Ahead of the Tape
[Today's Market Forecast]</br></br>Cash Machines</br></br>After so many laps around the track, the U.S. consumer's legs have got to be feeling mighty heavy by now. Thank goodness companies are in such spry shape.</br></br>Thanks to the economic recovery that took hold last year, together with low interest rates and stringent cost controls, companies have more than repaired the heavy damage that hit their balance sheets at the start of the decade. Profit margins have shown a healthy climb. As a percentage of gross domestic product, profits have rarely been so high.</br></br>Corporate wallets have fattened markedly as a result, with yesterday's second-quarter flow of funds report from the Federal Reserve suggesting companies have the best cash position in 40 years.