Fitch rates Berkshire Hathaway notes A+

Fitch Ratings said it assigned A+ ratings to the $500 million of senior unsecured notes issued by Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.

The notes are guaranteed by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

The issuance of senior unsecured notes consisted of $275 million 1.6% notes due 2017 and $225 million 3% notes due in 2022.

The proceeds from the senior notes are to be used to redeem notes maturing this month.

The ratings are supported by extremely strong capitalization and market position of the company's insurance subsidiaries, solid operating performance with good diversification across business lines and excellent financial flexibility and liquidity, Fitch said.

Also considered in the ratings are material risk exposures related to an above-average investment allocation to common stocks, a substantial position in equity derivatives, insured natural catastrophe exposures and various issues associated with the company's acquisition strategy and succession planning, the agency said.

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