Exhibit 12.1

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Calculation of ratio of consolidated earnings to consolidated fixed charges

(Dollars in millions)

	Nine months ended September 30,			Year ended December 31,
	2009			2008		2007		2006		2005			2004
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway	$	4,999		$	4,994	$	13,213	$	11,015	$	8,528		$	7,308
Income tax expense		2,107			1,978		6,594		5,505		4,159			3,569
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		288			602		354		258		104			59
Earnings from equity method investments		(307	)		—		—		—		(523	)		(237	)
Fixed charges		1,711			2,276		2,202		1,979		867			875
Earnings available for fixed charges	$	8,798		$	9,850	$	22,363	$	18,757	$	13,135		$	11,574
Fixed charges
Interest on indebtedness (including amortization of debt discount and expense)	$	1,492		$	1,963	$	1,910	$	1,724	$	723		$	721
Rentals representing interest and other		219			313		292		255		144			154
	$	1,711		$	2,276	$	2,202	$	1,979	$	867		$	875
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		5.14x			4.33x		10.16x		9.48x		15.15x			13.23x