[BillSaysThis]

@grecy: IANAL I think you seriously misstate American corporate law; if you can cite specific statutes please enlighten me.

Contra-example 1: Apple, Google and Microsoft all have significant cash reserves, far more than are necessary for foreseeable needs, and probably earn much less on them than on cash invested in the business, but it isn't illegal for them to hold large reserves. Outside observers have said that these companies resist paying out more of the reserves as, say, dividends because of the tax consequences to the controlling shareholders but, under US law, this is not illegal.

Contra-example 2: Many companies are 'going green' to some degree of green. Often this is more expensive than less environmentally friendly options. However companies are not being charged with violating some law that requires them to make all decisions based on direct profit maximization.