10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

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  x    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  x    No  ¨

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

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

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

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 30, 2014:

Class A —	832,214
Class B —	1,215,932,573

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

		Page No.
Part I – Financial Information
Item 1.    Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets— September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013		2
	Consolidated Statements of Earnings— Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2014 and 2013		3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income— Third Quarter and First Nine Months 2014 and 2013		4
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity— First Nine Months 2014 and 2013		4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows— First Nine Months 2014 and 2013		5
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		6-23
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		24-40
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		41
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		41
Part II – Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		42
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		42
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities		42
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		42
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		42
Item 5.	Other Information		42
Item 6.	Exhibits		42
Signature			43

1

Part I Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in millions)

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Insurance and Other:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	55,834	$	42,433
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities		28,721		28,785
Equity securities		116,432		115,464
Other		13,058		12,334
Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation		11,830		12,111
Receivables		24,017		20,280
Inventories		10,182		9,860
Property, plant and equipment		14,053		13,623
Goodwill		34,546		33,067
Other		23,738		19,113
		332,411		307,070
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Cash and cash equivalents		3,951		3,400
Property, plant and equipment		107,719		102,482
Goodwill		22,781		22,603
Other		16,739		16,149
		151,190		144,634
Finance and Financial Products:
Cash and cash equivalents		2,595		2,353
Investments in equity and fixed maturity securities		1,215		1,506
Other investments		6,120		5,617
Loans and finance receivables		12,535		12,826
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease		8,030		7,700
Goodwill		1,342		1,341
Other		1,925		1,884
		33,762		33,227
	$	517,363	$	484,931
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Insurance and Other:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	71,198	$	64,866
Unearned premiums		12,703		10,770
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		12,636		11,681
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		23,270		21,979
Notes payable and other borrowings		12,328		12,440
		132,135		121,736
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		15,268		14,557
Notes payable and other borrowings		49,694		46,655
		64,962		61,212
Finance and Financial Products:
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities		1,401		1,299
Derivative contract liabilities		4,667		5,331
Notes payable and other borrowings		12,790		13,129
		18,858		19,759
Income taxes, principally deferred		61,106		57,739
Total liabilities		277,061		260,446
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		8		8
Capital in excess of par value		35,560		35,472
Accumulated other comprehensive income		44,186		44,025
Retained earnings		159,465		143,748
Treasury stock, at cost		(1,763)		(1,363)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity		237,456		221,890
Noncontrolling interests		2,846		2,595
Total shareholders’ equity		240,302		224,485
	$	517,363	$	484,931

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(dollars in millions except per share amounts)

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2014		2013		2014		2013
	(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Revenues:
Insurance and Other:
Insurance premiums earned	$	12,717	$	9,270	$	31,456	$	27,462
Sales and service revenues		25,078		23,431		72,252		68,839
Interest, dividend and other investment income		1,171		1,118		3,909		3,736
Investment gains/losses		(376)		1,640		3,049		2,529
		38,590		35,459		110,666		102,566
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Revenues		10,697		9,043		30,296		25,821
Finance and Financial Products:
Sales and service revenues		1,322		1,196		3,732		3,410
Interest, dividend and other investment income		332		342		999		1,028
Investment gains/losses		—		74		72		182
Derivative gains/losses		258		427		649		2,094
		1,912		2,039		5,452		6,714
		51,199		46,541		146,414		135,101
Costs and expenses:
Insurance and Other:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses		8,791		5,466		19,923		15,879
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits		1,355		1,575		3,844		3,899
Insurance underwriting expenses		1,596		1,966		5,361		5,206
Cost of sales and services		20,410		19,125		58,610		56,239
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,991		2,860		8,845		8,552
Interest expense		109		102		323		293
		35,252		31,094		96,906		90,068
Railroad, Utilities and Energy:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		7,383		6,429		21,957		18,634
Interest expense		597		472		1,753		1,371
		7,980		6,901		23,710		20,005
Finance and Financial Products:
Cost of sales and services		713		648		2,043		1,902
Selling, general and administrative expenses		393		388		1,144		1,143
Interest expense		111		132		347		419
		1,217		1,168		3,534		3,464
		44,449		39,163		124,150		113,537
Earnings before income taxes		6,750		7,378		22,264		21,564
Income tax expense		2,029		2,225		6,312		6,782
Net earnings		4,721		5,153		15,952		14,782
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		104		100		235		296
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway	$	4,617	$	5,053	$	15,717	$	14,486
Average common shares outstanding *		1,642,558		1,643,779		1,643,657		1,643,522
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders *	$	2,811	$	3,074	$	9,562	$	8,814

* Average shares outstanding include average Class A common shares and average Class B common shares determined on an equivalent Class A common stock basis. Net earnings per common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B common share is equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such amount.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in millions)

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Net earnings	$	4,721		$	5,153		$	15,952		$	14,782
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments		(601	)		1,598			4,629			12,650
Applicable income taxes		174			(527	)		(1,662	)		(4,371	)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings		417			(360	)		(3,032	)		(1,135	)
Applicable income taxes		(146	)		126			1,061			397
Foreign currency translation		(1,226	)		549			(846	)		(304	)
Applicable income taxes		101			(56	)		31			37
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans		39			(17	)		30			95
Applicable income taxes		(7	)		4			(2	)		(26	)
Other, net		2			46			(27	)		66
Other comprehensive income, net		(1,247	)		1,363			182			7,409
Comprehensive income		3,474			6,516			16,134			22,191
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		92			131			256			296
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	3,382		$	6,385		$	15,878		$	21,895

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions)

	Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ equity											Non- controlling interests			Total
	Common stock and capital in excess of par value			Accumulated other comprehensive income			Retained earnings		Treasury stock
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	37,238		$	27,500		$	124,272	$	(1,363	)	$	3,941		$	191,588
Net earnings		—			—			14,486		—			296			14,782
Other comprehensive income, net		—			7,409			—		—			—			7,409
Issuance of common stock		80			—			—		—			—			80
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		(1,228	)		(12	)		—		—			(1,188	)		(2,428	)
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	36,090		$	34,897		$	138,758	$	(1,363	)	$	3,049		$	211,431
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	35,480		$	44,025		$	143,748	$	(1,363	)	$	2,595		$	224,485
Net earnings		—			—			15,717		—			235			15,952
Other comprehensive income, net		—			161			—		—			21			182
Issuance (acquisition) of common stock		106			—			—		(400	)		—			(294	)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		(18	)		—			—		—			(5	)		(23	)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	35,568		$	44,186		$	159,465	$	(1,763	)	$	2,846		$	240,302

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in millions)

	First Nine Months
	2014			2013
	(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	15,952		$	14,782
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses		(3,121	)		(2,711	)
Depreciation and amortization		5,436			4,833
Other		(369	)		186
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before effects of business acquisitions:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		6,731			682
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed		(3,162	)		(203	)
Unearned premiums		1,982			1,432
Receivables and originated loans		(3,061	)		(359	)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities		(663	)		(1,927	)
Income taxes		2,700			2,566
Other		1,732			1,456
Net cash flows from operating activities		24,157			20,737
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities		(5,775	)		(5,246	)
Purchases of equity securities		(4,389	)		(7,818	)
Purchases of investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corp.		—			(12,250	)
Sales of fixed maturity securities		916			2,137
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities		4,722			4,739
Sales of equity securities		3,803			2,938
Purchases of loans and finance receivables		(162	)		(446	)
Collections of loans and finance receivables		770			565
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(1,069	)		(830	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(10,172	)		(7,727	)
Other		390			(1,526	)
Net cash flows from investing activities		(10,966	)		(25,464	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings of insurance and other businesses		826			2,608
Proceeds from borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses		4,272			5,496
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses		1,148			2,506
Repayments of borrowings of insurance and other businesses		(809	)		(2,736	)
Repayments of borrowings of railroad, utilities and energy businesses		(1,745	)		(836	)
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses		(1,488	)		(2,918	)
Change in short term borrowings, net		222			(1,269	)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests		(1,288	)		(2,889	)
Other		38			(175	)
Net cash flows from financing activities		1,176			(213	)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes		(173	)		27
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		14,194			(4,913	)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 *		48,186			46,992
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30 *	$	62,380		$	42,079
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following:
January 1—
Insurance and Other	$	42,433		$	42,358
Railroad, Utilities and Energy		3,400			2,570
Finance and Financial Products		2,353			2,064
	$	48,186		$	46,992
September 30—
Insurance and Other	$	55,834		$	35,180
Railroad, Utilities and Energy		3,951			4,691
Finance and Financial Products		2,595			2,208
	$	62,380		$	42,079

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2014

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. In our 2014 financial statements, we are presenting Marmon’s transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing businesses as a component of finance and financial products businesses. Prior period amounts in these financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. On April 30, 2014, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company’s name was changed to Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”).

Financial information in this Report reflects any 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 relatively 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. Investment gains/losses are recorded when investments are disposed or are other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, changes in the fair values of liabilities associated with derivative contracts can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04 “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 became effective as of January 1, 2014. In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01 “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.” ASU 2014-01 permits an entity to elect the proportional amortization method of accounting for limited liability investments in qualified affordable housing projects if certain criteria are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax benefits received and the amortization charge is reported as a component of income tax expense. We adopted ASU 2014-01 for eligible investments as of January 1, 2014. The adoption of these accounting pronouncements had an immaterial effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU 2014-08 provides a narrower definition of discontinued operations than under existing U.S. GAAP. ASU 2014-08 requires that only disposals of components of an entity (or groups of components) that represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations are reported in the financial statements as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications of businesses as held-for-sale) of components of an entity that occur in annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 applies to most contracts with customers. However, insurance and leasing contracts are excluded from the scope of this pronouncement. ASU 2014-09 prescribes a five step framework in accounting for revenues from contracts, including (a) identification of the contract, (b) identification of the performance obligations under the contract, (c) determination of the transaction price, (d) allocation of the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognition of revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. ASU 2014-09 also prescribes additional disclosures and financial statement presentations. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public entities in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application. We are currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

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.

On December 19, 2013, BHE acquired NV Energy, Inc. (“NV Energy”) for cash consideration of approximately $5.6 billion. NV Energy is an energy holding company serving approximately 1.2 million retail electric customers and 0.2 million retail natural gas customers in Nevada. NV Energy’s principal operating subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are regulated utilities. We accounted for the acquisition pursuant to the acquisition method. NV Energy’s financial results are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on the acquisition date.

The preliminary values of NV Energy’s identified assets acquired, liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at the date of acquisition are summarized as follows (in millions).

	December 19, 2013
Property, plant and equipment	$	9,518
Goodwill		2,363
Other assets, including cash and cash equivalents of $304 million		2,505
Assets acquired	$	14,386
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	$	3,456
Notes payable and other borrowings		5,334
Liabilities assumed	$	8,790
Net assets acquired	$	5,596

On January 1, 2014, we acquired the beverage dispensing equipment manufacturing and merchandising operations of British engineering company, IMI plc for approximately $1.12 billion. On February 25, 2014, we acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Phillips Specialty Products Inc. (“PSPI”) from Phillips 66 (“PSX”) in exchange for 17,422,615 shares of PSX common stock with an aggregate fair value of $1.35 billion. PSPI, which has been renamed as Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (“LSPI”), provides flow improver products to customers worldwide. On June 30, 2014, we acquired WPLG, Inc. (“WPLG”), whose assets included a Miami, Florida, ABC affiliated television station, shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B common stock and cash from Graham Holding Company (“GHC”) in exchange for 1,620,190 shares of GHC common stock with an aggregate fair value of $1.13 billion. At their respective acquisition dates, the preliminary aggregate fair value of the identified net assets of IMI plc, LSPI and WPLG was approximately $2.3 billion and the residual goodwill was approximately $1.3 billion.

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first nine months of 2013 (in millions, except the per share amount).

Revenues	$	138,168
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		14,805
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		9,008

7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Carrying Value
September 30, 2014
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,831	$	14	$	(6	)	$	2,839	$	2,839
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,923		103		(1	)		2,025		2,025
Foreign governments		12,139		265		(74	)		12,330		12,330
Corporate bonds		8,030		1,235		(3	)		9,262		9,262
Mortgage-backed securities		1,623		210		(4	)		1,829		1,829
		26,546		1,827		(88	)		28,285		28,285
Held to maturity:
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		668		—		(2	)		666		668
	$	27,214	$	1,827	$	(90	)	$	28,951	$	28,953
December 31, 2013
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,650	$	16	$	(8	)	$	2,658	$	2,658
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,221		129		(5	)		2,345		2,345
Foreign governments		11,001		182		(110	)		11,073		11,073
Corporate bonds		9,383		1,190		(15	)		10,558		10,558
Mortgage-backed securities		1,830		218		(8	)		2,040		2,040
		27,085		1,735		(146	)		28,674		28,674
Held to maturity:
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		679		17		—			696		679
	$	27,764	$	1,752	$	(146	)	$	29,370	$	29,353

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other	$	28,721	$	28,785
Finance and financial products		232		568
	$	28,953	$	29,353

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, 2014, approximately 92% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies. Approximately 76% of foreign government holdings were issued or guaranteed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands. Unrealized losses on all fixed maturity investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were not significant.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at September 30, 2014 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. 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		$7,993		$12,004		$2,889		$2,705		$1,623		$27,214
Fair value		8,077		12,696		3,121		3,228		1,829		28,951

8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 5. Investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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, 2014 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,468	$	30,226	$	(2	)	$	52,692
Consumer products		7,005		18,620		(4	)		25,621
Commercial, industrial and other		31,172		9,600		(176	)		40,596
	$	60,645	$	58,446	$	(182	)	$	118,909

* As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $17.1 billion).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2013 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,420	$	28,021	$	—		$	50,441
Consumer products		7,082		17,854		—			24,936
Commercial, industrial and other		29,949		12,322		(143	)		42,128
	$	59,451	$	58,197	$	(143	)	$	117,505

* As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.5 billion).

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we concluded that the unrealized losses shown in the tables above were temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $3 million and $52 million, respectively.

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other	$	116,432	$	115,464
Railroad, utilities and energy *		1,494		1,103
Finance and financial products		983		938
	$	118,909	$	117,505

* Included in other assets.

Note 6. Other investments

Other investments include preferred stock of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”), The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) as well as warrants to purchase common stock of BAC. Information concerning each of these investments follows.

In 2008, we acquired $2.1 billion liquidation amount of Wrigley preferred stock in conjunction with Mars Incorporated’s acquisition of Wrigley. The Wrigley preferred stock is entitled to dividends at a rate of 5% per annum and is held within our Finance and Financial Products businesses.

9

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 6. Other investments (Continued)

In 2009, we acquired 3,000,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock of Dow (“Dow Preferred”) for a cost of $3 billion. Each share of the Dow Preferred is convertible into 24.201 shares of Dow common stock (equivalent to a conversion price of $41.32 per share). Beginning in April 2014, Dow has the option, to cause some or all of the Dow Preferred to be converted into Dow common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, if the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of Dow’s common stock price exceeds $53.72 per share for 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the day before Dow exercises its option. The Dow Preferred is entitled to dividends at a rate of 8.5% per annum and is held by our insurance subsidiaries.

In 2011, we acquired 50,000 shares of 6% Perpetual Preferred Stock of BAC (“BAC Preferred”) and warrants to purchase 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”) for a combined cost of $5 billion. When issued, the BAC Preferred was redeemable at any time by BAC at a price of $105,000 per share ($5.25 billion in aggregate) and dividends were payable on a cumulative basis. At the end of 2013, Berkshire agreed to a proposed amendment to the BAC Preferred and on May 7, 2014, BAC common stock shareholders approved the amendment. Pursuant to the amendment, the BAC Preferred may not be redeemed at the option of BAC before May 7, 2019 and dividends payable on the BAC Preferred are no longer cumulative. The BAC Warrants expire in 2021 and are exercisable for an aggregate cost of $5 billion ($7.142857/share). The BAC Preferred and BAC Warrants are held by our insurance businesses (80%) and our Finance and Financial Products businesses (20%).

Our other investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. In the aggregate, the cost of these investments was $10.0 billion and the fair value was approximately $19.2 billion at September 30, 2014 and $17.9 billion at December 31, 2013.

Note 7. Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation

On June 7, 2013, Berkshire and an affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”), through a newly formed holding company, H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”), acquired H.J. Heinz Company (“Heinz”). Berkshire and 3G each made equity investments in Heinz Holding, which, together with debt financing obtained by Heinz Holding, was used to acquire all outstanding common stock of Heinz for approximately $23.25 billion in the aggregate.

Heinz is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods, specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz^® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta, infant foods, Ore-Ida^® potato products, Weight Watchers^® Smart Ones^® entrées and T.G.I. Friday’s^® snacks.

Berkshire’s investments in Heinz Holding consist of 425 million shares of common stock, warrants to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock, and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. The aggregate cost of these investments was $12.25 billion. 3G acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. In addition, Heinz Holding reserved 39.6 million shares of common stock for issuance under stock options.

The Preferred Stock possesses no voting rights except as required by law or for certain matters specified in the Heinz Holding charter. The Preferred Stock is entitled to dividends at 9% per annum whether or not declared, is senior in priority to the common stock and is callable after June 7, 2016 at the liquidation value plus an applicable premium and any accrued and unpaid dividends. Under the Heinz Holding charter and a shareholders’ agreement entered into as of the acquisition date (the “shareholders’ agreement”), after June 7, 2021, Berkshire can cause Heinz Holding to attempt to sell shares of common stock through public offerings or other issuances (“redemption offerings”), the proceeds of which would be required to be used to redeem any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The warrants are exercisable for one cent per share and expire on June 7, 2018.

Berkshire and 3G each currently own 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock and possess equal voting interests in Heinz Holding. Under the shareholders’ agreement, unless and until Heinz Holding engages in a public offering, Berkshire and 3G each must approve all significant transactions and governance matters involving Heinz Holding and Heinz so long as Berkshire and 3G each continue to hold at least 66% of their initial common stock investments, except for (i) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock, and actions related to a Heinz Holding call of the Preferred Stock, for which Berkshire does not have a vote or approval right, and (ii) redemption offerings and redemptions resulting therefrom, which may only be triggered by Berkshire. No dividends may be paid on the common stock if there are any unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock.

        We account for our investments in Heinz Holding common stock and common stock warrants on the equity method. Accordingly, we included our proportionate share of Heinz Holding’s net earnings attributable to common stockholders and other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income beginning as of the acquisition date. We account for our investment in Preferred Stock as an equity investment and it is carried at cost in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Dividends earned in connection with the Preferred Stock and our share of Heinz Holding’s net earnings attributable to common stockholders are included in interest, dividend and other investment income of Insurance and Other in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

10

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 7. Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (Continued)

Summarized consolidated financial information of Heinz Holding and its subsidiaries follows (in millions).

	September 28, 2014			December 29, 2013
Assets	$	38,055		$	38,972
Liabilities		22,039			22,429
	Third Quarter 2014			First Nine Months 2014
Sales	$	2,594		$	8,122
Net earnings	$	172		$	494
Preferred stock dividends earned by Berkshire		(180	)		(540	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(8	)	$	(46	)
Earnings attributable to Berkshire *	$	176		$	516

* Includes dividends earned and Berkshire’s share of net loss attributable to common stockholders.

Note 8. Investment gains/losses

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

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Fixed maturity securities —
Gross gains from sales and other disposals	$	4		$	727		$	233		$	809
Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(25	)		(55	)		(73	)		(147	)
Equity securities —
Gross gains from sales and other disposals		354			548			3,749			918
Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(38	)		(37	)		(41	)		(57	)
Other-than-temporary impairments		(678	)		(143	)		(697	)		(228	)
Other		7			674			(50	)		1,416
	$	(376	)	$	1,714		$	3,121		$	2,711

Investment gains/losses are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2014			2013		2014		2013
Insurance and other	$	(376	)	$	1,640	$	3,049	$	2,529
Finance and financial products		—			74		72		182
	$	(376	)	$	1,714	$	3,121	$	2,711

Gains from disposals of equity securities in 2014 included non-cash holding gains of approximately $2.1 billion in the first nine months from the exchange of PSX common stock in connection with the acquisition of PSPI and the exchange of GHC common stock for WPLG. The PSX/PSPI exchange was completed February 25, 2014 and the GHC/WPLG exchange was completed on June 30, 2014. The holding gains represented the excess of the respective fair value of the net assets of PSPI and WPLG received over the respective cost basis of the PSX and GHC shares exchanged.

In the third quarter of 2014, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charge of $678 million related to our investment in equity securities of Tesco PLC. In the first nine months of 2013, the other-than-temporary impairment charge related to bonds issued by Texas Competitive Electric Holdings. Other investment gains/losses in 2013 primarily consisted of gains related to the valuations of Goldman Sachs Warrants and General Electric Warrants.

11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 9. Receivables

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance premiums receivable	$	8,642	$	7,474
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,221		3,055
Trade and other receivables		12,507		10,111
Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(353)		(360)
	$	24,017	$	20,280

Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	$	12,865	$	13,170
Allowances for uncollectible loans		(330)		(344)
	$	12,535	$	12,826

Consumer installment loans represented approximately 97% and 95% of the aggregate consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Allowances for uncollectible loans predominantly related to consumer installment loans. Provisions for loan losses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were $143 million and $192 million, respectively, and loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $157 million in 2014 and $209 million in 2013. The carrying values of loans were net of unamortized acquisition discounts of $293 million at September 30, 2014 and $406 million at December 31, 2013. At September 30, 2014, approximately 97% of the loans were evaluated collectively for impairment, and the remainder was evaluated individually 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, 2014, approximately 98% of the loan balances were determined to be performing and approximately 94% of those balances were current as to payment status.

Note 10. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Raw materials	$	1,876	$	1,755
Work in process and other		926		842
Finished manufactured goods		3,371		3,206
Goods acquired for resale		4,009		4,057
	$	10,182	$	9,860

Note 11. 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, 2014		December 31, 2013
Land	—	$	1,160	$	1,098
Buildings and improvements	2 – 40 years		6,505		6,244
Machinery and equipment	3 – 25 years		16,319		15,984
Furniture, fixtures and other	2 – 15 years		3,182		2,748
			27,166		26,074
Accumulated depreciation			(13,113)		(12,451)
		$	14,053	$	13,623

Depreciation expense attributable to assets of insurance and other businesses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $1,202 million and $1,206 million, respectively.

12

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 11. Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Continued)

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, 2014			December 31, 2013
Railroad:
Land	—	$	5,976		$	5,973
Track structure and other roadway	5 –100 years		41,779			40,098
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment	5 – 40 years		8,929			7,551
Construction in progress	—		1,198			973
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system	5 – 80 years		59,864			57,490
Interstate pipeline assets	3 – 80 years		6,508			6,448
Independent power plants and other assets	3 – 30 years		4,551			2,516
Construction in progress	—		4,126			4,217
			132,931			125,266
Accumulated depreciation			(25,212	)		(22,784	)
		$	107,719		$	102,482

Railroad property, plant and equipment includes the land, other roadway, track structure and rolling stock (primarily locomotives and freight cars) of BNSF. The utility generation, distribution and transmission system and interstate pipeline assets are the regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. Depreciation expense of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $2,932 million and $2,403 million, respectively.

