Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s operating earnings fell to $12.7 billion in the third quarter, a 5.8% decline from a year earlier, as income from underwriting dropped at the firm’s insurance division.
Berkshire Hathaway has accelerated its stock repurchases, as CEO Greg Abel demonstrated a greater willingness than his predecessor Warren Buffett to put the conglomerate’s enormous cash hoard to use. The Omaha, Nebraska-based company also reported on Saturday lower third-quarter profit, with operati…