,630		$	10,525		$	17,447		$	24,353

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General - Narrative (Detail) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Short-term investments in U.S. Treasury Bills	$ 66.6
U.S. Treasury Bills [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments	$ 80.6

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Significant business acquisitions - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			9 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Jan. 29, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of shares exchanged			$ 4,239
Precision Castparts Corp. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, cash price per share		$ 235
Aggregate consideration paid for business acquisition		$ 32,700
Duracell Company [Member] | Procter & Gamble Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of shares exchanged	$ 4,239

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Significant business acquisitions - Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Jan. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 80,882	$ 79,486			$ 62,708
Precision Castparts Corp. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents				$ 250
Inventories				3,430
Property, plant and equipment				2,765
Goodwill				16,011
Other intangible assets				23,527
Other assets				1,916
Assets acquired				47,899
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities				2,442
Notes payable and other borrowings				5,251
Income taxes, principally deferred				7,548
Liabilities assumed				15,241
Net assets				$ 32,658
Duracell Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 1,807
Inventories			319
Property, plant and equipment			359
Goodwill			866
Other intangible assets			1,550
Other assets			242
Assets acquired			5,143
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities			410
Income taxes, principally deferred			494
Liabilities assumed			904
Net assets			$ 4,239

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Investments in fixed maturity securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	$ 21,273	$ 22,434
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	1,026	1,121
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(43)	(90)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	22,256	23,465
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	4,327	4,519
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	5	16
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(11)	(8)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	4,321	4,527
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	988	1,159
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	51	58
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(1)	(1)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	1,038	1,216
Foreign governments [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	8,556	8,860
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	233	207
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(24)	(66)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	8,765	9,001
Corporate bonds [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	6,525	6,899
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	628	714
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(4)	(9)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	7,149	7,604
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	877	997
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	109	126
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(3)	(6)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	$ 983	$ 1,117

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Carrying value by segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		$ 22,256	$ 23,465
Insurance and Other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		22,228	23,432
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	[1]	$ 28	$ 33

[1] Included in other assets.

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Narrative (Detail) - Foreign governments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2017
AA or Higher Credit Rating [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by credit rating	93.00%
United Kingdom, Germany, Australia or Canada [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by geographic location	81.00%

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Due in one year or less - amortized cost	$ 6,901
Due after one year through five years - amortized cost	10,825
Due after five years through ten years - amortized cost	572
Due after ten years - amortized cost	2,098
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	21,273	$ 22,434
Due in one year or less - fair value	6,962
Due after one year through five years - fair value	11,050
Due after five years through ten years - fair value	624
Due after ten years - fair value	2,637
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	22,256	23,465
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of mortgage-backed securities	877
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	877	997
Fair value of mortgage-backed securities	983
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	$ 983	$ 1,117

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Investments in equity securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	$ 76,179		$ 66,377
Unrealized gains on investments	82,218		56,365
Unrealized losses on investments	(747)		(710)
Fair value of investments	157,650	[1]	122,032	[2]
Banks, insurance and finance [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	26,792		19,852
Unrealized gains on investments	45,910		30,572
Fair value of investments	72,702		50,424
Consumer products [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	20,097		10,657
Unrealized gains on investments	23,910		16,760
Unrealized losses on investments			(9)
Fair value of investments	44,007		27,408
Commercial, industrial and other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	29,290		35,868
Unrealized gains on investments	12,398		9,033
Unrealized losses on investments	(747)		(701)
Fair value of investments	$ 40,941		$ 44,200

[1] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

[2] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

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Investments in equity securities (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) Company		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Company
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	$ 157,650	[1]	$ 122,032	[2]
Equity Securities [Member] | Investment Concentration [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Concentration percentage	62.00%		62.00%
Number of companies in concentration percentage | Company	5		5
American Express Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	$ 13,700		$ 11,200
Apple Inc. [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	21,300		7,100
The Coca-Cola Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	18,000		16,600
IBM [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments			13,500
Wells Fargo & Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	26,900		$ 27,600
Bank of America Corporation [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	$ 17,700

[1] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

[2] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

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Investments in equity securities - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Unrealized losses related to securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months	$ 94	$ 551

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Investments in equity securities - Fair value by segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		$ 157,650	[1]	$ 122,032	[2]
Insurance and Other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities		151,639		120,471
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	[3]	2,087		1,186
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	[3]	$ 3,924		$ 375

[1] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

[2] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

[3] Included in other assets.

