WELLS FARGO

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a firmer open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones futures and Nasdaq 100 futures rising 0.1-0.2 percent at 4:58 a.m. ET.

Warren E. Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway holding company has made him one of the richest men around, said he’s pleased by new holdings in technology.

Anyone looking for more evidence of a strengthening U.S. economic recovery needs only to consider conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, where businesses ranging from railroads and electric utilities to furniture and candy stores are racking up record profits.

Bank of America Corp appears to be going it alone in not selling mortgage loans to Fannie Mae, a move that, while sending an angry signal to the nation's largest mortgage-buyer, could force the bank to charge less attractive mortgage rates.

The prices of gasoline and other energy commodities are on the rise -- with further increases just over the horizon -- and it appears that everyone is taking notice.

Housing, the weakest of the three legs of the stool supporting the U.S. economy, is finally firming up, or so it seems to investors, economists, real estate agents and buildings after a string of heartening reports so far this year.

The index of U.S. leading economic indicators rose 0.4 percent in January, extending its upward trend for a fourth month. Friday's data points to continued growth in the U.S. economy, supported by an increase in the average workweek and improving financial indicators.

Bit by tiny bit, the economy is improving. The progress might at times seem too small or slow to be evident, but it is unmistakably occurring. People may not feel things are good yet, but they are beginning to feel the worse is subsiding, Gary Thayer, chief macro strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors, said.

Ally Financial is weighing a sale of all or part of its auto lending and banking businesses, as an initial public offering looks increasingly remote and the U.S. government seeks to recoup some $17 billion in bailout money, sources familiar with the situation said.

A report this week showing rampant foreclosure abuse in San Francisco reflects similar levels of lender fraud and faulty documentation across the United States, say experts and officials who have done studies in other parts of the country.

U.S. 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates remained at a record low of 3.87 percent for the third consecutive week ended Feb. 16, Freddie Mac said.

Legal wrangling over the proposed $8.5 billion settlement of some of Bank of America Corp's mortgage-backed securities liability could drag through the courts for years, a top appeals court judge said during arguments in the case.

Minutes of the Federal Reserve Board's January meeting confirm that current board governors are divided on engaging in another round of bond purchasing, but they also portrayed the central bank leaders as agreed on the propriety of ultra-low interest rates.

Stock index futures rose Wednesday, buoyed by comments from China's central bank chief that the country would keep investing in euro zone debt and better-than-expected data from Germany and France.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has revealed new investments in DaVita Inc. and Liberty Media.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open for equities on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 rising 0.5 to 0.6 percent.

Ten businesses and 14 apartments have been destroyed or damaged in the fire that swept through Brighton Avenue in the West End of Long Branch on Monday. The fire was declared under control at 7:15 P.M. Buildings between 54 and 71 Brighton Avenue were damaged throughout the day due to the fire. The fire left over a dozen tenant's homeless. Those whose homes were caught in the fire are currently at the Long Branch Senior Center where they are being aided by Red Cross officials.

Sales at U.S. retailers climbed slightly in January as Americans took advantage of post-holiday promotions, and although Tuesday's data fell short of economists' median projection, it still provided yet another hopeful sign of a strengthening economy.

A fire struck the West End of Long Branch, New Jersey on Monday. Beginning around 10:30 a.m. the fire reportedly started at a dance academy located at 59 Brighton Avenue. Firefighters were at the scene past 4:00 p.m. as buildings collapsed.

Sales at U.S. retailers probably climbed in January as Americans bought more new cars and shoppers took advantage of post-holiday promotions, a sign that the U.S. economy is recovering, economists said before a report this week.

PepsiCo Inc Chief Executive Indra Nooyi laid out a plan to turn around the company's North American soft drink business that includes ramping up advertising, cutting thousands of jobs and a bigger-than-expected decline in near-term earnings.