Warren Buffett's company is so big it's like a mini US economy. Here's what it signals about the state of consumers.

• Warren Buffett's company published financial results that point to a relatively healthy consumer.
• Berkshire Hathaway reported strong gains across several consumer-related businesses last quarter.
• Buffett's company is so large that it's often seen as a mini version of the US economy.

The latest figures from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway suggest consumers are faring better than they were just a year or two ago.