BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
INTERIM REPORT
For the Quarter
Ended September 30, 1997
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------ -----------
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 520.9 $ 1,339.8
Investments:
Securities with fixed maturities . . . . . . . . . . . 9,320.8 6,446.9
Equity securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,175.5 27,750.6
Receivables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,696.5 1,523.2
Inventories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 666.8 619.6
Assets of finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,153.9 968.8
Property, plant and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,189.6 1,034.2
Goodwill of acquired businesses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,087.2 3,110.3
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 802.2 616.0
---------- ----------
$ 50,613.4 $ 43,409.4
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Losses and loss adjustment expenses. . . . . . . . . . .$ 6,991.6 $ 6,274.4
Unearned premiums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,670.9 1,183.5
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities . . . . 1,847.9 2,556.8
Income taxes, principally deferred . . . . . . . . . . . 8,851.9 6,837.6
Borrowings under investment agreements and other debt. . 1,832.2 1,944.4
Liabilities of finance businesses. . . . . . . . . . . . 1,010.5 851.3
---------- ----------
22,205.0 19,648.0
---------- ----------
Minority shareholders' interests . . . . . . . . . . . . 401.4 335.1
---------- ----------
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock:*
Class A Common Stock, $5 par value, 1,367,038 and
1,376,188 shares issued; 1,198,835 and 1,206,120
shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8 6.9
Class B Common Stock, $0.1667 par value, 1,058,650
and 783,755 shares issued and outstanding. . . . . 0.2 0.1
Capital in excess of par value . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,347.0 2,274.1
Unrealized appreciation of investments . . . . . . . . 15,722.6 12,143.9
Retained earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,961.5 9,032.7
---------- ----------
28,038.1 23,457.7
Less: Cost of 168,203 and 170,068 Class A common
shares in treasury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.1 31.4
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,007.0 23,426.3
---------- ----------
$ 50,613.4 $ 43,409.4
========== ==========
* Class B Common Stock has economic rights equal to one-thirtieth (1/30) of
the economic rights of Class A Common Stock. Accordingly, on an equivalent
Class A Common Stock basis, there are 1,234,123 shares outstanding at
September 30, 1997 and 1,232,245 at December 31, 1996. Net book value per
equivalent Class A Common share is $22,694 at September 30, 1997.
See accompanying Notes
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in millions except per share amounts)
Third Quarter First Nine Months
------------------- -------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- --------
Revenues:
Insurance premiums earned. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,088.8 $ 971.2 $3,331.9 $2,904.8
Sales and service revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855.2 721.8 2,493.2 2,137.0
Interest and dividend income . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237.5 220.3 686.2 582.5
Income from finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.7 5.9 23.7 16.9
Realized investment gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182.5 96.1 250.7 2,428.6
-------- -------- -------- --------
2,372.7 2,015.3 6,785.7 8,069.8
-------- -------- -------- --------
Cost and expenses:
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses. . . . . 822.6 769.1 2,539.7 2,291.1
Insurance underwriting expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . 197.2 172.3 559.4 506.0
Cost of products and services sold . . . . . . . . . . 487.5 469.4 1,396.0 1,349.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses . . . . . 276.1 196.9 809.1 611.5
Goodwill amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.0 15.1 62.4 45.7
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.6 26.5 84.0 79.7
-------- -------- -------- --------
1,833.0 1,649.3 5,450.6 4,883.9
-------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings:
Earnings before income taxes and minority interest . . 539.7 366.0 1,335.1 3,185.9
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169.3 98.2 395.0 1,045.4
Minority interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.8 3.8 11.3 16.6
-------- ------- -------- --------
Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 366.6 $ 264.0 $ 928.8 $2,123.9
========= ======== ======== ========
Average shares outstanding * . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,234,121 1,210,762 1,232,878 1,202,704
Net earnings per share * . . . . . . . . . . . . . $297 $218 $753 $1,766
==== ==== ==== ======
* Class B Common Stock has economic rights equal to one-thirtieth
(1/30) of the economic rights of Class A Common Stock. 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 share shown above represents net earnings per equivalent
Class A Common share. Net earnings per Class B Common share is equal to
one-thirtieth (1/30) of such amount.
