Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.
Retained earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Berkshire Hathaway's retained earnings for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 was CHF608,813 Mil.
Berkshire Hathaway's quarterly retained earnings
increased
from Sep. 2025 (CHF592,288 Mil) to Dec. 2025 (CHF608,183 Mil) and
increased
from Dec. 2025 (CHF608,183 Mil) to Mar. 2026 (CHF608,813 Mil).
Berkshire Hathaway's annual retained earnings
increased
from Dec. 2023 (CHF525,236 Mil) to Dec. 2024 (CHF620,748 Mil) but then
declined
from Dec. 2024 (CHF620,748 Mil) to Dec. 2025 (CHF608,183 Mil).
Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.
For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.
If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.
Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.
Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.
One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.
If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.
If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.
Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.
Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.
The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.
Berkshire Hathaway Retained Earnings Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Berkshire Hathaway's Retained Earnings can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.
Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.
What does a Retained Earnings of CHF608,813 Mil mean?
Berkshire Hathaway (XSWX:BRK) has a Retained Earnings of CHF608,813 Mil as of Mar. 2026. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Berkshire Hathaway and its competitors.
Is Berkshire Hathaway's Retained Earnings too high?
Berkshire Hathaway's current Retained Earnings is CHF608,813 Mil. Overall, Berkshire Hathaway has a GF Score™ of 71/100 and is considered Fairly Valued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Berkshire Hathaway's Retained Earnings compare to AIG and HIG?
Berkshire Hathaway's Retained Earnings of CHF608,813 Mil can be compared against companies in the Insurance industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Retained Earnings for an Insurance company?
A good Retained Earnings depends on the Insurance industry context. However, Retained Earnings should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Retained Earnings mean?
A high Retained Earnings can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Berkshire Hathaway and its competitors. Berkshire Hathaway's current Retained Earnings is CHF608,813 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Berkshire Hathaway stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Berkshire Hathaway (XSWX:BRK) is currently considered Fairly Valued. The stock's GF Value™ is CHF434.12, compared to a current price of CHF397.55 — trading 8.4% below its estimated fair value. The current Retained Earnings is CHF608,813 Mil. Berkshire Hathaway's overall GF Score™ is 71/100 with 5 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Retained Earnings calculated?
Retained Earnings is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Berkshire Hathaway (XSWX:BRK), the current Retained Earnings is CHF608,813 Mil as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Berkshire Hathaway (XSWX:BRK) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Berkshire Hathaway stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of CHF397.55 is trading 8.4% below its estimated GF Value™ of CHF434.12.
GuruFocus considers Berkshire Hathaway to be Fairly Valued.
Key valuation signals for XSWX:BRK:
Retained Earnings: CHF608,813 Mil
GF Value™: CHF434.12 vs. price of CHF397.55 (8.4% below fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the XSWX:BRK stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company with a wide array of subsidiaries engaged in diverse activities. The firm's core business segment is insurance, run primarily through Geico, Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group, and Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group. Berkshire has used the excess cash thrown off from its operations to acquire Burlington Northern Santa Fe (railroad), Berkshire Hathaway Energy (utilities and energy distributors), and the companies that make up its manufacturing, service, and retailing operations (which include Precision Castparts, Lubrizol, Clayton Homes, Marmon, and IMC/ISCAR). The conglomerate is unique in that it is run on a completely decentralized basis. Berkshire generated close to $371.4 billion in operating revenue in during 2025.
71GF Score
Get the complete analysis for XSWX:BRK
Retained Earnings is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
XSWX:BRK has been successfully added to your 