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, 2014			December 31, 2013
Assets held for lease	6 – 30 years	$	10,061		$	9,509
Land	—		229			233
Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,179			1,146
			11,469			10,888
Accumulated depreciation			(3,439	)		(3,188	)
		$	8,030		$	7,700

Assets held for lease includes railcars, intermodal tank containers, cranes, over-the-road trailers, storage units and furniture. Depreciation expense of the finance and financial products businesses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $447 million and $427 million, respectively.

Note 12. Goodwill and other intangible assets

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

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Balance at beginning of year	$	57,011		$	54,523
Acquisitions of businesses		1,818			2,732
Other, including foreign currency translation		(160	)		(244	)
Balance at end of period	$	58,669		$	57,011

13

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 12. Goodwill and other intangible assets (Continued)

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other	$	13,251	$	4,194	$	11,923	$	3,723
Railroad, utilities and energy		2,253		1,469		2,214		1,231
	$	15,504	$	5,663	$	14,137	$	4,954
Trademarks and trade names	$	3,058	$	419	$	2,750	$	340
Patents and technology		5,412		3,053		5,173		2,626
Customer relationships		5,241		1,680		4,690		1,518
Other		1,793		511		1,524		470
	$	15,504	$	5,663	$	14,137	$	4,954

Amortization expense was $854 million for the first nine months of 2014 and $797 million for the first nine months of 2013. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $2,604 million and $2,221 million, respectively.

Note 13. Derivative contracts

Derivative contracts have been entered into primarily by our finance and financial products and our energy businesses. Substantially all of the derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses are not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. Changes in the fair values of such contracts are reported 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 derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Assets		Liabilities		Notional Value		Assets		Liabilities		Notional Value
Equity index put options	$	—	$	4,512	$	30,567(1)	$	—	$	4,667	$	32,095(1)
Credit default		—		155		7,792(2)		—		648		7,792(2)
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—		—				—		16
	$	—	$	4,667			$	—	$	5,331

⁽¹⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract’s expiration date.

⁽²⁾  Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

Derivative gains/losses of our finance and financial products businesses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2014		2013			2014		2013
Equity index put options	$	223	$	519		$	156	$	2,155
Credit default		35		(128	)		492		(43	)
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—		36			1		(18	)
	$	258	$	427		$	649	$	2,094

14

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 13. Derivative contracts (Continued)

We have not written any equity index put option contracts since February 2008. The contracts currently outstanding are European style options written on four major stock indexes three of which are outside of the U.S. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the underlying index value is below the strike price on the contract expiration date. We received the premiums on these contracts in full at the contract inception dates and therefore have no counterparty credit risk.

The aggregate intrinsic value (which is the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) of our equity index put option contracts was approximately $1.3 billion at September 30, 2014 and $1.7 billion at December 31, 2013. However, these contracts may not be unilaterally terminated or fully settled before the expiration dates which occur between June 2018 and January 2026. Therefore, the ultimate amount of cash basis gains or losses on these contracts will not be determined for many years. The remaining weighted average life of all contracts was approximately 6.2 years at September 30, 2014.

Our remaining credit default contract relates to approximately 500 municipal debt issues with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2054 and has an aggregate notional value of approximately $7.8 billion. The underlying debt issues have a weighted average maturity of approximately 17 years. Pursuant to the contract terms, future losses, if any, are not payable before the maturity dates of the underlying obligations. We have no counterparty credit risk under this contract because all premiums were received at the inception of the contract.

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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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, additional collateral of up to $1.1 billion could be required to be posted.

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 of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $86 million and $87 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $146 million and $208 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses under the contracts of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery through rates are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. 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.

Note 14. Supplemental cash flow information

A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2014		2013
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	3,201	$	4,028
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		321		321
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		1,864		1,507
Finance and financial products businesses		332		401
Investments in equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions		2,478		—
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		1,459		275
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition		400		—

15

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 15. 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, 2014.

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire due 2014-2047	2.8%	$	8,349	$	8,311
Short-term subsidiary borrowings	0.4%		817		949
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2014-2035	6.0%		3,162		3,180
		$	12,328	$	12,440

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2017-2043	5.7%	$	6,366	$	6,616
Subsidiary and other debt due 2014-2054	5.3%		23,998		23,033
Issued by Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC and its subsidiaries (“BNSF”) due 2014-2097	5.1%		19,330		17,006
		$	49,694	$	46,655

BHE subsidiary debt represents amounts issued pursuant to separate financing agreements. All, or substantially all, of the assets of certain BHE subsidiaries are, or may be, pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise secure the debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily senior unsecured debentures. In March 2014, BNSF issued $1.5 billion in debentures consisting of $500 million of 3.75% debentures due in 2024 and $1 billion of 4.9% debentures due in 2044. In August 2014, BNSF issued $1.5 billion in debentures consisting of $700 million of 3.4% debentures due in 2024 and $800 million of 4.55% debentures due in 2044. As of September 30, 2014, BNSF and 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, 2014		December 31, 2013
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2015-2043	3.1%	$	11,177	$	11,178
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2014-2036	4.7%		1,613		1,951
		$	12,790	$	13,129

In January 2014, $750 million of BHFC senior notes matured and BHFC issued $750 million of new senior notes to replace maturing notes. The new senior notes consisted of $650 million of floating rate notes due in 2017 and $100 million of 2% notes due in 2018. In July 2014, $400 million of BHFC senior notes matured and in August 2014, BHFC issued $400 million of new floating rate senior notes due in 2017.

Our subsidiaries have unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity aggregating approximately $7.2 billion at September 30, 2014, to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. Such unused lines of credit included about $4.1 billion related to BHE and its subsidiaries. The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire. In addition to BHFC’s borrowings, Berkshire has guaranteed other subsidiary borrowings, aggregating approximately $3.8 billion at September 30, 2014. 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 present and future payment obligations.

16

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16. Fair value measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable 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, 2014
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,839	$	2,839	$	2,323	$	516	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,025		2,025		—		2,025		—
Foreign governments		12,330		12,330		8,001		4,329		—
Corporate bonds		9,930		9,928		—		9,919		9
Mortgage-backed securities		1,829		1,829		—		1,829		—
Investments in equity securities		118,909		118,909		118,847		60		2
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock		7,710		8,376		—		—		8,376
Other investments		19,178		19,178		—		—		19,178
Loans and finance receivables		12,535		12,847		—		39		12,808
Derivative contract assets (1)		86		86		—		16		70
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		146		146		2		95		49
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,512		4,512		—		—		4,512
Credit default		155		155		—		—		155
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		12,328		12,783		—		12,783		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		49,694		55,445		—		55,445		—
Finance and financial products		12,790		13,327		—		12,743		584
December 31, 2013
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,658	$	2,658	$	2,184	$	473	$	1
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,345		2,345		—		2,345		—
Foreign governments		11,073		11,073		7,467		3,606		—
Corporate bonds		11,237		11,254		—		10,187		1,067
Mortgage-backed securities		2,040		2,040		—		2,040		—
Investments in equity securities		117,505		117,505		117,438		60		7
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock		7,710		7,971		—		—		7,971
Other investments		17,951		17,951		—		—		17,951
Loans and finance receivables		12,826		12,002		—		454		11,548
Derivative contract assets (1)		87		87		3		15		69
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		208		208		1		198		9
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,667		4,667		—		—		4,667
Credit default		648		648		—		—		648
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		12,440		12,655		—		12,655		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		46,655		49,879		—		49,879		—
Finance and financial products		13,129		13,505		—		12,846		659

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

17

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16. 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 we 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 pricing 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, 2014 and 2013 follow (in millions).

	Investments in fixed maturity securities			Investments in equity securities and other investments			Net derivative contract liabilities
Nine months ending September 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	372		$	17,958		$	(5,255	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			—			644
Other comprehensive income		13			1,228			4
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(3	)
Dispositions and settlements		(1	)		—			(1	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3		(375	)		(6	)		(35	)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	9		$	19,180		$	(4,646	)
Nine months ending September 30, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	652		$	15,785		$	(7,847	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			523			2,119
Other comprehensive income		(12	)		1,310			(5	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			1
Dispositions and settlements		(18	)		(31	)		(56	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3		—			(1,495	)		—
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	622		$	16,092		$	(5,788	)

In 2013, we transferred the fair value measurements of the Goldman Sachs Warrants and General Electric Warrants from Level 3 to Level 2 because we concluded that the unobservable inputs were no longer significant.

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

18

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 16. Fair value measurements (Continued)

Quantitative information as of September 30, 2014, with respect to 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
Other investments:
Preferred stocks	$	12,451	Discounted cash flow	Expected duration	6 years
				Discount for transferability restrictions and subordination	97 basis points
Common stock warrants		6,727	Warrant pricing model	Discount for transferability and hedging restrictions	8%
Net derivative liabilities:
Equity index put options		4,512	Option pricing model	Volatility	20%
Credit default-states/municipalities		155	Discounted cash flow	Credit spreads	9 basis points

Other investments currently consist of investments that were acquired in a few relatively large private placement transactions and include preferred stocks and common stock warrants. These investments are subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and/or provisions that prevent us from economically hedging the values of our investments. In applying discounted estimated cash flow techniques in valuing the perpetual preferred stocks, we made assumptions regarding the expected durations of the investments, as the issuers may have the right to redeem or convert these investments. We also made estimates regarding the impact of subordination, as the preferred stocks have a lower priority in liquidation than debt instruments of the issuers, which affected the discount rates used. In valuing the common stock warrants, we used a warrant valuation model. While most of the inputs to the model are observable, we are subject to the aforementioned contractual restrictions. We have applied discounts with respect to the contractual restrictions. Increases or decreases to these inputs would result in decreases or increases to the fair values of the investments.

Our equity index put option and credit default contracts are not exchange traded and certain contract terms are not standard in derivatives markets. For example, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts and many contracts have long durations, and otherwise are illiquid. 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 such contracts.

We value equity index put option contracts based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Inputs to this model include current index price, contract duration, 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, given the lack of observable transactions and prices, and acceptable values may be subject to wide ranges. Expected volatility inputs represent our expectations after considering the remaining duration of each contract and that the contracts will remain outstanding until the expiration dates without offsetting transactions occurring in the interim. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

Note 17. Common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first nine months of 2014 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, 2013		868,616			(9,573	)		859,043			1,178,775,092		(1,408,484	)		1,177,366,608
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(22,484	)		—			(22,484	)		35,178,371		—			35,178,371
Treasury shares acquired		—			(2,107	)		(2,107	)		—		(1,278	)		(1,278	)
Balance at September 30, 2014		846,132			(11,680	)		834,452			1,213,953,463		(1,409,762	)		1,212,543,701

19

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 17. Common stock (Continued)

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 1,642,814 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and 1,643,954 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued and outstanding.

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 Berkshire’s consolidated cash equivalent 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. There were no share repurchases under the program in the first nine months of 2014. In addition, on June 30, 2014, we exchanged approximately 1.62 million shares of GHC common stock for WPLG whose assets included 2,107 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A Common Stock and 1,278 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Berkshire shares are reflected as treasury stock in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 18. 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, 2014 and 2013 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
Nine months ending September 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	44,042		$	(146	)	$	46		$	83		$	44,025
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		2,942			(852	)		(15	)		(5	)		2,070
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1,971	)		47			39			(24	)		(1,909	)
		971			(805	)		24			(29	)		161
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	45,013		$	(951	)	$	70		$	54		$	44,186
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2014 are included on the following line items:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other	$	(2,960	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(2,960	)
Finance and financial products		(72	)		—			—			—			(72	)
Other		—			47			51			(39	)		59
Reclassifications before income taxes		(3,032	)		47			51			(39	)		(2,973	)
Applicable income taxes		(1,061	)		—			12			(15	)		(1,064	)
	$	(1,971	)	$	47		$	39		$	(24	)	$	(1,909	)

20

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 18. Accumulated other comprehensive income (Continued)

	Unrealized appreciation of investments, net			Foreign currency translation			Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans			Other			Accumulated other comprehensive income
Nine months ending September 30, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	29,254		$	(120	)	$	(1,601	)	$	(33	)	$	27,500
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		8,252			(191	)		(17	)		49			8,093
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(738	)		(31	)		81			4			(684	)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		—			(12	)		—			—			(12	)
		7,514			(234	)		64			53			7,397
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	36,768		$	(354	)	$	(1,537	)	$	20		$	34,897
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2013 are included on the following line items:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other	$	(1,062	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,062	)
Finance and financial products		(73	)		—			—			—			(73	)
Other		—			(31	)		114			8			91
Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,135	)		(31	)		114			8			(1,044	)
Applicable income taxes		(397	)		—			33			4			(360	)
	$	(738	)	$	(31	)	$	81		$	4		$	(684	)

Note 19. Contingencies and Commitments

We are parties in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks 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.

Berkshire owns a 50% interest in a joint venture, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC (“Berkadia”), with Leucadia National Corporation (“Leucadia”) having the other 50% interest. Berkadia is a servicer of commercial real estate loans in the U.S., performing primary, master and special servicing functions for U.S. government agency programs, commercial mortgage-backed securities transactions, banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. A significant source of funding for Berkadia’s operations is through its issuance of commercial paper. Repayment of the commercial paper is supported by a $2.5 billion surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Leucadia has agreed to indemnify Berkshire for one-half of any losses incurred under the policy. As of September 30, 2014, Berkadia’s commercial paper outstanding was $2.47 billion.

On May 1, 2014, BHE entered into a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of AltaLink, L.P. (“AltaLink”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. for an estimated cash purchase price of C$3.2 billion (approximately $2.9 billion as of September 30, 2014). We currently expect the acquisition will be funded with a combination of cash and new BHE senior unsecured debt. AltaLink is a regulated transmission-only business, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including required approvals, and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

21

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 19. Contingencies and Commitments (Continued)

On August 26, 2014, Burger King Worldwide Inc. (“Burger King”) and Tim Hortons Inc. (“Tim Hortons”) announced that they had entered into a definitive merger agreement. In connection with that agreement, Berkshire entered into a securities purchase agreement to acquire perpetual preferred shares having a stated value of $3 billion and a warrant to purchase common shares representing 1.75% of the outstanding common shares at the time of the aforementioned merger of a newly formed entity that will be the ultimate parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons, for an aggregate purchase price of $3 billion. The warrant will be exercisable at one cent per share. Berkshire’s acquisition of these investments is contingent upon the closing of the merger of Burger King and Tim Hortons, which is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2014 or in early 2015.

On October 1, 2014, Berkshire and Van Tuyl Group entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Berkshire Hathaway will acquire a controlling interest in the Van Tuyl Group, the nation’s largest privately-owned auto dealership group and fifth largest among all U.S. auto dealership groups, as well as 100% of related insurance and certain real estate businesses. The auto dealership group consists of 78 dealers, with locations in 10 states. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2015 and is subject to obtaining approvals from the major auto manufacturers as well as certain customary closing conditions, including various regulatory approvals.

Note 20. Business segment data

Revenues by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014		2013
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Premiums earned:
GEICO	$	5,203		$	4,730		$	15,168	$	13,726
General Re		1,566			1,454			4,733		4,422
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		4,809			2,219			8,414		6,918
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,139			867			3,141		2,396
Investment income		957			1,084			3,409		3,628
Total insurance group		13,674			10,354			34,865		31,090
BNSF		5,881			5,651			17,063		16,257
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company		4,853			3,392			13,344		9,564
McLane Company		12,151			11,547			34,327		33,707
Manufacturing businesses		9,534			8,804			27,788		25,861
Other businesses		3,493			3,179			10,456		9,583
Finance and financial products		1,654			1,539			4,731		4,439
		51,240			44,466			142,574		130,501
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		(118	)		2,141			3,770		4,805
Eliminations and other		77			(66	)		70		(205	)
	$	51,199		$	46,541		$	146,414	$	135,101

22

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Note 20. Business segment data (Continued)

Earnings before income taxes by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting gain (loss):
GEICO	$	264		$	307		$	1,010		$	909
General Re		126			63			322			182
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		443			(206	)		617			1,159
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		143			99			379			228
Net investment income		950			1,078			3,394			3,609
Total insurance group		1,926			1,341			5,722			6,087
BNSF		1,654			1,556			4,295			4,242
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company		1,051			586			2,248			1,574
McLane Company		120			126			361			372
Manufacturing businesses		1,337			1,202			3,774			3,301
Other businesses		355			317			1,095			999
Finance and financial products		453			403			1,247			1,054
		6,896			5,531			18,742			17,629
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		(118	)		2,141			3,770			4,805
Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to operating businesses		(79	)		(80	)		(233	)		(226	)
Eliminations and other		51			(214	)		(15	)		(644	)
	$	6,750		$	7,378		$	22,264		$	21,564

23

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

Results of Operations

Net earnings attributable to Berkshire are disaggregated in the table that follows. Amounts are after deducting income taxes and exclude earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests. Amounts are in millions.

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Insurance – underwriting	$	629		$	170		$	1,501		$	1,601
Insurance – investment income		811			861			2,662			2,804
Railroad		1,035			989			2,675			2,671
Utilities and energy		697			472			1,524			1,145
Manufacturing, service and retailing		1,224			1,062			3,421			2,902
Finance and financial products		297			260			815			682
Investment and derivative gains/losses		(107	)		1,391			3,129			3,123
Other		31			(152	)		(10	)		(442	)
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire	$	4,617		$	5,053		$	15,717		$	14,486

Our subsidiaries engage in a number of diverse business activities. Our operating businesses are managed 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 directly 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 its 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 20 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements) should be read in conjunction with this discussion.

After-tax earnings from insurance underwriting in the third quarter of 2014 increased $459 million, while after-tax earnings for the first nine months of 2014 declined $100 million compared to the same periods in 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, each of our insurance businesses produced after-tax underwriting gains. Our railroad business generated a 4.7% increase in after-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2014, while earnings for the first nine months were essentially unchanged compared to 2013. Railroad revenues and operating expenses were negatively impacted by adverse weather conditions and other service-related challenges during 2014. The increase in after-tax earnings of our utilities and energy businesses in 2014 was due to the acquisition of NV Energy in December 2013 and higher earnings from several of BHE’s other energy businesses. Earnings from our manufacturing, service and retailing businesses in the first nine months of 2014 increased 18% over 2013.

In the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, after-tax gains from investments were $2.71 billion and $1.76 billion, respectively. Investment gains in the first nine months of 2014 included after-tax gains of approximately $2.0 billion related to the exchanges of Phillips 66 (in the first quarter) and Graham Holdings Company (in the second quarter) common stocks for a specified subsidiary of each of those companies. Investment gains in 2014 were partially offset by a third quarter after-tax other-than-temporary impairment charge of $441 million related to our investment in Tesco PLC common stock. In the first nine months of 2013, we realized after-tax investment gains of approximately $1.35 billion associated with our investments in GS Warrants, GE Warrants and Wrigley subordinated notes. Our derivative contracts produced after-tax gains of $422 million in the first nine months of 2014 versus $1.36 billion in 2013. We believe that realized investment gains/losses, other-than-temporary impairment charges and derivative gains/losses are often meaningless in terms of understanding our reported results or evaluating our economic performance. These gains and losses have caused and will likely continue to cause significant volatility in our periodic earnings.

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 subjected themselves to in their own insuring activities. Our insurance and reinsurance businesses are: (1) GEICO, (2) General Re, (3) Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (“BHRG”) and (4) 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 the performance of underwriting operations without any allocation of investment income. Underwriting results represent insurance premiums earned less insurance losses, benefits and underwriting expenses incurred.

24

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

The timing and amount of catastrophe losses can produce significant volatility in our periodic underwriting results, particularly with respect to BHRG and General Re. For the purposes of this discussion, we categorize catastrophe losses as significant if the pre-tax losses incurred from a single event (or series of related events) exceed $100 million on a consolidated basis. In the first nine months of 2014, there were no significant catastrophe events impacting our insurance operations. In the first nine months of 2013, we incurred pre-tax losses of approximately $425 million related to floods and a hailstorm in Europe.

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. Periodic underwriting results may also include significant foreign currency transaction gains and losses arising from the changes in the valuations of certain non-U.S. Dollar denominated insurance liabilities as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Historically, currency exchange rates have been volatile and the resulting impact on our periodic underwriting earnings has been relatively significant. These gains and losses are included in underwriting expenses. BHRG’s third quarter underwriting results included pre-tax foreign currency exchange rate gains of $301 million in 2014 compared to losses of $256 million in 2013. BHRG’s underwriting results in the first nine months of 2014 included pre-tax gains from foreign currency exchange rate changes of $162 million compared to pre-tax losses of $5 million in 2013. BHRG’s results in 2013 also included a one-time pre-tax gain of $255 million arising from amendments to a life reinsurance contract.

A key marketing strategy followed by all of our insurance businesses is the maintenance of extraordinary capital strength. Statutory surplus of our insurance subsidiaries was approximately $129 billion at December 31, 2013. This superior capital strength creates opportunities, especially with respect to reinsurance activities, to negotiate and enter into insurance and reinsurance contracts specially designed to meet the unique needs of insurance and reinsurance buyers.

A summary follows of underwriting results from our insurance businesses. Amounts are in millions.

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2014		2013			2014		2013
Underwriting gain/loss attributable to:
GEICO	$	264	$	307		$	1,010	$	909
General Re		126		63			322		182
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		443		(206	)		617		1,159
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		143		99			379		228
Pre-tax underwriting gain		976		263			2,328		2,478
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		347		93			827		877
Net underwriting gain	$	629	$	170		$	1,501	$	1,601

GEICO

Through GEICO, we primarily write 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 customers apply for coverage directly to the company via the Internet or over the telephone. This is a significant element in our strategy to be a low-cost auto insurer. In addition, we strive to provide excellent customer service, with the goal of establishing long-term customer relationships. GEICO’s underwriting results are summarized below. Dollars are in millions.

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	2014				2013				2014				2013
	Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%
Premiums earned	$	5,203		100.0	$	4,730		100.0	$	15,168		100.0	$	13,726		100.0
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		4,070		78.2		3,622		76.6		11,652		76.8		10,490		76.4
Underwriting expenses		869		16.7		801		16.9		2,506		16.5		2,327		17.0
Total losses and expenses		4,939		94.9		4,423		93.5		14,158		93.3		12,817		93.4
Pre-tax underwriting gain	$	264			$	307			$	1,010			$	909

Premiums written in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $5.5 billion and $15.8 billion, respectively, representing increases of approximately 10.0% compared to the corresponding 2013 periods. Premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $473 million (10.0%) and $1,442 million (10.5%), respectively, compared to premiums

25

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

GEICO (Continued)

earned in the same periods of 2013. The growth in premiums earned was attributable to an increase in voluntary auto policies-in-force of 6.7% during the past twelve months and increased average premium per policy. Voluntary auto new business sales increased about 1.4% in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013. Voluntary auto policies-in-force at September 30, 2014 were approximately 687,000 greater than at December 31, 2013.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $448 million (12.4%) and $1,162 million (11.1%), respectively, over the same periods of 2013. The ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred to premiums earned (the “loss ratio”) was 76.8% in the first nine months of 2014 compared to 76.4% in 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, claims frequencies for property damage and collision coverages increased in the four to five percent range reflecting more severe winter weather in the first quarter of 2014. Claims frequencies for bodily injury coverage increased about one percent, while frequencies for personal injury protection decreased three to four percent. Physical damage severities in 2014 increased one to two percent and bodily injury severities decreased in the three to four percent range from 2013. Overall, personal injury protection severities were relatively flat although we experienced relatively large, but offsetting, changes by jurisdiction.

Underwriting expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $68 million (8.5%) and $179 million (7.7%) compared to the same periods in 2013. The increases reflected the increased policy acquisition costs to generate the growth in policies-in-force and increased other operating expenses.