See accompanying Notes
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
First Nine Months
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
Net cash flows from operating activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,854.7 $ 842.4
-------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(6,784.2) (3,104.8)
Proceeds on sales and maturities of investments. . . . . . . . . . . 5,383.9 2,132.8
Loans and investments originated in finance businesses . . . . . . . (352.0) (425.6)
Principal collections on loans and investments originated
in finance businesses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214.2 287.2
Acquisitions of businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (774.9) (2,024.9)
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (147.5) (25.2)
-------- --------
Net cash flows from investing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2,460.5) (3,160.5)
-------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings of finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . 76.5 234.2
Proceeds from other borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778.3 881.5
Repayments of borrowings of finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . (155.9) (368.6)
Repayments of other borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (905.8) (916.7)
Net proceeds from issuance of Class B Common Stock . . . . . . . . . -- 565.0
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1.1) (2.9)
-------- --------
Net cash flows from financing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (208.0) 392.5
-------- --------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (813.8) (1,925.6)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year* . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,350.3 2,744.5
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first nine months*. . . . . . . . .$ 536.5 $ 818.9
======== ========
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 337.6 $ 745.6
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98.2 103.0
Non-cash investing activities:
Liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions of businesses. . . 25.4 3,920.3
Common shares issued in connection with acquisitions of businesses . . 73.0 --
* Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of the following:
Beginning of year
Finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 10.5 $ 40.7
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,339.8 2,703.8
-------- --------
$1,350.3 $2,744.5
======== ========
End of first nine months
Finance businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 15.6 $ 8.2
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520.9 810.7
-------- --------
$ 536.5 $ 818.9
======== ========
See accompanying Notes
Notes To Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 1997
Note 1. General
Reference is made to Berkshire's most recently issued Annual Report that
included information necessary or useful to understanding of Berkshire's
businesses and financial statement presentations. In particular, Berkshire's
significant accounting policies and practices were presented as Note 1 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements included in that Report.
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 generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
For a number of reasons, Berkshire's 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 more significant to results
of interim periods thanto results for a full year.
Realized investment gains/losses are recorded when investments are sold,
other-than-temporarily impaired or in certain situations, as required by GAAP,
when investments are marked-to-market with the corresponding gain or loss
included in earnings. Variations in amount and timing of realized investment
gains/losses can cause significant variations in periodic net earnings. In
March 1996, The Walt Disney Company ("Disney") completed its acquisition of
Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. Subsidiaries of Berkshire received aggregate
consideration of $2.5 billion, which included cash of $1.2 billion and common
shares of Disney with a value of $1.3 billion. The Consolidated Statement of
Earnings for the first nine months of 1996 includes a pre-tax realized
investment gain of $2.2 billion from the Disney transaction.
Note 2. Business acquisitions
On December 23, 1996, FlightSafety International, Inc. ("FlightSafety")
became a wholly-owned subsidiary as a result of the merger of FlightSafety
with and into a subsidiary of Berkshire. FlightSafety provides high technology
training to operators of aircraft and ships throughout the world.
The merger was consummated pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated October 14, 1996 (the "FlightSafety Agreement") between Berkshire and
FlightSafety. Pursuant to the FlightSafety Agreement, aggregate consideration
of approximately $1.5 billion was paid to FlightSafety shareholders consisting
of $769.0 million in cash, 17,728 shares of Berkshire's Class A common stock
and 112,655 shares of Berkshire's Class B common stock.
The results of operations for FlightSafety are included in Berkshire's
consolidated results of operations beginning on the effective date of the
merger -- December 23, 1996. The following table sets forth certain consolidated
statement of earnings data for the first nine months of 1996, as if the
FlightSafety merger had been consummated on the same terms at the beginning of
1996. Dollar amounts are in millions, except per share amounts.
1996
---------
Insurance premiums earned. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,904.8
Sales and service revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,403.9
Total revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,308.5
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,146.4
Earnings per equivalent Class A common share . . . 1,753
On January 2, 1996, GEICO Corporation ("GEICO") became a wholly-owned
subsidiary as a result of the merger of an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary
of Berkshire with and into GEICO. GEICO, through its subsidiaries, is a
multiple line property and casualty insurer, the principal business of which
is underwriting private passenger automobile insurance.
