Berkshire Hathaway ( NYSE: BRK.A ) ( NYSE: BRK.B) on Saturday posted a nearly 4% decline in quarterly operating profit, hurt by soft insurance underwriting earnings and a $3.8B hit to its stake in ketchup giant Kraft Heinz ( KHC ).

Berkshire said the 12 per cent quarterly decline in insurance underwriting profit stemmed primarily from reinsurance businesses and some smaller insurance businesses. Geico, its best-known insurance business, saw pre-tax underwriting profit rise 2 per cent, as a 5 per cent increase in premiums offset a smaller rise in accident losses.

While Berkshire’s quarterly operating earnings were down year-over-year, there were several pleasant surprises. Warren Buffett continued to be a net seller of stocks.