Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway jumps after earnings grew 71%

hares in Berkshire Hathaway are up this morning as investors react to a bumper set of results — operating profit rose 71% in Q4 — while also digesting the ever-growing cash pile at the conglomerate.

Rainy day fund?

Investors who pay heed to Buffett’s moves for insights into the broader market have been nervous about Berkshire’s growing cash hoard over the years, wondering if the mountain of cash reflects a tacit fear of a market fall. So, the revelation that it had swelled to some $334 billion — the highest on record — compounded some investors’ jitters.

However, in last weekend’s annual letter, Buffett assured shareholders that “the great majority of your money remains in equities. That preference won’t change.”

See the full article here.