Berkshire Hathaway with record cash hoard and better quarterly earnings 💡

Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB.US), Warren Buffett's investment firm, is gaining nearly 5.5% on the stock market after reporting better-than-expected quarterly results over the weekend. If the current pre-market gains hold, it could lead to a new record high for the stock. Additionally, the company reported a new record cash hoard of $167.6 billion. Warren Buffett stated in his shareholder letter that there are currently no attractive investment opportunities in the market that Berkshire deems suitable for allocation.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

• Operating income of $8.48 billion, a 21% decrease compared to the previous quarter, estimated at $7.89 billion (higher due to increased insurance underwriting earnings and investment income)
• Insurance underwriting operating income of $848 million, a 65% decrease compared to the previous quarter
• Insurance investment operating income of $2.76 billion, a 12% increase compared to the previous quarter
• Railroad operating income of $1.36 billion, an 11% increase compared to the previous quarter
• Utilities and energy operating income of $632 million, a 27% increase compared to the previous quarter
• Other operating income of -$804 million compared to $400 million in the previous quarter
• Net income of $37.57 billion compared to a loss of $12.77 billion in the previous quarter
• Insurance float of $169 billion, a 1.2% increase compared to the previous quarter

Other key financial measures of the company and analyst forecasts. Source: Bloomberg Financial LP

Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB.US) shares are trading near their historical highs. Today's reaction to the quarterly results could push the stock even higher. Source: xStation