General Re

Through General Re, we conduct a reinsurance business offering property and casualty and life and health coverages to clients worldwide. We write property and casualty reinsurance in North America on a direct basis through General Reinsurance Corporation and internationally through Germany-based General Reinsurance AG and other wholly-owned affiliates. Property and casualty reinsurance is also written in broker markets through Faraday in London. Life and health reinsurance is written in North America through General Re Life Corporation and internationally through General Reinsurance AG. General Re strives to generate underwriting profits in all of its product lines. Our management does not evaluate underwriting performance based upon market share and our underwriters are instructed to reject inadequately priced risks. General Re’s underwriting results are summarized in the following table. Amounts are in millions.

	Premiums earned								Pre-tax underwriting gain (loss)
	Third Quarter				First Nine Months				Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
Property/casualty	$	799	$	743	$	2,386	$	2,236	$	85	$	4	$	242	$	66
Life/health		767		711		2,347		2,186		41		59		80		116
	$	1,566	$	1,454	$	4,733	$	4,422	$	126	$	63	$	322	$	182

Property/casualty

Property/casualty premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $56 million (8%) and $150 million (7%), respectively, compared to 2013. Adjusting for the differences in foreign currency exchange rates, premiums earned in the first nine months of 2014 increased $123 million (6%). Although strong price competition in property and casualty persists in many property/casualty markets, volume increased in selected lines of our North American and international operations. Our underwriters continue to exercise discipline by declining business where prices are deemed inadequate and remain prepared to increase premium volume when appropriate prices are attained relative to the risks assumed.

Our property/casualty business produced pre-tax underwriting gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 of $85 million and $242 million, respectively, compared to pre-tax underwriting gains of $4 million in the third quarter and $66 million in the first nine months of 2013. In the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, our property business generated pre-tax underwriting gains of $344 million and $23 million, respectively. Underwriting results in the 2014 period reflected no significant catastrophe events, while results in 2013 included catastrophe losses of $400 million from a hail storm in Europe in the third quarter and European floods in the second quarter. The timing and magnitude of catastrophe and large individual losses has produced and is expected to continue to produce significant volatility in periodic underwriting results. In the first nine months of both periods, property results also benefitted from reductions of estimated ultimate losses for prior years’ occurrences. The favorable development in each period was primarily attributable to lower than expected losses reported from ceding companies.

26

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

General Re (Continued)

In the first nine months of 2014, our casualty/workers’ compensation business produced a pre-tax underwriting loss of $102 million as compared to a pre-tax underwriting gain of $43 million in 2013. Underwriting results in 2014 included comparatively lower reductions of estimated ultimate losses of prior years’ business. These loss reserve reductions produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $177 million in the first nine months of 2014 compared to $296 million in 2013, and reflected lower than anticipated reported losses from ceding companies. In addition, we incurred pre-tax underwriting losses on business written in the current accident year in both 2014 and 2013 and incurred comparatively higher costs in 2014 associated with the implementation of an information processing system. Casualty losses tend to be long-tail and it should not be assumed that favorable loss experience in a given period means that the loss reserve estimates currently established will continue to develop favorably.

Life/health

Premiums earned in 2014 increased $56 million (8%) for the third quarter and $161 million (7%) in the first nine months as compared to 2013. Before the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, premiums earned increased $171 million (8%) compared to the first nine months of 2013. The increases were primarily derived from life business in a number of non-U.S. markets. The life/health operations produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $80 million in the first nine months of 2014 compared to $116 million in the comparable 2013 period. In 2014, we incurred increased losses on disability business in Europe and Australia. Underwriting results in both years also reflected charges attributable to the periodic discount accretion on U.S. long-term care liabilities.

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group

Through BHRG, we underwrite excess-of-loss reinsurance and quota-share coverages on property and casualty risks for insurers and reinsurers worldwide. BHRG’s business includes catastrophe excess-of-loss reinsurance and excess primary insurance and facultative reinsurance for large or otherwise unusual property risks referred to as individual risk. Multi-line property/casualty refers to various other coverages written on both a quota-share and excess basis. BHRG also writes retroactive reinsurance, which provides indemnification of losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past property/casualty loss events. Finally, BHRG’s underwriting activities also include life reinsurance, structured settlement annuities and annuity reinsurance contracts. Underwriting results are summarized in the following table. Amounts are in millions.

	Premiums earned								Pre-tax underwriting gain/loss
	Third Quarter				First Nine Months				Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2014			2013			2014			2013
Catastrophe and individual risk	$	177	$	195	$	530	$	568	$	149		$	80		$	480		$	372
Multi-line property/casualty		845		939		2,579		3,367		398			(170	)		556			666
Retroactive reinsurance		3,046		1		3,272		320		(109	)		(74	)		(270	)		(226	)
Life and annuity		741		1,084		2,033		2,663		5			(42	)		(149	)		347
	$	4,809	$	2,219	$	8,414	$	6,918	$	443		$	(206	)	$	617		$	1,159

Premiums earned in the first nine months of 2014 from catastrophe and individual risk contracts were $530 million as compared to $568 million in the first nine months of 2013. We have constrained the volume of this business in recent years due to rates that are, in our view, inadequate. However, we have the capacity and desire to write substantially more business when appropriate pricing can be obtained. There were no losses from significant catastrophe events during the first nine months of 2014. Underwriting results for the first nine months of 2013 included an estimated loss of $26 million from floods in Europe. The timing and magnitude of losses can produce extraordinary volatility in the periodic underwriting results.

Multi-line property and casualty premiums earned in the third quarter were $845 million and $2,579 million for the first nine months of 2014, reflecting declines of $94 million (10%) and $788 million (23%) versus 2013. Premiums earned in 2014 with respect to the Swiss Re quota-share contract (which expired at the end of 2012 and is now in run-off) declined $1,120 million from premiums earned in the first nine months of 2013. This decline was partially offset by increased premiums earned from property quota-share contracts.

27

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group (Continued)

The multi-line property and casualty business generated pre-tax underwriting gains of $398 million in the third quarter and $556 million in the first nine months of 2014 compared to pre-tax underwriting losses of $170 million in the third quarter and pre-tax underwriting gains of $666 million in the first nine months of 2013. Periodic underwriting results can be significantly impacted by foreign currency transaction gains or losses associated with certain reinsurance liabilities of U.S.-based subsidiaries (primarily arising under retroactive reinsurance contracts), which are denominated in foreign currencies. Underwriting results included foreign currency exchange rate gains of $227 million in the third quarter and $128 million in the first nine months of 2014. In 2013, underwriting results included foreign currency exchange rate losses of $186 million in the third quarter and gains of $31 million in the first nine months. In the first nine months of 2014, the Swiss Re quota-share contract produced a pre-tax underwriting gain of $184 million compared to a gain of $336 million in 2013, which were primarily attributable to reductions in estimates of ultimate liabilities for prior years’ losses. There were no significant catastrophe loss events affecting multi-line contracts in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013.

Retroactive reinsurance policies provide indemnification of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to past loss events, and related claims are generally expected to be paid over long periods of time. Premiums and limits of indemnification are often very large in amount. At the inception of a contract, deferred charge assets are recorded for the excess, if any, of the estimated ultimate losses payable over the premiums earned. Deferred charges are subsequently amortized over the estimated claims payment period using the interest method, which reflects estimates of the timing and amount of loss payments. The original estimates of the timing and amount of loss payments are periodically analyzed against actual experience and revised based on an actuarial evaluation of the expected remaining losses. Amortization charges and deferred charge adjustments resulting from changes to the estimated timing and amount of future loss payments are included in earnings.

On July 17, 2014, National Indemnity Company (“NICO”), the lead insurance entity of BHRG, entered into a retroactive reinsurance agreement with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (“LMIC”). The agreement provides that NICO reinsure substantially all of LMIC’s unpaid losses and allocated loss adjustment expense liabilities related to (a) asbestos and environmental claims from policies incepting prior to 2005 and (b) workers compensation claims occurrences arising prior to January 1, 2014, in excess of an aggregate retention of approximately $12.5 billion and subject to an aggregate limit of $6.5 billion. The premiums earned during the third quarter and the consideration paid to NICO with respect to this contract was approximately $3.0 billion.

The underwriting losses from retroactive policies for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were primarily attributable to deferred charge amortization. Gross unpaid losses from retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $23.7 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $17.7 billion at December 31, 2013. Unamortized deferred charges related to BHRG’s retroactive reinsurance contracts were approximately $7.4 billion at September 30, 2014 and $4.25 billion at December 31, 2013. The increases in unpaid losses and unamortized deferred charges during 2014 were primarily related to the LMIC contract.

Life and annuity premiums earned in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 declined $343 million (32%) and $630 million (24%), respectively, compared to premiums earned in the corresponding periods of 2013. On a year-to-date basis, the decline was attributable to a decrease in premiums earned from annuity contracts ($268 million or 23%) and also from two unusually large transactions in the first quarter of 2013 related to a new variable annuity guarantee contract and amendments to an existing life reinsurance contract that together produced net earned premiums of approximately $400 million.

The life and annuity business produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $5 million in the third quarter and pre-tax losses of $149 million for the first nine months of 2014. Before foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses, this business generated pre-tax losses of $69 million in the third quarter and $183 million in the first nine months. Underwriting losses in 2014 primarily derived from annuity contracts, which included the recurring impact of the accretion of discounted annuity liabilities and adjustments for mortality experience. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, aggregate annuity liabilities were approximately $6.8 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively.

In 2013, life and annuity contracts produced pre-tax losses of $42 million in the third quarter and pre-tax gains of $347 million in the first nine months. Before foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses, this business produced pre-tax gains of $28 million in the third quarter and $383 million in the first nine months. In 2013, underwriting results included a one-time pre-tax gain of $255 million related to the aforementioned amendments to a life reinsurance contract. In addition, variable annuity guarantee contracts produced pre-tax gains of $58 million in the third quarter and $168 million in the first nine months of 2013. Periodic results from these contracts can be volatile reflecting changes in returns in investment markets, which impact the underlying insured exposures.

28

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

Insurance—Underwriting (Continued)

Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group

The Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group (“BH Primary”) consists of a wide variety of independently managed insurance businesses. These businesses include: Medical Protective Company and Princeton Insurance Company, providers of healthcare malpractice insurance coverages; National Indemnity Company’s primary group, writers of commercial motor vehicle and general liability coverages; U.S. Investment Corporation, whose subsidiaries underwrite specialty insurance coverages; a group of companies referred to internally as “Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies,” providers of commercial multi-line insurance, including workers compensation; Central States Indemnity Company, a provider of credit and Medicare Supplement insurance; Applied Underwriters, a provider of integrated workers compensation solutions; BoatU.S., a writer of insurance for owners of boats and small watercraft; and GUARD Insurance Group, a provider of workers compensation and commercial property and casualty insurance coverage to small and mid-sized businesses. In the second quarter of 2013, we formed Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance which concentrates on providing large scale insurance solutions for commercial property and casualty risks.

Premiums earned in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 aggregated $3.1 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, representing an increase of $745 million (31%) over 2013. Premium increases were generated by each of our primary insurance businesses. For the first nine months, the BH Primary insurers produced pre-tax underwriting gains of $379 million in 2014 and $228 million in 2013. The gains reflected a generally favorable claim environment. Loss ratios for the group as a whole were 61% for the first nine months of 2014 and 62% in the comparable 2013 period.

Insurance—Investment Income

A summary of net investment income of our insurance operations follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Investment income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	$	950	$	1,078	$	3,394	$	3,609
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		139		217		732		805
Net investment income	$	811	$	861	$	2,662	$	2,804

Investment income consists of interest and dividends earned on investments held by our insurance businesses. Pre-tax investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 was $950 million and $3,394 million, respectively, representing declines of $128 million (12%) and $215 million (6%) from the same periods in 2013. The declines were attributable to lower interest earned from fixed maturity securities and cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by increases in dividends earned from equity securities. The reduction in interest income reflected the impact of the maturities and dispositions in 2013 and 2014 of a number of fixed maturity securities with relatively high yields, including $4.4 billion par amount of Wrigley 11.45% subordinated notes. Our insurance businesses continue to hold significant cash and cash equivalent balances (approximately $43 billion as of September 30, 2014) earning very low yields. We believe that maintaining ample liquidity is paramount and we insist on safety over yield with respect to cash and cash equivalents. The increase in dividends earned reflected higher dividend rates for certain of our larger equity holdings as well as increased overall investments in equity securities. In 2014 and 2013, dividends earned from our equity securities in the second quarter were greater than in the first or third quarters of each year reflecting the annual dividend practices of certain foreign equity issuers.

Invested assets derive from shareholder capital and reinvested earnings, as well as 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 premiums and reinsurance receivables, deferred charges assumed under retroactive reinsurance contracts and deferred policy acquisition costs. Float approximated $83 billion at September 30, 2014 and $77 billion at December 31, 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, the cost of float, as represented by the ratio of net underwriting gain or loss to average float, was negative as our insurance group generated a net underwriting gain.

29

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. Other investments include The Dow Chemical Company convertible preferred stock and Bank of America Corporation preferred stock and common stock warrants. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Amounts are in millions.

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents	$	42,994	$	32,572
Equity securities		115,826		114,832
Fixed maturity securities		27,333		27,059
Other		13,058		12,334
	$	199,211	$	186,797

Fixed maturity securities as of September 30, 2014 were as follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Amortized cost		Unrealized gains/losses		Carrying value
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,831	$	8	$	2,839
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,923		102		2,025
Foreign governments		10,752		191		10,943
Corporate bonds, investment grade		5,703		479		6,182
Corporate bonds, non-investment grade		2,995		753		3,748
Mortgage-backed securities		1,419		177		1,596
	$	25,623	$	1,710	$	27,333

All U.S. government obligations are rated AA+ or Aaa by the major rating agencies and approximately 86% of all state, municipal and political subdivisions, foreign government obligations and mortgage-backed securities were rated AA or higher. Non-investment grade securities represent securities that are rated below BBB- or Baa3. Foreign government securities include obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by national or provincial government entities.

Railroad (“BNSF”)

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (“BNSF”) operates one of the largest railroad systems in North America with approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and three Canadian provinces. BNSF’s major business groups are classified by product/commodity shipped and include consumer products, coal, industrial products and agricultural products. Earnings of BNSF are summarized below (in millions).

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Revenues	$	5,881	$	5,651	$	17,063	$	16,257
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits		1,243		1,197		3,695		3,464
Fuel		1,123		1,145		3,438		3,343
Purchased services		637		618		1,924		1,852
Depreciation and amortization		531		493		1,569		1,465
Equipment rents, materials and other		482		461		1,529		1,355
Total operating expenses		4,016		3,914		12,155		11,479
Interest expense		211		181		613		536
		4,227		4,095		12,768		12,015
Pre-tax earnings		1,654		1,556		4,295		4,242
Income taxes		619		567		1,620		1,571
Net earnings	$	1,035	$	989	$	2,675	$	2,671

30

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

Railroad (“BNSF”) (Continued)

Consolidated revenues during the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were approximately $5.9 billion and $17.1 billion, respectively, representing increases of $230 million (4%) and $806 million (5%), respectively, over 2013. The overall year-to-date increase in revenues reflected a 2% increase in cars/units handled and a 3% increase in average revenue per car/unit. BNSF’s operations were negatively affected by severe winter weather conditions during the first quarter of 2014, particularly in the Northern U.S. service territory as well as from various other service issues throughout 2014. These disruptions led to higher traffic congestion, which resulted in slower average speeds on our system over the first nine months of the year. Although our volumes increased slightly, our service levels continue to be well below our internal standards, as well as those expected by our customers. As a result, we continue to experience operating inefficiencies and in certain areas, loss of market share. We are working diligently to address these service issues as quickly as possible without compromising safety. We believe expanded capital investments and new employee hiring in 2014 will increase capacity and help us to improve and maintain service levels in the future.

Revenues from consumer products during the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $1.8 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively. For the third quarter, revenues in 2014 were relatively unchanged from 2013 and for the first nine months, increased $69 million compared to 2013. In 2014, unit volume and average revenues per car were relatively flat versus 2013. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, revenues from industrial products increased 13% to $1.7 billion and 8% to $4.6 billion, respectively, primarily reflecting increases in overall unit volume, and to a lesser extent, changes in rates and product mix. Revenues from agricultural products in the third quarter of 2014 increased 16% to approximately $1.0 billion and for the first nine months increased 15% to approximately $2.9 billion. These increases were primarily attributable to increased rates and product mix. In 2013, agriculture products volume was negatively affected by the drought conditions in 2012. In 2014, coal revenues declined 8% to $1.2 billion during the third quarter, and 1% to $3.7 billion for the first nine months. The declines reflected relatively flat year-to-date unit volume and slightly lower rates.

Operating expenses in 2014 were $4.0 billion for the third quarter and $12.2 billion for the first nine months, representing increases of $102 million (3%) and $676 million (6%), respectively, over 2013. Compensation and benefits expenses increased $46 million (4%) and $231 million (7%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, over 2013 primarily due to increased employment levels, and to a lesser extent, wage inflation and higher overtime. Fuel expenses declined slightly in the third quarter of 2014 and increased $95 million (3%) in the first nine months compared to 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, the impact from higher volumes and lower efficiency was somewhat offset by lower average fuel prices. In 2014, depreciation and amortization expense increased $38 million (8%) in the third quarter and $104 million (7%) in the first nine months as a result of additional assets in service. In 2014, equipment rents, materials and other expenses increased $174 million (13%) in the first nine months compared to 2013 as a result of higher crew transportation and other travel costs, and increased costs of utilities and locomotive materials.

Interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $30 million (17%) and $77 million (14%), respectively, compared to interest expense in the corresponding 2013 periods. The increases reflected higher average debt outstanding in 2014.

Utilities and Energy (“Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company”)

We hold an 89.8% ownership interest in Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”), which operates an international energy business. BHE’s domestic regulated utility interests are currently comprised of PacifiCorp, MidAmerican Energy Company (“MEC”) and NV Energy, which was acquired on December 19, 2013. BHE also owns two domestic regulated interstate natural gas pipeline companies. In Great Britain, BHE subsidiaries operate two regulated electricity distribution businesses referred to as Northern Powergrid. The rates that 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. In addition, BHE also operates a diversified portfolio of independent power projects and the second-largest residential real estate brokerage firm and franchise network in the United States.

31

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

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

Revenues and earnings of BHE are summarized below. Amounts are in millions.

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Earnings				Revenues				Earnings
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
PacifiCorp	$	1,449	$	1,413	$	340	$	317	$	4,017	$	3,893	$	832	$	782
MidAmerican Energy Company		879		837		130		97		2,912		2,535		273		186
NV Energy		1,128		—		337		—		2,579		—		501		—
Natural gas pipelines		193		197		44		54		811		701		272		265
Northern Powergrid		307		243		121		76		948		797		406		320
Real estate brokerage and other		897		702		182		114		2,077		1,638		279		233
	$	4,853	$	3,392					$	13,344	$	9,564
Earnings before corporate interest and income taxes (“EBIT”)						1,154		658						2,563		1,786
Corporate interest						103		72						315		212
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests						354		114						724		429
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire					$	697	$	472					$	1,524	$	1,145

PacifiCorp’s revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $36 million (2.5%) and $124 million (3%), respectively, compared to revenues in the same periods of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, revenues increased primarily due to higher rates. PacifiCorp’s EBIT in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $340 million and $832 million, respectively, increases of $23 million (7%) and $50 million (6%), respectively, over earnings in the comparable 2013 periods. The increase in EBIT for the first nine months of 2014 reflected the impact of the increase in operating revenues and the recognition of estimated insurance recoveries on fire losses, partially offset by increased energy costs and higher depreciation expense. The increase in depreciation expense reflected the impact of a new generation facility placed in service and changes in depreciation rates.

MEC’s revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $42 million (5%) and $377 million (15%), respectively, compared to 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, MEC’s revenues from regulated natural gas increased $191 million compared to 2013. The increase in regulated natural gas revenues was driven by higher per-unit natural gas costs, which are recovered from customers via adjustment clauses, and higher volumes attributable to colder weather in the first quarter of 2014. In the first nine months of 2014, regulated electricity revenues and revenues from nonregulated markets increased $77 million and $93 million, respectively, compared to the first nine months of 2013. The increase in regulated electricity revenues was primarily due to increased retail rates. The increase in nonregulated revenues was due to higher natural gas prices and higher electricity prices and volumes, partly offset by lower natural gas volumes. MEC’s EBIT in 2014 increased $33 million (34%) in the third quarter and $87 million (47%) in the first nine months of 2014 compared to 2013. The increases in EBIT were primarily due to increased earnings from the regulated electricity business, reflecting the impact of higher revenues and lower depreciation and amortization expense due to the impact of depreciation rate changes, partially offset by increased energy and operating costs.

NV Energy was acquired December 19, 2013, and its results are included in our consolidated results beginning as of that date. NV Energy’s revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $1,128 million and $2,579 million, respectively, and EBIT in the corresponding periods were $337 million and $501 million, respectively. For comparative purposes, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, NV Energy’s reported operating revenues were $1,013 million and $2,329 million, respectively, and EBIT were $289 million and $420 million, respectively. NV Energy’s revenues and EBIT are normally higher in the second and third quarters due to higher electricity consumption in its service territories.

Natural gas pipeline revenues in the third quarter of 2014 declined $4 million (2%) and for the first nine months increased $110 million (16%) compared to 2013. The increase for the first nine months reflected comparatively higher revenues from increased natural gas rates and volumes as a result of significantly colder weather conditions in the first quarter of 2014 in Northern Natural Gas Company’s service territory and system rebalancing activities over the first half of 2014. EBIT in the third quarter of 2014 declined $10 million (19%) as a result of the decline in revenue and higher operating costs. For the first nine months of 2014, EBIT increased $7 million (3%) compared to 2013.

32

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

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

Northern Powergrid’s revenues increased $64 million (26%) in the third quarter and $151 million (19%) in the first nine months of 2014, compared to the same periods of 2013. EBIT in 2014 increased $45 million (59%) in the third quarter and $86 million (27%) in the first nine months compared to the same periods of 2013. The increases in revenues and EBIT were due mainly to increased distribution revenues due to increased rates and favorable regulatory provisions and the impact of foreign currency exchange rate effects from a weaker U.S. Dollar in 2014.

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, revenues of the real estate brokerage and other businesses increased $195 million (28%) and $439 million (27%), respectively, over 2013. The increases in revenues reflected a 21% increase in year-to-date brokerage revenues primarily attributable to business acquisitions, as well as an 86% increase in year-to-date operating revenues from renewable energy projects, primarily due to increased assets in service. EBIT of the real estate brokerage and other businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $68 million (60%) and $46 million (20%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2013. The increases in EBIT were primarily attributable to increases from renewable energy activities.

Corporate interest includes interest on the unsecured debt issued by BHE. In 2014 periods, corporate interest expense increased due to new borrowings in connection with the NV Energy acquisition, including borrowings from certain Berkshire insurance subsidiaries.

For the first nine months, BHE’s effective income tax rate was 24% in 2014 and 17% in 2013. In each year, BHE’s utility subsidiaries income tax rates reflect significant production tax credits from wind-powered electricity generation in the United States. In addition, pre-tax earnings of Northern Powergrid are taxed at a lower statutory tax rate in the United Kingdom compared to the statutory tax rate in the United States. BHE’s effective rate was reduced in 2013 due to a reduction of deferred income tax liabilities as a result of enacted statutory income tax rate decreases in the United Kingdom.