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Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 07, 2016	Jul. 02, 2015	Jul. 01, 2015	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method earnings on common stock					$ 252	$ 225	$ 800	$ 671
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage			52.50%	50.00%
Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions		26.80%					26.70%
Investment in common stock					$ 15,695		$ 15,695		$ 15,345
Equity method earnings on common stock							800	671
Common stock dividends received							$ 594	561
3G Capital (venture partner) [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment ownership percentage				50.00%
Equity method investment ownership percentage after transactions		24.20%
Common Stock, Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Purchase of preferred stock, common stock and warrants				$ 12,250
Common Stock [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired				425,000,000
Number of common shares that can be purchased				46,000,000
Exercise price for warrants, per share				$ 0.01
Purchase of common stock			$ 5,260
Common Stock [Member] | 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired				425,000,000
Purchase of common stock			$ 4,740	$ 4,250
Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value				$ 8,000
Dividends earned on preferred stock								$ 180
Redemption of preferred stock	$ 8,320
Kraft [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ratio of common stock shares issued per Kraft common stock share		1

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Investments in The Kraft Heinz Company - Consolidated financial information (Detail) - Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Assets	$ 120,051		$ 120,051		$ 120,480
Liabilities	61,080		61,080		$ 62,906
Sales	6,314	$ 6,267	19,355	$ 19,630
Net earnings attributable to Kraft Heinz common shareholders	$ 944	$ 842	$ 2,996	$ 2,508

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Other investments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance and Other [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Fair Value		$ 3,303	$ 14,364
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Cost		2,749	7,720
Other investments, Fair Value		3,311	17,256
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Cost		2,743	6,720
Other investments, Fair Value		3,303	14,364
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, Cost	[1]	6	1,000
Other investments, Fair Value	[1]	$ 8	$ 2,892

[1] Included in other assets.

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Other investments - Narrative (Detail) - Available-for-sale Securities [Member] - USD ($)		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 24, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2011
RBI [Member] | Class A 9% Cumulative Compounding Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate		9.00%
Stated value of equity securities		$ 3,000,000,000
Preferred stock redemption period start date		Dec. 12, 2017
Preferred stock redemption price percentage		109.90%
Bank of America Corporation [Member] | Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares acquired			50,000
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate			6.00%
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value per share			$ 100,000
Bank of America Corporation [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Number of common shares that can be purchased			700,000,000
Exercise price for warrants, per share			$ 7.142857
Aggregate cost to exercise warrants	$ 5,000,000,000		$ 5,000,000,000
Number of shares acquired upon exercise of warrants	700,000,000

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Income taxes - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate		25.30%	30.30%	27.20%	25.80%
Investment gains/losses		$ 657	$ 3,150	$ 1,262	$ 5,643
Duracell Company [Member] | Procter & Gamble Company [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ 1,100				$ 1,100
Reduction of certain deferred income tax liabilities				$ 750
Effective income tax rate reduction related to exchange of investment securities				4.70%

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Investment gains/losses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses				$ (63)
Investment gains/losses	$ 657	$ 3,150	$ 1,262	5,643
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains	56	5	82	44
Gross losses	(2)	(24)	(16)	(41)
Equity Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains	1,011	3,173	1,795	5,720
Gross losses	(419)	(13)	(626)	(76)
Other Types of Investments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other investment gains/losses	$ 11	$ 9	$ 27	$ 59

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Investment gains/losses - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses		$ 657	$ 3,150	$ 1,262	$ 5,643
Bank of America Corporation [Member] | Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses		$ 1,000
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			$ 2,400
Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses					610
Duracell Company [Member] | Procter & Gamble Company [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ 1,100				$ 1,100

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Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 2,990	$ 2,789
Work in process and other	2,805	2,506
Finished manufactured goods	4,338	4,033
Goods acquired for resale	6,798	6,399
Total inventory	$ 16,931	$ 15,727

