Buffett hires

Warren Buffett’s Berk shire Hathaway hired Todd Combs, 39, to run part of the company’s massive investment port folio. Combs has been managing hedge fund Castle Point Capital for five years.

Tablet talk

Sprint Nextel plans to sell Samsung Electronics Ltd.’s Galaxy Tab tablet computing device for $399.99, a third less than Verizon Wireless, in ex change for a two-year commitment to a data service plan.

Iconix halt

Iconix Brand Group has halted talks to buy de signer Kenneth Cole’s shoe and clothing com pany, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. When or if the talks will restart isn’t clear, these people said.

Moneybags

As the recession pushed US incomes down last year, America’s highest earners — 74 people who made more than $50 million — saw their pay more than quin tuple on average to a re cord $519 million each.

LBO loan

Gymboree, the chil dren’s clothing retailer being taken private by Bain Capital, is seeking $1.47 billion of loans to pay for its leveraged buyout.