The merger was consummated pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "GEICO Agreement") dated August 25, 1995. Pursuant to the GEICO Agreement,
each issued and outstanding common share of GEICO, except shares held by
Berkshire subsidiaries and GEICO, was converted into the right to receive
$70 per share, or an aggregate amount of $2.3 billion. The amount of the
merger consideration was based upon 33,284,733 outstanding shares held by
the public on the merger date. Since January 2, 1996, the accounts of GEICO
have been included in Berkshire's consolidated financial statements.
As of the merger date, subsidiaries of Berkshire owned 34,250,000 common
shares of GEICO, which were acquired in years prior to 1981 at an aggregate
cost of $45.7 million. Up to the merger date, neither Berkshire nor its
subsidiaries had acquired any shares of GEICO common stock since 1980.
However, Berkshire's ownership percentage, due to intervening stock
repurchases by GEICO, gradually increased from about 33% in 1980 to almost
51% immediately prior to the merger date.
Each of the mergers described above was accounted for by the purchase
method. The excess of the purchase cost over the fair value of net assets
acquired is recorded as goodwill of acquired businesses and is being
amortized over forty years.
Note 3. Recapitalization and Common Stock
On May 6, 1996, Berkshire shareholders approved a recapitalization plan
which created a new class of common stock, designated as Class B Common Stock.
In connection therewith, Berkshire's existing common stock was redesignated as
Class A Common Stock. Each share of Class A Common Stock is convertible, at
the option of the holder, into thirty shares of Class B Common Stock. Class
B Common Stock possesses one-thirtieth (1/30) of the economic rights and
one-two-hundredth (1/200) of the voting rights of Class A Common Stock.
Class B Common Stock is not convertible into Class A Common Stock. On May 8,
1996, Berkshire completed an initial public offering of 517,500 shares of
Class B Common Stock. Berkshire received net proceeds from the offering of
$565.0 million.
The following table summarizes Berkshire's common stock activity during the
first nine months of 1997:
Shares of Shares of
Class A Common Stock Class B Common Stock
----------------------------------------- ----------------------
Issued Held in Treasury Outstanding Issued and Outstanding
--------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996 . . . . . . . 1,376,188 (170,068) 1,206,120 783,755
Conversions of Class A Common Stock
to Class B Common Stock and other. . . . (9,150) -- (9,150) 274,700
Common stock issued in connection with
acquisition of business. . . . . . . . . -- 1,865 1,865 195
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Balance at September 30, 1997. . . . . . . 1,367,038 (168,203) 1,198,835 1,058,650
========= ========= ========= =========
Note 4. Investments in securities with fixed maturities
Data with respect to investments in securities with fixed maturities
(other than securities with fixed maturities held by finance businesses --
See Note 7) are shown in the tabulation below (in millions).
September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------ ------------
Amortized cost . . . . . . . . . . $8,478.5 $6,142.3
Gross unrealized gains . . . . . . 845.5 318.4
Gross unrealized losses. . . . . . (3.2) (13.8)
--------- ---------
Estimated fair value . . . . . . . $9,320.8 $6,446.9
========= =========
Note 5. Investments in equity securities
Data with respect to investments in equity securities are shown in the
tabulation below (in millions). Individual investments whose fair values
exceed ten percent of consolidated shareholders' equity at September 30,
1997 and December 31, 1996 are listed separately.