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Receivables (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and finance receivables before allowances and discounts	$ 13,983	$ 13,728
Allowances for uncollectible loans	(180)	(182)
Unamortized acquisition discounts	(210)	(246)
Total loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses	13,593	13,300
Insurance and Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Insurance premiums receivable	11,317	10,462
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	3,254	3,338
Trade and other receivables	15,443	13,630
Allowances for uncollectible accounts	(362)	(333)
Total receivables of insurance and other businesses	$ 29,652	$ 27,097

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Receivables - Narrative (Detail) - Finance and Financial Products [Member]	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 CAD	Jun. 30, 2017 CAD
Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Financial Institution Borrower [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Credit facility amount	$ 1,600,000,000				CAD 2,000,000,000
Expiration period of credit facility	1 year
Expiration date of credit facility	Jun. 29, 2018
Outstanding loan balance | CAD				CAD 0
Loans and finance receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provisions for loan losses		$ 124,000,000	$ 124,000,000
Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries		$ 126,000,000	$ 123,000,000
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				95.00%

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross	$ 13,930	$ 13,428
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, accumulated depreciation	(3,993)	(3,739)
Total property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, net	9,937	9,689
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	$ 12,287	11,902
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Assets held for lease [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	5 years
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Assets held for lease [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	35 years
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross	$ 230	224
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	$ 1,413	1,302
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Buildings, machinery and other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Buildings, machinery and other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	50 years
Insurance and Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 36,971	35,011
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	(17,025)	(15,686)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	19,946	19,325
Insurance and Other [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,226	2,108
Insurance and Other [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 8,631	8,360
Insurance and Other [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	5 years
Insurance and Other [Member] | Buildings and improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	40 years
Insurance and Other [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 21,409	20,463
Insurance and Other [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Insurance and Other [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	25 years
Insurance and Other [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 4,705	4,080
Insurance and Other [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	2 years
Insurance and Other [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	15 years
Railroad [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 70,260	67,380
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	(8,293)	(6,130)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	61,967	61,250
Railroad [Member] | Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	6,085	6,063
Railroad [Member] | Track structure and other roadway [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 50,789	48,277
Railroad [Member] | Track structure and other roadway [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	9 years
Railroad [Member] | Track structure and other roadway [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	100 years
Railroad [Member] | Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 12,459	12,075
Railroad [Member] | Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	6 years
Railroad [Member] | Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	41 years
Railroad [Member] | Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 927	965
Utilities and Energy [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	90,808	87,172
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	(25,829)	(24,663)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	64,979	62,509
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Utility generation, transmission and distribution systems [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 73,138	71,536
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Utility generation, transmission and distribution systems [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	5 years
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Utility generation, transmission and distribution systems [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	80 years
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Interstate natural gas pipeline assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 6,991	6,942
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Interstate natural gas pipeline assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Interstate natural gas pipeline assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	80 years
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Independent power plants and other assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 7,176	6,596
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Independent power plants and other assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	3 years
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Independent power plants and other assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life (in years)	30 years
Utilities and Energy [Member] | Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 3,503	2,098
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$ 126,946	$ 123,759

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease - Depreciation expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 5,727	$ 5,520
Insurance and Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	1,636	1,595
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	3,604	3,459
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 487	$ 466

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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 79,486	$ 62,708
Acquisitions of businesses	1,199	17,650
Other, including foreign currency translation	197	(872)
Balance at end of period	$ 80,882	$ 79,486

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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 41,502	$ 40,874
Accumulated amortization	7,877	6,788
Insurance and Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	40,528	39,976
Accumulated amortization	7,554	6,495
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	974	898
Accumulated amortization	323	293
Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	5,352	5,175
Accumulated amortization	672	616
Other intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	3,166	3,115
Accumulated amortization	1,083	965
Patents and technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	4,487	4,341
Accumulated amortization	2,605	2,328
Customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	28,497	28,243
Accumulated amortization	$ 3,517	$ 2,879

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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 1,108	$ 1,085
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, excluding goodwill	$ 18,800		$ 18,700

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Derivative contracts (Detail) - Finance and Financial Products [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		$ 2,187	$ 2,890
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		2,187	2,890
Notional Value	[1]	$ 28,494	$ 26,497

[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.

