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RAPAPORT... Berkshire Hathaway, the parent company of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Borsheims Fine Jewelry, Helzberg Diamonds and the Richline Group among many other diverse product and services brands, reported that net earnings rose 9.6 percent year on year to $5.2 billion in the first quarter that ended on March 31. Net earnings per class A share, attributable to Berkshire Hathaway's shareholders, jumped to $3,143 per share compared with $2,862 per share one year ago. Total company revenue rose 7 percent year on year to $48.6 billion, while costs and expenses rose 5.5 percent to $41 billion. Berkshire’s services and retail division sales, which includes the aforementioned jewelry companies as well as numerous other products and brands, experienced a 34.6 percent year on year increase to $4.5 billion. The company explained that higher revenue during the quarter reflected the impact of acquiring The VanTuyl Group, now named Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, and strong sales from electronics component firm TTI as well as from home furnishings brands. Operating earnings from this division rose 33.8 percent to $384 million.
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