8-KOther EventsExhibits & Filings

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Apr 16, 2020)

Filed April 16, 2020For Securities:BRK-BBRK-A

Summary

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) filed an 8-K on April 16, 2020, to report the issuance of a substantial amount of senior notes denominated in Japanese Yen (¥). Specifically, the company issued seven tranches of senior notes with maturities ranging from 2023 to 2060, totaling ¥210 billion (approximately $1.95 billion USD at the time). This financing activity was conducted under an existing shelf registration statement and through an underwriting agreement with several major financial institutions. The issuance of these notes indicates Berkshire Hathaway's proactive approach to managing its capital structure and securing long-term funding. Investors should note the various coupon rates, which reflect the market's assessment of interest rates and Berkshire's creditworthiness at the time of issuance. The denomination in Yen suggests a strategy to potentially hedge currency exposure or take advantage of favorable borrowing conditions in that market.

Key Highlights

  • 1Berkshire Hathaway issued ¥210 billion in senior notes across seven tranches with maturities from 2023 to 2060.
  • 2The notes were issued under a previously filed Form S-3 registration statement.
  • 3Underwriting was managed by a syndicate including Goldman Sachs International, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Merrill Lynch International, and Mizuho Securities USA LLC.
  • 4The issuance took place on April 16, 2020, with the underwriting agreement dated April 9, 2020.
  • 5The specific coupon rates for the notes range from 0.674% to 2.000%.
  • 6The company has filed various exhibits related to the indenture, officers' certificates for each note series, and legal opinions.
  • 7This demonstrates Berkshire Hathaway's ongoing access to capital markets for funding purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The filing does not explicitly state the reason, but issuing debt in a foreign currency like the Japanese Yen can be a strategic move to diversify funding sources, potentially secure lower interest rates compared to domestic borrowing, or to hedge against currency fluctuations if the company has significant Yen-denominated assets or revenues.

The total aggregate principal amount of the notes issued is ¥210,000,000,000, which translates to approximately $1.95 billion USD based on the exchange rate around April 2020. This total is comprised of seven different tranches with varying principal amounts and maturities.

The filing itself does not specify the exact use of proceeds. However, such debt issuances are typically used for general corporate purposes, which can include funding acquisitions, investing in existing businesses, repaying existing debt, or maintaining liquidity.

The interest rates (coupon rates) vary by maturity: 0.674% for the 2023 notes, 0.879% for the 2025 notes, 1.002% for the 2027 notes, 1.110% for the 2030 notes, 1.585% for the 2040 notes, 1.779% for the 2050 notes, and 2.000% for the 2060 notes.