Berkshire Hathaway 1st-Quarter Profit Falls

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said its first-quarter operating profit dropped 4.2% to $252 million, or $203 a share, from $263 million, or $214, a year ago. The holding company controlled by billionaire investor Warren Buffett said its realized investment gains rose to $470 million from $21 million. Berkshire’s earnings release did not discuss the results or what investments it bought or sold in the quarter. The Omaha-based company did not immediately return a call seeking comment. The earnings were released after the market closed. On the NYSE, Berkshire’s Class A shares rose $1,300, or 1.8%, to a record $72,100, and its Class B shares rose $79, or 3.3%, to a record $2,438.