"Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway: Record Cash Pile and Key Takeaways"

Berkshire Hathaway reported a surge in operating earnings in the fourth quarter, driven by gains in its insurance business, bringing its full-year operating earnings to $37.350 billion. The conglomerate's cash pile also reached a record level of $167.6 billion in the fourth quarter. While its auto insurer Geico had a profitable year, Burlington Northern Santa Fe reported a 14% drop in net earnings. Overall earnings, including investment gains, more than doubled during the quarter, reaching $37.57 billion, with a full-year profit of $96.22 billion.