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Re:Income inequality today may be higher today than in any o... by antisthenes on Saturday July 02, 2016 @10:09AM (#12022590)
Even if your statement were true (that you can pour money into something and magically achieve growth that is beneficial for both parties - I'd really like to see statistics on this or any sort of source really), the stock market is, for the large part, a zero sum game, unless an IPO is made.

Rich people also invest in many other things that do not further sustainable growth and, as we can see from many corporations, many of them actually hoard cash or invest in bonds (which just fuel unsustainable consumption - hardly the growth that seems beneficial long term)

Re:Income inequality today may be higher today than in any o... by cloverich on Saturday July 02, 2016 @10:49AM (#12022741)
> Even if your statement were true (that you can pour money into something and magically achieve growth that is beneficial for both parties - I'd really like to see statistics on this or any sort of source really)

It feels like your calling the idea of economy in general a zero sum game. Can you elaborate?

Re:Income inequality today may be higher today than in any o... by mcguire on Saturday July 02, 2016 @10:48AM (#12022738)
"...the stock market is, for the large part, a zero sum game, unless an IPO is made."

An IPO takes some money out of the market, to the pre-IPO investors in the company, but a much bigger impact is made by dividends.

Here's a thought experiment for you: A company, A[1], IPO's. It's investors take some cash, the rest goes into A. A is a fantastic success and eventually grows to be the largest company in the world, market-capitalization-wise. Then, like all things mortal, it begins to slide into obsolescence, obscurity, and eventually bankruptcy and dissolution. Throughout its lifetime, following the best advice of economists[2], it never pays a dividend.

Anyone investing in A's stock is playing a quintessential zero-sum game: they're betting A will go up before it goes down permanently.

[1] No offense to Agilent.

[2] The goofy "double taxation" argument. The "it's no longer a growth company" argument (causing an immediate collapse in A's stock price). Etc.