BNSF results aid Berkshire earnings

Strong results in its railroad and manufacturing businesses, plus favorable investment earnings, helped Berkshire Hathaway Inc. achieve a second-quarter 2011 net profit of $3.42 billion, or $2,072 per share, compared with earnings of $1.97 billion, or $1,195 per share, in the second quarter of 2010.

Berkshire said earnings rose nearly 15% at Burlington Northern Santa Fe, with carloadings up and higher revenue per car. Berkshire purchased BNSF for a total of approximately $41 billion nearly two years ago.