Berkshire Hathaway has reported an operating profit of $US17.36 billion ($24.34 billion) for last year, up 4.9% on 2014.

There was little movement in insurance-related income for Warren Buffett’s US investment conglomerate.

Insurance underwriting contributed $US1.16 billion ($1.63 billion) to annual earnings, which was marginally lower than the previous year’s $US1.69 billion ($2.37 billion).

Underwriting gain attributed to Geico was $US460 million ($645 million), compared with $US1.16 billion ($1.63 billion) the previous year, while General Re made $US132 million ($185 million), down from $US277 million ($388 million).

Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group recorded $US421 million ($590 million), down from $US606 million ($850 million), and Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group made $US824 million ($1.16 billion), up from $US626 million ($878 million).

Insurance investment income contributed $US3.73 billion ($5.23 billion), a slight improvement on $US3.52 billion ($4.94 billion) in 2014.