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Derivative contracts - gains and losses (Detail) - Finance and Financial Products [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	$ 308	$ 458	$ 703	$ (332)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	308	458	703	(332)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	$ 308	$ 458	$ 703	(421)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses				$ 89

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Derivative contracts - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		$ 2,187,000,000	$ 2,890,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Collateral posting requirements under contracts with collateral provisions		0
Additional collateral posting requirements		1,100,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Premiums received at contract inception dates		4,200,000,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of equity index put option contracts		$ 640,000,000	1,000,000,000
Weighted average remaining life of derivative contracts		3 years 2 months 12 days
Liabilities		$ 2,187,000,000	2,890,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative inception month and year		2008-03
Derivative maturity month and year		2026-01
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
Credit Default [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Payment upon termination of contract	$ 195,000,000
Other Assets [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Assets		$ 136,000,000	142,000,000
Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Utilities and Energy [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities		$ 131,000,000	$ 145,000,000

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Supplemental cash flow information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$ 1,774	$ 2,237
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions	685	17,319
Equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisition		4,239
Equity securities surrendered in connection with warrant exercise	4,965
Insurance and Other [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	747	499
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	2,111	2,130
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	$ 296	$ 263

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Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses - Reconciliation of changes in claim liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Gross liabilities at beginning of period	$ 76,918	$ 73,144
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges at beginning of period	(11,385)	(10,994)
Net balance at beginning of period	65,533	62,150
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events	28,632	22,737
Prior accident years' events	(510)	(1,453)
Retroactive reinsurance and discount accretion	11,328	1,041
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses	39,450	22,325
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to:
Current accident year events	(11,539)	(10,202)
Prior accident years' events	(9,973)	(8,761)
Retroactive reinsurance	(762)	(857)
Total payments	(22,274)	(19,820)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	603	(158)
Net balance at end of period	83,312	64,497
Reinsurance recoverable and deferred charges at end of period	16,826	10,972
Gross liabilities at end of period	$ 100,138	$ 75,469

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Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to current accident year events			$ 28,632,000,000	$ 22,737,000,000
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses for (reductions of) prior years' accident events			(510,000,000)	(1,453,000,000)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses			11,328,000,000	1,041,000,000
Liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		$ 100,138,000,000	100,138,000,000	75,469,000,000	$ 76,918,000,000	$ 73,144,000,000
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and an Earthquake in Mexico [Member]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to current accident year events		$ 3,000,000,000
Primary Insurance [Member]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses for (reductions of) prior years' accident events			$ (569,000,000)	(756,000,000)
Reinsurance Operations [Member]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses for (reductions of) prior years' accident events				$ (697,000,000)
NICO [Member] | AIG [Member] | Retroactive Reinsurance Agreement [Member]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Reinsurance cash consideration	$ 10,200,000,000
Percentage of losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses reinsured in excess of retained amount	80.00%
Losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses retained amount	$ 25,000,000,000
Premiums earned	10,200,000,000
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	10,200,000,000
Liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	16,400,000,000
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	6,200,000,000
NICO [Member] | AIG [Member] | Retroactive Reinsurance Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses reinsured in excess of retained amount	$ 25,000,000,000

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Notes payable and other borrowings (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 61,147	$ 59,085
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	5.40%
Senior unsecured debt	$ 7,421	7,818
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2018
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2045
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 31,195	29,223
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	4.60%
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2017
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2064
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | BNSF [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 22,531	22,044
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	4.80%
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | BNSF [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2017
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | BNSF [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2097
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 13,081	15,384
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 12,925	14,423
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	2.80%
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2018
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2043
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 156	961
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	4.50%
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2017
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Other Subsidiaries [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2028
Insurance and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 27,262	27,175
Insurance and Other [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term borrowings	1,819	2,094
Other borrowings	$ 6,797	7,378
Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate	2.90%
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	3.60%
Insurance and Other [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2017
Insurance and Other [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2045
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | U.S. Dollar Denominated [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 10,614	11,709
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	2.80%
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Euro Denominated [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other borrowings	$ 8,032	$ 5,994
Weighted average interest rate, percentage	1.10%
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | U.S. Dollar Denominated [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2017
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Euro Denominated [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2020
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | U.S. Dollar Denominated [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2047
Insurance and Other [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Euro Denominated [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2035

