UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 13)*

 

 

(Name of Issuer)

 

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

(CUSIP Number)

 

Laurie Smiley, Esq.

Tara Keating Brooks, Esq.

2365 Carillon Point

Kirkland, WA  98033

(425) 889-7900

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. o

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

(1)Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”) holds 4,050 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (the “Issuer”) Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”), each of which are convertible, at the option of the holder, into 1,500 shares of the Issuer’s Class B common stock (“Class B Shares”).  The number of Class B Shares above assumes the conversion of the 4,050 Class A Shares held by Cascade into 6,075,000 Class B Shares.  All shares of common stock held by Cascade may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III as the sole member of Cascade.

 

 

 

(1) For purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, all common stock beneficially owned by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust (the “Trust”) may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates, as Co-Trustees of the Trust.

 

 

 

(1)William H. Gates III beneficially owns 300 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (the “Issuer”) Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) directly and an additional 4,050 Class A Shares through Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”), a limited liability company solely owned by Mr. Gates.  Each Class A Share is convertible, at the option of the holder, into 1,500 shares of the Issuer’s Class B common stock (“Class B Shares”).  The number of Class B Shares shown above assumes the conversion of the 300 Class A Shares held directly by Mr. Gates into 450,000 Class B Shares and the conversion of the 4,050 Class A Shares held by Cascade into 6,075,000 Class B Shares.

 

(2)Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust (the “Trust”) beneficially owns 99,283,773 shares of the Issuer’s Class B Shares.  For purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, all Class B Shares beneficially owned by the Trust may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates, as Co-Trustees of the Trust.

 

 

 

(1) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust (the “Trust”) beneficially owns 99,283,773 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B common stock (“Class B Shares”).  For purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, all Class B Shares beneficially owned by the Trust may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates, as Co-Trustees of the Trust.

 

 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

This Amendment No. 13 to Schedule 13D (“Amendment”) relates to the Class B common stock, $0.0033 Par Value (“Class B Shares”) of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (the “Issuer”).  Cascade Investment, L.L.C., (“Cascade”), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust (the “Trust”), William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”) jointly file this Amendment to amend and supplement the Items set forth below of the Reporting Persons’ Schedule 13D previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24, 2006, as amended on July 17, 2007, March 20, 2008, July 3, 2008, March 6, 2009, July 2, 2009, March 2, 2010, March 19, 2010, July 2, 2010, November 12, 2010, March 18, 2011, July 7, 2011 and January 13, 2012.  Neither the present filing nor anything contained herein shall be construed as an admission that the Reporting Persons constitute a “group” for any purpose and the Reporting Persons expressly disclaim membership in a group.

 

Item 5.                             Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

 

(a)                               See Items 11 and 13 of the cover pages to this Amendment for the aggregate number and percentage of Class B Shares beneficially owned by each of the Reporting Persons.

 

(b)                              See Items 7 through 10 of the cover pages to this Amendment for the number of Class B Shares beneficially owned by each of the Reporting Persons as to which there is sole or shared power to vote or to direct the vote and sole or shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition.

 

(c)                               During the period May 4, 2012 through July 5, 2012,  the Trust sold 3,457,600 Class B Shares, as set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto, pursuant to the Trust’s Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) sales plan.  The sales were made to facilitate compliance with federal excise tax rules limiting excess business holdings by private foundations.

 

On July 6, 2012, the Trust received 18,377,296 Class B Shares as a gift from Warren E. Buffett.  The closing price per share of Class B Shares on July 6, 2012 was $82.54.

 

(d)                              None.

 

(e)                               Not applicable.

 

Item 7.                             Material to be Filed as Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99.1         Sale transactions during the period May 4, 2012 through July 5, 2012

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date:  July 6, 2012	CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.(1)
	By:		*
			Name:	Alan Heuberger(2)
			Title:	Attorney-in-fact for Michael Larson,
				Business Manager
	BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION TRUST(1)
	By:		*
			Name:	Alan Heuberger (3)
			Title:	Attorney-in-fact for each of the Co- Trustees, William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates
	WILLIAM H. GATES III(1)
	By:		*
			Name:	Alan Heuberger(3)(4)
			Title:	Attorney-in-fact
	MELINDA FRENCH GATES(1)
	By:		*
			Name:	Alan Heuberger (3)
			Title:	Attorney-in-fact
*By:		/s/ Alan Heuberger
		Alan Heuberger

(1)This Amendment is being filed jointly by the Reporting Persons pursuant to the Joint Filing Agreement dated August 24, 2006 and included with the signature page to the Reporting Persons’ Schedule 13D with respect to the Issuer filed on August 24, 2006, SEC File No. 005-55113, and incorporated by reference herein.