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing

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

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Earnings				Revenues				Earnings
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
McLane Company	$	12,151	$	11,547	$	120	$	126	$	34,327	$	33,707	$	361	$	372
Manufacturing		9,534		8,804		1,337		1,202		27,788		25,861		3,774		3,301
Service		2,501		2,235		305		269		7,422		6,649		910		802
Retailing		992		944		50		48		3,034		2,934		185		197
	$	25,178	$	23,530					$	72,571	$	69,151
Pre-tax earnings						1,812		1,645						5,230		4,672
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests						588		583						1,809		1,770
					$	1,224	$	1,062					$	3,421	$	2,902

McLane Company

McLane operates a wholesale distribution business that provides grocery and non-food products to retailers, convenience stores and restaurants. Through its subsidiaries, McLane also operates as a wholesale distributor of distilled spirits, wine and beer. McLane’s grocery and foodservice businesses are marked by high sales volume and very low profit margins and have several significant customers, including Wal-Mart, 7-Eleven and Yum! Brands. A curtailment of purchasing any of its significant customers could have a material adverse impact on McLane’s periodic revenues and earnings.

Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $604 million (5%) and $620 million (2%), respectively, compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2013. In 2014, revenue increases were primarily attributable to foodservice operations. Pre-tax earnings for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 declined $6 million (5%) and $11 million (3%), respectively, from 2013. Earnings in the first nine months of 2013 included a pre-tax gain of $24 million from the sale of a logistics business in the second quarter. Before the impact of this gain, McLane’s earnings for the first nine months of 2014 increased 4% over the corresponding prior year period. The increase in year-to-date earnings reflected higher earnings from the grocery business, partially offset by lower earnings from the foodservice businesses. In 2014, our foodservice operations experienced higher per unit processing costs and higher other operating costs which more than offset the increases in foodservice revenues.

33

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

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

Manufacturing

This group includes a variety of businesses that manufacture industrial and end-user products and include: Lubrizol Corporation (“Lubrizol”), a specialty chemical manufacturer; IMC International Metalworking Companies (“Iscar”), an industry leader in the metal cutting tools business with operations worldwide; Forest River, a leading manufacturer of leisure vehicles; and CTB, a manufacturer of equipment and systems for the livestock and agricultural industries. Also included are the diversified manufacturing operations of Marmon, which were previously presented separately, together with its transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing operations. In this report, Marmon’s transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing businesses are included in our finance and financial products group. Our manufacturing businesses also include several building products businesses (Acme Building Brands, Benjamin Moore, Johns Manville, Shaw and MiTek) and six apparel businesses (led by Fruit of the Loom which includes Russell athletic apparel and Vanity Fair Brands women’s intimate apparel).

Revenues and pre-tax earnings of our manufacturing businesses are summarized as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter								First Nine Months
	Revenues				Pre-tax earnings				Revenues				Pre-tax earnings
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013		2014		2013
Industrial and end-user products	$	5,586	$	5,032	$	883	$	802	$	16,855	$	15,373	$	2,669	$	2,363
Building products		2,761		2,610		297		281		7,645		7,269		736		679
Apparel		1,187		1,162		157		119		3,288		3,219		369		259
	$	9,534	$	8,804	$	1,337	$	1,202	$	27,788	$	25,861	$	3,774	$	3,301

Aggregate revenues of our manufacturers in 2014 increased $730 million (8%) for the third quarter and $1.9 billion (7%) for the first nine months, compared to revenues in the corresponding 2013 periods. Pre-tax earnings in 2014 of this group of businesses were approximately $1.3 billion in the third quarter and $3.8 billion in the first nine months, representing increases of $135 million (11%) and $473 million (14%), respectively, versus 2013.

Revenues in 2014 from our industrial and end-user products manufacturers increased $554 million (11%) in the third quarter and $1.5 billion (10%) in the first nine months as compared to 2013. Pre-tax earnings from these businesses increased $81 million (10%) in the third quarter and $306 million (13%) in the first nine months of 2014 over pre-tax earnings in the comparable 2013 periods. Lubrizol’s revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 9% to $1.8 billion and 10% to $5.3 billion, respectively, while pre-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 7% and 8%, respectively, compared to 2013. The increases were primarily due to the impact of bolt-on acquisitions in 2013 and 2014 (including LSPI). Forest River’s revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased 11% to $854 million and 12% to $2.8 billion, respectively, compared to 2013. Forest River’s pre-tax earnings for the third quarter of 2014 declined slightly compared to 2013 as manufacturing labor and overhead cost increases more than offset the impact of increased sales. For the first nine months of 2014, Forest River’s pre-tax earnings increased 24% over 2013. The year-to-date increase was primarily due to increased unit sales and comparatively lower material costs. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, Iscar’s pre-tax earnings increased 12% and 18%, respectively, over 2013 which reflected the impact of a 6% year-to-date increase in sales volume, as well as increases in gross margin rates.

Marmon’s manufacturing revenues were $1.5 billion and $4.5 billion, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, representing increases of $253 million (20%) and $565 million (14%), respectively, compared to the same periods in 2013. The revenue increases in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were primarily due to the beverage dispensing and merchandising businesses acquired from IMI plc at the beginning of 2014. Excluding the acquisition impact, revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were higher due to strong commercial trailer demand, growth in the China and United States residential water treatment markets, and increased volume in specialty and utility cable products, partially offset by lower copper prices and the strategic decision to exit the lower margin segment of the building wire and copper tubing businesses. Marmon’s manufacturing pre-tax earnings were $188 million and $544 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, which represented increases of $31 million (20%) and $81 million (17%), respectively, over the comparable periods in 2013. Pre-tax earnings in the first nine months of 2014 as a percentage of sales were 12%, a slight increase relative to the prior year. The earnings increases primarily reflected the favorable impact of the acquisition of IMI plc beverage dispensing and merchandising businesses.

34

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

Manufacturing, Service and Retailing (Continued)

Manufacturing (Continued)

Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 from our building products businesses were approximately $2.8 billion and $7.6 billion, respectively, increases of 6% and 5%, respectively, over 2013. The increase for the first nine months was primarily due to increases at Johns Manville and MiTek, which were primarily due to higher sales volume, as well as the impact of certain MiTek business acquisitions in 2013 and 2014. Revenues of Shaw declined in 2014 reflecting the impact of the closure of its rugs division in early 2014. Pre-tax earnings of the building products businesses in 2014 increased 6% in the third quarter and 8% in the first nine months compared to 2013. Each of our building products businesses generated increased earnings in 2014 over 2013, with the exception of Shaw, where earnings declined, primarily due to lower gross sales margins from comparatively higher manufacturing costs.

Apparel revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $1.2 billion and $3.3 billion, respectively, increases of 2% compared to each of the prior year periods. Pre-tax earnings increased $38 million (32%) and $110 million (42%), respectively, over 2013. Earnings for the first nine months of 2014 benefitted from comparatively lower manufacturing and pension costs.

Service

Our service businesses include NetJets, the world’s leading provider of fractional ownership programs for general aviation aircraft and FlightSafety, a provider of high technology training to operators of aircraft. Among the other businesses included in this group are: TTI, a leading electronic components distributor; Business Wire, a leading distributor of corporate news, multimedia and regulatory filings; Dairy Queen, which licenses and services a system of over 6,400 stores that offer prepared dairy treats and food; Buffalo News and the BH Media Group (“BH Media”), which includes the Omaha World-Herald, as well as 29 other daily newspapers and numerous other publications; and businesses that provide management and other services to insurance companies.

Revenues of our service businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were approximately $2.5 billion and $7.4 billion, respectively, representing increases of $266 million (12%) and $773 million (12%), respectively, compared to 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, revenue increases were generated by NetJets ($243 million or 8%) and TTI ($354 million), as well as by FlightSafety and BH Media. The revenue increase at NetJets reflected increased flight services revenues, which was attributable to increased flight hours, as well as increased fractional aircraft sales. TTI’s revenue increase was driven by higher unit volume and, to a lesser extent, by bolt-on acquisitions. FlightSafety’s revenue increase in 2014 was primarily due to increased simulator training hours, while BH Media’s revenue increase was attributable to bolt-on business acquisitions.

Pre-tax earnings of our service businesses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $305 million and $910 million, respectively, representing increases of $36 million (13%) and $108 million (13%), respectively, versus 2013. The increases in year-to-date earnings were generated by BH Media, FlightSafety, NetJets and TTI. The increases in earnings of FlightSafety, BH Media and TTI were primarily due to the aforementioned increases in revenues. NetJets’ earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 reflected increased revenues and comparatively lower aircraft impairment charges and financing expenses, which were partially offset by higher depreciation expense, maintenance costs and subcontracted flight expenses.

Retailing

Our retailing operations consist of four home furnishings businesses (Nebraska Furniture Mart, R.C. Willey, Star Furniture and Jordan’s), three jewelry businesses (Borsheims, Helzberg and Ben Bridge), See’s Candies, Pampered Chef, a direct seller of high quality kitchen tools and Oriental Trading Company (“OTC”), a direct retailer of party supplies, school supplies and toys and novelties. Revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 from the retailing businesses increased $48 million (5%) and $100 million (3%), respectively, compared to 2013. Pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2014 were relatively unchanged from 2013 and for the first nine months declined $12 million (6%) compared to the same period in 2013.

35

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

Finance and Financial Products

Our finance and financial products businesses include manufactured housing and finance (Clayton Homes), transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing businesses (Marmon and XTRA), as well as other leasing and financing activities. Marmon manufactures, owns and leases railcars and intermodal tank cars, and also owns and leases cranes, while XTRA owns and leases over-the-road trailers. A summary of earnings from these businesses follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Manufactured housing and finance	$	144	$	119	$	403	$	293
Transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing		225		182		605		509
Other		84		102		239		252
Pre-tax earnings		453		403		1,247		1,054
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		156		143		432		372
	$	297	$	260	$	815	$	682

Clayton Homes’ earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 increased $25 million (21%) and $110 million (38%), respectively, compared to 2013. In the 2014 periods, earnings continued to benefit from lower loan loss provisions on installment loan portfolios, lower interest expense on borrowings, and improved manufacturing results. The declines in loan loss provisions reflected declining delinquencies and foreclosures, while the declines in interest expense were primarily due to lower rates. Clayton Homes’ manufactured housing business continues to operate at a competitive disadvantage compared to traditional single family housing markets, which receive significant interest rate subsidies from the U.S. government through government agency insured mortgages. For the most part, these subsidies are not available to factory built homes. Nevertheless, Clayton Homes remains the largest manufactured housing business in the United States and we believe that it will continue to operate profitably, even under the prevailing conditions.

Earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 from our transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing businesses were $225 million and $605 million, respectively, representing increases of $43 million (24%) and $96 million (19%), respectively, over the same periods in 2013. The increase in year-to-date earnings reflected a 10% increase in aggregate lease revenues, primarily resulting from growth in the fleet of tank cars in North America, an increase in over-the-road and storage units on lease, and higher lease rates for railcars. A significant portion of the costs of these businesses are fixed, so changes in revenues can have a disproportionate effect on earnings.

Earnings from our other finance activities include CORT’s furniture leasing business, interest and dividends from a portfolio of investments and our share of the earnings of a commercial mortgage servicing business in which we own a 50% joint venture interest. In addition, other earnings include income from interest rate spreads charged to Clayton Homes on borrowings by a Berkshire financing subsidiary that are used to fund loans to Clayton Homes and guaranty fees charged to NetJets. Corresponding expenses are included in Clayton Homes’ and NetJets’ results. Guaranty fees and interest spreads charged to NetJets and Clayton Homes in the aggregate for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were $53 million and $71 million, respectively.

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses

A summary of investment and derivative gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairments on investments follows. Amounts are in millions.

	Third Quarter				First Nine Months
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Investment gains/losses	$	302	$	1,857	$	3,818	$	2,939
Other-than-temporary impairments		(678)		(143)		(697)		(228)
Derivative gains/losses		258		427		649		2,094
Gains/losses before income taxes and noncontrolling interests		(118)		2,141		3,770		4,805
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests		(11)		750		641		1,682
Net gains/losses	$	(107)	$	1,391	$	3,129	$	3,123

36

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

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses (Continued)

Investment gains/losses arise primarily from the sale or redemption of investments or when investments are carried at fair value with the periodic changes in fair values recorded in earnings. The timing of investment gains or losses can have a material effect on periodic earnings. Investment gains and losses usually have a minimal impact on the periodic changes in our consolidated shareholders’ equity since most of our investments are regularly recorded at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

We believe the amount of investment gains/losses included in earnings in any given 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. Although our management does not consider investment gains and losses in a given period as necessarily meaningful or useful in evaluating periodic earnings, we are providing information to explain the nature of such gains and losses when they are reflected in earnings.

Pre-tax investment gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 were $302 million and $3.8 billion, respectively. Investment gains in the first nine months of 2014 included non-cash, pre-tax holding gains of approximately $2.1 billion realized in connection with the exchanges of common stock of Phillips 66 and Graham Holdings Company for 100% of the common stock of a specified subsidiary of each of those companies. Each exchange transaction was structured as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, no income taxes were provided on the excess of the fair value of the businesses received over the tax-basis cost of the common stock of Phillips 66 and Graham Holdings Company exchanged.

Pre-tax investment gains in the third quarter ($1.9 billion) and first nine months ($2.9 billion) of 2013 included approximately $1.4 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, related to the increases in the values of our investments in General Electric and Goldman Sachs common stock warrants and the disposition of Wrigley subordinated notes. Beginning in 2013, the General Electric and Goldman Sachs common stock warrants were carried at fair value with the unrealized gains or losses included in earnings. In October 2013, the warrants were exercised on a cashless basis in exchange for shares of General Electric and Goldman Sachs common stock with an aggregate value of approximately $2.4 billion.

Other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges in the third quarter of 2014 were $678 million and related to our investments in equity securities of Tesco PLC. OTTI charges in 2013 related to investments in Texas Competitive Electric Holdings bonds. We have recorded OTTI charges in earnings in the past with respect to equity and fixed maturity securities and may continue holding certain of those securities. In instances where the market values of such investments have subsequently increased, the increases are not reflected in earnings but are instead included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. When recorded, OTTI charges usually have no impact whatsoever on the asset values otherwise recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets or on our consolidated shareholders’ equity because our investments in most instances are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. In addition, the recognition of such losses in earnings does not necessarily indicate that sales are imminent or planned. It also does not necessarily indicate that the loss in value of the security is permanent or that the market price of the security will not subsequently increase to and ultimately exceed original cost.

As of September 30, 2014, consolidated gross unrealized losses on our investments in equity and fixed maturity securities determined on an individual purchase lot basis were relatively insignificant. We concluded that as of that date, such losses were temporary. We consider several factors in determining whether or not impairments are deemed to be other than temporary, including the current and expected long-term business prospects and if applicable, the creditworthiness of the issuer, our ability and intent to hold the investment until the price recovers and the length of time and relative magnitude of the price decline.

Derivative gains/losses primarily represent the changes in fair value of our credit default and equity index put option contracts. Periodic changes in the fair values of these contracts are reflected in earnings and can be significant, reflecting the volatility of underlying credit and equity markets.

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, derivative contracts produced pre-tax gains of $258 million and $649 million, respectively. Our credit default contract exposures currently relate to municipality/state issuers and changes in the fair value of this contract during 2014 produced pre-tax gains of $35 million in the third quarter and $492 million for the first nine months. These gains were attributable to lower credit spreads. Equity index put option contracts produced pre-tax gains of $223 million for the third quarter of 2014 and $156 million for the first nine months. In the first nine months of 2014, such gains reflected the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes and modestly higher index values, partially offset by the negative impact of lower interest rate assumptions.

37

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

Investment and Derivative Gains/Losses (Continued)

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, our derivative contracts generated pre-tax gains of $427 million and $2,094 million, respectively, which were primarily attributed to changes in the fair values of our equity index put option contracts. In 2013, the gains associated with the equity index put option contracts reflected higher equity prices, favorable foreign currency exchange rate movements from effects of a stronger U.S. Dollar and modestly higher interest rate assumptions.

Other

Other sources of after-tax earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 included earnings of $198 million and $491 million, respectively, related to Berkshire’s investments in Heinz Holding which were made in June 2013. For the first nine months of 2013, after-tax earnings from the Heinz investments were $67 million. Also included in other earnings during both the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 are amortization of fair value adjustments made in connection with several prior business acquisitions (primarily related to the amortization of identifiable intangible assets) and corporate interest expense. In the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, these two charges (after-tax) aggregated approximately $448 million and $475 million, respectively.

Financial Condition

Our balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and a strong capital base. Our consolidated shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2014 was $237.5 billion, an increase of $15.6 billion since December 31, 2013.

As of September 30, 2014, cash and investments of our insurance and other businesses approximated $214.0 billion (excludes our investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation). At September 30, 2014, cash and cash equivalents of these businesses were $55.8 billion, an increase of $13.4 billion since December 31, 2013.

Berkshire Hathaway parent company borrowings include $8.0 billion of senior notes, of which $1.7 billion mature in February 2015. We currently expect to issue new senior notes to replace some or all of the upcoming maturities. In August 2014, Berkshire issued $750 million of parent company senior notes maturing in 2019. The proceeds were used to fund the repayment of $750 million of notes that matured in August 2014. During the first quarter of 2014, Berkshire paid approximately $1.2 billion as final payment in connection with our acquisition of substantially all outstanding shares held by Marmon non-controlling shareholders at December 31, 2013.

Berkshire’s Board of Directors has authorized Berkshire to repurchase its Class A and Class B common shares at prices no higher than a 20% premium over the book value of the shares. Berkshire may repurchase shares at management’s discretion. The repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely, but does not obligate Berkshire to repurchase any dollar amount or number of Class A or Class B common shares. Repurchases will not be made if they would reduce Berkshire’s consolidated cash and cash equivalent holdings below $20 billion. Financial strength and redundant liquidity will always be of paramount importance at Berkshire. There were no share repurchases under the program during the first nine months of 2014.

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 capital expenditures in the normal course of business. In the first nine months of 2014, aggregate capital expenditures of these businesses were approximately $7.7 billion, including $4.1 billion by BHE and $3.6 billion by BNSF. BNSF and BHE forecast aggregate capital expenditures of approximately $4.1 billion over the remainder of 2014. Future capital expenditures are expected to be funded from cash flows from operations and debt issuances.

In March 2014, BNSF issued $500 million of 3.75% debentures due in 2024 and $1.0 billion of 4.9% debentures due in 2044. In August 2014, BNSF issued $700 million of 3.4% debentures due in 2024 and $800 million of 4.55% debentures due in 2044. BNSF’s outstanding debt was $19.3 billion as of September 30, 2014. In the first nine months of 2014, BHE subsidiaries issued term debt of $1.3 billion and its aggregate outstanding borrowings were approximately $30.4 billion as of September 30, 2014. BNSF and BHE have aggregate debt and capital lease maturities over the remainder of 2014 of about $116 million. On February 28, 2014, Berkshire’s commitment to provide up to $2 billion of additional capital to BHE to permit the repayment of its debt obligations or to fund its regulated utility subsidiaries expired. Berkshire does not guarantee the repayment of debt issued by BNSF, BHE or any of their subsidiaries.

38

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

Financial Condition (Continued)

Assets of the finance and financial products businesses consisted primarily of loans and finance receivables, cash and cash equivalents, a portfolio of fixed maturity and equity investments and a sizable portfolio of assets held for lease, consisting of various types of transportation equipment, cranes and furniture. Finance and financial products assets were approximately $33.8 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $33.2 billion as of December 31, 2013. Liabilities were $18.9 billion as of September 30, 2014 and $19.8 billion as of December 31, 2013, which included notes payable and other borrowings of $12.8 billion and $13.1 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, notes payable included $11.2 billion of notes issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”). In January 2014, $750 million of BHFC senior notes matured and BHFC issued $750 million of new senior notes to replace maturing notes. The new senior notes consisted of $650 million of floating rate notes due in 2017 and $100 million of 2% notes due in 2018. An additional $400 million of BHFC debt matured in July 2014 and in August 2014, BHFC issued $400 million of new floating rate senior notes due in 2017. An additional $1.0 billion of BHFC debt will mature in January 2015. We currently intend to issue additional new debt through BHFC to replace some or all of its upcoming debt maturities. The proceeds from the BHFC notes are used to finance originated loans and acquired loans of Clayton Homes. The full and timely payment of principal and interest on the BHFC notes is guaranteed by Berkshire.

We regularly access the credit markets, particularly through our railroad, utilities and energy and finance and financial products businesses. Restricted access to credit markets at affordable rates in the future could have a significant negative impact on our operations.

As described in Note 13 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, we are party to equity index put option and credit default contracts. With limited exception, these contracts contain no collateral posting requirements under any circumstances, including changes in either the fair value or intrinsic value of the contracts or a downgrade in Berkshire’s credit ratings. At September 30, 2014, the liabilities recorded for such contracts were approximately $4.7 billion and we had no collateral posting requirements.

In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Reform Act”) was signed into law. The Reform Act reshapes financial regulations in the United States by creating new regulators, regulating new markets and market participants and providing new enforcement powers to regulators. Virtually all major areas of the Reform Act have been subject to extensive rulemaking proceedings being conducted both jointly and independently by multiple regulatory agencies, some of which have been completed and others that are expected to be finalized during the next several months. Although the Reform Act may adversely affect some of our business activities, it is not currently expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial results or financial condition.

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 reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, such as notes payable, require future payments on contractually specified dates and in fixed and determinable amounts, while others (including unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses and life, annuity and health benefit liabilities assumed under insurance contracts) are contingent upon the outcome of future events. Actual payments will likely vary, perhaps significantly, from the liability estimates currently recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other obligations, such as minimum rentals under operating leases, pertain to the acquisition of goods or services in the future and are not currently reflected in the financial statements. Such obligations will be reflected in future periods as the goods are delivered or services provided.

Reference is made to Note 19 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Except as otherwise noted herein, our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2014 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, 2013.

Critical Accounting Policies

Certain accounting policies require us to make estimates and judgments regarding transactions that have occurred and ultimately will be settled several years in the future or concerning the recoverability of assets. Amounts recognized in the financial statements from such estimates are necessarily based on assumptions about numerous factors involving varying, and possibly significant, degrees of judgment and uncertainty. Accordingly, the amounts currently recorded in the financial statements may prove, with the benefit of hindsight, to be inaccurate. 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, 2013.

39

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

Critical Accounting Policies (Continued)

Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2014 includes estimated liabilities for unpaid losses from property and casualty insurance and reinsurance contracts of $71.2 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, 2014 includes goodwill of acquired businesses of $58.7 billion. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually and conducted our most recent annual review during the fourth quarter of 2013. Although we believe that the goodwill reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2014 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 amounts of derivative contract liabilities that are measured at fair value. As of September 30, 2014 our most significant derivative contract exposures relate to equity index put option contracts written between 2004 and 2008. These contracts were entered into in over-the-counter markets and certain elements in the terms and conditions of such contracts are not standard. In particular, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts. Furthermore, there is no source of independent data available to us showing trading volume and actual prices of completed transactions. As a result, the values of these liabilities are based on valuation models that are believed to be used by market participants. Such models or other valuation techniques may use inputs that are observable in the marketplace, while others are unobservable. Unobservable inputs require us to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in establishing prices. Changes in assumptions may have a significant effect on recorded 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 guaranties 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 principal 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 or act of terrorism that causes losses insured by our insurance subsidiaries or affects our other operating businesses, changes in laws or regulations affecting our insurance, railroad, utilities and energy or 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.