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Notes payable and other borrowings - Narrative (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 EUR (€)	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued | €						€ 1,100
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes Due 2021 at 0.25% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued | €						€ 550
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						0.25%	0.25%
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes Due 2023 at 0.625% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued | €						€ 550
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						0.625%	0.625%
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of borrowings		$ 1,100
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Euro Denominated [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revaluation attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates			$ 263	$ 860
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member] | Debt Due 2027 to 2057 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued			$ 1,700	$ 1,700
Weighted average interest rate, percentage			3.40%	3.40%
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | BNSF [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate, percentage			4.80%	4.80%
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | BNSF [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debentures [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued					$ 1,250
Repayments of borrowings	$ 650
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | BNSF [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debentures [Member] | Debentures Due 2027 at 3.25% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued					$ 500
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					3.25%
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | BNSF [Member] | Senior Unsecured Debentures [Member] | Debentures Due 2047 at 4.125% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued					$ 750
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					4.125%
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate, percentage			2.80%	2.80%
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued							$ 1,300
Repayments of borrowings				$ 2,800
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Notes Due 2019, Floating Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued							950
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Notes Due 2020, Floating Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued							$ 350

XML

Notes payable and other borrowings - Credit agreements - Narrative (Detail) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Unused lines of credit available	$ 9.2
Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Unused lines of credit available	5.5
Subsidiaries Excluding Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Guarantee obligation	$ 2.1

XML

Fair value measurements - Financial assets and liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		$ 22,256		$ 23,465
Investments in equity securities		157,650	[1]	122,032	[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		61,147		59,085
Insurance and Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		22,228		23,432
Investments in equity securities		151,639		120,471
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock - carrying value		15,695		15,345
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock - fair value		25,238		28,418
Other investments		3,303		14,364
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		27,262		27,175
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value		13,593		13,300
Derivative contract liabilities		2,187		2,890
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value		13,081		15,384
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		2,187
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]	2,087		1,186
Other Assets [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	[3]	28		33
Investments in equity securities	[3]	3,924		375
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		4,321		4,527
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		1,038		1,216
Foreign governments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		8,765		9,001
Corporate bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		7,149		7,604
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities		983		1,117
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		157,641		122,031
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		9
Other investments		3,311
Loans and finance receivables - fair value		17		13
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		68,881		65,774
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		28,093		27,712
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		13,577		15,469
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
Other investments				17,256
Loans and finance receivables - fair value		13,869		13,704
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		1		356
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		2,187		2,890
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]	1		5
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]	19		43
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	[4]	116		94
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	1		3
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [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]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	113		114
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	[4]	17		28
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in Kraft Heinz common stock - fair value		25,238		28,418
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		2,752		3,099
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		1,569		1,428
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		1,038		1,216
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		6,849		7,237
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		1,916		1,764
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		7,142		7,540
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		64
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		983		1,117
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		157,650		122,032
Other investments		3,311		17,256
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value		13,593		13,300
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		61,147		59,085
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		27,262		27,175
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		13,081		15,384
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		2,187		2,890
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]	136		142
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]	131		145
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 common stock - carrying value		15,695		15,345
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		4,321		4,527
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		1,038		1,216
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		8,765		9,001
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		7,149		7,604
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		983		1,117
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		157,650		122,032
Other investments		3,311		17,256
Loans and finance receivables - fair value		13,886		13,717
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		68,881		65,774
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		28,093		27,712
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		13,578		15,825
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities		2,187		2,890
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]	136		142
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]	131		145
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 common stock - fair value		25,238		28,418
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		4,321		4,527
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		1,038		1,216
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		8,765		9,001
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		7,149		7,604
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		$ 983		$ 1,117

[1] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $13.7 billion, Apple Inc. - $21.3 billion, Bank of America Corporation - $17.7 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $18.0 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $26.9 billion.

[2] Approximately 62% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of five companies: American Express Company - $11.2 billion, Apple Inc. - $7.1 billion, The Coca-Cola Company - $16.6 billion, International Business Machines Corporation - $13.5 billion and Wells Fargo & Company - $27.6 billion.

[3] Included in other assets.

