FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(OMAHA, NE 14 FEBRUARY 2000) � Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (NYSE: BRK.a) today has taken an unprecedented step of declaring a 100:1 stock split. The split will be distributed on or about March 16th to shareholders of record as of March 2nd.

Berkshire Hathaway's beleaguered stock recently reached two-year lows, closing last week at $45,200, down from a high of $81,100 last March. The stock has fallen 11.5% in the past week on rumors circulating around Warren Buffett's health, rumors that Berkshire Hathaway vehemently denies.

When asked about his long-standing policy to never split a stock, Buffett replies, "As chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, it is my duty to increase shareholder value. While stock splits cause no change in the intrinsic value of our company, it is a well known fact that split announcements do cause a short-term rise in stock prices, something many long-term loyal shareholders need to boost their confidence. This is my way to let all shareholders know that not only have I not forgotten them, but I'm working for them, and use every resource available to me to increase shareholder value."

Charles Munger, Berkshire's vice chairman, elaborated on Buffett's comments saying, "We've been holding this ace up our sleeve for a long, long time, and if there's ever been a time to use it, the time is now."

Richard A. Grasso, chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, was there for the split announcement and could not confirm if the 100:1 split was the largest split ever authorized in the exchange's history, but he did have the following to say, "The New York Stock Exchange, which can trace its origins to a founding agreement in 1792, has never experienced such an incredible turn of events in its 208 year history."

Since the announcement, rumors have started circulating like fire through the Internet that a stock-buyback announcement is imminent if the split fails to jump start Berkshire's stock. One poster notes: "While Buffett has continually denied that he would ever allow a stock split, he's never made such a claim regarding a stock buyback."

Certain "forward-looking statements" contained in this release involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In particular, statements concerning objectives, goals, targets and expectations are not projections of future performance, including statements related to increased future potential profitability as a result of accounting adjustments. In addition, factors such as general economic and business conditions, product performance, market acceptance of products and technologies, and consumer demand may impact the company's revenues, expenses and profit from period to period. These factors and others related to the company's business are described in further detail in the company's SEC filings, including its Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q.