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Berkshire Posts Strong Q1 as Cash Stockpile Hits Record $397.4 Billion

Investors want a clear plan for the near-$400 billion cash hoard.

Author and former Omaha World-Herald reporter Steve Jordan signs copies of his book at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders event on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders line up to buy products at the Pampered Chef booth behind a cutout of longtime CEO Warren Buffett who stepped down in January on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)
Berkshire Hathaway shareholders stand in line to purchase Squishmallows versions of the company's top executives: CEO Greg Abel, Chairman Warren Buffett and former Vice Chairman Charlie Munger on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)
Shareholders line up to take pictures with depictions of Berkshire Hathaway's new CEO Greg Abel and Chairman Warren Buffett on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)

Overview

  • Berkshire reported Saturday that operating earnings rose about 18% to $11.35 billion and net income more than doubled to roughly $10.1 billion.
  • The cash and Treasury-bill balance reached $397.4 billion as the company sold $8.1 billion more stock than it bought, marking a 14th straight quarter as a net seller.
  • The board restarted share repurchases at a modest scale with about $234 million bought back in the quarter, the first buybacks since May 2024.
  • Insurance underwriting profit rose to about $1.7 billion, helped by fewer large losses, while Geico’s earnings fell by roughly a third.
  • The results released Saturday marked Greg Abel’s first quarter as CEO, and Warren Buffett publicly endorsed his leadership at the annual meeting as the stock lags the S&P 500 this year.