Berkshire operating earnings fall 6% in Q3 as buybacks reach $9.6 billion
Berkshire Hathaway reported $12.7 billion of third-quarter operating earnings, down from $13.5 billion a year earlier, while repurchasing about $9.6 billion of stock.
Berkshire Hathaway reported third-quarter 2026 operating earnings of $12.705 billion, down from $13.485 billion a year earlier, according to the company's Nov. 7 release. Operating earnings exclude investment gains and losses, which can make reported net income volatile.
Net earnings attributable to Berkshire shareholders were $22.112 billion, compared with $30.796 billion in the third quarter of 2025. The company said 2026 investment gains included $7.7 billion from changes in unrealized equity-security gains and $1.7 billion of after-tax realized gains on investment sales.
Insurance underwriting earnings fell to $1.352 billion from $2.369 billion, while insurance investment income declined to $2.734 billion from $3.181 billion. BNSF earnings rose to $1.729 billion from $1.449 billion, Berkshire Hathaway Energy earnings increased to $1.612 billion from $1.489 billion, and manufacturing, service and retailing earnings rose to $4.042 billion from $3.616 billion.
Berkshire repurchased approximately $9.6 billion of its shares in the third quarter, bringing the nine-month total to about $14.4 billion. Insurance float was approximately $178.5 billion at Sept. 30, up about $2.1 billion from year-end 2025.
Q3 operating earnings
$12.705B
↓ -5.8% YoY
Q3 net earnings
$22.112B
↓ vs $30.796B
Q3 buybacks
$9.6B
2026 quarter
Insurance float
$178.5B
↑ Sept. 30
Sources
This story describes figures the company has published. It is for information only and is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Check the original filings before relying on any figure. Stoqly is not affiliated with the SEC.
