Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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 amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ending March 31, 2019 and 2018 follows (in millions).

	Unrealized appreciation of investments, net			Foreign currency translation			Defined benefit pension plans			Other			Accumulated other comprehensive income
2019
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	370		$	(4,603	)	$	(816	)	$	34		$	(5,015	)
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		89			157			38			(13	)		271
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Reclassifications before income taxes		5			—			16			2			23
Applicable income taxes		(1	)		—			(4	)		(1	)		(6	)
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	463		$	(4,446	)	$	(766	)	$	22		$	(4,727	)
2018
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	62,093		$	(3,114	)	$	(420	)	$	12		$	58,571
Reclassifications to retained earnings upon adoption of new accounting standards		(61,340	)		(65	)		36			(6	)		(61,375	)
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		(74	)		585			(17	)		2			496
Reclassifications into net earnings:
Reclassifications before income taxes		(221	)		—			10			(5	)		(216	)
Applicable income taxes		46			—			(1	)		2			47
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	504		$	(2,594	)	$	(392	)	$	5		$	(2,477	)