September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------ ------------
Total cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,515.2 $ 9,152.0
Gross unrealized gains . . . . . . . . . 23,684.4 18,621.0
Gross unrealized losses. . . . . . . . . (24.1) (22.4)
------------ ------------
Total fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 32,175.5 $ 27,750.6
========== ==========
Fair value:
American Express Company . . . . . . . $ 4,049.3 $ 2,794.3
The Coca-Cola Company. . . . . . . . . 12,200.0 10,525.0
The Gillette Company . . . . . . . . . 4,143.0 3,732.0
All others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,783.2 10,699.3
------------ ------------
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 32,175.5 $ 27,750.6
========== ==========
Note 6. Deferred income tax liability
The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's net deferred
tax liability as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 are as follows
(in millions):
September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------ -----------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Relating to unrealized appreciation of investments . . . $ 8,582.8 $ 6,620.6
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830.1 860.9
---------- ----------
9,412.9 7,481.5
Deferred tax assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (655.2) (602.8)
---------- ----------
Net deferred tax liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,757.7 $ 6,878.7
========== ==========
Note 7. Finance businesses
Assets and liabilities of Berkshire's finance businesses are summarized
below (in millions):
September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
------------ ------------
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 15.6 $ 10.5
Installment loans and other receivables. . . . . . . . . 221.9 215.9
Fixed maturity investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 916.4 742.4
------------ ------------
$ 1,153.9 $ 968.8
Liabilities
Borrowings under investment agreements and other debt. .$ 301.9 $ 381.3
Annuity reserves and policyholder liabilities. . . . . . 640.6 434.8
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.0 35.2
------------ ------------
$ 1,010.5 $ 851.3
========= =========
Note 8. Unrealized appreciation of investments
Changes in "Unrealized appreciation of investments", the balance of which
is carried in shareholders' equity, were as follows during the third quarter
and first nine months of 1997 and 1996 (in millions):
Third Quarter First Nine Months
----------------------- -----------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation. . .$ (680.3) $ 1,434.1 $ 5,599.4 $ 2,783.7
(Increase) decrease in deemed applicable
income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236.1 (502.2) (1,964.0) (990.9)
Increase in minority shareholders' interest . . . . (0.1) (18.2) (56.7) (31.7)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net increase (decrease). . . . . . . . . . . . . (444.3) 913.7 3,578.7 1,761.1
Balance at beginning of period. . . . . . . . . . . 16,166.9 10,068.1 12,143.9 9,220.7
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of third quarter . . . . . . . . . .$15,722.6 $10,981.8 $15,722.6 $10,981.8
========= ========== ========= =========
Note 9. Subsequent Event
On October 21, 1997, Berkshire and International Dairy Queen, Inc. ("IDQ")
executed a definitive Merger Agreement pursuant to which Berkshire will
acquire IDQ through the merger of IDQ with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Berkshire. The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to certain
limitations and conditions, the holders of IDQ Class A and Class B common
stock may elect to receive either $27.00 cash or $26.00 of Berkshire Class
A or Class B common stock for each IDQ share. The total merger consideration
will be approximately $585 million. The merger, which is subject to approval
by IDQ Class B shareholders and other customary closing conditions, is expected
to be completed in late 1997.
IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of approximately 5,800 Dairy
Queen stores located throughout the United States, Canada and other foreign
countries, which feature hamburgers, hot dogs, various dairy desserts and
beverages. IDQ also develops, licenses and services other stores and shops
operating under the names of Orange Julius and Karmelkorn, which feature
blended fruit drinks, popcorn and other snacks.
Note 10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued the following
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards:
(1) No. 128 -- "Earnings per Share", which establishes new standards for
computing and presenting earnings per share.
(2) No. 129 -- "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure", which
establishes standards for disclosing information about an entity's
capital structure.
(3) No. 130 -- "Reporting Comprehensive Income", which establishes standards
for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components.
(4) No. 131 -- "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information", which establishes new standards for reporting information
about operating segments in interim and annual financial statements.
Standards described in (1) and (2) above are effective for periods ending
after December 15, 1997 and will be adopted by Berkshire at the end of 1997.
Standards described in (3) and (4) above are effective for periods beginning
after December 15, 1997 and will be adopted by the Company in 1998. The
Company does not expect that adoption of these Standards will have a material
effect on its financial position, results of operation or on disclosures within
the financial statements.
Management's Discussion
September 30, 1997
Net earnings for the third quarter and first nine months of the current
and prior year are summarized in the following table. Amounts are in millions
and each figure is income tax effected.
Third Quarter First Nine Months
------------------ ------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- --------
Insurance, except realized investment gain . . .$ 201.5 $ 165.4 $ 619.8 $ 454.5
Manufacturing, merchandising and services. . . . 58.1 40.0 178.8 123.2
Unallocated income/expense, net. . . . . . . . . 5.4 8.9 17.5 22.7
Interest expense * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (16.9) (12.9) (50.0) (45.1)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before realized investment gain . . . 248.1 201.4 766.1 555.3
Realized investment gain . . . . . . . . . . . . 118.5 62.6 162.7 1,568.6
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 366.6 $ 264.0 $ 928.8 $2,123.9
======== ======== ======== ========
* For purposes of the above table, interest expense of finance businesses
is netted against the directly related service activity revenues.
Insurance Group
The after tax figures shown above for Insurance Group earnings, except
realized investment gain, are aggregated in the following table. Dollar
amounts are in millions.
