Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

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 for the three months ending March 31, 2020 and 2019 follows (in millions).

	Unrealized appreciation of investments, net			Foreign currency translation			Defined benefit pension plans			Other			Accumulated other comprehensive income
First three months of 2020:
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	481		$	(4,346	)	$	(1,369	)	$	(9	)	$	(5,243	)
Other comprehensive income, net		(139	)		(1,362	)		71			(48	)		(1,478	)
Balance at March 31, 2020	$	342		$	(5,708	)	$	(1,298	)	$	(57	)	$	(6,721	)
First three months of 2019:
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	370		$	(4,603	)	$	(816	)	$	34		$	(5,015	)
Other comprehensive income, net		93			157			50			(12	)		288
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	463		$	(4,446	)	$	(766	)	$	22		$	(4,727	)