Berkshire Hathaway increased its spending in the latest quarter under Chief Executive Officer Greg Abel, buying back about $4.5 billion of its own shares and pouring billions more into investments. The moves mark an early shift from the more cautious approach of Warren Buffett, who led the company for decades before handing over the top job. Abel appears more focused on operations and putting Berkshire’s enormous cash reserves to work, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Palazola. The company also reported higher earnings for the quarter, with strength in its energy, railroad and manufacturing businesses more than offsetting weaker insurance results. The developments signal that Abel is beginning to put his own stamp on the conglomerate as he deploys the massive cash pile Buffett accumulated.