Third Quarter First Nine Months
------------------ ------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- --------
Premiums earned from:
Direct insurance . . . . . . . . . . . $ 967.8 $ 854.3 $2,785.6 $2,483.7
Reinsurance assumed. . . . . . . . . . 121.0 116.9 546.3 421.1
-------- -------- -------- --------
$1,088.8 $ 971.2 $3,331.9 $2,904.8
======== ======== ======== ========
Underwriting gain (loss) attributable to:
Direct insurance . . . . . . . . . . . $ 112.2 $ 65.1 $ 246.7 $ 155.3
Reinsurance assumed. . . . . . . . . . (43.2) (35.3) (13.9) (47.6)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total underwriting gain. . . . . . . 69.0 29.8 232.8 107.7
Net investment income. . . . . . . . . . 218.5 191.4 631.7 510.3
Goodwill amortization *. . . . . . . . . (10.8) (10.5) (32.3) (31.9)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before income taxes . . . . 276.7 210.7 832.2 586.1
Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . 73.2 43.4 206.2 126.1
Minority interest. . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 1.9 6.2 5.5
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings from Insurance,
except realized investment gain . . . $ 201.5 $ 165.4 $ 619.8 $ 454.5
======== ======== ======== ========
* Principally related to the GEICO merger.
In direct insurance activities, Insurance Group members assume risks of
loss from parties who are directly subject to the risks. In reinsurance
activities, the members assume defined portions of similar or dissimilar
risks to which other insurers or reinsurers have subjected themselves in
their own insuring activities.
In January 1996, GEICO became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire.
(See Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information regarding this acquisition.) GEICO, through its subsidiaries,
provides primarily private passenger automobile coverages to insureds in
48 states and the District of Columbia. GEICO policies are marketed
mainly by direct response methods, in which customers apply for coverage
directly to the company over the telephone or through the mail. This is
a significant element in GEICO's strategy to be a low cost provider of
such coverages. Since 1995, GEICO has substantially reduced the amounts
of homeowners and boat insurance offered and plans to fully exit those
lines of business by 1999.
Insurance premiums earned during the third quarter by GEICO were
$886.6 million in 1997 and $780.5 million in 1996. For the first
nine months, premiums earned by GEICO were approximately $2.6 billion
in 1997 and $2.3 billion in 1996. Premiums earned during the first
nine months of 1997 from voluntary auto business exceeded 1996 by 17.6%,
reflecting primarily increased numbers of policies-in-force. In-force
policy growth over the last twelve months was 12.3% in GEICO's preferred-risk
auto business and 39.3% in the standard and non-standard auto lines as
efforts have been expanded to offer rate quotes to potential customers who
do not meet GEICO's preferred-risk underwriting guidelines. Voluntary
auto new business sales during the first nine months of 1997 increased 54.7%
over 1996. The growth in voluntary auto business was partially offset by
declines in premiums generated from non-auto and involuntary residual auto
insurance coverages. Increases in premium volume are anticipated for the
remainder of 1997 and into 1998 with respect to GEICO's private passenger
automobile insurance businesses.
The net underwriting gains produced by GEICO for the third quarter of
1997 and 1996 were $101.7 million and $54.2 million, respectively. For
the first nine months, underwriting gains totaled $219.8 million in 1997
and $121.7 million in 1996. GEICO's first nine months underwriting results
included charges for catastrophe losses of approximately $8.7 million in
1997 and $48.0 million in 1996. Catastrophe losses of about $33.0 million
in 1996 resulted from homeowner losses primarily associated with the east
coast blizzard in January 1996 and Hurricane Fran in September 1996. Third
quarter and first nine months underwriting results in 1997 continue to
benefit from mild weather conditions and stable claim severities for
liability coverages. The relatively lower claim costs were partially offset
by higher advertising and administrative costs associated with generating
the aforementioned increases in voluntary private passenger auto business.
Third quarter premiums earned from the various other direct insurance
businesses were $81.2 million and $73.8 million in 1997 and 1996,
respectively. For the first nine months, premiums earned totaled $228.9
million and $205.6 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively. Collectively,
the various other direct insurance businesses generated third quarter
underwriting gains of $10.5 million in 1997 and $10.9 million in 1996.
For the first nine months of 1997 and 1996, the non-GEICO direct insurance
businesses produced net underwriting gains of $26.9 million and $33.6
million, respectively.
