Operating profits rose, even as the company posted a record loss last quarter. : If this is your first time registering, please check your inbox for more information about the benefits of your Forbes account and what you can do next! Billionaire Warren Buffett’s famed investing conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, reported a massive net loss of nearly $50 billion in the first quarter, as the coronavirus-driven market sell-off took a significant toll on the company's stock holdings. Berkshire posted a record net loss of $49.75 billion in the first quarter—down from $21.7 billion in profit last year.