Here I'm reposting some basic Berkshire figures [from some of my earlier posts, updated with 2017 figures] - from a birds perspective - related to the topic, just to bring specific data into the discussion. I think they are handy to have here:
Some numbers for the last ten years:
Year - Cash YE [incl. T-Bills] - Equity YE [USD M]:
2007 - 44,329 - 120,733
2008 - 25,539 - 109,267
2009 - 30,558 - 135,785
2010 - 38,227 - 162,934
2011 - 37,299 - 164,850
2012 - 46,992 - 187,647
2013 - 48,186 - 221,890
2014 - 60,033 - 240,170
2015 - 67,161 - 255,550
2016 - 86,370 - 282,070
2017 - 115,954 - 348,296 [2017 tax cut effect [net] +28,200]
Average shares outstanding YE2007 : 1,545,751 [A eq.]
Average shares outstanding YE2017 : 1,644,615 [A eq.]
Cash flow from operating activities full years this century [USD B]:
2000: 2.947
2001: 6.574
2002: 11.135
2003: 8.438
2004: 7.405
2005: 9.446
2006: 10.195
2007: 12.550
2008: 11.252
2009: 15.846
2010: 17.895
2011: 20.476
2012: 20.950
2013: 27.704
2014: 32.010
2015: 31.491
2016: 32.525
2017: 45.776
Total: 324.615 [<- ~USD 325 B!]
Float YE 2000 : USD 27.9 B
Float YE 2017: USD 114.0 B
[Increase in float is included in cash flow from operating activities.]