BR
BRK-B
Latest · Mar 31, 2026
Quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 · FY2026 Q1

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. stock research

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Mar 31, 2026

In the current quarter, free cash flow improved relative to the prior quarter despite a decline in operating cash flow, as capital expenditure decreased more than proportionally. Compared to the same quarter last year, free cash flow was lower, reflecting a higher capital expenditure and lower operating cash flow even as revenue grew.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

In the current quarter, free cash flow improved relative to the prior quarter despite a decline in operating cash flow, as capital expenditure decreased more than proportionally. Compared to the same quarter last year, free cash flow was lower, reflecting a higher capital expenditure and lower operating cash flow even as revenue grew.

  • Revenue increased, but operating cash flow decreased, resulting in a lower cash conversion rate from revenue. However, the reduction in capital expenditure improved the conversion of operating cash flow to free cash flow.
  • Sequentially, free cash flow and margin improved, driven by lower capital expenditure partially offsetting weaker operating cash flow. Year-over-year, free cash flow and margin weakened, as operating cash flow declined while capital expenditure rose.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$23.9B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$5.5B

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$10.4B

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$5.0B

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

8.6%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

TTM FCF yield

5163.2%

TTM FCF divided by market capitalization.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2025-06-30$61.4B$10.1B$4.9B$5.2B8.5%
2025-09-30$63.7B$13.8B$5.6B$8.2B12.9%
2025-12-31$62.7B$11.2B$6.2B$5.0B8.0%
2026-03-31$63.1B$10.4B$5.0B$5.5B8.6%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income53.9%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue7.9%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cashn/aCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Watch

Capital expenditure management

Capital expenditure decreased from the prior quarter but increased from the prior year, directly influencing free cash flow direction.

The lower sequential capital expenditure boosted free cash flow, while the higher year-over-year expenditure reduced free cash flow compared to the prior year.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Revenue increased, but operating cash flow decreased, resulting in a lower cash conversion rate from revenue. However, the reduction in capital expenditure improved the conversion of operating cash flow to free cash flow.

Sequentially, free cash flow and margin improved, driven by lower capital expenditure partially offsetting weaker operating cash flow. Year-over-year, free cash flow and margin weakened, as operating cash flow declined while capital expenditure rose.

Monitor the trend in operating cash flow relative to revenue, as it declined both sequentially and year-over-year despite revenue growth.

Valuation context

A cash-flow page should show how much investors are paying for the cash stream, without turning into a full DCF.

Market capitalization$462.4MUsed as the denominator for FCF yield.
TTM FCF yield5163.2%TTM free cash flow divided by market capitalization.
EV / TTM FCFn/aA quick valuation bridge, not a full DCF.

Peer context

Free cash flow quality is easier to read against related public companies.

BR
BRK-B

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

FCF margin

8.6%

FCF yield

5163.2%