Filthy Lucre
Of course, following the bust in 2000, over a decade of poor returns means those excitable investors who got into shares following ‘Big Bang’ and the privatisations, got burned and left. While share ownership is a bit broader than it was pre-1986, it is being seen as increasingly the preserve of the rich or institutions which manage pension funds. Companies are increasingly eschewing a listing on public markets, preferring to tap other sources of capital. The Economist is in no doubt as to why.
The burden of regulation has grown heavier for public companies since the collapse of Enron in 2001. Corporate chiefs complain that the combination of fussy regulators and demanding money managers makes it impossible to focus on long-term growth.
I’ve also seen the bleat from the left about companies like Boots being taken private. Suddenly the left is reaping what it sows. If you make it difficult to raise risk-capital on the stockmarket, you cause people to seek other, less onerous sources of capital. This means the returns available to the private equity industry (which haven’t been all that good) are not available to the private investor, or his pension fund. This benefits no-one except the caste of city/wall st. insiders.
“If it moves, tax it. If it still moves, regulate it. If it stops moving subsidise it.“
Big business still needs the stockmarket. But only just, and not as much as you, me and your pension fund need it. The Government needs to let it breathe. This is how regulation makes us poorer without making us safer.
"The left through rhetoric and regulation is destroying a means by which ordinary people can take control of their lives through investment."
So… you agree that our current government is of the left?
Give 'em a chance. Everyone's 'on the left' to someone.
Where do you stand on index funds btw? I can't decide if they are a no brainer for individuals (possibly supplemented by shares that are a small part of the index), or a problem . Not a problem for you – you can recommend ETFs for clients (if you believe in them).
If you're going into index-funds, choose the ones with the lowest fees. ETFs are good, but look under the bonnet before you buy. Check they're backed by the shares, not derivatives. (If it's a FUND as opposed to an ET Note it should be). Finally, if you're going for a tracker, think long-term and invest regularly to take advantage of pound-cost-averaging. As warren buffet observed, if you're a long-term net saver, you want the market to go DOWN.