 

(2)Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated August 12, 2008, by and on behalf of Michael Larson, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 1 to Cascade’s Schedule 13D with respect to Otter Tail Corporation on April 15, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

(3)Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated August 12, 2008, by and on behalf of William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates as Co-Trustees, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to Cascade’s Schedule 13D with respect to Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. on May 7, 2009, SEC File No. 005-60431 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

(4)Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated August 12, 2008, by and on behalf of William H. Gates III, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Cascade’s Schedule 13D with respect to Otter Tail Corporation on April 15, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

The table below specifies the date, quantity, weighted-average sale price and range of price per share of Class B common stock of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. sold by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust (the “Trust”) during the period May 4, 2012 through July 5, 2012.   The Trust undertakes to provide upon request by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price.  All of the transactions were effected on the New York Stock Exchange or through Electronic Communication Networks.

 

Trade Date	Quantity Sold	Weighted-Average Price Per Share Sold ($)	Range of Price ($)
5/4/2012	80,000	80.9534	80.55 -	81.24
5/7/2012	49,025	81.7857	81.19 -	82.18
5/7/2012	30,975	82.3597	82.19 -	82.55
5/8/2012	80,000	81.9842	81.535 -	82.41
5/9/2012	80,000	81.7007	81.52 -	81.97
5/10/2012	80,000	81.7898	81.61 -	82.32
5/11/2012	80,000	81.8105	81.41 -	82.16
5/14/2012	80,000	80.7655	80.49 -	81.13
5/15/2012	80,000	80.4454	80.15 -	80.87
5/16/2012	80,000	80.7176	80.45 -	81.07
5/17/2012	80,000	80.2671	79.96 -	80.86
5/18/2012	76,800	79.0287	78.65 -	79.64
5/18/2012	3,200	79.7827	79.665 -	79.875
5/21/2012	80,000	79.4837	79.00 -	79.85
5/22/2012	56,700	79.6104	79.25 -	80.24
5/22/2012	23,300	80.4325	80.255 -	80.775
5/23/2012	73,150	79.1953	78.69 -	79.685
5/23/2012	6,850	79.7348	79.69 -	79.80
5/24/2012	80,000	79.5739	79.225 -	79.87
5/25/2012	80,000	79.3256	79.00 -	79.94
5/29/2012	80,000	79.5591	79.25 -	79.91
5/30/2012	80,000	79.0122	78.63 -	79.45
5/31/2012	51,128	78.8166	78.33 -	79.32
5/31/2012	28,872	79.5014	79.34 -	79.83
6/1/2012	80,000	79.0140	78.42 -	79.38
6/4/2012	80,000	78.8330	78.50 -	79.07
6/5/2012	80,000	79.0435	78.85 -	79.21
6/6/2012	46,860	79.7248	79.20 -	80.195
6/6/2012	33,140	80.2909	80.20 -	80.42
6/7/2012	80,000	80.8636	80.40 -	81.22
6/8/2012	80,000	81.0558	80.55 -	81.30
6/11/2012	78,167	80.6412	80.22 -	81.21

 

 

Trade Date	Quantity Sold	Weighted-Average Price Per Share Sold ($)	Range of Price ($)
6/11/2012	1,833	81.2671	81.22 -	81.38
6/12/2012	80,000	80.9574	80.37 -	81.22
6/13/2012	80,000	80.6062	80.255 -	81.10
6/14/2012	80,000	81.4377	81.09 -	81.97
6/15/2012	80,000	82.2894	82.12 -	82.49
6/18/2012	80,000	82.2768	82.15 -	82.47
6/19/2012	80,000	82.8839	82.46 -	83.025
6/20/2012	79,295	82.4403	81.955 -	82.93
6/20/2012	705	83.00
6/21/2012	68,500	81.3448	81.04 -	82.03
6/21/2012	11,500	82.2107	82.04 -	82.48
6/22/2012	80,000	81.6459	81.035 -	82.01
6/25/2012	72,000	80.7168	80.445 -	81.05
6/26/2012	71,100	81.2441	80.73 -	81.71
6/26/2012	900	81.7367	81.73 -	81.75
6/27/2012	72,000	81.9697	81.77 -	82.375
6/28/2012	55,430	81.3699	81.02 -	82.015
6/28/2012	16,570	82.1581	82.02 -	82.24
6/29/2012	72,000	83.0658	82.75 -	83.32
7/2/2012	99,200	83.2724	82.87 -	83.59
7/3/2012	99,200	83.6316	83.50 -	83.86
7/5/2012	99,200	83.4379	83.69 –	83.17