Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A / BRK.B) more than doubled its stock buybacks in this year’s third quarter as its profits fell during the period.
The diversified holding company formerly run by Warren Buffett bought back $9.6 billion U.S. worth of company stock during the July through September quarter.
That’s more than double the $4.5 billion U.S. of share repurchases executed in the second quarter and brings the company’s total buybacks this year to $14.4 billion U.S.
The stock buybacks accelerated even as Berkshire’s operating earnings — those from its wholly-owned businesses — decreased from a year earlier.
Berkshire operating profits totaled $12.70 billion U.S. in Q3, down 5.8% from $13.49 billion U.S. the previous year.
Management said insurance underwriting declined 43% year-over-year to $1.35 billion U.S., while insurance investment income declined 14% to $2.73 billion U.S.
Berkshire’s railroad, energy, and manufacturing businesses all saw earnings in the third quarter rise from the same period in 2025.
The company’s overall earnings, which include Berkshire’s massive $360.51 billion U.S. stock market portfolio, dropped 28% in the third quarter to $22.11 billion U.S.
Investment gains for the company fell nearly 50% to $9.40 billion U.S.
Berkshire’s five largest stock holdings remained the same in the third quarter: Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOGL), American Express (AXP), Bank of America (BAC), and Coca-Cola (KO).
The company’s cash pile grew 3% in the third quarter to $377.44 billion U.S. from $365.51 billion U.S. in this year’s second quarter.
Berkshire’s more affordable Class B stock has risen 15% over the past 12 months to trade at $570.89 U.S. per share.