40

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, 2014, 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, 2013.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

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

41

Part II Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are party in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks 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.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our significant business risks are described in Item 1A to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 to which reference is made herein.

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

In September 2011, Berkshire’s Board of Directors (“Berkshire’s Board”) approved a common stock repurchase program under which Berkshire may repurchase its Class A and Class B shares at prices no higher than a 10% premium over the book value of the shares. In December 2012, Berkshire’s Board amended the repurchase program by raising the price limit to no higher than a 20% premium over book value. 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 Berkshire’s consolidated cash equivalent 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 2014.

In addition, on June 30, 2014, we exchanged 1,620,190 shares of Graham Holding Company (“GHC”) common stock for a GHC subsidiary. Among its assets were 2,107 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A Common Stock and 1,278 shares of Class B Common Stock. These shares are reflected as treasury stock in our Consolidated Financial Statements. The value of the Berkshire shares received was approximately $400 million.

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

Item 6. Exhibits

a. Exhibits

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, 2014, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged in summary and detail.

42

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 7, 2014	/s/ MARC D. HAMBURG
	(Signature) Marc D. Hamburg, Senior Vice President and Principal Financial Officer

43

EX-12

Exhibit 12

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.

Calculation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Consolidated Fixed Charges

(Dollars in millions)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		Year Ended December 31,
			2013		2012		2011		2010			2009
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$	15,717	$	19,476	$	14,824	$	10,254	$	12,967		$	8,055
Income tax expense		6,312		8,951		6,924		4,568		5,607			3,538
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		235		369		488		492		527			386
(Earnings) loss from equity method investments		24		255		—		—		(50	)		(427	)
Dividends from equity method investments		—		—		—		—		20			132
Fixed charges		2,885		3,386		3,304		3,219		3,084			2,279
Earnings available for fixed charges	$	25,173	$	32,437	$	25,540	$	18,533	$	22,155		$	13,963
Fixed charges
Interest on indebtedness (including amortization of debt discount and expense)	$	2,423	$	2,801	$	2,744	$	2,664	$	2,558		$	1,992
Rentals representing interest and other		462		585		560		555		526			287
	$	2,885	$	3,386	$	3,304	$	3,219	$	3,084		$	2,279
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		8.73x		9.58x		7.73x		5.76x		7.18x			6.13x

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

Quarter ended September 30, 2014

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 7, 2014

/s/WARREN E. BUFFETT

Chairman—Principal Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

Quarter ended September 30, 2014

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 7, 2014

/s/ MARC D. HAMBURG

Senior Vice President—Principal Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

Section 1350 Certifications

Quarter ended September 30, 2014

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, 2014 (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 7, 2014

/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, 2014

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, 2014 (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 7, 2014

/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, 2014 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. Coal, 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, 2014. 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, 2014.

	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:
Deer Creek		3		—		—		—		—	$	5		—		3		1		3
Bridger (surface)		1		—		—		—		—		7		—		2		1		—
Bridger (underground)		24		—		—		—		—		75		—		11		4		6
Cottonwood Preparatory Plant		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Wyodak Coal Crushing Facility		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Clay, shale and limestone:
Minnesota		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Malvern		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Wheeler		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Eureka		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Fort Smith		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Kanopolis		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Oklahoma City		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Tulsa		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Denver		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Bennett		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Denton		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Elgin		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
McQueeney		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Garrison		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
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 14 contests of proposed penalties under Subpart C, one contest of a citation under Subpart B and one labor-related complaint under Subpart E 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.

XML

Supplemental cash flow information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of supplemental cash flow information

A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2014		2013
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	3,201	$	4,028
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		321		321
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		1,864		1,507
Finance and financial products businesses		332		401
Investments in equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions		2,478		—
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		1,459		275
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition		400		—

XML

Investments in equity securities (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Item		Dec. 31, 2013 Item
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	$ 118,909	[1]	$ 117,505	[2]
American Express Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	13,300		13,800
Wells Fargo & Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	25,100		21,900
International Business Machines Corporation [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	13,400		12,800
The Coca-Cola Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value of investments	$ 17,100		$ 16,500
Investment Concentration [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Concentration percentage	58.00%		55.00%
Number of companies in concentration percentage	4		4

[1] As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $17.1 billion).

[2] As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.5 billion).

XML

Significant business acquisitions - Pro forma consolidated earnings data (Detail) (NV Energy, IMI plc, Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. and WPLG Inc. [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
NV Energy, IMI plc, Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. and WPLG Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 138,168
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 14,805
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 9,008

XML

Derivative contracts (Detail) (Finance and Financial Products [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 4,667		$ 5,331
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	4,667		5,331
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	4,512		4,667
Notional value	30,567	[1]	32,095	[1]
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	155		648
Notional value	7,792	[2]	7,792	[2]
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities			$ 16

[1] Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract's expiration date.

[2] Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

XML

Investments in equity securities - Narrative (Detail) (Equity Securities [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
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	$ 3	$ 52

XML

Fair value measurements - Other information (Detail) (Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discounted Cash Flow Method [Member] | Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member] | Credit Default Contracts - States and Municipalities [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, credit spreads	0.09%
Fair value of liability	$ 155
Pricing Model, Option [Member] | Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, volatility	20.00%
Fair value of liability	4,512
Other Equity Securities [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow Method [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, expected duration	6 years
Fair value, unobservable input, discount for transferability restrictions and subordination	0.97%
Fair value of asset	12,451
Other Equity Securities [Member] | Common Stock Warrants [Member] | Pricing Model, Warrant [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair value, unobservable input, discount for transferability and hedging restrictions	8.00%
Fair value of asset	$ 6,727

XML

Significant business acquisitions - Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 19, 2013 NV Energy [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment				$ 9,518
Goodwill	58,669	57,011	54,523	2,363
Other assets, including cash and cash equivalents of $304 million				2,505
Assets acquired				14,386
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities				3,456
Notes payable and other borrowings				5,334
Liabilities assumed				8,790
Net assets acquired				$ 5,596

XML

Investment gains/losses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Investment gains/losses, including other-than-temporary impairment losses

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

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Fixed maturity securities —
Gross gains from sales and other disposals	$	4		$	727		$	233		$	809
Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(25	)		(55	)		(73	)		(147	)
Equity securities —
Gross gains from sales and other disposals		354			548			3,749			918
Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(38	)		(37	)		(41	)		(57	)
Other-than-temporary impairments		(678	)		(143	)		(697	)		(228	)
Other		7			674			(50	)		1,416
	$	(376	)	$	1,714		$	3,121		$	2,711

Investment gains/losses are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2014			2013		2014		2013
Insurance and other	$	(376	)	$	1,640	$	3,049	$	2,529
Finance and financial products		—			74		72		182
	$	(376	)	$	1,714	$	3,121	$	2,711

XML

Common stock (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued, beginning of year (in shares)	868,616
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	(22,484)
Shares issued, end of period (in shares)	846,132
Treasury shares, beginning of year	(9,573)
Treasury shares acquired	(2,107)
Treasury shares, end of period	(11,680)
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	859,043
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	834,452
Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares issued, beginning of year (in shares)	1,178,775,092
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition	35,178,371
Shares issued, end of period (in shares)	1,213,953,463
Treasury shares, beginning of year	(1,408,484)
Treasury shares acquired	(1,278)
Treasury shares, end of period	(1,409,762)
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	1,177,366,608
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	1,212,543,701

XML

Supplemental cash flow information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$ 3,201	$ 4,028
Investments in equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions	2,478
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions	1,459	275
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition	400
Insurance and Other [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	321	321
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	1,864	1,507
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Cash paid during the period for interest	$ 332	$ 401

XML

Other investments - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)							9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 The Dow Chemical Company [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 The Dow Chemical Company [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Bank of America Corporation [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bank of America Corporation [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Bank of America Corporation [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Warrants Expiring 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Bank of America Corporation [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Perpetual Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Bank of America Corporation [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member] Perpetual Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Bank of America Corporation [Member] Other Equity Securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Perpetual Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]
Other Investments [Line Items]
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value							$ 2,100,000,000
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate							5.00%	8.50%		6.00%
Investment, number of shares purchased									3,000,000		50,000
Amount paid for an investment									3,000,000,000				5,000,000,000
Conversion ratio of preferred stock into common stock								24.201
Preferred stock conversion price, per share								$ 41.32
Common stock threshold price, per share, to trigger the issuer's option to convert preferred stock into common stock								$ 53.72
Minimum number of trading days in a consecutive-day period that the issuer's common stock price must exceed to trigger the issuer's option to convert preferred stock to common stock								20 days
Range of trading days in a consecutive day period, number of days								30 days
Number of common shares that can be purchased												700,000,000
Redemption value of Perpetual Preferred Stock, per share										$ 105,000
Redemption value of Perpetual Preferred Stock, aggregate value										5,250,000,000
Aggregate cost to exercise warrants												5,000,000,000
Exercise price for warrants, per share												$ 7.142857
Investment allocation percentage														20.00%	80.00%
Other investments, cost basis					10,000,000,000
Other investments, fair value	$ 6,120,000,000	$ 5,617,000,000	$ 13,058,000,000	$ 12,334,000,000	$ 19,178,000,000	$ 17,951,000,000

XML

Fair value measurements - Financial assets and liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	$ 28,953		$ 29,353
Investments in fixed maturity securities - fair value	28,951		29,370
Investments in equity securities	118,909	[1]	117,505	[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	49,694		46,655
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	232		568
Investments in equity securities	983		938
Other investments	6,120		5,617
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value	12,535		12,826
Derivative contract liabilities	4,667		5,331
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	12,790		13,129
Insurance and Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities - carrying value	28,721		28,785
Investments in equity securities	116,432		115,464
Other investments	13,058		12,334
Notes payable and other borrowings - carrying value	12,328		12,440
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	1,494	[3]	1,103	[3]
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	118,847		117,438
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets			3	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [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	2	[4]	1	[4]
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	60		60
Loans and finance receivables - fair value	39		454
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	55,445		49,879
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	12,743		12,846
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	12,783		12,655
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	16	[4]	15	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [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	95	[4]	198	[4]
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	2		7
Other investments	19,178		17,951
Loans and finance receivables - fair value	12,808		11,548
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	584		659
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	4,512		4,667
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	155		648
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract assets	70	[4]	69	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [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	49	[4]	9	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Heinz Holding [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock - fair value	8,376		7,971
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 - fair value	2,323		2,184
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 - fair value	516		473
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [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 - fair value			1
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 - fair value	2,025		2,345
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 - fair value	8,001		7,467
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 - fair value	4,329		3,606
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 - fair value	9,919		10,187
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 - fair value	9		1,067
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 - fair value	1,829		2,040
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	118,909		117,505
Other investments	19,178		17,951
Loans and finance receivables - carrying value	12,535		12,826
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	49,694		46,655
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	12,790		13,129
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	4,512		4,667
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	155		648
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	12,328		12,440
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	86	[4]	87	[4]
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	146	[4]	208	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Heinz Holding [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock - carrying value	7,710		7,710
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 - carrying value	2,839		2,658
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 - carrying value	2,025		2,345
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 - carrying value	12,330		11,073
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 - carrying value	9,930		11,237
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 - carrying value	1,829		2,040
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	118,909		117,505
Other investments	19,178		17,951
Loans and finance receivables - fair value	12,847		12,002
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	55,445		49,879
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	13,327		13,505
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	4,512		4,667
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative contract liabilities	155		648
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	12,783		12,655
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	86	[4]	87	[4]
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	146	[4]	208	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Heinz Holding [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock - fair value	8,376		7,971
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 - fair value	2,839		2,658
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 - fair value	2,025		2,345
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 - fair value	12,330		11,073
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 - fair value	9,928		11,254
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 - fair value	$ 1,829		$ 2,040

[1] As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $17.1 billion).

[2] As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.5 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

Common stock - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014 WPLG Inc. [Member] Graham Holding Company [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Common Stock Repurchase Program [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Class B [Member] Vote	Jun. 30, 2014 Class B [Member] WPLG Inc. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Class A [Member] Vote	Dec. 31, 2013 Class A [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Class A [Member] WPLG Inc. [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				0.0001		1
Number of shares of Class B stock obtainable from converting one Class A share				1,500
Class A equivalent shares outstanding						1,642,814	1,643,954
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	1,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	0
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 equivalent threshold after repurchase of common stock shares, amount			$ 20,000,000,000
Number of shares acquired			0	1,278	1,278	2,107		2,107
Number of shares exchanged		1,620,190

XML

Fair value measurements - Significant unobservable inputs (Detail) (Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Derivative Contract Liabilities [Member]
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ (5,255)	$ (7,847)
Gains (losses) included in earnings	644	2,119
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	4	(5)
Gains (losses) included in regulatory assets and liabilities	(3)	1
Dispositions and settlements	(1)	(56)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	(35)
Ending Balance	(4,646)	(5,788)
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	372	652
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	13	(12)
Dispositions and settlements	(1)	(18)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	(375)
Ending Balance	9	622
Equity Securities and Other Investments [Member]
Fair value measurements Significant unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	17,958	15,785
Gains (losses) included in earnings		523
Gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	1,228	1,310
Dispositions and settlements		(31)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	(6)	(1,495)
Ending Balance	$ 19,180	$ 16,092

XML

Derivative contracts - gains and losses (Detail) (Finance and Financial Products [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	$ 258	$ 427	$ 649	$ 2,094
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	258	427	649	2,094
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	223	519	156	2,155
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses	35	(128)	492	(43)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative gains/losses		$ 36	$ 1	$ (18)

XML

Accumulated other comprehensive income

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accumulated other comprehensive income

Note 18. 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, 2014 and 2013 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
Nine months ending September 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	44,042		$	(146	)	$	46		$	83		$	44,025
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		2,942			(852	)		(15	)		(5	)		2,070
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1,971	)		47			39			(24	)		(1,909	)
		971			(805	)		24			(29	)		161
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	45,013		$	(951	)	$	70		$	54		$	44,186
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2014 are included on the following line items:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other	$	(2,960	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(2,960	)
Finance and financial products		(72	)		—			—			—			(72	)
Other		—			47			51			(39	)		59
Reclassifications before income taxes		(3,032	)		47			51			(39	)		(2,973	)
Applicable income taxes		(1,061	)		—			12			(15	)		(1,064	)
	$	(1,971	)	$	47		$	39		$	(24	)	$	(1,909	)

	Unrealized appreciation of investments, net			Foreign currency translation			Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans			Other			Accumulated other comprehensive income
Nine months ending September 30, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	29,254		$	(120	)	$	(1,601	)	$	(33	)	$	27,500
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		8,252			(191	)		(17	)		49			8,093
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(738	)		(31	)		81			4			(684	)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		—			(12	)		—			—			(12	)
		7,514			(234	)		64			53			7,397
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	36,768		$	(354	)	$	(1,537	)	$	20		$	34,897
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2013 are included on the following line items:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other	$	(1,062	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,062	)
Finance and financial products		(73	)		—			—			—			(73	)
Other		—			(31	)		114			8			91
Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,135	)		(31	)		114			8			(1,044	)
Applicable income taxes		(397	)		—			33			4			(360	)
	$	(738	)	$	(31	)	$	81		$	4		$	(684	)

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Carrying value by segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	$ 28,953	$ 29,353
Insurance and Other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	28,721	28,785
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in fixed maturity securities	$ 232	$ 568

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Common stock (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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 2014 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, 2013		868,616			(9,573	)		859,043			1,178,775,092		(1,408,484	)		1,177,366,608
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(22,484	)		—			(22,484	)		35,178,371		—			35,178,371
Treasury shares acquired		—			(2,107	)		(2,107	)		—		(1,278	)		(1,278	)
Balance at September 30, 2014		846,132			(11,680	)		834,452			1,213,953,463		(1,409,762	)		1,212,543,701

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Notes payable and other borrowings - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)				1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiaries [Member] Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company and Subsidiaries [Member] Line of Credit and Commercial Paper Facilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] Subsidiaries Excluding Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]	Jul. 31, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Senior Notes [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Jan. 31, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Senior Notes [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Jul. 31, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Senior Notes Due 2017, Floating Rate [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Jan. 31, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Senior Notes Due 2017, Floating Rate [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Jan. 31, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Senior Notes Due 2018 at 2% [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Aug. 31, 2014 BNSF [Member] Debentures [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 BNSF [Member] Debentures [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 BNSF [Member] Debentures Due 2024 at 3.75% [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 BNSF [Member] Debentures Due 2044 at 4.9% [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Aug. 31, 2014 BNSF [Member] Debentures Due 2024 at 3.4% [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Aug. 31, 2014 BNSF [Member] Debentures Due 2044 at 4.5% [Member] Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt issued					$ 750,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 650,000,000	$ 100,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 700,000,000	$ 800,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage								2.00%			3.75%	4.90%	3.40%	4.55%
Repayment of debt				400,000,000	750,000,000
Unused lines of credit available	7,200,000,000	4,100,000,000
Guarantee obligation			$ 3,800,000,000

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Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Reconciliation of the change in goodwill

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

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Balance at beginning of year	$	57,011		$	54,523
Acquisitions of businesses		1,818			2,732
Other, including foreign currency translation		(160	)		(244	)
Balance at end of period	$	58,669		$	57,011

Schedule of intangible assets

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other	$	13,251	$	4,194	$	11,923	$	3,723
Railroad, utilities and energy		2,253		1,469		2,214		1,231
	$	15,504	$	5,663	$	14,137	$	4,954
Trademarks and trade names	$	3,058	$	419	$	2,750	$	340
Patents and technology		5,412		3,053		5,173		2,626
Customer relationships		5,241		1,680		4,690		1,518
Other		1,793		511		1,524		470
	$	15,504	$	5,663	$	14,137	$	4,954

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	$ 27,214	$ 27,764
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	28,951	29,370
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Due in one year or less - amortized cost	7,993
Due after one year through five years - amortized cost	12,004
Due after five years through ten years - amortized cost	2,889
Due after ten years - amortized cost	2,705
Due in one year or less - fair value	8,077
Due after one year through five years - fair value	12,696
Due after five years through ten years - fair value	3,121
Due after ten years - fair value	3,228
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities - amortized cost	1,623
Mortgage-backed securities - fair value	$ 1,829

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Goodwill and other intangible assets (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 57,011	$ 54,523
Acquisitions of businesses	1,818	2,732
Other, including foreign currency translation	(160)	(244)
Balance at end of period	$ 58,669	$ 57,011

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Investment gains/losses - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ (376)	$ 1,714	$ 3,121	$ 2,711
OTTI losses	678	143	697	228
Equity Securities [Member] | PSX and GHC [Member] | PSPI and WPLG Inc. [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			2,100
Equity Securities [Member] | Tesco PLC [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
OTTI losses	678
Bonds [Member] | Texas Competitive Electric Holdings [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
OTTI losses				$ 228

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Significant business acquisitions - Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Parenthetical) (Detail) (NV Energy [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 19, 2013
NV Energy [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents acquired	$ 304

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New accounting pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

New accounting pronouncements

Note 2. New accounting pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04 “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 became effective as of January 1, 2014. In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01 “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.” ASU 2014-01 permits an entity to elect the proportional amortization method of accounting for limited liability investments in qualified affordable housing projects if certain criteria are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax benefits received and the amortization charge is reported as a component of income tax expense. We adopted ASU 2014-01 for eligible investments as of January 1, 2014. The adoption of these accounting pronouncements had an immaterial effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU 2014-08 provides a narrower definition of discontinued operations than under existing U.S. GAAP. ASU 2014-08 requires that only disposals of components of an entity (or groups of components) that represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations are reported in the financial statements as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications of businesses as held-for-sale) of components of an entity that occur in annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 applies to most contracts with customers. However, insurance and leasing contracts are excluded from the scope of this pronouncement. ASU 2014-09 prescribes a five step framework in accounting for revenues from contracts, including (a) identification of the contract, (b) identification of the performance obligations under the contract, (c) determination of the transaction price, (d) allocation of the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognition of revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. ASU 2014-09 also prescribes additional disclosures and financial statement presentations. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public entities in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application. We are currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

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Receivables (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance and Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Insurance premiums receivable	$ 8,642	$ 7,474
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	3,221	3,055
Trade and other receivables	12,507	10,111
Allowances for uncollectible accounts	(353)	(360)
Total receivables of insurance and other businesses	24,017	20,280
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	12,865	13,170
Allowances for uncollectible loans	(330)	(344)
Total loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses	$ 12,535	$ 12,826

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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, 2014 and 2013 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
Nine months ending September 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	44,042		$	(146	)	$	46		$	83		$	44,025
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		2,942			(852	)		(15	)		(5	)		2,070
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1,971	)		47			39			(24	)		(1,909	)
		971			(805	)		24			(29	)		161
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	45,013		$	(951	)	$	70		$	54		$	44,186
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2014 are included on the following line items:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other	$	(2,960	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(2,960	)
Finance and financial products		(72	)		—			—			—			(72	)
Other		—			47			51			(39	)		59
Reclassifications before income taxes		(3,032	)		47			51			(39	)		(2,973	)
Applicable income taxes		(1,061	)		—			12			(15	)		(1,064	)
	$	(1,971	)	$	47		$	39		$	(24	)	$	(1,909	)

	Unrealized appreciation of investments, net			Foreign currency translation			Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans			Other			Accumulated other comprehensive income
Nine months ending September 30, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	29,254		$	(120	)	$	(1,601	)	$	(33	)	$	27,500
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications		8,252			(191	)		(17	)		49			8,093
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(738	)		(31	)		81			4			(684	)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests		—			(12	)		—			—			(12	)
		7,514			(234	)		64			53			7,397
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	36,768		$	(354	)	$	(1,537	)	$	20		$	34,897
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings during 2013 are included on the following line items:
Investment gains/losses:
Insurance and other	$	(1,062	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,062	)
Finance and financial products		(73	)		—			—			—			(73	)
Other		—			(31	)		114			8			91
Reclassifications before income taxes		(1,135	)		(31	)		114			8			(1,044	)
Applicable income taxes		(397	)		—			33			4			(360	)
	$	(738	)	$	(31	)	$	81		$	4		$	(684	)

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Significant business acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The preliminary values of NV Energy’s identified assets acquired, liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at the date of acquisition are summarized as follows (in millions).

	December 19, 2013
Property, plant and equipment	$	9,518
Goodwill		2,363
Other assets, including cash and cash equivalents of $304 million		2,505
Assets acquired	$	14,386
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	$	3,456
Notes payable and other borrowings		5,334
Liabilities assumed	$	8,790
Net assets acquired	$	5,596

Schedule of pro forma consolidated earnings data

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first nine months of 2013 (in millions, except the per share amount).

