Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B), the conglomerate run by legendary investor and soon-to-be-departing CEO Warren Buffett, on Saturday reported that it had recorded a nearly $5 billion second-quarter write-down of Kraft Heinz shares.

Berkshire said it had slashed the carrying value of its 27.4 per cent stake in Kraft Heinz to $8.4bn, from $13.5bn at the end of the first quarter, a roughly $5bn impairment. It noted the hit reduced its total earnings after taxes by $3.8bn, according to the quarterly statement.