Briefs: Walgreens sales increase

DEERFIELD -- Walgreen Co. had October sales of $4.8 billion, an increase of 11.8 percent from $4.3 billion for the same month in 2006. Sales in comparable stores, those open at least a year, rose 6.9 percent, the company said Friday. October pharmacy sales increased 12.9 percent, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 7.8 percent, according to the Deerfield-based company.

More new jobs than expected

WASHINGTON -- Employers added twice as many new jobs to their ranks than expected in October. The Labor Department reported Friday the nation's payrolls grew by a net 166,000, the most in five months. The unemployment rate didn't budge at 4.7 percent, a figure considered low by historical standards. Job gains were logged at schools, hospitals, bars and restaurants, hotels and motels, temporary-help firms, legal services, accounting and bookkeeping companies, the government and other places.

Chevron earnings down 26 percent

SAN RAMON, Calif. -- Chevron Corp. third-quarter profit slid 26 percent, the steepest decline in five years, as the energy market's unpredictable pendulum swung against the second-largest U.S. oil company. The San Ramon-based company said Friday it made $3.72 billion, or $1.75 per share, in the three months ended in September, down from net income of $5.02 billion, or $2.29 per share, at the same time last year.

Berkshire posts higher profit

OMAHA, Neb. -- Berkshire Hathaway Inc. reported a 64 percent jump in third-quarter profit Friday on strong investment gains. Berkshire said it earned $4.55 billion, or $2,942 per share, during the quarter that ended Sept. 30. That's up from last year's third-quarter net income of $2.77 billion, or $1,797 per share. Berkshire is led by billionaire Warren Buffett.