Berkshire Hathaway’s Earnings Report
In the first quarter of this year, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, reported earnings of $4.603 billion, marking a significant 64% decline from the $12.702 billion profit recorded during the same quarter last year.
Revenue and Investment Losses
The company’s revenue for this period amounted to $89.725 billion, slightly down compared to $89.869 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Notably, Berkshire Hathaway experienced a net investment loss of $5.038 billion in the latest quarter, contrasting sharply with the $1.48 billion investment profit realized a year ago.
Cash Reserves and Market Capitalization
As of March 31, 2025, the firm saw an increase in its cash reserves, which soared to $347.7 billion, surpassing the previous record of $334.2 billion at the end of the prior quarter. Despite these impressive cash holdings, data from 8Marketcap reveals that the current market capitalization of Berkshire Hathaway’s Class B shares is around $1.164 trillion, significantly overshadowed by Bitcoin’s market cap of approximately $1.908 trillion, indicating a gap of over $700 billion. Buffett has been critical of Bitcoin in the past, famously labeling it as
“rat poison.”
Understanding Class A and Class B Shares
It is essential to note the distinction between Berkshire Hathaway’s Class A and Class B shares: the core differences lie in their pricing, voting rights, and their conversion mechanisms, making Class B shares more accessible to individual investors.
