US companies may splurge

US companies, which have been reluctant to part with their mountain of cash, may start spending more of it - and spur the economy in the process.

Flush from three years of soaring profits, the top US corporations hold $634 billion (€518bn) in cash, the biggest hoard relative to their market value in 17 years, according to Standard & Poor’s.

Companies including Exxon Mobil Corp, Dell Inc and Pfizer Inc are hearing from investors who say it’s time to either spend more to expand their business, or pay higher dividends.