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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 declined 3.8 percent year on year to $4.7 billion for the first quarter that ended on March 31. Net earnings per class A shares, attributable to Berkshire Hathaway's shareholders, fell to $2,862 per share compared with $2,977 per share one year ago. Total company revenue rose 3.6 percent year on year to $45.5 billion, while costs and expenses rose 6.2 percent to $38.9 billion. However, Berkshire’s retail division sales, which includes four the jewelry companies mentioned, four home furnishing businesses, Pampered Chef, Oriental Trading Company and See’s Candies, experienced a 1.7 percent year on year decline at $970 million. Operating earnings for the retail division plunged 39.7 percent to $44 million. The company's revealed that lower comparative earnings were generated by several retail brands during the quarter, most notably See’s Candies, as Easter occurred after the quarter closed.
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