OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said Friday its first-quarter
profit fell 64 percent because it recorded an unrealized $1.6 billion loss on
its derivative contracts, and its insurance businesses generated lower profits.
Berkshire reported net income of $940 million, or $607 per share, in the
quarter ended March 31. That's down significantly from the net income of $2.6
billion Berkshire generated a year ago.
Berkshire's chairman and CEO Warren Buffett warned shareholders in his
annual letter that the derivatives could make the company's earnings volatile.
But he predicted the derivatives will ultimately be profitable.
The four analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected earnings per share
of $1,476.99 on average.
Including the derivative losses, Berkshire's net investment losses in the
quarter totaled $991 million. A year ago, the Omaha-based company recorded a
$382 million investment gain.
Berkshire said its operating earnings are a better measure of how the
company is performing in any given period because those figures exclude
derivatives and investment gains or losses. Berkshire reported $1.93 billion in
operating earnings during the first quarter, which was down from $2.21 billion
in operating earnings a year ago.
Berkshire's insurance group, which includes Geico, reinsurance giant General
Re and several other firms, contributed $181 million to net income from
underwriting new policies. A year ago, Berkshire's insurance companies generated
a $601 million underwriting profit.
Berkshire generated $25.2 billion in revenue during the first quarter, down
from the $32.9 billion it generated in 2007's first quarter.
Berkshire had $35.6 billion cash on hand at the end of the quarter, which is
down from the $44.3 billion the company held at the end of 2007.
Berkshire owns more than 60 subsidiaries that range from insurance to
clothing, furniture, and candy companies, restaurants, natural gas and corporate
jet firms. Berkshire also has major investments in such companies as Coca-Cola
Co., Anheuser-Busch Cos. and Wells Fargo & Co.
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