ChiefExecutive tells MHProNews.com 69 percent of chief executives in their CEO Confidence Index expect an increase in revenues in 2012, and 42 percent anticipate more capital expenses, although Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett is ahead of the pack. The owner of Clayton Homes through Berkshire, with $40 billion in cash at the beginning of 2011, and his “trigger finger itching to buy” (as he told shareholders), in Q3 2011 he spent more than he has in any single quarter in 15 years. With nine billion he bagged chemical manufacturer Lubrizol, bought IBM shares to the tune of $11 billion, and infused the Bank of America with five billion in cash. He also completed the buyout of Wesco Financial, now chaired by Charlie Munger, his right-hand man, and purchased his hometown newspaper, the Omaha World-Herald. While other CEOs may not have the resources of Buffett, they are cautiously optimistic for 2012, and intend to invest in their businesses and make acquisitions. One CEO said, “Because the demand for our products/services is down or flat, the only way we are getting growth in revenue is by increasing market share through organic and acquisition growth. We manage our expenses well, so in spite of slow revenue growth, we will see better profit growth.”

(Photo credit: Warren Buffett by Yoshikazu Tsuno/Getty Images)