Revenues	$	138,168
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		14,805
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		9,008

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New accounting pronouncements (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

New accounting pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04 “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay plus additional amounts the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. ASU 2013-04 became effective as of January 1, 2014. In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01 “Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.” ASU 2014-01 permits an entity to elect the proportional amortization method of accounting for limited liability investments in qualified affordable housing projects if certain criteria are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the investment is amortized in proportion to the tax benefits received and the amortization charge is reported as a component of income tax expense. We adopted ASU 2014-01 for eligible investments as of January 1, 2014. The adoption of these accounting pronouncements had an immaterial effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU 2014-08 provides a narrower definition of discontinued operations than under existing U.S. GAAP. ASU 2014-08 requires that only disposals of components of an entity (or groups of components) that represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the reporting entity’s operations are reported in the financial statements as discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 also provides guidance on the financial statement presentations and disclosures of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for disposals (or classifications of businesses as held-for-sale) of components of an entity that occur in annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 applies to most contracts with customers. However, insurance and leasing contracts are excluded from the scope of this pronouncement. ASU 2014-09 prescribes a five step framework in accounting for revenues from contracts, including (a) identification of the contract, (b) identification of the performance obligations under the contract, (c) determination of the transaction price, (d) allocation of the transaction price to the identified performance obligations and (e) recognition of revenues as the identified performance obligations are satisfied. ASU 2014-09 also prescribes additional disclosures and financial statement presentations. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public entities in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application. We are currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

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Investments in equity securities - Fair value by segment (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	$ 118,909	[1]	$ 117,505	[2]
Insurance and Other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	116,432		115,464
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	1,494	[3]	1,103	[3]
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments in equity securities	$ 983		$ 938

[1] As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $17.1 billion).

[2] As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.5 billion).

[3] Included in other assets.

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Business segment data (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of revenues and earnings by segment

Revenues by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014		2013
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Premiums earned:
GEICO	$	5,203		$	4,730		$	15,168	$	13,726
General Re		1,566			1,454			4,733		4,422
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		4,809			2,219			8,414		6,918
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,139			867			3,141		2,396
Investment income		957			1,084			3,409		3,628
Total insurance group		13,674			10,354			34,865		31,090
BNSF		5,881			5,651			17,063		16,257
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company		4,853			3,392			13,344		9,564
McLane Company		12,151			11,547			34,327		33,707
Manufacturing businesses		9,534			8,804			27,788		25,861
Other businesses		3,493			3,179			10,456		9,583
Finance and financial products		1,654			1,539			4,731		4,439
		51,240			44,466			142,574		130,501
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		(118	)		2,141			3,770		4,805
Eliminations and other		77			(66	)		70		(205	)
	$	51,199		$	46,541		$	146,414	$	135,101

Earnings before income taxes by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting gain (loss):
GEICO	$	264		$	307		$	1,010		$	909
General Re		126			63			322			182
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		443			(206	)		617			1,159
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		143			99			379			228
Net investment income		950			1,078			3,394			3,609
Total insurance group		1,926			1,341			5,722			6,087
BNSF		1,654			1,556			4,295			4,242
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company		1,051			586			2,248			1,574
McLane Company		120			126			361			372
Manufacturing businesses		1,337			1,202			3,774			3,301
Other businesses		355			317			1,095			999
Finance and financial products		453			403			1,247			1,054
		6,896			5,531			18,742			17,629
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		(118	)		2,141			3,770			4,805
Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to operating businesses		(79	)		(80	)		(233	)		(226	)
Eliminations and other		51			(214	)		(15	)		(644	)
	$	6,750		$	7,378		$	22,264		$	21,564

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Investments in fixed maturity securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of investments in securities with fixed maturities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Carrying Value
September 30, 2014
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,831	$	14	$	(6	)	$	2,839	$	2,839
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,923		103		(1	)		2,025		2,025
Foreign governments		12,139		265		(74	)		12,330		12,330
Corporate bonds		8,030		1,235		(3	)		9,262		9,262
Mortgage-backed securities		1,623		210		(4	)		1,829		1,829
		26,546		1,827		(88	)		28,285		28,285
Held to maturity:
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		668		—		(2	)		666		668
	$	27,214	$	1,827	$	(90	)	$	28,951	$	28,953
December 31, 2013
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,650	$	16	$	(8	)	$	2,658	$	2,658
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,221		129		(5	)		2,345		2,345
Foreign governments		11,001		182		(110	)		11,073		11,073
Corporate bonds		9,383		1,190		(15	)		10,558		10,558
Mortgage-backed securities		1,830		218		(8	)		2,040		2,040
		27,085		1,735		(146	)		28,674		28,674
Held to maturity:
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		679		17		—			696		679
	$	27,764	$	1,752	$	(146	)	$	29,370	$	29,353

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other	$	28,721	$	28,785
Finance and financial products		232		568
	$	28,953	$	29,353

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, 2014 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. 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		$7,993		$12,004		$2,889		$2,705		$1,623		$27,214
Fair value		8,077		12,696		3,121		3,228		1,829		28,951

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Investments in equity securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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, 2014 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,468	$	30,226	$	(2	)	$	52,692
Consumer products		7,005		18,620		(4	)		25,621
Commercial, industrial and other		31,172		9,600		(176	)		40,596
	$	60,645	$	58,446	$	(182	)	$	118,909

* As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $17.1 billion).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2013 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,420	$	28,021	$	—		$	50,441
Consumer products		7,082		17,854		—			24,936
Commercial, industrial and other		29,949		12,322		(143	)		42,128
	$	59,451	$	58,197	$	(143	)	$	117,505

* As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.5 billion).

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we concluded that the unrealized losses shown in the tables above were temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $3 million and $52 million, respectively.

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other	$	116,432	$	115,464
Railroad, utilities and energy *		1,494		1,103
Finance and financial products		983		938
	$	118,909	$	117,505

* Included in other assets.

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General

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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. In our 2014 financial statements, we are presenting Marmon’s transportation equipment manufacturing, repair and leasing businesses as a component of finance and financial products businesses. Prior period amounts in these financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. On April 30, 2014, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company’s name was changed to Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”).

Financial information in this Report reflects any 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 relatively 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. Investment gains/losses are recorded when investments are disposed or are other-than-temporarily impaired. In addition, changes in the fair values of liabilities associated with derivative contracts can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings.

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Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Summarized consolidated financial information of Heinz Holding and its subsidiaries

Summarized consolidated financial information of Heinz Holding and its subsidiaries follows (in millions).

	September 28, 2014			December 29, 2013
Assets	$	38,055		$	38,972
Liabilities		22,039			22,429
	Third Quarter 2014			First Nine Months 2014
Sales	$	2,594		$	8,122
Net earnings	$	172		$	494
Preferred stock dividends earned by Berkshire		(180	)		(540	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(8	)	$	(46	)
Earnings attributable to Berkshire *	$	176		$	516

* Includes dividends earned and Berkshire’s share of net loss attributable to common stockholders.

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Accumulated other comprehensive income - Reclassified Amounts (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	$ (376)	$ 1,714	$ 3,121	$ 2,711
Reclassifications before income taxes	6,750	7,378	22,264	21,564
Applicable income taxes	2,029	2,225	6,312	6,782
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings	4,721	5,153	15,952	14,782
Insurance and Other [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	(376)	1,640	3,049	2,529
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses		74	72	182
Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			59	91
Reclassifications before income taxes			(2,973)	(1,044)
Applicable income taxes			(1,064)	(360)
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			(1,909)	(684)
Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(2,960)	(1,062)
Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(72)	(73)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications before income taxes			(3,032)	(1,135)
Applicable income taxes			(1,061)	(397)
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			(1,971)	(738)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(2,960)	(1,062)
Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses			(72)	(73)
Foreign currency translation [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			47	(31)
Reclassifications before income taxes			47	(31)
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			47	(31)
Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			51	114
Reclassifications before income taxes			51	114
Applicable income taxes			12	33
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			39	81
Other AOCI transactions [Member] | Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other			(39)	8
Reclassifications before income taxes			(39)	8
Applicable income taxes			(15)	4
Total amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income into net earnings			$ (24)	$ 4

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Notes payable and other borrowings (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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, 2014.

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire due 2014-2047	2.8%	$	8,349	$	8,311
Short-term subsidiary borrowings	0.4%		817		949
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2014-2035	6.0%		3,162		3,180
		$	12,328	$	12,440

Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]

Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2017-2043	5.7%	$	6,366	$	6,616
Subsidiary and other debt due 2014-2054	5.3%		23,998		23,033
Issued by Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC and its subsidiaries (“BNSF”) due 2014-2097	5.1%		19,330		17,006
		$	49,694	$	46,655

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Schedule of short and long term outstanding debt disclosure

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2015-2043	3.1%	$	11,177	$	11,178
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2014-2036	4.7%		1,613		1,951
		$	12,790	$	13,129

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Investments in equity securities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	$ 60,645		$ 59,451
Unrealized gains on investments	58,446		58,197
Unrealized losses on investments	(182)		(143)
Fair value of investments	118,909	[1]	117,505	[2]
Banks, insurance and finance [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	22,468		22,420
Unrealized gains on investments	30,226		28,021
Unrealized losses on investments	(2)
Fair value of investments	52,692		50,441
Consumer products [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	7,005		7,082
Unrealized gains on investments	18,620		17,854
Unrealized losses on investments	(4)
Fair value of investments	25,621		24,936
Commercial, industrial and other [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Cost basis of investments	31,172		29,949
Unrealized gains on investments	9,600		12,322
Unrealized losses on investments	(176)		(143)
Fair value of investments	$ 40,596		$ 42,128

[1] As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $17.1 billion).

[2] As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.5 billion).

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Derivative contracts - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 4,667,000,000		$ 5,331,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Collateral posting requirements under contracts with collateral provisions	0		0
Additional collateral posting requirements	1,100,000,000
Liabilities	4,667,000,000		5,331,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity Index Put Options [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate intrinsic value of equity index put option contracts	1,300,000,000		1,700,000,000
Maturity date, range, start	June 2018
Maturity date, range, end	January 2026
Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract	6 years 2 months 12 days
Notional value	30,567,000,000	[1]	32,095,000,000	[1]
Liabilities	4,512,000,000		4,667,000,000
Finance and Financial Products [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Credit Default Contracts - States and Municipalities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Maturity date, range, start	2019
Maturity date, range, end	2054
Weighted average remaining life of derivative contract	17 years
Notional value	7,792,000,000
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Assets	86,000,000		87,000,000
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Accounts Payable, Accruals and Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 146,000,000		$ 208,000,000

[1] Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract's expiration date.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 62,380		$ 48,186
Investments in fixed maturity securities	28,953		29,353
Investments in equity securities	118,909	[1]	117,505	[2]
Inventories	10,182		9,860
Goodwill	58,669		57,011
Total assets	517,363		484,931
LIABILITIES
Income taxes, principally deferred	61,106		57,739
Total liabilities	277,061		260,446
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	8		8
Capital in excess of par value	35,560		35,472
Accumulated other comprehensive income	44,186		44,025
Retained earnings	159,465		143,748
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,763)		(1,363)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' equity	237,456		221,890
Noncontrolling interests	2,846		2,595
Total shareholders' equity	240,302		224,485
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	517,363		484,931
Insurance and Other [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	55,834		42,433
Investments in fixed maturity securities	28,721		28,785
Investments in equity securities	116,432		115,464
Other investments	13,058		12,334
Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation	11,830		12,111
Receivables	24,017		20,280
Inventories	10,182		9,860
Property, plant and equipment	14,053		13,623
Goodwill	34,546		33,067
Other	23,738		19,113
Total assets	332,411		307,070
LIABILITIES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	71,198		64,866
Unearned premiums	12,703		10,770
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	12,636		11,681
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	23,270		21,979
Notes payable and other borrowings	12,328		12,440
Total liabilities	132,135		121,736
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	3,951		3,400
Property, plant and equipment	107,719		102,482
Goodwill	22,781		22,603
Other	16,739		16,149
Total assets	151,190		144,634
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	15,268		14,557
Notes payable and other borrowings	49,694		46,655
Total liabilities	64,962		61,212
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,595		2,353
Investments in fixed maturity securities	232		568
Investments in equity and fixed maturity securities	1,215		1,506
Investments in equity securities	983		938
Other investments	6,120		5,617
Loans and finance receivables	12,535		12,826
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease	8,030		7,700
Goodwill	1,342		1,341
Other	1,925		1,884
Total assets	33,762		33,227
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	1,401		1,299
Derivative contract liabilities	4,667		5,331
Notes payable and other borrowings	12,790		13,129
Total liabilities	$ 18,858		$ 19,759

[1] As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $17.1 billion).

[2] As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company - $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company - $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation - $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company - $16.5 billion).

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Significant business acquisitions - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 19, 2013 NV Energy [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]	Jan. 01, 2014 IMI plc Beverage Dispensing Equipment Manufacturing and Merchandising Operations [Member]	Feb. 25, 2014 Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (formerly Phillips Specialty Products Inc.) [Member]	Feb. 25, 2014 Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (formerly Phillips Specialty Products Inc.) [Member] PSX [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 WPLG Inc. [Member] Graham Holding Company [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 IMI plc, Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. and WPLG Inc.[Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate consideration paid for acquisitions			$ 5,600,000,000	$ 1,120,000,000
Percentage of acquiree's common stock acquired					100.00%
Number of shares exchanged						17,422,615	1,620,190
Fair value of shares exchanged	2,478,000,000					1,350,000,000	1,130,000,000
Preliminary fair value of identified net assets								2,300,000,000
Residual goodwill	$ 1,818,000,000	$ 2,732,000,000						$ 1,300,000,000

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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
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 191,588	$ 37,238	$ 27,500	$ 124,272	$ (1,363)	$ 3,941
Net earnings	14,782			14,486		296
Other comprehensive income, net	7,409		7,409
Issuance of common stock	80	80
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	(2,428)	(1,228)	(12)			(1,188)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	211,431	36,090	34,897	138,758	(1,363)	3,049
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	224,485	35,480	44,025	143,748	(1,363)	2,595
Net earnings	15,952			15,717		235
Other comprehensive income, net	182		161			21
Issuance (acquisition) of common stock	(294)	106			(400)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	(23)	(18)				(5)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 240,302	$ 35,568	$ 44,186	$ 159,465	$ (1,763)	$ 2,846

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Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (Detail) (Heinz Holding [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014		Sep. 28, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013
Heinz Holding [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Assets	$ 38,055		$ 38,055		$ 38,972
Liabilities	22,039		22,039		22,429
Sales	2,594		8,122
Net earnings	172		494
Preferred stock dividends earned by Berkshire	(180)		(540)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(8)		(46)
Earnings attributable to Berkshire	$ 176	[1]	$ 516	[1]

[1] Includes dividends earned and Berkshire's share of net loss attributable to common stockholders.

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Inventories (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Schedule of inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Raw materials	$	1,876	$	1,755
Work in process and other		926		842
Finished manufactured goods		3,371		3,206
Goods acquired for resale		4,009		4,057
	$	10,182	$	9,860

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified																																					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Buildings and improvements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member] Buildings and improvements [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Machinery and equipment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member] Machinery and equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Land [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member] Land [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad [Member] Land [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad [Member] Land [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad [Member] Track structure and other roadway [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad [Member] Track structure and other roadway [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad [Member] Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad [Member] Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad [Member] Construction in progress [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad [Member] Construction in progress [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Utilities and Energy [Member] Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Utilities and Energy [Member] Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Utilities and Energy [Member] Interstate pipeline assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Utilities and Energy [Member] Interstate pipeline assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Utilities and Energy [Member] Independent power plants and other assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Utilities and Energy [Member] Independent power plants and other assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Utilities and Energy [Member] Construction in progress [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Utilities and Energy [Member] Construction in progress [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Land [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Land [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Assets held for lease [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Assets held for lease [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Buildings, machinery and other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Buildings, machinery and other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Buildings and improvements [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Machinery and equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Railroad [Member] Track structure and other roadway [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Railroad [Member] Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Utilities and Energy [Member] Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Utilities and Energy [Member] Interstate pipeline assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Utilities and Energy [Member] Independent power plants and other assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member] Assets held for lease [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member] Buildings, machinery and other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Buildings and improvements [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Machinery and equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Insurance and Other [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Railroad [Member] Track structure and other roadway [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Railroad [Member] Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Utilities and Energy [Member] Utility generation, distribution and transmission system [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Utilities and Energy [Member] Interstate pipeline assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Utilities and Energy [Member] Independent power plants and other assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member] Assets held for lease [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Finance and Financial Products [Member] Buildings, machinery and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 27,166	$ 26,074	$ 6,505	$ 6,244	$ 16,319	$ 15,984	$ 3,182	$ 2,748	$ 1,160	$ 1,098	$ 5,976	$ 5,973	$ 41,779	$ 40,098	$ 8,929	$ 7,551	$ 1,198	$ 973	$ 59,864	$ 57,490	$ 6,508	$ 6,448	$ 4,551	$ 2,516	$ 4,126	$ 4,217	$ 132,931	$ 125,266
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	(13,113)	(12,451)																									(25,212)	(22,784)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	14,053	13,623																									107,719	102,482
Estimated useful life (in years)																																					2 years	3 years	2 years	5 years	5 years	5 years	3 years	3 years	6 years	3 years	40 years	25 years	15 years	100 years	40 years	80 years	80 years	30 years	30 years	50 years
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, gross																													11,469	10,888	229	233	10,061	9,509	1,179	1,146
Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, accumulated depreciation																													(3,439)	(3,188)
Total property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease, net																													$ 8,030	$ 7,700

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Notes payable and other borrowings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Notes payable and other borrowings

Note 15. 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, 2014.

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other:
Issued by Berkshire due 2014-2047	2.8%	$	8,349	$	8,311
Short-term subsidiary borrowings	0.4%		817		949
Other subsidiary borrowings due 2014-2035	6.0%		3,162		3,180
		$	12,328	$	12,440

	Weighted Average Interest Rate	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Railroad, utilities and energy:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (“BHE”) and its subsidiaries:
BHE senior unsecured debt due 2017-2043	5.7%	$	6,366	$	6,616
Subsidiary and other debt due 2014-2054	5.3%		23,998		23,033
Issued by Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC and its subsidiaries (“BNSF”) due 2014-2097	5.1%		19,330		17,006
		$	49,694	$	46,655

BHE subsidiary debt represents amounts issued pursuant to separate financing agreements. All, or substantially all, of the assets of certain BHE subsidiaries are, or may be, pledged or encumbered to support or otherwise secure the debt. These borrowing arrangements generally contain various covenants including, but not limited to, leverage ratios, interest coverage ratios and debt service coverage ratios. BNSF’s borrowings are primarily senior unsecured debentures. In March 2014, BNSF issued $1.5 billion in debentures consisting of $500 million of 3.75% debentures due in 2024 and $1 billion of 4.9% debentures due in 2044. In August 2014, BNSF issued $1.5 billion in debentures consisting of $700 million of 3.4% debentures due in 2024 and $800 million of 4.55% debentures due in 2044. As of September 30, 2014, BNSF and 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, 2014		December 31, 2013
Finance and financial products:
Issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation (“BHFC”) due 2015-2043	3.1%	$	11,177	$	11,178
Issued by other subsidiaries due 2014-2036	4.7%		1,613		1,951
		$	12,790	$	13,129

In January 2014, $750 million of BHFC senior notes matured and BHFC issued $750 million of new senior notes to replace maturing notes. The new senior notes consisted of $650 million of floating rate notes due in 2017 and $100 million of 2% notes due in 2018. In July 2014, $400 million of BHFC senior notes matured and in August 2014, BHFC issued $400 million of new floating rate senior notes due in 2017.

Our subsidiaries have unused lines of credit and commercial paper capacity aggregating approximately $7.2 billion at September 30, 2014, to support short-term borrowing programs and provide additional liquidity. Such unused lines of credit included about $4.1 billion related to BHE and its subsidiaries. The borrowings of BHFC, a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Berkshire, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Berkshire. In addition to BHFC’s borrowings, Berkshire has guaranteed other subsidiary borrowings, aggregating approximately $3.8 billion at September 30, 2014. 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 present and future payment obligations.

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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, 2014		December 31, 2013
Land	—	$	1,160	$	1,098
Buildings and improvements	2 – 40 years		6,505		6,244
Machinery and equipment	3 – 25 years		16,319		15,984
Furniture, fixtures and other	2 – 15 years		3,182		2,748
			27,166		26,074
Accumulated depreciation			(13,113)		(12,451)
		$	14,053	$	13,623

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, 2014			December 31, 2013
Railroad:
Land	—	$	5,976		$	5,973
Track structure and other roadway	5 –100 years		41,779			40,098
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment	5 – 40 years		8,929			7,551
Construction in progress	—		1,198			973
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system	5 – 80 years		59,864			57,490
Interstate pipeline assets	3 – 80 years		6,508			6,448
Independent power plants and other assets	3 – 30 years		4,551			2,516
Construction in progress	—		4,126			4,217
			132,931			125,266
Accumulated depreciation			(25,212	)		(22,784	)
		$	107,719		$	102,482

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, 2014			December 31, 2013
Assets held for lease	6 – 30 years	$	10,061		$	9,509
Land	—		229			233
Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,179			1,146
			11,469			10,888
Accumulated depreciation			(3,439	)		(3,188	)
		$	8,030		$	7,700

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Common stock

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Common stock

Note 17. Common stock

Changes in Berkshire’s issued, treasury and outstanding common stock during the first nine months of 2014 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, 2013		868,616			(9,573	)		859,043			1,178,775,092		(1,408,484	)		1,177,366,608
Conversions of Class A common stock to Class B common stock and exercises of replacement stock options issued in a business acquisition		(22,484	)		—			(22,484	)		35,178,371		—			35,178,371
Treasury shares acquired		—			(2,107	)		(2,107	)		—		(1,278	)		(1,278	)
Balance at September 30, 2014		846,132			(11,680	)		834,452			1,213,953,463		(1,409,762	)		1,212,543,701

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 1,642,814 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and 1,643,954 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013. In addition to our common stock, 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock are authorized, but none are issued and outstanding.