Reinsurance premiums earned during the first nine months of 1997 and
1996 from catastrophe-excess-of-loss contracts were $112.7 million and
$145.4 million, respectively. Catastrophe premiums earned during the
third quarter 1997 were basically unchanged from the third quarter of
1996. Price competition for catastrophe business remains intense. The
result is fewer acceptably priced offerings to the Insurance Group.
Catastrophe reinsurance policies produced net underwriting gains of
$107.5 million during the first nine months of 1997 and $80.6 million
during the corresponding prior year period. This business contributed
minor amounts of net underwriting gains during the third quarter of 1997
and 1996. The catastrophe reinsurance business in 1997 periods benefitted
from lower amounts of catastrophe losses and underwriting expenses when
compared to corresponding 1996 periods. During the fourth quarter of 1997,
the Insurance Group is expected to earn a considerable amount of catastrophe
reinsurance premiums and, absent any catastrophic loss events, a sizable
underwriting gain will result. The underwriting gains achieved in recent
years by the catastrophe reinsurance business should not be viewed as
predictive of future profitability. The timing and magnitude of catastrophic
loss events can cause extreme volatility in period icunderwriting results.
Berkshire management is willing to accept such volatility provided that
the prospect of long term profitability appears favorable.
Premiums earned during the first nine months of 1997 include
approximately $140.1 million related to a single retroactive reinsurance
contract that became effective in the second quarter of 1997. A retroactive
reinsurance policy indemnifies the ceding party with respect to insurance
risks related to certain past loss events. There were no premiums earned
from retroactive reinsurance policies in 1996 periods.
Reinsurance underwriting results for 1997 and 1996 periods include net
charges related to the amortization of deferred charges re reinsurance
assumed established with respect to retroactive reinsurance policies and
the accretion of discounted structured settlement liabilities. These
recurring charges reflect the recognition of time-value-of-money concepts.
Accretion and amortization charges for the third quarter of 1997 and 1996
were $18.0 million and $17.8 million, respectively. For the first nine
months, such charges totaled $57.7 million in 1997 and $54.5 million in 1996.
During the first nine months of 1997 and 1996, reinsurance premiums earned
from other primarily non-catastrophe excess-of-loss coverages totaled $293.5
million in 1997 and $275.7 million in 1996. For the third quarter, premiums
earned from such contracts were $108.7 million in 1997 and $98.5 million in
1996. In each period, most of the premiums earned were concentrated in a
few sizable contracts. These policies generated net underwriting losses
totaling $63.7 million for the first nine months of 1997 and $73.7 million
for the corresponding 1996 period. For the third quarter , underwriting
losses from such other reinsurance activities were $35.6 million in 1997
and $25.4 million in 1996. Time-value-of-money concepts are important
considerations in establishing premiums for most non-catastrophe reinsurance
coverages because claim losses are expected to be paid over extended time
periods. Underwriting losses often occur as the provisions for estimated
claim losses are established for financial reporting purposes without
discounting for time. This business is accepted because of the large amounts
of policyholder funds ("float") produced.
Berkshire's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1997 includes
estimated liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses from
insurance and reinsurance activities aggregating nearly $7.0 billion. Over
time, additional information will become available with respect to the
ultimate claim amounts and the liabilities will be continually re-estimated.
The estimation error will be periodically recognized as a charge or credit
to losses incurred and, therefore, to net underwriting results in the period
made. Subsequent development of a liability of that magnitude could have a
significant effect on periodic underwriting results.
Net investment income for the third quarter of 1997 exceeded amounts
earned during the third quarter of 1996 by 14.2%. For the first nine
months of 1997, net investment income exceeded amounts earned during
the first nine months of 1996 by 23.8%. The Insurance Group continues
to generate significant levels of investment income, reflecting large
levels of invested assets. Invested assets derive from shareholder
capital and reinvested earnings, as well as substantial levels of
invested policyholder funds ("float") generated from insurance and
reinsurance underwriting activities. As of September 30, 1997, "float"
was about $7.6 billion, an increase of about $1.2 billion since January
1996. Due to the anticipated termination of several large reinsurance
contracts and the recognition of underwriting gain on others, "float"
is expected to decrease during the fourth quarter. The increase in net
investment income for the first nine months of 1997 over 1996 also reflects
the comparative increase in dividends earned from the Insurance Group's
investment in US Airways Convertible Preferred Shares. For the first nine
months of 1997 and 1996, Insurance Group members received dividends from
this investment aggregating $70.4 million and $25.0 million, respectively.
