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Berkshire Hathaway Inc – ‘10-K’ for 12/31/10 – ‘XML.R62’

On:  Monday, 2/28/11, at 10:20am ET   ·   For:  12/31/10   ·   Accession #:  1193125-11-48914   ·   File #:  1-14905

Previous ‘10-K’:  ‘10-K’ on 3/1/10 for 12/31/09   ·   Next:  ‘10-K’ on 2/27/12 for 12/31/11   ·   Latest:  ‘10-K’ on 2/26/24 for 12/31/23   ·   2 References:   

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  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 2/28/11  Berkshire Hathaway Inc            10-K       12/31/10  103:31M                                    Donnelley … Solutions/FA

Annual Report   —   Form 10-K   —   Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-K        Annual Report                                       HTML   1.69M 
 3: EX-21       Subsidiaries List                                   HTML     65K 
 4: EX-23       Consent of Experts or Counsel                       HTML     28K 
 2: EX-12       Statement re: Computation of Ratios                 HTML     44K 
 5: EX-31.1     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     33K 
 6: EX-31.2     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     33K 
 7: EX-32.1     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     27K 
 8: EX-32.2     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     27K 
78: XML         IDEA XML File -- Definitions and References          XML    367K 
92: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    355K 
87: XML.R1      Document and Entity Information                      XML    307K 
88: XML.R2      Consolidated Balance Sheets                          XML    758K 
48: XML.R3      Consolidated Statements of Earnings                  XML    855K 
56: XML.R4      Consolidated Statements of Earnings                  XML    260K 
                (Parenthetical)                                                  
76: XML.R5      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                XML    792K 
73: XML.R6      Consolidated Statements of Changes in                XML    474K 
                Shareholders' Equity                                             
98: XML.R7      Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income      XML    226K 
26: XML.R8      Significant accounting policies and practices        XML    119K 
72: XML.R9      Significant business acquisitions                    XML     89K 
22: XML.R10     Investments in fixed maturity securities             XML    185K 
21: XML.R11     Investments in equity securities                     XML    172K 
47: XML.R12     Other investments                                    XML    116K 
82: XML.R13     Investment gains and losses                          XML    100K 
49: XML.R14     Receivables                                          XML     85K 
52: XML.R15     Inventories                                          XML     68K 
67: XML.R16     Goodwill and other intangible assets                 XML    123K 
103: XML.R17     Property, plant and equipment                        XML    135K  
41: XML.R18     Derivative contracts                                 XML    143K 
15: XML.R19     Supplemental cash flow information                   XML     86K 
55: XML.R20     Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses           XML    129K 
81: XML.R21     Notes payable and other borrowings                   XML    162K 
33: XML.R22     Income taxes                                         XML    188K 
77: XML.R23     Dividend restrictions - Insurance subsidiaries       XML     52K 
53: XML.R24     Fair value measurements                              XML    282K 
97: XML.R25     Common stock                                         XML     82K 
84: XML.R26     Pension plans                                        XML    252K 
59: XML.R27     Contingencies and Commitments                        XML     86K 
68: XML.R28     Business segment data                                XML    504K 
20: XML.R29     Quarterly Data                                       XML    106K 
24: XML.R30     Condensed Financial Information                      XML    245K 
35: XML.R31     Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)           XML    267K 
43: XML.R32     Significant Business Acquisitions (Table)            XML     90K 
66: XML.R33     Investments in fixed maturity securities (Table)     XML    188K 
83: XML.R34     Investments in equity securities (Table)             XML    168K 
18: XML.R35     Other investments (Table)                            XML    110K 
27: XML.R36     Investment gains and losses (Table)                  XML     97K 
89: XML.R37     Receivables (Table)                                  XML     87K 
96: XML.R38     Inventories (Table)                                  XML     66K 
60: XML.R39     Goodwill and other intangible assets (Table)         XML    127K 
100: XML.R40     Property, plant and equipment (Table)                XML    173K  
28: XML.R41     Derivative contracts (Table)                         XML    142K 
102: XML.R42     Supplemental cash flow information (Table)           XML     84K  
37: XML.R43     Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (Table)   XML    122K 
16: XML.R44     Notes payable and other borrowings (Table)           XML    235K 
