Earnings Performance - After-tax earnings of BNSF railroad were relatively unchanged in 2022 compared to 2021, with a 16.1% increase in 2021 versus 2020 [198]. - After-tax earnings from utilities and energy business increased by 9.3% in 2022 compared to 2021, and by 13.7% in 2021 versus 2020 [198]. - Earnings from manufacturing, service, and retailing businesses rose by 12.5% in 2022 compared to 2021, and by 34.0% in 2021 versus 2020 [198]. Insurance Operations - GEICO reported pre-tax underwriting losses of $1.88 billion in 2022, compared to pre-tax earnings of $1.26 billion in 2021 and $3.43 billion in 2020 [201]. - Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group achieved pre-tax underwriting earnings of $1.39 billion in 2022, recovering from a loss of $930 million in 2021 [201]. - Total losses and expenses for GEICO in 2022 amounted to $40.86 billion, representing 104.8% of premiums earned [201]. - The effective income tax rate for net underwriting earnings was 8.5% in 2022, compared to 22.2% in 2021 [201]. Tax Expenses and Liabilities - The company reported an income tax expense of $(8,518) million for 2022, a significant decrease from $20,879 million in 2021 [212]. - The effective income tax rate for 2022 was 27.9%, compared to 18.7% in 2021 and 22.3% in 2020 [213]. - The company has net unrecognized tax benefits of $440 million as of December 31, 2022, down from $1,046 million in 2021 [213]. - The current income tax expense for 2022 was $4,815 million, a decrease from $5,326 million in 2021 [212]. - The hypothetical income tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory rate for 2022 was $(6,421) million [213]. - The company has settled income tax liabilities with the IRS for tax years through 2011 [213]. - The company is currently under audit for tax years 2014 through 2019, with potential settlements expected in 2023 [213]. Stock Repurchases - A total of 3,046,794 shares of Class B common stock were repurchased in December at an average price of $303.83 per share [215]. - The company purchased 2,146 shares of Class A common stock in November at an average price of $463,584.86 per share [215]. Foreign Exchange and Loss Estimates - The company experienced after-tax foreign exchange rate gains of approximately $1.3 billion in 2022 and $1.0 billion in 2021 [198]. - Unpaid loss estimates were approximately $143 billion as of December 31, 2022, up from $125 billion as of December 31, 2021 [199]. Defined Contribution Plan Expenses - Defined contribution plan expenses were approximately $0.8 billion in 2022, down from $1.0 billion in 2021 and $1.4 billion in 2020 [202]. Deferred Income Taxes - The company has not established deferred income taxes on accumulated undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, which are expected to be reinvested indefinitely [211].
Berkshire Hathaway(BRK_A) - 2022 Q4 - Annual Report