Buffett’s Berkshire is best-regarded US firm

Berkshire Hathaway Inc — the investment vehicle run by Buffett, the so-called sage of Omaha — topped a list of the best-regarded US companies, although the public has a dim view of corporate America overall after a brutal economic downturn.

Everybody loves Warren Buffett.

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Berkshire Hathaway Inc — the investment vehicle run by Buffett, the so-called sage of Omaha — topped a list of the best-regarded US companies, although the public has a dim view of corporate America overall after a brutal economic downturn.

After a recession that prompted the US government to spend billions of dollars on corporate bailouts, 81 per cent of
Americans told Harris Interactive that business’s reputation is “not good” or “terrible”.

That marked a slight improvement from last year, when 88 per cent took that view, and was the second-worst since Harris began asking that question in 2002.

Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire’s spot atop the list reflected public perception of Buffett as a CEO who is both effective in running his company and not excessive in his pay or benefits.

“It’s his humility and sense of accountability,” said Robert Fronk, senior vice president at Harris. “You don’t read about his excesses. Instead you read the opposite. He still has the same office. He’s going to make his kids comfortable, but they’re not going to be billionaires.”