Manufacturing, Merchandising and Services
Results of operations of Berkshire's diverse non-insurance businesses
are aggregated in the following table. Dollar amounts are in millions.
Third Quarter First Nine Months
---------------------------- --------------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
------------- ------------- --------------- ---------------
Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount %
------ ----- ------ ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Revenues . . . . . .$871.9 100.0 $728.3 100.0 $2,541.6 100.0 $2,157.0 100.0
Costs and expenses . . . . . . . . 771.3 88.5 660.7 90.7 2,234.9 87.9 1,947.6 90.3
------ ----- ------ ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Earnings before income taxes . . . 100.6 11.5 67.6 9.3 306.7 12.1 209.4 9.7
Applicable income taxes. . . . . . 41.1 4.7 26.5 3.6 124.0 4.9 83.1 3.9
Applicable minority interest . . . 1.4 0.1 1.1 0.2 3.9 0.2 3.1 0.1
------ ----- ------ ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . .$ 58.1 6.7 $ 40.0 5.5 $ 178.8 7.0 $ 123.2 5.7
====== ===== ====== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====
Revenues from these several and diverse business activities during
1997's third quarter and first nine months were greater by $143.6
million (19.7%) and $384.6 million (17.8%) than revenues recorded during
the corresponding 1996 periods. The increases are primarily due to the
acquisition at the end of 1996 of FlightSafety International, Inc.
("FlightSafety"). FlightSafety provides high technology training to
operators of aircraft and ships throughout the world. See Notes to Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding this
acquisition. In addition, third quarter 1997 revenues benefitted from the
acquisition on July 2, 1997 of Star Furniture Company, the dominant retailer
of home furnishings in Houston, Texas.
Net earnings from this group of businesses were greater by $18.1 million
(45.3%) during 1997's third quarter and $55.6 million (45.1%) during 1997's
first nine months than net earnings reported in the corresponding prior year
periods. The inclusion of FlightSafety's results during 1997 is primarily
responsible for the improved results.
Realized Investment Gain/Loss
Realized investment gain/loss has been a recurring element in Berkshire's
net earnings for many years. The amount -- recorded when securities are sold,
other than temporarily impaired or in certain situations, as required by GAAP,
when investments are marked-to-market with a corresponding gain or loss
included in earnings -- may fluctuate significantly from period to period, with
a meaningful effect upon Berkshire's consolidated net earnings. However, the
amount of realized investment gain or loss for any given period has no
predictive value, and variations in amount from period to period have no
practical analytical value, particularly in view of the net unrealized price
appreciation now existing in Berkshire's consolidated investment portfolio.
The Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the first nine months of 1996
reflects a pre-tax realized investment gain of $2.4 billion ($1.6 billion
after tax). Most of this gain resulted from The Walt Disney Company's
("Disney") acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. ("Capital Cities").
Prior to the acquisition, subsidiaries of Berkshire owned common stock of
Capital Cities which had been acquired in 1986 for an aggregate cost of
$345.0 million. In exchange for the Capital Cities common stock, Berkshire
subsidiaries received cash and Disney common stock having an aggregate value
of $2.5 billion.
While the realized gain had a material impact on Berkshire's 1996
reported earnings, it had a very minor impact on Berkshire's shareholders'
equity. Berkshire records its investments at market value and the
appreciation in the Capital Cities stock had been previously reflected as
a component of shareholders' equity in periods prior to 1996's first quarter.
During the fourth quarter 1997, the recently announced merger of Salomon
Inc ("Salomon") with a subsidiary of Traveler's Group Inc. ("Traveler's) is
expected to be completed. On the merger date, Berkshire subsidiaries will
receive shares of common and preferred stock of Traveler's in exchange for
the common and preferred shares of Salomon currently held. If the merger
is completed as scheduled, and based upon the recent market price for
Traveler's common stock, Berkshire will recognize in its fourth quarter
Consolidated Statement of Earnings a pre-tax gain of approximately $640
million. However, most of this gain has already been reflected in Berkshire's
consolidated shareholders' equity at September 30, 1997 as a component of
"Unrealized appreciation of investments".
Financial Condition
Berkshire's balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity
and above average capital strength. Shareholders' equity at September
30, 1997, was $28.0 billion or $22,694 per equivalent share of Class A
Common Stock.
* * * * *