From Barron's 3-26-07 Age isn’t slowing Buffett. At 76, he remains at the top of his game. His Berkshire Hathaway is coming off its best year ever as operating profits hit $9.3 billion in 2006, almost double 2005.

From Barron's 3-26-07 Chenault now is doing all he can to expand the company’s franchise. He’s trying to lure younger consumers with the notion that American Express is “an aspirational brand.” And he’s going so far as to let its affluent cardholders use their plastic as down payments on luxury condos in Manhattan.

From Barron's 3-26-07 David is the total package, combining Japanese efficiency techniques, shrewd bets on products and unusual attentiveness to soft, human values. It’s paid off in hard dollars. David has delivered double-digit profit gains in quarter after quarter, year after year, in good times and bad.

From Barron's 3-26-07 In the past year, EchoStar shares have shot up 40%, thanks to strong results and takeover potential. The most likely buyer: AT&T, a current partner. Or EchoStar and arch rival DirecTV may try to hook up. With any luck, the stock will make like a satellite and head for the sky.

From Barron's 3-26-07 Larry Fink of BlackRock Financial keeps a low profile but is known for being one of the smartest people in the asset-management industry. Under his leadership, BlackRock has become one of the country's top bond managers and its stock has risen 10-fold since a 1999 IPO.

From Barron's 3-26-07 Frankfort recites the key markers of the Coach brand without hesitation, from quality workmanship to a casual sophistication to the distinctive hardware on the bags. Unlike many fashion houses, Coach researches its customers’ behavior and choices rather than dictating what’s “in.”

From Barron's 3-26-07 While rivals Microsoft and Sony engaged in a hardware war to develop more powerful videogame platforms, Nintendo came up with an elegant and popular alternative in Wii -- and Nintendo shares have nearly doubled in the past year.

From Barron's 3-26-07 Thank Fuld for saving Lehman, which nearly lost its storied identity as part of American Express in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Since its spinoff in 1994, Fuld has made the bond specialist into a rival to Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.