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 Berkshire’s consolidated cash equivalent 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. There were no share repurchases under the program in the first nine months of 2014. In addition, on June 30, 2014, we exchanged approximately 1.62 million shares of GHC common stock for WPLG whose assets included 2,107 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A Common Stock and 1,278 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Berkshire shares are reflected as treasury stock in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 15,504	$ 14,137
Accumulated amortization	5,663	4,954
Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	3,058	2,750
Accumulated amortization	419	340
Patents and technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	5,412	5,173
Accumulated amortization	3,053	2,626
Customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	5,241	4,690
Accumulated amortization	1,680	1,518
Other intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	1,793	1,524
Accumulated amortization	511	470
Insurance and Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	13,251	11,923
Accumulated amortization	4,194	3,723
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	2,253	2,214
Accumulated amortization	$ 1,469	$ 1,231

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 15,952	$ 14,782
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,121)	(2,711)
Depreciation and amortization	5,436	4,833
Other	(369)	186
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before effects of business acquisitions:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,731	682
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(3,162)	(203)
Unearned premiums	1,982	1,432
Receivables and originated loans	(3,061)	(359)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(663)	(1,927)
Income taxes	2,700	2,566
Other	1,732	1,456
Net cash flows from operating activities	24,157	20,737
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(5,775)	(5,246)
Purchases of equity securities	(4,389)	(7,818)
Purchases of investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corp.		(12,250)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	916	2,137
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	4,722	4,739
Sales of equity securities	3,803	2,938
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(162)	(446)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	770	565
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,069)	(830)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(10,172)	(7,727)
Other	390	(1,526)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(10,966)	(25,464)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in short term borrowings, net	222	(1,269)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,288)	(2,889)
Other financing activities	38	(175)
Net cash flows from financing activities	1,176	(213)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(173)	27
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	14,194	(4,913)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	48,186	46,992
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	62,380	42,079
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(3,049)	(2,529)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	826	2,608
Repayments of borrowings	(809)	(2,736)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	42,433	42,358
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	55,834	35,180
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	4,272	5,496
Repayments of borrowings	(1,745)	(836)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	3,400	2,570
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	3,951	4,691
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(72)	(182)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,148	2,506
Repayments of borrowings	(1,488)	(2,918)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	2,353	2,064
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	$ 2,595	$ 2,208

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Investment gains/losses	$ (376)		$ 1,714		$ 3,121		$ 2,711
Total revenues	51,199		46,541		146,414		135,101
Costs and expenses:
Total costs and expenses	44,449		39,163		124,150		113,537
Earnings before income taxes	6,750		7,378		22,264		21,564
Income tax expense	2,029		2,225		6,312		6,782
Net earnings	4,721		5,153		15,952		14,782
Less: Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	104		100		235		296
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway	4,617		5,053		15,717		14,486
Average common shares outstanding	1,642,558	[1]	1,643,779	[1]	1,643,657	[1]	1,643,522	[1]
Class A [Member]
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:
Net earnings per share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 2,811	[1]	$ 3,074	[1]	$ 9,562	[1]	$ 8,814	[1]
Insurance and Other [Member]
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned	12,717		9,270		31,456		27,462
Sales and service revenues	25,078		23,431		72,252		68,839
Interest, dividend and other investment income	1,171		1,118		3,909		3,736
Investment gains/losses	(376)		1,640		3,049		2,529
Total revenues	38,590		35,459		110,666		102,566
Costs and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses	8,791		5,466		19,923		15,879
Life, annuity and health insurance benefits	1,355		1,575		3,844		3,899
Insurance underwriting expenses	1,596		1,966		5,361		5,206
Cost of sales and services	20,410		19,125		58,610		56,239
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,991		2,860		8,845		8,552
Interest expense	109		102		323		293
Total costs and expenses	35,252		31,094		96,906		90,068
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	10,697		9,043		30,296		25,821
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	7,383		6,429		21,957		18,634
Interest expense	597		472		1,753		1,371
Total costs and expenses	7,980		6,901		23,710		20,005
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Revenues:
Sales and service revenues	1,322		1,196		3,732		3,410
Interest, dividend and other investment income	332		342		999		1,028
Investment gains/losses			74		72		182
Derivative gains/losses	258		427		649		2,094
Total revenues	1,912		2,039		5,452		6,714
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and services	713		648		2,043		1,902
Selling, general and administrative expenses	393		388		1,144		1,143
Interest expense	111		132		347		419
Total costs and expenses	$ 1,217		$ 1,168		$ 3,534		$ 3,464

[1] Average shares outstanding include average Class A common shares and average Class B common shares determined on an equivalent Class A common stock basis. Net earnings per common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shown above represents net earnings per equivalent Class A common share. Net earnings per Class B common share is equal to one-fifteen-hundredth (1/1,500) of such amount.

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Inventories

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Inventories

Note 10. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Raw materials	$	1,876	$	1,755
Work in process and other		926		842
Finished manufactured goods		3,371		3,206
Goods acquired for resale		4,009		4,057
	$	10,182	$	9,860

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 30, 2014 Class A [Member]	Oct. 30, 2014 Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
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
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		832,214	1,215,932,573

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease

Note 11. 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, 2014		December 31, 2013
Land	—	$	1,160	$	1,098
Buildings and improvements	2 – 40 years		6,505		6,244
Machinery and equipment	3 – 25 years		16,319		15,984
Furniture, fixtures and other	2 – 15 years		3,182		2,748
			27,166		26,074
Accumulated depreciation			(13,113)		(12,451)
		$	14,053	$	13,623

Depreciation expense attributable to assets of insurance and other businesses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $1,202 million and $1,206 million, respectively.

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, 2014			December 31, 2013
Railroad:
Land	—	$	5,976		$	5,973
Track structure and other roadway	5 –100 years		41,779			40,098
Locomotives, freight cars and other equipment	5 – 40 years		8,929			7,551
Construction in progress	—		1,198			973
Utilities and energy:
Utility generation, distribution and transmission system	5 – 80 years		59,864			57,490
Interstate pipeline assets	3 – 80 years		6,508			6,448
Independent power plants and other assets	3 – 30 years		4,551			2,516
Construction in progress	—		4,126			4,217
			132,931			125,266
Accumulated depreciation			(25,212	)		(22,784	)
		$	107,719		$	102,482

Railroad property, plant and equipment includes the land, other roadway, track structure and rolling stock (primarily locomotives and freight cars) of BNSF. The utility generation, distribution and transmission system and interstate pipeline assets are the regulated assets of public utility and natural gas pipeline subsidiaries. Depreciation expense of the railroad, utilities and energy businesses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $2,932 million and $2,403 million, respectively.

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, 2014			December 31, 2013
Assets held for lease	6 – 30 years	$	10,061		$	9,509
Land	—		229			233
Buildings, machinery and other	3 – 50 years		1,179			1,146
			11,469			10,888
Accumulated depreciation			(3,439	)		(3,188	)
		$	8,030		$	7,700

Assets held for lease includes railcars, intermodal tank containers, cranes, over-the-road trailers, storage units and furniture. Depreciation expense of the finance and financial products businesses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $447 million and $427 million, respectively.

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Common stock (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 5
Common Stock, shares authorized	1,650,000
Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 0.0033
Common Stock, shares authorized	3,225,000,000

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Parenthetical) (Class B [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Class B [Member]
Ratio of earnings per Class B share to earnings per Class A share	0.000667

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Investments in equity securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Investments in equity securities

Note 5. Investments in equity securities

Investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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, 2014 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,468	$	30,226	$	(2	)	$	52,692
Consumer products		7,005		18,620		(4	)		25,621
Commercial, industrial and other		31,172		9,600		(176	)		40,596
	$	60,645	$	58,446	$	(182	)	$	118,909

* As of September 30, 2014, approximately 58% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.3 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $25.1 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $13.4 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $17.1 billion).

	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2013 *
Banks, insurance and finance	$	22,420	$	28,021	$	—		$	50,441
Consumer products		7,082		17,854		—			24,936
Commercial, industrial and other		29,949		12,322		(143	)		42,128
	$	59,451	$	58,197	$	(143	)	$	117,505

* As of December 31, 2013, approximately 55% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in the equity securities of four companies (American Express Company – $13.8 billion; Wells Fargo & Company – $21.9 billion; International Business Machines Corporation – $12.8 billion; and The Coca-Cola Company – $16.5 billion).

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we concluded that the unrealized losses shown in the tables above were temporary. Our conclusions were based on: (a) our ability and intent to hold the securities to recovery; (b) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of each of these issuers was favorable; (c) our opinion that the relative price declines were not significant; and (d) our belief that market prices will increase to and exceed our cost. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unrealized losses on equity securities in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were $3 million and $52 million, respectively.

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other	$	116,432	$	115,464
Railroad, utilities and energy *		1,494		1,103
Finance and financial products		983		938
	$	118,909	$	117,505

* Included in other assets.

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Investments in fixed maturity securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Investments in fixed maturity securities

Note 4. Investments in fixed maturity securities

Investments in securities with fixed maturities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized by type below (in millions).

	Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Carrying Value
September 30, 2014
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,831	$	14	$	(6	)	$	2,839	$	2,839
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		1,923		103		(1	)		2,025		2,025
Foreign governments		12,139		265		(74	)		12,330		12,330
Corporate bonds		8,030		1,235		(3	)		9,262		9,262
Mortgage-backed securities		1,623		210		(4	)		1,829		1,829
		26,546		1,827		(88	)		28,285		28,285
Held to maturity:
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		668		—		(2	)		666		668
	$	27,214	$	1,827	$	(90	)	$	28,951	$	28,953
December 31, 2013
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,650	$	16	$	(8	)	$	2,658	$	2,658
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,221		129		(5	)		2,345		2,345
Foreign governments		11,001		182		(110	)		11,073		11,073
Corporate bonds		9,383		1,190		(15	)		10,558		10,558
Mortgage-backed securities		1,830		218		(8	)		2,040		2,040
		27,085		1,735		(146	)		28,674		28,674
Held to maturity:
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company notes		679		17		—			696		679
	$	27,764	$	1,752	$	(146	)	$	29,370	$	29,353

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance and other	$	28,721	$	28,785
Finance and financial products		232		568
	$	28,953	$	29,353

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, 2014, approximately 92% of foreign government holdings were rated AA or higher by at least one of the major rating agencies. Approximately 76% of foreign government holdings were issued or guaranteed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands. Unrealized losses on all fixed maturity investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than twelve consecutive months were not significant.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities with fixed maturities at September 30, 2014 are summarized below by contractual maturity dates. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers of certain of the securities retain early call or prepayment rights. 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		$7,993		$12,004		$2,889		$2,705		$1,623		$27,214
Fair value		8,077		12,696		3,121		3,228		1,829		28,951

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Fair value measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair value measurements

Note 16. Fair value measurements

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable 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, 2014
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,839	$	2,839	$	2,323	$	516	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,025		2,025		—		2,025		—
Foreign governments		12,330		12,330		8,001		4,329		—
Corporate bonds		9,930		9,928		—		9,919		9
Mortgage-backed securities		1,829		1,829		—		1,829		—
Investments in equity securities		118,909		118,909		118,847		60		2
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock		7,710		8,376		—		—		8,376
Other investments		19,178		19,178		—		—		19,178
Loans and finance receivables		12,535		12,847		—		39		12,808
Derivative contract assets (1)		86		86		—		16		70
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		146		146		2		95		49
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,512		4,512		—		—		4,512
Credit default		155		155		—		—		155
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		12,328		12,783		—		12,783		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		49,694		55,445		—		55,445		—
Finance and financial products		12,790		13,327		—		12,743		584
December 31, 2013
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,658	$	2,658	$	2,184	$	473	$	1
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,345		2,345		—		2,345		—
Foreign governments		11,073		11,073		7,467		3,606		—
Corporate bonds		11,237		11,254		—		10,187		1,067
Mortgage-backed securities		2,040		2,040		—		2,040		—
Investments in equity securities		117,505		117,505		117,438		60		7
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock		7,710		7,971		—		—		7,971
Other investments		17,951		17,951		—		—		17,951
Loans and finance receivables		12,826		12,002		—		454		11,548
Derivative contract assets (1)		87		87		3		15		69
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		208		208		1		198		9
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,667		4,667		—		—		4,667
Credit default		648		648		—		—		648
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		12,440		12,655		—		12,655		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		46,655		49,879		—		49,879		—
Finance and financial products		13,129		13,505		—		12,846		659

⁽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 we 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 pricing 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, 2014 and 2013 follow (in millions).

	Investments in fixed maturity securities			Investments in equity securities and other investments			Net derivative contract liabilities
Nine months ending September 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	372		$	17,958		$	(5,255	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			—			644
Other comprehensive income		13			1,228			4
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(3	)
Dispositions and settlements		(1	)		—			(1	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3		(375	)		(6	)		(35	)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	9		$	19,180		$	(4,646	)
Nine months ending September 30, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	652		$	15,785		$	(7,847	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			523			2,119
Other comprehensive income		(12	)		1,310			(5	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			1
Dispositions and settlements		(18	)		(31	)		(56	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3		—			(1,495	)		—
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	622		$	16,092		$	(5,788	)

In 2013, we transferred the fair value measurements of the Goldman Sachs Warrants and General Electric Warrants from Level 3 to Level 2 because we concluded that the unobservable inputs were no longer significant.

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

Quantitative information as of September 30, 2014, with respect to 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
Other investments:
Preferred stocks	$	12,451	Discounted cash flow	Expected duration	6 years
				Discount for transferability restrictions and subordination	97 basis points
Common stock warrants		6,727	Warrant pricing model	Discount for transferability and hedging restrictions	8%
Net derivative liabilities:
Equity index put options		4,512	Option pricing model	Volatility	20%
Credit default-states/municipalities		155	Discounted cash flow	Credit spreads	9 basis points

Other investments currently consist of investments that were acquired in a few relatively large private placement transactions and include preferred stocks and common stock warrants. These investments are subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and/or provisions that prevent us from economically hedging the values of our investments. In applying discounted estimated cash flow techniques in valuing the perpetual preferred stocks, we made assumptions regarding the expected durations of the investments, as the issuers may have the right to redeem or convert these investments. We also made estimates regarding the impact of subordination, as the preferred stocks have a lower priority in liquidation than debt instruments of the issuers, which affected the discount rates used. In valuing the common stock warrants, we used a warrant valuation model. While most of the inputs to the model are observable, we are subject to the aforementioned contractual restrictions. We have applied discounts with respect to the contractual restrictions. Increases or decreases to these inputs would result in decreases or increases to the fair values of the investments.

Our equity index put option and credit default contracts are not exchange traded and certain contract terms are not standard in derivatives markets. For example, we are not required to post collateral under most of our contracts and many contracts have long durations, and otherwise are illiquid. 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 such contracts.

We value equity index put option contracts based on the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Inputs to this model include current index price, contract duration, 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, given the lack of observable transactions and prices, and acceptable values may be subject to wide ranges. Expected volatility inputs represent our expectations after considering the remaining duration of each contract and that the contracts will remain outstanding until the expiration dates without offsetting transactions occurring in the interim. Increases or decreases in the volatility inputs will produce increases or decreases in the fair values of the liabilities.

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Goodwill and other intangible assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Note 12. Goodwill and other intangible assets

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

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Balance at beginning of year	$	57,011		$	54,523
Acquisitions of businesses		1,818			2,732
Other, including foreign currency translation		(160	)		(244	)
Balance at end of period	$	58,669		$	57,011

Intangible assets other than goodwill are included in other assets and are summarized as follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization
Insurance and other	$	13,251	$	4,194	$	11,923	$	3,723
Railroad, utilities and energy		2,253		1,469		2,214		1,231
	$	15,504	$	5,663	$	14,137	$	4,954
Trademarks and trade names	$	3,058	$	419	$	2,750	$	340
Patents and technology		5,412		3,053		5,173		2,626
Customer relationships		5,241		1,680		4,690		1,518
Other		1,793		511		1,524		470
	$	15,504	$	5,663	$	14,137	$	4,954

Amortization expense was $854 million for the first nine months of 2014 and $797 million for the first nine months of 2013. Intangible assets with indefinite lives as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $2,604 million and $2,221 million, respectively.

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Contingencies and Commitments - Narrative (Detail) In Billions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 Leucadia National Corporation (venture partner) [Member] Berkadia Commercial Mortgage (investee) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Surety bonds [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 26, 2014 Purchase Agreement [Member] Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] Newly Formed Entity- Ultimate Parent Company of Burger King and Tim Hortons [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 26, 2014 Purchase Agreement [Member] Common Stock Warrants [Member] Newly Formed Entity- Ultimate Parent Company of Burger King and Tim Hortons [Member] USD ($)	Aug. 26, 2014 Purchase Agreement [Member] Perpetual Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member] Newly Formed Entity- Ultimate Parent Company of Burger King and Tim Hortons [Member] USD ($)	May 01, 2014 Purchase Agreement [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] AltaLink [Member] USD ($)	May 01, 2014 Purchase Agreement [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] AltaLink [Member] CAD	Oct. 01, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Purchase Agreement [Member] Insurance and Certain Real Estate Businesses [Member] Van Tuyl Group [Member]	Oct. 01, 2014 Subsequent Event [Member] Purchase Agreement [Member] Auto Dealerships [Member] Van Tuyl Group [Member] State Store
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Voting interest in investee	50.00%	50.00%
Guarantee obligation, maximum amount of exposure				$ 2.5
Reimbursement rate from joint venture partner of Company's surety bond claim losses			50.00%
Commercial paper outstanding	2.47
Ownership percentage to be acquired								100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Cash committed to be paid for a potential business acquisition								2.9	3.2
Stated value of equity securities to be acquired					3
Percentage of common shares that can be purchased						1.75%
Commitment to purchase equity securities of an investee							$ 3
Exercise price for warrant to be acquired, per share						$ 0.01
Number of dealers in auto dealership group											78
Number of states with auto dealership locations											10

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Investment gains/losses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Investment gains/losses

Note 8. Investment gains/losses

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

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Fixed maturity securities —
Gross gains from sales and other disposals	$	4		$	727		$	233		$	809
Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(25	)		(55	)		(73	)		(147	)
Equity securities —
Gross gains from sales and other disposals		354			548			3,749			918
Gross losses from sales and other disposals		(38	)		(37	)		(41	)		(57	)
Other-than-temporary impairments		(678	)		(143	)		(697	)		(228	)
Other		7			674			(50	)		1,416
	$	(376	)	$	1,714		$	3,121		$	2,711

Investment gains/losses are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2014			2013		2014		2013
Insurance and other	$	(376	)	$	1,640	$	3,049	$	2,529
Finance and financial products		—			74		72		182
	$	(376	)	$	1,714	$	3,121	$	2,711

Gains from disposals of equity securities in 2014 included non-cash holding gains of approximately $2.1 billion in the first nine months from the exchange of PSX common stock in connection with the acquisition of PSPI and the exchange of GHC common stock for WPLG. The PSX/PSPI exchange was completed February 25, 2014 and the GHC/WPLG exchange was completed on June 30, 2014. The holding gains represented the excess of the respective fair value of the net assets of PSPI and WPLG received over the respective cost basis of the PSX and GHC shares exchanged.

In the third quarter of 2014, we recorded an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charge of $678 million related to our investment in equity securities of Tesco PLC. In the first nine months of 2013, the other-than-temporary impairment charge related to bonds issued by Texas Competitive Electric Holdings. Other investment gains/losses in 2013 primarily consisted of gains related to the valuations of Goldman Sachs Warrants and General Electric Warrants.

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Investment gains/losses (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairments	$ (678)	$ (143)	$ (697)	$ (228)
Investment gains/losses	(376)	1,714	3,121	2,711
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains from sales and other disposals	4	727	233	809
Gross losses from sales and other disposals	(25)	(55)	(73)	(147)
Equity Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross gains from sales and other disposals	354	548	3,749	918
Gross losses from sales and other disposals	(38)	(37)	(41)	(57)
Other Types of Investments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other investment gains/losses	7	674	(50)	1,416
Insurance and Other [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses	(376)	1,640	3,049	2,529
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Investment gains/losses		$ 74	$ 72	$ 182

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Other investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Other investments

Note 6. Other investments

Other investments include preferred stock of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (“Wrigley”), The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) as well as warrants to purchase common stock of BAC. Information concerning each of these investments follows.

In 2008, we acquired $2.1 billion liquidation amount of Wrigley preferred stock in conjunction with Mars Incorporated’s acquisition of Wrigley. The Wrigley preferred stock is entitled to dividends at a rate of 5% per annum and is held within our Finance and Financial Products businesses.

In 2009, we acquired 3,000,000 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock of Dow (“Dow Preferred”) for a cost of $3 billion. Each share of the Dow Preferred is convertible into 24.201 shares of Dow common stock (equivalent to a conversion price of $41.32 per share). Beginning in April 2014, Dow has the option, to cause some or all of the Dow Preferred to be converted into Dow common stock at the then applicable conversion rate, if the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of Dow’s common stock price exceeds $53.72 per share for 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the day before Dow exercises its option. The Dow Preferred is entitled to dividends at a rate of 8.5% per annum and is held by our insurance subsidiaries.

In 2011, we acquired 50,000 shares of 6% Perpetual Preferred Stock of BAC (“BAC Preferred”) and warrants to purchase 700,000,000 shares of common stock of BAC (“BAC Warrants”) for a combined cost of $5 billion. When issued, the BAC Preferred was redeemable at any time by BAC at a price of $105,000 per share ($5.25 billion in aggregate) and dividends were payable on a cumulative basis. At the end of 2013, Berkshire agreed to a proposed amendment to the BAC Preferred and on May 7, 2014, BAC common stock shareholders approved the amendment. Pursuant to the amendment, the BAC Preferred may not be redeemed at the option of BAC before May 7, 2019 and dividends payable on the BAC Preferred are no longer cumulative. The BAC Warrants expire in 2021 and are exercisable for an aggregate cost of $5 billion ($7.142857/share). The BAC Preferred and BAC Warrants are held by our insurance businesses (80%) and our Finance and Financial Products businesses (20%).

Our other investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. In the aggregate, the cost of these investments was $10.0 billion and the fair value was approximately $19.2 billion at September 30, 2014 and $17.9 billion at December 31, 2013.

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Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation

Note 7. Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation

On June 7, 2013, Berkshire and an affiliate of the global investment firm 3G Capital (such affiliate, “3G”), through a newly formed holding company, H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation (“Heinz Holding”), acquired H.J. Heinz Company (“Heinz”). Berkshire and 3G each made equity investments in Heinz Holding, which, together with debt financing obtained by Heinz Holding, was used to acquire all outstanding common stock of Heinz for approximately $23.25 billion in the aggregate.

Heinz is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods, specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz^® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta, infant foods, Ore-Ida^® potato products, Weight Watchers^® Smart Ones^® entrées and T.G.I. Friday’s^® snacks.

Berkshire’s investments in Heinz Holding consist of 425 million shares of common stock, warrants to acquire approximately 46 million additional shares of common stock, and cumulative compounding preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) with a liquidation preference of $8 billion. The aggregate cost of these investments was $12.25 billion. 3G acquired 425 million shares of Heinz Holding common stock for $4.25 billion. In addition, Heinz Holding reserved 39.6 million shares of common stock for issuance under stock options.

The Preferred Stock possesses no voting rights except as required by law or for certain matters specified in the Heinz Holding charter. The Preferred Stock is entitled to dividends at 9% per annum whether or not declared, is senior in priority to the common stock and is callable after June 7, 2016 at the liquidation value plus an applicable premium and any accrued and unpaid dividends. Under the Heinz Holding charter and a shareholders’ agreement entered into as of the acquisition date (the “shareholders’ agreement”), after June 7, 2021, Berkshire can cause Heinz Holding to attempt to sell shares of common stock through public offerings or other issuances (“redemption offerings”), the proceeds of which would be required to be used to redeem any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock. The warrants are exercisable for one cent per share and expire on June 7, 2018.

Berkshire and 3G each currently own 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock and possess equal voting interests in Heinz Holding. Under the shareholders’ agreement, unless and until Heinz Holding engages in a public offering, Berkshire and 3G each must approve all significant transactions and governance matters involving Heinz Holding and Heinz so long as Berkshire and 3G each continue to hold at least 66% of their initial common stock investments, except for (i) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Preferred Stock, and actions related to a Heinz Holding call of the Preferred Stock, for which Berkshire does not have a vote or approval right, and (ii) redemption offerings and redemptions resulting therefrom, which may only be triggered by Berkshire. No dividends may be paid on the common stock if there are any unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock.

We account for our investments in Heinz Holding common stock and common stock warrants on the equity method. Accordingly, we included our proportionate share of Heinz Holding’s net earnings attributable to common stockholders and other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income beginning as of the acquisition date. We account for our investment in Preferred Stock as an equity investment and it is carried at cost in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Dividends earned in connection with the Preferred Stock and our share of Heinz Holding’s net earnings attributable to common stockholders are included in interest, dividend and other investment income of Insurance and Other in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Summarized consolidated financial information of Heinz Holding and its subsidiaries follows (in millions).

	September 28, 2014			December 29, 2013
Assets	$	38,055		$	38,972
Liabilities		22,039			22,429
	Third Quarter 2014			First Nine Months 2014
Sales	$	2,594		$	8,122
Net earnings	$	172		$	494
Preferred stock dividends earned by Berkshire		(180	)		(540	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(8	)	$	(46	)
Earnings attributable to Berkshire *	$	176		$	516

* Includes dividends earned and Berkshire’s share of net loss attributable to common stockholders.