36: XML.R45     Income taxes (Table)                                 XML    203K 
80: XML.R46     Fair value measurements (Table)                      XML    282K 
95: XML.R47     Common stock (Table)                                 XML     77K 
50: XML.R48     Pension plans (Table)                                XML    286K 
39: XML.R49     Business segment data (Table)                        XML    497K 
65: XML.R50     Quarterly data (Table)                               XML    104K 
19: XML.R51     Significant Accounting Policies (Detail)             XML    246K 
70: XML.R52     Significant Business Acquisitions (Detail)           XML    933K 
40: XML.R53     Investments in fixed maturity securities -           XML    603K 
                Investments in securities with fixed maturities                  
                (Detail)                                                         
25: XML.R54     Investments in fixed maturity securities -           XML    205K 
                Amortized cost and estimated fair value of                       
                securities with fixed maturities (Detail)                        
94: XML.R55     Investments in equity securities (Detail)            XML    770K 
91: XML.R56     Other investments (Detail)                           XML    449K 
46: XML.R57     Other Investments Narrative (Detail)                 XML   1.05M 
32: XML.R58     Investment gains and losses (Detail)                 XML    400K 
85: XML.R59     Receivables (Detail)                                 XML    767K 
23: XML.R60     Inventories (Detail)                                 XML    139K 
74: XML.R61     Goodwill and other intangible assets (Detail)        XML     88K 
71: XML.R62     Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible    XML    532K 
                assets (Detail)                                                  
90: XML.R63     Property, plant and equipment (Detail)               XML   1.07M 
86: XML.R64     Derivative contracts (Detail)                        XML    601K 
99: XML.R65     Derivative contracts - gains and losses (Detail)     XML    366K 
30: XML.R66     Supplemental cash flow information (Detail)          XML    370K 
45: XML.R67     Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses           XML    350K 
                (Detail)                                                         
63: XML.R68     Notes payable and other borrowings (Detail)          XML    625K 
54: XML.R69     Notes payable and other borrowings - Narrative       XML   1.05M 
                (Detail)                                                         
64: XML.R70     Income taxes (Detail)                                XML    547K 
101: XML.R71     Dividend restrictions - Insurance subsidiaries       XML     99K  
                (Detail)                                                         
31: XML.R72     Fair value measurements - Financial Instruments      XML    774K 
                (Detail)                                                         
38: XML.R73     Fair value measurements - Financial assets and       XML   1.28M 
                liabilities measured and carried at fair value on                
                a recurring basis (Detail)                                       
34: XML.R74     Fair value measurements - Significant unobservable   XML    425K 
                inputs (Detail)                                                  
61: XML.R75     Common stock (Detail)                                XML    290K 
69: XML.R76     Common stock - roll-forward (Detail)                 XML    251K 
58: XML.R77     Pension plans (Detail)                               XML    728K 
51: XML.R78     Pension plans - fair value (Details)                 XML   1.24M 
29: XML.R79     Contingencies and Commitments (Detail)               XML    695K 
17: XML.R80     Business segment data (Detail)                       XML   5.75M 
62: XML.R81     Quarterly data (Detail)                              XML    391K 
44: XML.R82     Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets     XML    386K 
                (Detail)                                                         
57: XML.R83     Condensed Financial Information - Statements of      XML    708K 
                Earnings (Detail)                                                
79: XML.R84     Condensed Financial Information - Statements of      XML    571K 
                Cash Flows (Detail)                                              
75: XML.R85     Notes to Condensed Financial Information (Detail)    XML   1.18M 
93: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports (.xls)            XLS   5.94M 
 9: EX-101.INS  XBRL Instance -- brka-20101231                       XML   6.08M 
11: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- brka-20101231_cal               XML    276K 
12: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- brka-20101231_def                XML   1.42M 
13: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- brka-20101231_lab                     XML   2.17M 
14: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- brka-20101231_pre              XML   1.59M 
10: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- brka-20101231                         XSD    393K 
42: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0001193125-11-048914-xbrl      Zip    385K

