Abstract
This paper analyzes Berkshire Hathaway Inc. It provides an overview of the company and discusses its financial status, recent allocation of profits and corporate performance over the last five years. It discusses the company's capital structure, areas of business and multiple stock classes. The paper then discusses the ownership structure and investors of the business.

Table of Contents:
Berkshire Hathaway Overview
How Berkshire Hathaway Makes Money
Financial Status, Recent Allocation Of Profits And Corporate Performance Over The Last Five Years
Berkshire Leverage And Capital Structure
Areas Of Business And Respective Profits
Multiple Stock Classes
Ownership Structure Of Berkshire Hathaway
Return To Investors
Key Personnel/Managers Of The Business
Risks Of The Firm That Could Lead To Material Change In Performance

From the Paper
"Warren Buffett is 77 years old and plays a crucial role in Berkshire Hathaway - he allocates all Berkshire's 127 billion dollars. He is the figurehead for the company who exudes a sense of stability and dictates company culture. His age is of concern although he is in good overall health. No one has quite been able to replicate him even though many have tried. He will be a very difficult person to replace. Upon Warren's death, his job will be split into two parts with one executive becoming responsible for investments and the other who will be CEO in charge of operations. Charlie Munger is 83 years old and in worse health condition than Warren. Charlie will also be a difficult member to replace."

Tags:bond, Buffett, holdings

Abstract
Berkshire Hathaway is one of the most interesting cases of successful investments. Under the inspirational leadership of Warren Buffett, the company's evolution is a great object of study for both scholars and investors. This paper explores the key points in Berkshire's history, Buffett's influence, how the company's structure was built, what is its current financial status and whether an investor should consider buying its stock.

From the Paper
"In a 1999 article from Business Week, Warren Buffett, the force behind the Berkshire Hathaway Business, was described as follows: "If Buffett had a business card, it would identify him as chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. But he is far better known--indeed, world-famous--as the greatest stock market investor of modern times. The figures, though often cited, still astound: Had you put $10,000 into Berkshire when Buffett bought control of it in 1965, you'd have $51 million now, vs. just $497,431 if the money were invested in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index." "

Tags:investor, manager

Abstract
The paper analyzes GEICO's operations, finances, market position and its exposure to catastrophic risk. The paper shows how the company is in a strong position and stands the chance of becoming a dominant insurance firm.

Outline:
Introduction
Structure and Distribution
Financials
Catastrophe Exposure
Reinsurance
Market Share
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This paper will analyze GEICO's operations, finances and its market position. Because GEICO is a subsidiary of a larger insurance entity, it is sometimes difficult to separate the figures for GEICO from the figures for Berkshire Hathaway. In terms of financial strength, this is reasonable since the subsidiary's strength ultimately derives from the financial strength of the parent. Additionally, some of Berkshire's other insurance companies complement GEICO's operations. Wherever possible, figures for GEICO are used and when not possible it will be noted that the figures are for the parent company.
Structure and Distribution
GEICO is one of Berkshire Hathaway's main insurance arms. The company is based out of Maryland, with eight regional offices around the country. GEICO operates in the property/casualty field; Berkshire maintains other subsidiaries to operate in reinsurance (General Re and Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group). The holding company also operates several other property/casual companies besides GEICO. Among the group's operations, the two reinsurers are the largest. GEICO ranks third. In 2007, GEICO made a profit of $1.113 billion, down from 2006. This represented almost 33% of the group's profits for the year."

Tags:operations, finances, catastrophic, risk, reinsurance, sales

Abstract
This paper discusses the reasons why corporations might choose to merge or acquire other firms to facilitate growth opportunities. In particularly Berkshire Hathaway, an insurance firm listed in the New York Stock Exchange is examined. The author covers the particular issue of acquisitions by detailing how the issue relates to Berkshire Hathaway in terms of financial strategy, corporate governance and ethical issues. Additionally, an evaluation of the financial situation prior to action, assessment of financial situation after the action was taken as well as the success of Berkshire Hathaway's acquisition strategy.

Outline:
Acquisitions
Financial Strategy
Corporate Governance and Ethical Issues
Financial Situation Prior to Acquisition
Financial Situation After Acquisition
Successful or Not
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Mergers and acquisitions, in the eyes of the acquirer, deal with purchasing or combining separate companies; usually in an effort to increase growth opportunities. Firms like Berkshire Hathaway often seek to acquire other firms, rather than build a separate business from the ground up. This aspect of business--which provides a variety of benefits--is concerned primarily with long-term growth, as the process of acquiring another firm is often capital intensive. The acquiring firm may buy all or most of the target company's ownership stake, thereby assuming full control. These transactions will typically be funded by cash or by equity using the acquiring firm's stock--even a combination of the two; and are done for a variety of reasons."

Tags:corporations, finances, ethics, businesses

Abstract
This paper explains that firms like the holding company Berkshire Hathaway often seek to acquire other companies rather than build a separate business from the ground up. The author points out that mergers and acquisitions are concerned primarily with long-term growth because the process of acquiring another firm is often capital intensive. The paper relates that other reasons for acquisitions are a desire for synergistic effects, increased revenue or market share, cross selling, economies of scale and tax benefits. The paper relates that, by acquiring significant portions of companies from varying industries, the holding company Berkshire Hathaway has become one of the largest firms in the country, the most expensive security on the New York Stock Exchange and one of the largest conglomerates in the history of business.

