Buffett raises cash pile to near all-time high

Investment veteran Warren Buffett is running cash levels just shy of his career all-time high, after his company Berkshire Hathaway reported profits climbed 72% in the third quarter.

Buffett's cash pile stood at $47.8bn at the end of September, which represents 17% of the company. According to Bloomberg, Buffett's cash levels are just $115m under his career high at the end of June 2011. Buffett (pictured) indicated he is on the hunt for a big acquisition after two potential $20bn deals fell through earlier this year over price disagreements. Last month, the Sage of Omaha told CNBC he is "salivating" at the thought of spending his cash pile on a big acquisition, but added he is unwilling to compete with other bidders. He bought retailer Oriental Trading for $...