‘XML.R62’   —   Goodwill and other intangible assets – Intangible assets (Detail)

This Financial Report is an XBRL XML File.

                                                                                                                                                                                
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<ElementDefenition> The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(1) </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Accumulated amortization </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 5 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> brka_NarrativeAbstract </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Other </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Narrative [Abstract] </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 6 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> debit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 1635000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 1635 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 1127000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 1127 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> Carrying amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, which have a projected indefinite period of benefit (hence are not amortized), allocated to the reportable segment. These assets, acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in either an asset acquisition or business combination, are assessed at least annually for impairment. Examples may include trade secrets, contractual rights, trade names, and licensing agreements. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Intangible assets with indefinite lives </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 7 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> debit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 692000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 692 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 414000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 414 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 362000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 362 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> Aggregate amount of amortization expense recognized for intangible asset during the period. A recognized intangible asset shall be amortized over its estimated useful life to the reporting entity unless that life is determined to be indefinite. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, that intangible asset shall be amortized over the best estimate of its useful life. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(2) </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Amortization expense </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 8 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> debit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 720000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 720 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the twelve-month period following the balance sheet date. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(3) </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Estimated amortization expense - 2011 </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 9 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearTwo </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> debit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 700000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 700 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the second twelve-month period following the balance sheet date. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(3) </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Estimated amortization expense - 2012 </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 10 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> debit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 681000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 681 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the third twelve-month period following the balance sheet date. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(3) </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Estimated amortization expense - 2013 </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 11 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> debit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 632000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 632 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fourth twelve-month period following the balance sheet date. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(3) </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Estimated amortization expense - 2014 </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 12 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> debit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
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<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
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<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<Cell>
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<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
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<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth twelve-month period following the balance sheet date. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(3) </ElementReferences>
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<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
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<ElementName/>
<ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> na </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
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<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
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<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
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<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<CurrencySymbol/>
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<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
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<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
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<Columns>
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<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn>
<CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<hasSegments> true </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
<MCU>
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<CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol>
<contextRef>
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<EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema>
<EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue>
<PeriodDisplayName/>
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<PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate>
<Segments>
<anyType xsi:type="Segment">
<IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity>
<Name/>
<IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup>
<ValueName> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName>
<ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType>
<Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace>
<Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema>
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<dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId>
<type> explicitMember </type>
</DimensionInfo>
</anyType>
</Segments>
<Scenarios/>
</contextRef>
<UPS>
<UnitProperty>
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<UnitType> Standard </UnitType>
<StandardMeasure>
<MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema>
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<MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace>
</StandardMeasure>
<Scale> 0 </Scale>
</UnitProperty>
</UPS>
<CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode>
<OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode>
</MCU>
<CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol>
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<Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/>
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<LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn>
<CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<hasSegments> true </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
<MCU>
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<EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema>
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<PeriodDisplayName/>
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<PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate>
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<anyType xsi:type="Segment">
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<Name/>
<IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup>
<ValueName> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName>
<ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType>
<Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace>
<Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema>
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<dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId>
<type> explicitMember </type>
</DimensionInfo>
</anyType>
</Segments>
<Scenarios/>
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<StandardMeasure>
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<MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace>
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<OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode>
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<CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol>
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<Label Id="1" Label="Insurance and Other [Member]"/>
<Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2009"/>
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<ElementDataType/>
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<ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Insurance and Other [Member] </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
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<IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> brka_CarryingAmountAndAmortizationAbstract </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> duration </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
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<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<Cell>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
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<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
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<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
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<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
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<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<CurrencySymbol/>
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<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
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<Unit> Other </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition>
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<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
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<ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> The gross carrying amount of intangible assets, including finite and indefinite lived intangible assets. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
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<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
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<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
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</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
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<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The gross carrying amount of intangible assets, including finite and indefinite lived intangible assets. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
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<Row>
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<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> credit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
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<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
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</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
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<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(1) </ElementReferences>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<Cell>
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<Cell>
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<Columns>
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<LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn>
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<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
<MCU>
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<EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue>
<PeriodDisplayName/>
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<PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate>
<Segments>
<anyType xsi:type="Segment">
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<Name/>
<IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup>
<ValueName> Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] </ValueName>
<ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType>
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<Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema>
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<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
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<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
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<BalanceType> credit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
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</Cells>
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<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<CurrencySymbol/>