Table of Contents:
Acquisitions
Financial Strategy
Corporate Governance and Ethical Issues
Financial Situation Prior to Acquisition
Financial Situation after Acquisition
Successful or Not
Conclusion

From the Paper
"When one firm is acquired by another, there are some predictable short-term effects on the acquiring firm's stock price. Though not always true, typically the acquiring firm's stock price will fall; whereas the target company's stock price will rise. An explanation for the acquirer's drop in stock price is the fact that a premium is usually paid for the target firm's stock. Without a premium above the market rate, there is little incentive for shareholders to part with their holdings. The same reason applies to why the stock price of the target firm increases--a premium is being offered."

Tags:growth, stock, control, planning, subsidiaries

Abstract
This paper explains that, at the beginning of George Orwell's "Animal Farm", Napoleon is nothing more than a normal pig; his day is dictated by Mr. Jones, the farmer and Napoleon's owner; but, after Major makes his speech about a revolution, Napoleon begins a transformation from normal pig to a pig, which cannot be distinguished from humans. The author points out that, although his dynamic transformation is not a quick overnight change, its progress can be tracked through the novel at specific points starting when Napoleon and Snowball organize Major's thoughts into animalism;at this time, Napoleon establishes many of the doctrines that he himself will later alter or violate. The paper relates that, when the revolution begins, Napoleon will not communicate with any two-legged creature; but, by the end of the novel, Napoleon not only talks to them but also cannot be distinguished from them.

From the Paper
"Later in the novel, Napoleon begins to invite some of the neighboring farmers over to the farmhouse, where Napoleon now sleeps - another violation of the commandments. He also drinks alcohol occasionally, he wears clothes, and he walks on two legs - violations of the commandments, making Napoleon into an enemy. Napoleon says that he is discussing farming techniques as well as other discussions that deal with the running of the farm. Napoleon shows his dynamic characteristics again at this time because at the beginning of the story Napoleon aids in driving Mr. Jones out of the farm, and now he invites humans onto the farm to eat and discuss techniques. "Napoleon is the consummate power monger, who, not surprisingly, becomes a reinvention of Mr. Jones." "

Tags:owner, humans, transformation, animalism, communication

Abstract
This paper examines how Warren Buffett, known as the 'Oracle' or the 'Sage of Omaha,' is generally considered to be one of the world's most successful investors. It looks at how Berkshire Hathaway, the company he used as an investment vehicle, is now legendary for its achievements and explores some of his investment principles.

From the Paper
"The second role Berkshire Hathaway played was extremely important for Buffett's success. In 1967 he turned his attention towards the insurance business and purchased two Nebraska companies, National Indemnity and National Fire and Marine Insurance. The insurance business was risky, under permanent competition stress and in constant need of excellent management. Buffett was coming from a traditional sector of the economy, textiles, but the new challenge proved to be exactly what he had needed. The new opportunity gave him the chance to put his full potential to the test and to apply all the investment strategies that have made him famous."

Tags:sage, omaha, berkshire, hathaway

Abstract
The paper utilizes J.M Kouzes and B.Z. Posner's framework of leadership to consider the leadership qualities and leadership style of Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway and other corporations. The paper describes Buffett's childhood and entry into the business world. The paper explains Buffett's methods and his philosophy of how to value an investment.

From the Paper
"Buffett was born in 1930. As a child, Buffett already showed himself to be ambitious--he was an enthusiastic and industrious paper boy for the Washington Post, trying to cover more than one route at the same time, and he also made money by collecting and selling lost golf balls. His interest in finance was also apparent extremely early in his life when he started playing the stock market with one of his sisters when he was eleven. When he was twelve, he was betting on horses, and by high school he had started a business (pinball machines) with a friend, a business which earned him fifty dollars a week. By graduation, he not only owned his own business, but he also had purchased forty acres of Nebraskan farm land with his profits."

Tags:management, stock, portfolio, shares, shareholders

Abstract
In late May, 1998, Microsoft founder and CEO Bill Gates (the richest businessman in the world) and Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (the richest investor in the world) gave a special speech (to be aired by PBS this fall) about competition in American business in general and the computer industry in specific.

From the Paper
"Microsoft and the Anti Trust Issue

Introduction
In late May, 1998, Microsoft founder and CEO Bill Gates (the richest businessman in the world) and Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (the richest investor in the world) gave a special speech (to be aired by PBS this fall) about competition in American business in general and the computer industry in specific. At one point, the moderator asked what was the appropriate role for antitrust law in American business? Gates answered that the essential role of competition law is to "protect consumers and to make sure that new products get created and that those products are very innovative" (Schlender, Buffett & Gates, 1998, 48). From Gates' point of view, there were serious antitrust violations in the computer industry before ..."

Abstract
In this article, the writer points out that Warren Buffett is an acknowledged leader in business and investing. The writer explains that Buffet has worked at Berkshire Hathaway for nearly five decades and led it to great, even astounding, success. The writer notes that his ultimate philosophy that customers should conduct themselves like owners of the company, forms the backbone of his ideology and ultimately his success. The writer notes that Buffett's success has led others to emulate his business model, some of which is described in the book 'The Real Warren Buffett'. The writer concludes that other managers, no matter what industry they serve, would do well to follow Buffett's models and methods.

From the Paper
"Warren Buffett developed his role as a manager in the 1960s, after he had already spent 20 years as a successful stockbroker. Buffett believed to be a successful manager he should treat the business as his own, even if he was not the owner. He knew to do this; the ideas of management would have to change to reach this goal. He also knew he had to choose the right investments that would over the greatest gain and the least risk, just as if he were using his own money to invest. He decided to create a guarantee that assured his shareholders that their money would be returned to them if he could not give them a higher return than they could earn somewhere else. He also knew the people he managed would have to adhere to the same goals."

Tags:stockbroker, investing, shareholders, brokers