Berkshire Hathaway likely ended a
strong 2024 with good December
periodresults. (Thecompanywasset to
announceresultsshortlyafterwewent to
presswiththisIssue.)Webelievethatop
eratingearningspershare,whichexclude
capital gains and losses fromoperations,
cameinat$5.44,whichwouldrepresenta
nearly 40%gain from the previous-year
tally. Berkshire isn’t your typical P/Cin
surance company. In fact, it is a con
glomerate,withmanybusiness segments.
It alsohasanextensive investment port
foliowithiconic investorWarrenBuffetat
the helm. That being said, 2024 was
generally a good year for theP/C insur
ance industry. While catastrophe losses
werehigher thannormal, sowerepremi
umincreases, largelyresultingfromthree
majorhurricanesthattoucheddowninthe
UnitedStates.Companies that are finan
cially strong, such as Berkshire
Hathaway, shouldmake it throughokay.
Infact, catastrophesareabitofadouble
edged sword for insurers. On one hand,
theycutintoprofitsasclaimsarepaidout.
On the other hand, they give insurers
greater bargaining power during policy