Berkshire’s profit surges nearly fivefold

With no major catastrophes in this year’s third quarter, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. reported net income that was nearly five times as high as last year’s third quarter when hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma struck.

The Omaha-based company said it earned $2.8 billion, or $1,797 a share, for the quarter that ended Sept. 30, compared with $586 million, or $381, a year earlier.