Berkshire Operating Profits Rose 18% in First Quarter. The Company Bought Back $235 Million of Stock.

Berkshire Hathaway’s operating earnings after taxes rose 18% in the first quarter to $11.3 billion on strength in the company’s railroad unit and higher insurance underwriting income. It appears that Berkshire only bought stock on March 4. The repurchases are one of the key figures in the earnings report, because investors are interested to see the company’s appetite for buybacks under CEO Greg Abel, who succeeded Warren Buffett at year-end 2025.