Indeed, an increasing number of firms have started to deploy the massive stocks of cash held on their balance sheets, first to increase dividends and buy back shares, and then to pursue mergers and acquisitions at a rate last seen in 2007. The question is whether companies also will finally devote more cash to new investments in plant, equipment, and people – a key source of support for the global economy.
事实上，越来越多的企业开始更有效的使用资产负债表上持有的大量现金，首先是增加股息和回购股票，然后是以自2007年以来不曾有的规模进行兼并和收购。问题是公司是否也将投入更多的资金在厂房，设备投资和人才方面——这是全球经济支持的主要来源。