Buffett's Berkshire Posts Loss as Stocks Fall, Operating Profit Rises

Reuters2023-11-04

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc on Saturday posted its first overall quarterly loss in a year as the prices of stocks it owns fell, while improved results from insurance operations bolstered operating profit.

Berkshire said its third-quarter net loss was $12.77 billion, or $8,824 per Class A share, and compared with a $2.8 billion loss a year earlier.

Operating profit rose 41% to $10.76 billion, or $7,444 per Class A share, from $7.65 billion a year earlier.

Berkshire said it repurchased $1.1 billion of its stock in the quarter, and has bought back about $7 billion this year.

Berkshire held a record level of cash at the end of September — $157.2 billion — topping the $149.2 billion high set in the third quarter of 2021.

Operating earnings by business segment:

  • Insurance - underwriting: $2.42B vs. -$1.07B a year ago;

  • Insurance - investment income: $2.47B vs. $1.41B a year ago,

  • Railroad: $1.22B vs. $1.44B

  • Utilities and energy: $498M vs. $1.60B in Q3 2022;

  • Pilot Travel Centers: $183M vs.nil.

  • Other controlled businesses: $3.34B vs. $3.25B a year ago;

  • Non-controlled businesses: $226M vs. $346M in Q3 2022;

  • Other: $400M vs. $679M.

Investment and derivative losses, most of which are unrealized, were $23.5B in Q3 compared with $10.4B in the year-ago quarter. That resulted in a net loss of $12.8B in the most recent quarter, compared with a loss/ of $2.80B a year ago.

As of Sept. 30, 2023, about 78% of Berkshire Hathaway’s $318.6B of equity holdings, at fair value, were concentrated in five companies — American Express (AXP), Apple (AAPL), Bank of America (BAC), Coca-Cola (KO), and Chevron (CVX); compared with a 78% concentration (same five companies) of a $353.4B portfolio at June 30, 2023.

Meanwhile, its holdings in Occidental Petroleum (OXY), at fair value, increased to ~$14.5B at Sept. 30 from $13.2B at June 30, and the value of its stake in Kraft Heinz (KHC) dropped to $11.0B from $11.6B.

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Comments

  • Guavaxf30
    2023-11-06
    Guavaxf30
    What is especially relevant is the cash hoard it is holding now. They seem to have divested more than they have invested.  What does this suggest about Berkshire's expectation on the market ?
  • nywles
    2023-11-05
    nywles
    Thanks 
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