Why Berkshire Hathaway’s Investments Declined in 1Q18
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) announced its 1Q18 results on May 4. During the quarter, its operating profit rose 49% YoY (year-over-year) to $5.3 billion, boosted by insurance, BNSF Railway, and operating efficiency. However, it posted an overall loss of $1.1 billion, mainly due to changes in accounting rules to accommodate mark-to-market gains or losses in quarterly earnings. Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett has expressed concerns about the new rules, expecting wild swings in profits every quarter.