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

XML

Fair value measurements - Significant unobservable inputs (Detail) - Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Measurements Significant Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Net derivative contract liabilities - Beginning Balance	$ (2,824)	$ (3,785)
Net derivative contract liabilities - Gains (losses) included in earnings	822	(221)
Net derivative contract liabilities - Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(3)	(2)
Net derivative contract liabilities - Gains (losses) included in regulatory assets and liabilities	(5)	(12)
Net derivative contract liabilities - Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements	(78)	(81)
Net derivative contract liabilities - Transfers into/out of Level 3		195
Net derivative contract liabilities - Ending Balance	(2,088)	(3,906)
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Significant Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	64	100
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	1	3
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements	(58)	5
Transfers into/out of Level 3		(1)
Ending Balance	7	107
Equity Securities and Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Significant Unobservable Inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	17,257	21,403
Gains (losses) included in earnings		2,409
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	1,156	(2,233)
Acquisitions, dispositions and settlements		(4,461)
Net derivative contract liabilities - Transfers into/out of Level 3	$ (18,413)
Ending Balance		$ 17,118

XML

Fair value measurements - Other information (Detail) - Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] - Equity Index Put Options [Member] $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities, fair value	$ 2,187
Principal valuation techniques	Option pricing model
Unobservable inputs, volatility, weighted average	18.00%

XML

Common stock (Detail) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued	766,364	788,058
Treasury shares	(11,680)	(11,680)
Shares outstanding	754,684	776,378
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	(21,694)
Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued	1,336,458,340	1,303,323,927
Treasury shares	(1,409,762)	(1,409,762)
Shares outstanding	1,335,048,578	1,301,914,165
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	33,134,413

XML

Common stock (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2017 $ / shares shares
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value per share | $ / shares	$ 5
Common Stock, shares authorized | shares	1,650,000
Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value per share | $ / shares	$ 0.0033
Common Stock, shares authorized | shares	3,225,000,000

XML

Common stock - Narrative (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) Vote shares	Dec. 31, 2016 shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	1,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	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	1,644,716	1,644,321
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, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills threshold after repurchase of common stock shares, amount | $	$ 20,000,000,000

XML

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 286,359	$ 258,627
Ending Balance	311,852	272,615
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	43,176	38,598
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	11,734	(912)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings	(803)	(3,188)
Ending Balance	54,107	34,498
Foreign currency translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(5,268)	(3,856)
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	1,946	(101)
Ending Balance	(3,322)	(3,957)
Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(593)	(762)
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	(90)	(39)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings	61	59
Ending Balance	(622)	(742)
Other AOCI transactions [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(17)	2
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	19	(26)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings	18	23
Ending Balance	20	(1)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	37,298	33,982
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications	13,609	(1,078)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into net earnings	(724)	(3,106)
Ending Balance	$ 50,183	$ 29,798

XML

Accumulated other comprehensive income - Reclassified Amounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ (657)	$ (3,150)	$ (1,262)	$ (5,643)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before income taxes			(1,235)	(4,904)
Applicable income taxes			(432)	(1,716)
Total reclassifications into net earnings			(803)	(3,188)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(1,235)	(4,904)
Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before income taxes			82	79
Applicable income taxes			21	20
Total reclassifications into net earnings			61	59
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			82	79
Other AOCI transactions [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before income taxes			32	41
Applicable income taxes			14	18
Total reclassifications into net earnings			18	23
Other AOCI transactions [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			32	41
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before income taxes			(1,121)	(4,784)
Applicable income taxes			(397)	(1,678)
Total reclassifications into net earnings			(724)	(3,106)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(1,235)	(4,904)
Other			$ 114	$ 120

