About This Deal

Berkshire Hathaway acquired General Re Corporation for All-stock merger; consideration of approximately 272,200 Berkshire Class A-equivalent shares (Berkshire's largest transaction at the time), a transaction completed in December 1998, structured as all stock. The deal was a Merger.

General Re Corporation operates in Insurance / reinsurance, is based in Stamford, Connecticut. Berkshire and General Re signed a merger agreement on June 19, 1998, shareholders approved it in September, and the transaction closed on December 21, 1998, with General Re shareholders receiving Berkshire stock equal to roughly 272,200 Class A-equivalent shares. General Re is a global property, casualty, life and health reinsurer, and the deal was the largest in Berkshire's history at the time.

Massive reinsurance franchise generating large investable float.

Deal Terms

Acquirer
Berkshire Hathaway
Target
General Re Corporation
Value
All-stock merger; consideration of approximately 272,200 Berkshire Class A-equivalent shares (Berkshire's largest transaction at the time)
Date
December 1998
Type
Merger
Status
Ready

Transaction Details

Target HQ
Stamford, Connecticut
Segment
Insurance / reinsurance
Structure
All stock
Announced
June 19, 1998
Closed
December 21, 1998

In Their Words

On June 19, 1998 Berkshire and General Re executed a Merger Agreement and Plan of Merger... The transaction was completed on December 21, 1998. General Re shareholders received merger consideration consisting of approximately 272,200 equivalent Class A shares.Berkshire Hathaway FY1998 10-K, Business / Acquisitions disclosure

Advisors

Advisory firms were not disclosed for this transaction.

Related Deals & Entities

Sources: Press release ↗ · Last updated July 14, 2026

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