(4) Effective January 1, 2002, Berkshire adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 142 changed the accounting for goodwill from a model that required amortization of goodwill, supplemented by impairment tests, to an accounting model that is based solely upon impairment tests.
Net earnings for each of the past three years are disaggregated in the table that follows. Amounts are after deducting income taxes and minority interest.
GEICO’s underwriting results for the past three years are summarized below.
Berkshire’s other primary insurance businesses consist of a wide variety of smaller insurance businesses that principally write liability coverages for commercial accounts. These businesses include: National Indemnity Company’s primary group operation (“NICO Primary Group”), a writer of motor vehicle and general liability coverages; U.S. Investment Corporation (“USIC”), acquired by Berkshire in August 2000 and whose subsidiaries underwrite specialty insurance coverages; a group of companies referred to internally as “Homestate” operations, providers of standard multi-line insurance; and Central States Indemnity Company, a provider of credit and disability insurance to individuals nationwide through financial institutions.
On February 8, 2002, Berkshire acquired all of the outstanding shares of Albecca. Albecca designs, manufactures and distributes a complete line of high-quality custom picture framing products primarily under the Larson-Juhl name.
While the convertible preferred stock does not vote generally with the common stock in the election of directors, the convertible preferred stock gives Berkshire the right to elect 20% of MidAmerican’s Board of Directors. The convertible preferred stock is convertible into common stock only upon the occurrence of specified events, including modification or elimination of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 so that holding company registration would not be triggered by conversion. Additionally, the prior approval of the holders of convertible preferred stock is required for certain fundamental transactions by MidAmerican. Such transactions include, among others: a) significant asset sales or dispositions; b) merger transactions; c) significant business acquisitions or capital expenditures; d) issuances or repurchases of equity securities and e) the removal or appointment of the Chief Executive Officer. Through its investments in common and convertible preferred stock of MidAmerican, Berkshire has the ability to exercise significant influence on the operations of MidAmerican.
On May 28, 2002, Berkshire issued 40,000 SQUARZ securities for net proceeds of $398 million. Each SQUARZ security consists of a $10,000 par amount senior note due in November 2007 together with a warrant, which expires in May 2007, to purchase either 0.1116 shares of Class A common stock or 3.3480 shares of Class B common stock for $10,000. A warrant premium is payable to Berkshire at an annual rate of 3.75% and interest is payable to note holders at a rate of 3.00% per annum. All debt and warrants issued in conjunction with SQUARZ securities were outstanding at December 31, 2002.
Manufacturing and distribution of a variety of footwear and clothing products
A summary of supplemental cash flow information for each of the three years ending December 31, 2002 is presented in the following table (in millions).