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Receivables

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Receivables

Note 9. Receivables

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance premiums receivable	$	8,642	$	7,474
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,221		3,055
Trade and other receivables		12,507		10,111
Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(353)		(360)
	$	24,017	$	20,280

Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	$	12,865	$	13,170
Allowances for uncollectible loans		(330)		(344)
	$	12,535	$	12,826

Consumer installment loans represented approximately 97% and 95% of the aggregate consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Allowances for uncollectible loans predominantly related to consumer installment loans. Provisions for loan losses for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were $143 million and $192 million, respectively, and loan charge-offs, net of recoveries, were $157 million in 2014 and $209 million in 2013. The carrying values of loans were net of unamortized acquisition discounts of $293 million at September 30, 2014 and $406 million at December 31, 2013. At September 30, 2014, approximately 97% of the loans were evaluated collectively for impairment, and the remainder was evaluated individually 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, 2014, approximately 98% of the loan balances were determined to be performing and approximately 94% of those balances were current as to payment status.

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Inventories (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials	$ 1,876	$ 1,755
Work in process and other	926	842
Finished manufactured goods	3,371	3,206
Goods acquired for resale	4,009	4,057
Total inventory	$ 10,182	$ 9,860

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Business segment data (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 51,199	$ 46,541	$ 146,414	$ 135,101
Total earnings before income taxes	6,750	7,378	22,264	21,564
Operating Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	51,240	44,466	142,574	130,501
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	6,896	5,531	18,742	17,629
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	13,674	10,354	34,865	31,090
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,926	1,341	5,722	6,087
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Geico [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	5,203	4,730	15,168	13,726
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	264	307	1,010	909
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | General Re [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,566	1,454	4,733	4,422
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	126	63	322	182
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	4,809	2,219	8,414	6,918
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	443	(206)	617	1,159
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,139	867	3,141	2,396
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	143	99	379	228
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group [Member] | Investment Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest, dividend and other investment income	957	1,084	3,409	3,628
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	950	1,078	3,394	3,609
Operating Businesses [Member] | BNSF [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,881	5,651	17,063	16,257
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,654	1,556	4,295	4,242
Operating Businesses [Member] | Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,853	3,392	13,344	9,564
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,051	586	2,248	1,574
Operating Businesses [Member] | McLane Company [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,151	11,547	34,327	33,707
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	120	126	361	372
Operating Businesses [Member] | Manufacturing Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,534	8,804	27,788	25,861
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	1,337	1,202	3,774	3,301
Operating Businesses [Member] | Other Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,493	3,179	10,456	9,583
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	355	317	1,095	999
Operating Businesses [Member] | Finance and Financial Products Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,654	1,539	4,731	4,439
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	453	403	1,247	1,054
Intersegment Eliminations and Other Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	77	(66)	70	(205)
Investment and derivative gains/losses	(118)	2,141	3,770	4,805
Interest expense	(79)	(80)	(233)	(226)
Earnings before income taxes from operating businesses	$ 51	$ (214)	$ (15)	$ (644)

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Property, plant and equipment and assets held for lease - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Insurance and Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 1,202	$ 1,206
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	2,932	2,403
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 447	$ 427

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Receivables - Narrative (Detail) (Finance and Financial Products [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Consumer installment loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	97.00%		95.00%
Consumer installment loans and finance receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provisions for loan losses	$ 143	$ 192
Loan charge-offs, net of recoveries	157	209
Unamortized acquisition discounts on loans	$ 293		$ 406
Loans and finance receivables [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percent of loans evaluated collectively for impairment	97.00%
Percent of loan balances that are performing	98.00%
Percent of loan balances that are current as to payment status	94.00%

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Receivables (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Insurance and Other [Member]

Schedule of receivables

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

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Insurance premiums receivable	$	8,642	$	7,474
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		3,221		3,055
Trade and other receivables		12,507		10,111
Allowances for uncollectible accounts		(353)		(360)
	$	24,017	$	20,280

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Schedule of receivables

Loans and finance receivables of finance and financial products businesses are comprised of the following (in millions).

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Consumer installment loans, commercial loans and finance receivables	$	12,865	$	13,170
Allowances for uncollectible loans		(330)		(344)
	$	12,535	$	12,826

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Investments in fixed maturity securities - Narrative (Detail) (Fixed Maturities [Member], Foreign governments [Member])	Sep. 30, 2014
United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by geographic location	76.00%
AA or Higher Credit Rating [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of fixed maturity investments by credit rating	92.00%

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Supplemental cash flow information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Supplemental cash flow information

Note 14. Supplemental cash flow information

A summary of supplemental cash flow information for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table (in millions).

	First Nine Months
	2014		2013
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	$	3,201	$	4,028
Interest:
Insurance and other businesses		321		321
Railroad, utilities and energy businesses		1,864		1,507
Finance and financial products businesses		332		401
Investments in equity securities exchanged in connection with business acquisitions		2,478		—
Liabilities assumed in connection with business acquisitions		1,459		275
Treasury stock acquired in connection with business acquisition		400		—

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Contingencies and Commitments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Contingencies and Commitments

Note 19. Contingencies and Commitments

We are parties in a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. In particular, such legal actions affect our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Such litigation generally seeks 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.

Berkshire owns a 50% interest in a joint venture, Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC (“Berkadia”), with Leucadia National Corporation (“Leucadia”) having the other 50% interest. Berkadia is a servicer of commercial real estate loans in the U.S., performing primary, master and special servicing functions for U.S. government agency programs, commercial mortgage-backed securities transactions, banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. A significant source of funding for Berkadia’s operations is through its issuance of commercial paper. Repayment of the commercial paper is supported by a $2.5 billion surety policy issued by a Berkshire insurance subsidiary. Leucadia has agreed to indemnify Berkshire for one-half of any losses incurred under the policy. As of September 30, 2014, Berkadia’s commercial paper outstanding was $2.47 billion.

On May 1, 2014, BHE entered into a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of AltaLink, L.P. (“AltaLink”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. for an estimated cash purchase price of C$3.2 billion (approximately $2.9 billion as of September 30, 2014). We currently expect the acquisition will be funded with a combination of cash and new BHE senior unsecured debt. AltaLink is a regulated transmission-only business, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including required approvals, and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

On August 26, 2014, Burger King Worldwide Inc. (“Burger King”) and Tim Hortons Inc. (“Tim Hortons”) announced that they had entered into a definitive merger agreement. In connection with that agreement, Berkshire entered into a securities purchase agreement to acquire perpetual preferred shares having a stated value of $3 billion and a warrant to purchase common shares representing 1.75% of the outstanding common shares at the time of the aforementioned merger of a newly formed entity that will be the ultimate parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons, for an aggregate purchase price of $3 billion. The warrant will be exercisable at one cent per share. Berkshire’s acquisition of these investments is contingent upon the closing of the merger of Burger King and Tim Hortons, which is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2014 or in early 2015.

On October 1, 2014, Berkshire and Van Tuyl Group entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Berkshire Hathaway will acquire a controlling interest in the Van Tuyl Group, the nation’s largest privately-owned auto dealership group and fifth largest among all U.S. auto dealership groups, as well as 100% of related insurance and certain real estate businesses. The auto dealership group consists of 78 dealers, with locations in 10 states. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2015 and is subject to obtaining approvals from the major auto manufacturers as well as certain customary closing conditions, including various regulatory approvals.

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Investments in fixed maturity securities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities	$ 27,214	$ 27,764
Unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities	1,827	1,752
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities	(90)	(146)
Fair value of fixed maturity securities	28,951	29,370
Carrying value of fixed maturity securities	28,953	29,353
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	26,546	27,085
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	1,827	1,735
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	(88)	(146)
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	28,285	28,674
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost and carrying value of held-to-maturity securities	668	679
Unrealized gains on held-to-maturity securities		17
Unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities	(2)
Fair value of held-to-maturity securities	666	696
Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	2,831	2,650
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	14	16
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	(6)	(8)
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	2,839	2,658
Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	1,923	2,221
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	103	129
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	(1)	(5)
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	2,025	2,345
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign governments [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	12,139	11,001
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	265	182
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	(74)	(110)
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	12,330	11,073
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	8,030	9,383
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	1,235	1,190
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	(3)	(15)
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	9,262	10,558
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities	1,623	1,830
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	210	218
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	(4)	(8)
Carrying value and fair value of available-for-sale securities	$ 1,829	$ 2,040

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Fair value measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Our financial assets and liabilities are summarized below as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 with fair values shown according to the fair value hierarchy (in millions). The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable 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, 2014
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,839	$	2,839	$	2,323	$	516	$	—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,025		2,025		—		2,025		—
Foreign governments		12,330		12,330		8,001		4,329		—
Corporate bonds		9,930		9,928		—		9,919		9
Mortgage-backed securities		1,829		1,829		—		1,829		—
Investments in equity securities		118,909		118,909		118,847		60		2
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock		7,710		8,376		—		—		8,376
Other investments		19,178		19,178		—		—		19,178
Loans and finance receivables		12,535		12,847		—		39		12,808
Derivative contract assets (1)		86		86		—		16		70
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		146		146		2		95		49
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,512		4,512		—		—		4,512
Credit default		155		155		—		—		155
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		12,328		12,783		—		12,783		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		49,694		55,445		—		55,445		—
Finance and financial products		12,790		13,327		—		12,743		584
December 31, 2013
Investments in fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	2,658	$	2,658	$	2,184	$	473	$	1
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		2,345		2,345		—		2,345		—
Foreign governments		11,073		11,073		7,467		3,606		—
Corporate bonds		11,237		11,254		—		10,187		1,067
Mortgage-backed securities		2,040		2,040		—		2,040		—
Investments in equity securities		117,505		117,505		117,438		60		7
Investment in Heinz Holding Preferred Stock		7,710		7,971		—		—		7,971
Other investments		17,951		17,951		—		—		17,951
Loans and finance receivables		12,826		12,002		—		454		11,548
Derivative contract assets (1)		87		87		3		15		69
Derivative contract liabilities:
Railroad, utilities and energy (1)		208		208		1		198		9
Finance and financial products:
Equity index put options		4,667		4,667		—		—		4,667
Credit default		648		648		—		—		648
Notes payable and other borrowings:
Insurance and other		12,440		12,655		—		12,655		—
Railroad, utilities and energy		46,655		49,879		—		49,879		—
Finance and financial products		13,129		13,505		—		12,846		659

⁽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, 2014 and 2013 follow (in millions).

	Investments in fixed maturity securities			Investments in equity securities and other investments			Net derivative contract liabilities
Nine months ending September 30, 2014
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	372		$	17,958		$	(5,255	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			—			644
Other comprehensive income		13			1,228			4
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			(3	)
Dispositions and settlements		(1	)		—			(1	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3		(375	)		(6	)		(35	)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	9		$	19,180		$	(4,646	)
Nine months ending September 30, 2013
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	652		$	15,785		$	(7,847	)
Gains (losses) included in:
Earnings		—			523			2,119
Other comprehensive income		(12	)		1,310			(5	)
Regulatory assets and liabilities		—			—			1
Dispositions and settlements		(18	)		(31	)		(56	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3		—			(1,495	)		—
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	622		$	16,092		$	(5,788	)

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

Quantitative information as of September 30, 2014, with respect to 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
Other investments:
Preferred stocks	$	12,451	Discounted cash flow	Expected duration	6 years
				Discount for transferability restrictions and subordination	97 basis points
Common stock warrants		6,727	Warrant pricing model	Discount for transferability and hedging restrictions	8%
Net derivative liabilities:
Equity index put options		4,512	Option pricing model	Volatility	20%
Credit default-states/municipalities		155	Discounted cash flow	Credit spreads	9 basis points

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net earnings	$ 4,721	$ 5,153	$ 15,952	$ 14,782
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	(601)	1,598	4,629	12,650
Applicable income taxes	174	(527)	(1,662)	(4,371)
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	417	(360)	(3,032)	(1,135)
Applicable income taxes	(146)	126	1,061	397
Foreign currency translation	(1,226)	549	(846)	(304)
Applicable income taxes	101	(56)	31	37
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	39	(17)	30	95
Applicable income taxes	(7)	4	(2)	(26)
Other, net	2	46	(27)	66
Other comprehensive income, net	(1,247)	1,363	182	7,409
Comprehensive income	3,474	6,516	16,134	22,191
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	92	131	256	296
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 3,382	$ 6,385	$ 15,878	$ 21,895

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Significant business acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

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.

On December 19, 2013, BHE acquired NV Energy, Inc. (“NV Energy”) for cash consideration of approximately $5.6 billion. NV Energy is an energy holding company serving approximately 1.2 million retail electric customers and 0.2 million retail natural gas customers in Nevada. NV Energy’s principal operating subsidiaries, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company, are regulated utilities. We accounted for the acquisition pursuant to the acquisition method. NV Energy’s financial results are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on the acquisition date.

The preliminary values of NV Energy’s identified assets acquired, liabilities assumed and residual goodwill at the date of acquisition are summarized as follows (in millions).

	December 19, 2013
Property, plant and equipment	$	9,518
Goodwill		2,363
Other assets, including cash and cash equivalents of $304 million		2,505
Assets acquired	$	14,386
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	$	3,456
Notes payable and other borrowings		5,334
Liabilities assumed	$	8,790
Net assets acquired	$	5,596

On January 1, 2014, we acquired the beverage dispensing equipment manufacturing and merchandising operations of British engineering company, IMI plc for approximately $1.12 billion. On February 25, 2014, we acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of Phillips Specialty Products Inc. (“PSPI”) from Phillips 66 (“PSX”) in exchange for 17,422,615 shares of PSX common stock with an aggregate fair value of $1.35 billion. PSPI, which has been renamed as Lubrizol Specialty Products Inc. (“LSPI”), provides flow improver products to customers worldwide. On June 30, 2014, we acquired WPLG, Inc. (“WPLG”), whose assets included a Miami, Florida, ABC affiliated television station, shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B common stock and cash from Graham Holding Company (“GHC”) in exchange for 1,620,190 shares of GHC common stock with an aggregate fair value of $1.13 billion. At their respective acquisition dates, the preliminary aggregate fair value of the identified net assets of IMI plc, LSPI and WPLG was approximately $2.3 billion and the residual goodwill was approximately $1.3 billion.

The following table sets forth certain unaudited pro forma consolidated earnings data for the first nine months of 2013 (in millions, except the per share amount).

Revenues	$	138,168
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		14,805
Net earnings per equivalent Class A common share attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders		9,008

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Investments in H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Heinz Holding [Member] Stock Options [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Heinz Holding [Member] 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]	Jun. 07, 2013 Heinz Holding [Member] Common Stock [Member] 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Heinz Holding [Member] Heinz [Member] 3G Capital (venture partner) [Member]	Jun. 07, 2013 Heinz Holding [Member] Heinz [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Heinz Holding [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Jun. 07, 2013 Heinz Holding [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Heinz Holding [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] Warrants Expiring June 7, 2018 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Heinz Holding [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 07, 2013 Heinz Holding [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] Common Stock, Cumulative Compounding Preferred Stock and Warrants [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Heinz Holding [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] Heinz [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Aggregate cash paid for acquiree's equity securities				$ 4,250,000,000		$ 23,250,000,000
Investment, number of shares purchased				425,000,000				425,000,000
Number of common shares that can be purchased									46,000,000
Investment in preferred stock, liquidation value										8,000,000,000
Purchase of preferred stock, common stock and warrants	$ 12,250,000,000										$ 12,250,000,000
Common shares reserved for issuance under options		39,600,000
Investment in preferred stock, stated dividend rate										9.00%
Exercise price for warrants, per share									$ 0.01
Equity method investment ownership percentage			50.00%				50.00%
Minimum percentage of initial common stock investment required to be held to maintain approval rights over significant transactions and governance					66.00%							66.00%

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Unrealized appreciation of investments, net [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Foreign currency translation [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Foreign currency translation [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Prior service and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Other AOCI transactions [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Other AOCI transactions [Member] Portion Attributable to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 44,186	$ 44,025	$ 44,025	$ 27,500	$ 44,042	$ 29,254	$ (146)	$ (120)	$ 46	$ (1,601)	$ 83	$ (33)
Other comprehensive income, net before reclassifications			2,070	8,093	2,942	8,252	(852)	(191)	(15)	(17)	(5)	49
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(1,909)	(684)	(1,971)	(738)	47	(31)	39	81	(24)	4
Transactions with noncontrolling interests				(12)				(12)
Net current period other comprehensive income			161	7,397	971	7,514	(805)	(234)	24	64	(29)	53
Ending Balance	$ 44,186	$ 44,025	$ 44,186	$ 34,897	$ 45,013	$ 36,768	$ (951)	$ (354)	$ 70	$ (1,537)	$ 54	$ 20

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Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets - Narrative (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 854	$ 797
Intangible assets with indefinite lives, excluding goodwill	$ 2,604		$ 2,221

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Business segment data

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Business segment data

Note 20. Business segment data

Revenues by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014		2013
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Premiums earned:
GEICO	$	5,203		$	4,730		$	15,168	$	13,726
General Re		1,566			1,454			4,733		4,422
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		4,809			2,219			8,414		6,918
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		1,139			867			3,141		2,396
Investment income		957			1,084			3,409		3,628
Total insurance group		13,674			10,354			34,865		31,090
BNSF		5,881			5,651			17,063		16,257
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company		4,853			3,392			13,344		9,564
McLane Company		12,151			11,547			34,327		33,707
Manufacturing businesses		9,534			8,804			27,788		25,861
Other businesses		3,493			3,179			10,456		9,583
Finance and financial products		1,654			1,539			4,731		4,439
		51,240			44,466			142,574		130,501
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		(118	)		2,141			3,770		4,805
Eliminations and other		77			(66	)		70		(205	)
	$	51,199		$	46,541		$	146,414	$	135,101

Earnings before income taxes by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter						First Nine Months
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Operating Businesses:
Insurance group:
Underwriting gain (loss):
GEICO	$	264		$	307		$	1,010		$	909
General Re		126			63			322			182
Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group		443			(206	)		617			1,159
Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group		143			99			379			228
Net investment income		950			1,078			3,394			3,609
Total insurance group		1,926			1,341			5,722			6,087
BNSF		1,654			1,556			4,295			4,242
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company		1,051			586			2,248			1,574
McLane Company		120			126			361			372
Manufacturing businesses		1,337			1,202			3,774			3,301
Other businesses		355			317			1,095			999
Finance and financial products		453			403			1,247			1,054
		6,896			5,531			18,742			17,629
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated amount:
Investment and derivative gains/losses		(118	)		2,141			3,770			4,805
Interest expense, excluding interest allocated to operating businesses		(79	)		(80	)		(233	)		(226	)
Eliminations and other		51			(214	)		(15	)		(644	)
	$	6,750		$	7,378		$	22,264		$	21,564

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Notes payable and other borrowings (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy [Member] Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Energy Subsidiaries [Member] Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] BNSF [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] BNSF [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] BNSF [Member] Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Berkshire Hathaway (Parent) [Member] Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Insurance and Other [Member] Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Insurance and Other [Member] Insurance and Other Subsidiaries [Member] Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corporation [Member] Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Finance and Financial Products [Member] Other Finance Subsidiaries [Member] Debt [Member]
Notes payable and other borrowings [Line Items]
Maturity date, range, start					2017			2014			2014					2014			2014					2015			2014
Maturity date, range, end					2043			2054			2097					2047			2035					2043			2036
Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate																	0.40%
Senior unsecured debt			$ 6,366	$ 6,616
Weighted average interest rate, percentage			5.70%			5.30%			5.10%					2.80%			6.00%					3.10%			4.70%
Notes payable and other borrowings	49,694	46,655				23,998	23,033		19,330	17,006		12,328	12,440	8,349	8,311					12,790	13,129	11,177	11,178		1,613	1,951
Short-term borrowings																	817	949
Other borrowings																	$ 3,162	$ 3,180

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Finance and Financial Products [Member]

Derivative contracts outstanding

A summary of derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Assets		Liabilities		Notional Value		Assets		Liabilities		Notional Value
Equity index put options	$	—	$	4,512	$	30,567(1)	$	—	$	4,667	$	32,095(1)
Credit default		—		155		7,792(2)		—		648		7,792(2)
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—		—				—		16
	$	—	$	4,667			$	—	$	5,331

⁽¹⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract’s expiration date.

⁽²⁾  Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

Derivative gains/losses included in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivative gains/losses of our finance and financial products businesses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2014		2013			2014		2013
Equity index put options	$	223	$	519		$	156	$	2,155
Credit default		35		(128	)		492		(43	)
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—		36			1		(18	)
	$	258	$	427		$	649	$	2,094

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Derivative contracts

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Derivative contracts

Note 13. Derivative contracts

Derivative contracts have been entered into primarily by our finance and financial products and our energy businesses. Substantially all of the derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses are not designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. Changes in the fair values of such contracts are reported 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 derivative contracts of our finance and financial products businesses follows (in millions).

	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Assets		Liabilities		Notional Value		Assets		Liabilities		Notional Value
Equity index put options	$	—	$	4,512	$	30,567(1)	$	—	$	4,667	$	32,095(1)
Credit default		—		155		7,792(2)		—		648		7,792(2)
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—		—				—		16
	$	—	$	4,667			$	—	$	5,331

⁽¹⁾  Represents the aggregate undiscounted amount payable at the contract expiration dates assuming that the value of the related index is zero at each contract’s expiration date.

⁽²⁾  Represents the maximum undiscounted future value of losses payable under the contracts, if all underlying issuers default and the residual value of the specified obligations is zero.

Derivative gains/losses of our finance and financial products businesses included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings were as follows (in millions).

	Third Quarter					First Nine Months
	2014		2013			2014		2013
Equity index put options	$	223	$	519		$	156	$	2,155
Credit default		35		(128	)		492		(43	)
Other, principally interest rate and foreign currency		—		36			1		(18	)
	$	258	$	427		$	649	$	2,094

We have not written any equity index put option contracts since February 2008. The contracts currently outstanding are European style options written on four major stock indexes three of which are outside of the U.S. Future payments, if any, under any given contract will be required if the underlying index value is below the strike price on the contract expiration date. We received the premiums on these contracts in full at the contract inception dates and therefore have no counterparty credit risk.

The aggregate intrinsic value (which is the undiscounted liability assuming the contracts are settled based on the index values and foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date) of our equity index put option contracts was approximately $1.3 billion at September 30, 2014 and $1.7 billion at December 31, 2013. However, these contracts may not be unilaterally terminated or fully settled before the expiration dates which occur between June 2018 and January 2026. Therefore, the ultimate amount of cash basis gains or losses on these contracts will not be determined for many years. The remaining weighted average life of all contracts was approximately 6.2 years at September 30, 2014.

Our remaining credit default contract relates to approximately 500 municipal debt issues with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2054 and has an aggregate notional value of approximately $7.8 billion. The underlying debt issues have a weighted average maturity of approximately 17 years. Pursuant to the contract terms, future losses, if any, are not payable before the maturity dates of the underlying obligations. We have no counterparty credit risk under this contract because all premiums were received at the inception of the contract.

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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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, additional collateral of up to $1.1 billion could be required to be posted.

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 of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $86 million and $87 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Derivative contract liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities of railroad, utilities and energy businesses and were $146 million and $208 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Unrealized gains and losses under the contracts of our regulated utilities that are probable of recovery through rates are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. 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.