Berkshire Hathaway said Friday that its net worth rose by $12.3 billion in 2007, as the company’s insurance operations benefited from a year free of major catastrophes, and its 66 non-insurance businesses, as a whole, gained in profits.

U.S. stocks struggled at the start of trading Friday, with investors wary in the face of a weak dollar, record oil prices and some disappointing quarterly results.

Stocks took a knock at the start of trading Thursday as investors fretted about continued weakness in the U.S. economy.

Wall Street retreated at the start of trading Wednesday as high gas prices and a weak dollar offered a backdrop to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s scheduled Congressional testimony.

The Fed has lowered short-term interest rates this year but longer-term bond yields have risen. Call it the new conundrum. And it’s adding to the confusion on Wall Street about the economy.

As cities and towns find it more expensive to borrow money, many are now considering drastic measures like cutting services and raising taxes.

The candidates want to do things like reduce taxes and fix health care. But they’ll have to deal with the cold realities of the federal budget.

Look here if you’re willing to pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

U.S. stocks edged higher Friday as investors focused on individual corporate developments.

Stocks rose at the start of trading Thursday, with investors taking heart from developments in the tech sector.