Berkshire Hathaway steps up buybacks in Q3 even as operating earnings dip
Berkshire repurchased $9.6B of shares in the third quarter while operating earnings fell about 6% year over year, Seeking Alpha reports.
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what happened
According to Seeking Alpha, Berkshire Hathaway accelerated its stock buybacks in the third quarter ended September 30, repurchasing $9.6B of shares against Visible Alpha estimates of $1.6B. Full-year buybacks have reached $14.4B, up from $4.5B in the second quarter of 2026.
Operating earnings for the quarter fell about 6% year over year to $12.7B. The insurance business was weaker, with operating earnings down about 43% to $1.4B, driven by lower underwriting earnings at GEICO. Revenue, however, rose about 11% to $105.6B, beating Visible Alpha estimates of $102B.
why it matters
Accelerated buybacks support demand for Berkshire shares even as operating profit softens, though they also suggest the company has fewer high-return uses for its cash. Investors will focus on the insurance slump and on the growth at the BNSF railroad.
market impact
BRK.A: heavy buybacks support demand for the shares despite weaker operating earnings
- BRK.A pressure up — accelerated buybacks add demand for the company's own shares
tags
instruments
sources
- Berkshire ramps up buybacks in Q3 even as operating earnings dip — Seeking Alpha, 7 November 2026 at 14:10 UTC
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