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<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<CurrencySymbol/>
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<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
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<CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<hasSegments> true </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
<MCU>
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<CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol>
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<Name/>
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<ValueName> Customer Relationships [Member] </ValueName>
<ValueType> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis </ValueType>
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<Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema>
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<dimensionId> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis </dimensionId>
<type> explicitMember </type>
</DimensionInfo>
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<Scenarios/>
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<StandardMeasure>
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<MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace>
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<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<ValueName> Customer Relationships [Member] </ValueName>
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<Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2009"/>
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<ElementDataType/>
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<ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
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<Label> Customer Relationships [Member] </Label>
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<ElementName> brka_CarryingAmountAndAmortizationAbstract </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix>
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<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
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<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
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<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<CurrencySymbol/>
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<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
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<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
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<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<CurrencySymbol/>
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<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
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<Unit> Other </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Carrying Amount and Amortization [Abstract] </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 35 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> brka_IntangibleAssetsGrossCarryingAmount </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> The gross carrying amount of intangible assets, including finite and indefinite lived intangible assets. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
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<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
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<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
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<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<Cell>
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<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
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<NumericAmount> 2080000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 2080 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
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<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The gross carrying amount of intangible assets, including finite and indefinite lived intangible assets. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
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<Row>
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<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> credit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
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<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
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<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
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<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(1) </ElementReferences>
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<Row>
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<ElementName/>
<ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> na </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
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<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
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<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<NonNumericTextHeader/>
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<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
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<Cell>
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<Columns>
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<FootnoteIndexer/>
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<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
<MCU>
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<CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol>
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<EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema>
<EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue>
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<PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate>
<Segments>
<anyType xsi:type="Segment">
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<Name/>
<IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup>
<ValueName> Other Intangible Assets [Member] </ValueName>
<ValueType> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis </ValueType>
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<Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema>
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<dimensionId> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis </dimensionId>
<type> explicitMember </type>
</DimensionInfo>
</anyType>
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<UnitType> Standard </UnitType>
<StandardMeasure>
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<MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace>
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<OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode>
</MCU>
<CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol>
<Labels>
<Label Id="1" Label="Other Intangible Assets [Member]"/>
<Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/>
</Labels>
</Columns>
<Columns>
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<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn>
<CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<hasSegments> true </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
<MCU>
<KeyName> {us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis} : Other Intangible Assets [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName>
<CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol>
<contextRef>
<ContextID> Pri_20091231_OtherIntangibleAssetMember </ContextID>
<EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema>
<EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue>
<PeriodDisplayName/>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate>
<PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate>
<Segments>
<anyType xsi:type="Segment">
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<Name/>
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<ValueName> Other Intangible Assets [Member] </ValueName>
<ValueType> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis </ValueType>
<Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace>
<Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema>
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<dimensionId> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis </dimensionId>
<type> explicitMember </type>
</DimensionInfo>
</anyType>
</Segments>
<Scenarios/>
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<UnitProperty>
<UnitID> USD </UnitID>
<UnitType> Standard </UnitType>
<StandardMeasure>
<MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema>
<MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue>
<MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace>
</StandardMeasure>
<Scale> 0 </Scale>
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</UPS>
<CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode>
<OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode>
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<Labels>
<Label Id="1" Label="Other Intangible Assets [Member]"/>
<Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2009"/>
</Labels>
</Columns>
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<Unit> Other </Unit>
<ElementDataType/>
<SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Other Intangible Assets [Member] </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
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<IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> brka_CarryingAmountAndAmortizationAbstract </ElementName>
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<IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
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<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
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<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Other </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Carrying Amount and Amortization [Abstract] </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 40 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> brka_IntangibleAssetsGrossCarryingAmount </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> na </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> The gross carrying amount of intangible assets, including finite and indefinite lived intangible assets. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 1401000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 1401 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 661000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 661 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The gross carrying amount of intangible assets, including finite and indefinite lived intangible assets. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Gross carrying amount </Label>
</Row>
<Row>
<Id> 41 </Id>
<IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle>
<Level> 0 </Level>
<ElementName> us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization </ElementName>
<ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix>
<IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement>
<BalanceType> credit </BalanceType>
<PeriodType> instant </PeriodType>
<ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition>
<IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle>
<IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle>
<IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd>
<IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle>
<IsTuple> false </IsTuple>
<IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow>
<IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow>
<IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance>
<IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance>
<IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign>
<PreferredLabelRole/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<Cells>
<Cell>
<Id> 1 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 331000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 331 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 2 </Id>
<IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 308000000 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 308 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
<Cell>
<Id> 3 </Id>
<IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric>
<IsRatio> false </IsRatio>
<DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone>
<NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount>
<RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount>
<NonNumbericText/>
<NonNumericTextHeader/>
<FootnoteIndexer/>
<CurrencyCode/>
<CurrencySymbol/>
<IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency>
<ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol>
<DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat>
<hasSegments> false </hasSegments>
<hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios>
</Cell>
</Cells>
<OriginalInstanceReportColumns/>
<Unit> Monetary </Unit>
<ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType>
<SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType>
<ElementDefenition> The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company. </ElementDefenition>
<ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(1) </ElementReferences>
<IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel>
<IsEPS> false </IsEPS>
<Label> Accumulated amortization </Label>
</Row>
</Rows>
<Footnotes/>
<NumberOfCols> 3 </NumberOfCols>
<NumberOfRows> 35 </NumberOfRows>
<ReportName> Goodwill and other intangible assets - Intangible assets (Detail) (USD $) </ReportName>
<MonetaryRoundingLevel> Millions </MonetaryRoundingLevel>
<SharesRoundingLevel> UnKnown </SharesRoundingLevel>
<PerShareRoundingLevel> UnKnown </PerShareRoundingLevel>
<ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> UnKnown </ExchangeRateRoundingLevel>
<HasCustomUnits> false </HasCustomUnits>
<SharesShouldBeRounded> true </SharesShouldBeRounded>
</InstanceReport>

2 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 5/10/11  SEC                               UPLOAD10/16/17    1:45K  Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
 5/10/11  SEC                               UPLOAD10/16/17    1:55K  Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
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Filing Submission 0001193125-11-048914   –   Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)
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