### Berkshire Hathaway's Profits Surge as Warren Buffett Prepares for Leadership Transition Berkshire Hathaway has reported a remarkable **17% increase in quarterly profits**, amounting to approximately **$30.8 billion**. This surge comes as the company gears up for a significant leadership change, with the legendary investor **Warren Buffett**, aged 95, set to step down as CEO in January 2026. The profit growth has been attributed to a relatively mild hurricane season and strong performance in its investment portfolio, which has bolstered investor confidence ahead of this transition [https://fortune.com/2025/11/04/bershire-hathaway-profits-17-percent-increase-warren-buffett-retirement][https://news.az/news/berkshire-hathaway-earnings-jump-ahead-of-buffetts-ceo-exit]. ### Breakdown of Berkshire Hathaway's Recent Performance 1. **Profit Increase**: - The company reported a **17% rise in net income** compared to the previous year, reflecting robust operational performance [https://negosyante.org/berkshire-hathaway-posts-17-profit-rise-as-buffett-transition-nears]. 2. **Operating Earnings**: - Operating profits surged by **34%**, driven by improved underwriting in its insurance operations, which is a key segment of Berkshire's business model [https://thedailyguardian.com/business/berkshire-profit-rises-cash-soars-to-record]. 3. **Cash Reserves**: - Berkshire Hathaway's cash holdings reached a record **$381.7 billion**, providing the company with significant liquidity for future investments, despite Buffett's recent $9.7 billion investment in OxyChem [https://apnews.com/article/berkshire-hathaway-warren-buffett-greg-abel-c0d10c01bd2b018dc2380df6c4aa35fd]. 4. **Market Reaction**: - Following the earnings announcement, Berkshire's shares (BRK-A, BRK-B) saw an increase of over **1%** in premarket trading, indicating positive investor sentiment [https://news.az/news/berkshire-hathaway-earnings-jump-ahead-of-buffetts-ceo-exit]. ### Supporting Data and Metrics - **Quarterly Net Income**: - **Q3 2025**: $30.8 billion (up from $26.25 billion year-on-year) [https://negosyante.org/berkshire-hathaway-posts-17-profit-rise-as-buffett-transition-nears]. - **Operating Profit Increase**: - **34% increase** in operating profit, attributed to better performance in insurance underwriting [https://thedailyguardian.com/business/berkshire-profit-rises-cash-soars-to-record]. - **Cash Holdings**: - **$381.7 billion** in cash reserves, marking a significant financial position for future investments [https://coincentral.com/berkshire-hathaway-brk-b-stock-profit-surges-34-as-cash-pile-hits-record-381-7-billion]. ### Conclusion: A Strong Finish for Buffett's Tenure In summary, **Berkshire Hathaway's impressive 17% profit increase** and record cash reserves highlight the company's robust financial health as it approaches a pivotal leadership transition. The upcoming change from Warren Buffett to Vice Chair **Greg Abel** as CEO marks a significant moment in the company's history, yet the strong financial results suggest that Berkshire is well-positioned for continued success. 1. **Profit Growth**: 17% increase in net income to $30.8 billion. 2. **Operational Strength**: 34% rise in operating profits, driven by insurance operations. 3. **Liquidity Position**: Record cash reserves of $381.7 billion. 4. **Market Confidence**: Positive investor reaction reflected in share price increase. This combination of factors underscores Berkshire Hathaway's resilience and strategic positioning as it prepares for the future [https://apnews.com/article/berkshire-hathaway-warren-buffett-greg-abel-c0d10c01bd2b018dc2380df6c4aa35fd][https://www.finnewsnetwork.com.au/archives/finance_news_network3092236.html].