Warren Buffett News: Signed Deal, Wells Fargo & Co (WFC)’s Venture & Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A)

Bill Gates And Me: The Myth Of Corporate ‘Give-Back’ (Forbes)
I am thrilled that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are busily giving away their wealth through charity. It is especially laudable that they are giving it away before they die rather than set up perpetual foundations as monuments. But despite these feelings, I take issue with those who feel that Gates has a moral obligation to “give-back.” It’s as if he stole his wealth and now must humbly make restitution for his crimes through charity. Bill Gates and many entrepreneurs like him often help their fellow man far more through their business success than they can through charity, and I am a living case study for my argument.

Berkshire Allowed to Count BNSF Purchase Costs in Rail Rates (BusinessWeek)
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) can count the $8.1 billion premium it paid to acquire Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (NYSE:BNI) in the formula used to calculate prices for some shippers, a decision that may make it harder for some rail customers to challenge their rates. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board, which regulates some rail rates, today ruled that Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) may count the premium from its 2009 purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (NYSE:BNI) by spreading those costs over seven years.

Berkshire Home Broker to Take Wells Fargo’s Stake in Venture (BusinessWeek)
HomeServices of America Inc., the real estate brokerage unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A), agreed to take over Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC)’s stake in a mortgage-lending business they own together. HomeServices Lending LLC will become a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America by the end of 2014, the unit of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) said today in a statement that didn’t disclose terms.