XML

Contingencies and Commitments - Narrative (Detail)			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2017 USD ($) Employee Location	Jul. 07, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)
NICO [Member] | Purchase Agreement [Member] | Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Statutory assets					$ 5,500,000,000
Statutory policyholders' surplus					$ 2,100,000,000
Acquisition price in addition to tangible book value of acquiree			$ 100,000,000
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Voting interest in investee				50.00%
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Maximum outstanding balance of commercial paper borrowings				$ 1,500,000,000
Leucadia National Corporation (venture partner) [Member] | Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Voting interest in investee				50.00%
Leucadia National Corporation (venture partner) [Member] | Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member] | Insurance Group [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Reimbursement rate from joint venture partner of Company's surety bond claim losses				50.00%
Energy Future Holdings Corp. [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] | Purchase Agreement [Member] | Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding equity interests to be acquired		80.03%
Consideration for business acquisition		$ 9,000,000,000
Agreement termination, description				In August 2017, the agreement to acquire Oncor was terminated by EFH.
Subsequent Event [Member] | Investment Agreement and Equity Purchase Agreement [Member] | Pilot Travel Centers LLC, , d/b/a Pilot Flying J [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Number of locations | Location	750
Annual revenues	$ 20,000,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Haslam Family [Member] | Investment Agreement and Equity Purchase Agreement [Member] | Pilot Travel Centers LLC, , d/b/a Pilot Flying J [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Majority ownership percentage	50.10%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Haslam Family [Member] | Agreement to Acquire Additional Interest in 2023 [Member] | Pilot Travel Centers LLC, , d/b/a Pilot Flying J [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	20.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Third Party [Member] | Investment Agreement and Equity Purchase Agreement [Member] | Pilot Travel Centers LLC, , d/b/a Pilot Flying J [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	11.30%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Investment Agreement and Equity Purchase Agreement [Member] | Pilot Travel Centers LLC, , d/b/a Pilot Flying J [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Number of team members | Employee	27,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Investment Agreement and Equity Purchase Agreement [Member] | Pilot Travel Centers LLC, , d/b/a Pilot Flying J [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	38.60%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Parent) [Member] | Agreement to Acquire Additional Interest in 2023 [Member] | Pilot Travel Centers LLC, , d/b/a Pilot Flying J [Member]
Contingencies and Commitments [Line Items]
Percentage of additional interest to be acquired	41.40%

XML

Business segment data - Revenues by segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 60,525	$ 58,843	$ 183,230	$ 165,260
Operating Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	59,612	55,418	181,521	160,091
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest, dividend and other investment income	1,248	1,043	3,664	3,428
Revenues	14,597	12,407	51,133	36,715
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | GEICO [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	7,543	6,474	21,632	18,771
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | General Re [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,630	1,389	4,599	4,168
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	2,324	1,872	15,951	5,767
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,852	1,629	5,287	4,581
Operating Businesses [Member] | BNSF [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,314	5,167	15,749	14,519
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,370	5,198	14,250	13,615
Operating Businesses [Member] | Manufacturing Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,819	12,082	37,654	34,837
Operating Businesses [Member] | McLane Company [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,798	12,271	37,480	36,121
Operating Businesses [Member] | Service and Retailing Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,527	6,331	19,170	18,607
Operating Businesses [Member] | Finance and Financial Products Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,187	1,962	6,085	5,677
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment and derivative gains/losses	965	3,608	1,965	5,311
Eliminations and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (52)	$ (183)	$ (256)	$ (142)

XML

Business segment data - Earnings before income taxes by segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes	$ 5,630	$ 10,525	$ 17,447	$ 24,353
Operating Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	5,077	7,370	16,758	19,612
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	(963)	1,438	1,046	4,673
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | Interest, Dividend and Other Investment Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,246	1,029	3,658	3,406
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | GEICO [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	(416)	138	(122)	552
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | General Re [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	(504)	100	(622)	144
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	(1,341)	(19)	(2,341)	86
Operating Businesses [Member] | Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	52	190	473	485
Operating Businesses [Member] | BNSF [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,710	1,633	4,592	4,129
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,262	1,246	2,547	2,481
Operating Businesses [Member] | Manufacturing Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	2,002	1,981	5,428	5,150
Operating Businesses [Member] | McLane Company [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	45	106	202	371
Operating Businesses [Member] | Service and Retailing Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	491	449	1,439	1,230
Operating Businesses [Member] | Finance and Financial Products Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	530	517	1,504	1,578
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Investment and derivative gains/losses	965	3,608	1,965	5,311
Interest expense	(386)	(201)	(1,243)	(518)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] | Kraft Heinz (previously Heinz Holding) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from Kraft Heinz	252	225	800	851
Eliminations and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	$ (278)	$ (477)	$ (833)	$ (903)