Berkshire Hathaway operating earnings rise to $12.98 billion
Net earnings attributable to shareholders rose to $25.67 billion in the second quarter
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B), the diversified holding company, reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of $25,667 million in the second quarter of 2026. The result follows a second-quarter profit of $12,370 million in 2025.
Operating earnings increased to $12,983 million. This represents growth from the $11,160 million reported in the second quarter of 2025 and a sequential increase from $11,346 million in the first quarter of 2026.
Growth was driven largely by the manufacturing, service and retailing segment, where operating earnings rose to $4,470 million. This figure exceeded the $3,601 million reported in the second quarter of 2025 and the $3,199 million recorded in the first quarter of 2026.
Other business units also saw gains. BNSF operating earnings rose to $1,558 million from $1,466 million in the prior-year period. Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company operating earnings increased to $891 million from $702 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Performance in the insurance sector was mixed. Insurance-underwriting operating earnings declined to $1,731 million from $1,992 million in the second quarter of 2025. Insurance-investment income also decreased to $3,059 million from $3,367 million in the same period last year.
Investment gains rose to $12,684 million, compared to $4,970 million in the second quarter of 2025. The company also recorded a gain of $326 million in foreign currency exchange results within the 'Other' category, reversing a loss of $877 million from the prior-year quarter.
Berkshire acquired approximately $4.5 billion in treasury shares during the second quarter, bringing the total for the first six months of 2026 to $4.8 billion. Insurance float increased to approximately $177.5 billion as of June 30, 2026, up $1.1 billion since year-end 2025.