Articles by Jonathan Stempel and Niket Nishant

Buffett Says Non-Insurance Executive Abel Is His Likely Successor

Warren Buffett ended long-running speculation about his successor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc by saying Greg Abel, who oversees the conglomerate’s non-insurance businesses, would be named chief executive if he were to step down. Buffett, 90, told CNBC that “the directors …

Buffett Extols U.S. Economic Recovery, Laments SPACs, Shrugs Off Tax Hike

Warren Buffett said on Saturday that Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is being lifted by a U.S. economy faring far better than he predicted early in the coronavirus pandemic, though investor euphoria is making it hard to deploy cash. Speaking at Berkshire’s …

New York Begins Probe Into Toxic Metals in Baby Food

New York’s attorney general said on Thursday she has opened a probe into whether baby food contains arsenic and other toxic metals, and asked four manufacturers to provide information on whether their infant rice cereal products are safe. In letters …

Mastermind of Largest Known Ponzi Scheme, Bernie Madoff, Dies in Prison at 82

NEW YORK — Bernard Madoff, who for decades masqueraded as a successful and trustworthy Wall Street kingpin before admitting to running the largest known Ponzi scheme in history, died on Wednesday in prison where he was serving a 150-year sentence. …

New York City Loses Appeal Seeking to Hold Oil Firms Liable for Global Warming Effects

A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected New York City’s effort to hold five major oil companies liable to help pay the costs of addressing harm caused by global warming. Ruling in favor of BP Plc, Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, Exxon …

Boston Scientific Settles States’ Surgical Mesh Device Marketing Claims for $189M

Boston Scientific Corp. agreed to pay $188.7 million to settle claims by most U.S. states that it deceptively marketed its surgical mesh devices to consumers. The settlement with 47 states and Washington, D.C. was announced on Tuesday by several state …

McKinsey Settles with Nevada for $45M over Opioid Crisis Role

McKinsey & Co. will pay $45 million to settle an investigation by Nevada of the big consulting firm’s role in fueling the U.S. opioid epidemic. Nevada had been the lone holdout among U.S. states investigating McKinsey’s conduct, and Monday’s settlement …

Berkshire Hathaway Opposes Climate Change, Diversity Reporting Proposals

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on Monday urged the rejection of shareholder proposals that annual reports be produced about its efforts to address climate change and promote diversity and inclusion. The proposals were disclosed in Berkshire’s annual proxy filing, ahead …

Investor Suit Alleges Tesla CEO Musk’s Tweets Violate SEC Pact

Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk has been sued by a shareholder who accused him of violating his 2018 settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over his Twitter use. According to a complaint unsealed late Thursday in Delaware …

Judge Permits Suit Alleging Geico Overcharged Drivers During Pandemic

The auto insurer Geico Corp., a unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., must face a proposed class action claiming it overcharged policyholders as the coronavirus pandemic led to less driving and fewer accidents, a judge has ruled. In a …