capitalism Archives

What is a K-Shaped Economy? And Why Does It Matter?

28Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Domestic Politics: United States, Global Economics, Types of News: Analysis

What is a K-Shaped Economy? And Why Does It Matter?

The U.S. Economy Produces Winners and Losers The K-shaped economy produces winners and losers. A K-shaped economy emerges when the economy as a whole grows but different segments of the population experience the growth with vastly different outcomes. It depicts a point in time when economic inequality grows. Those with high incomes and savings make more money while those who have limited savings and have moderate to low incomes face economic hardship, such as high debt and higher costs of health care, housing, and groceries. Meanwhile, those who are not invested in the stock market—somewhere between 37 percent (Gallop) or 57.2 percent (Philadelphia Federal Reserve)—do not benefit from gains in the market. Economic Growth as Both a Reality and an Illusion The reason for notic...

World’s 10 Largest Private Asset Management Firms

13Dec

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Resources for Research, Types of News: Infographic

World’s 10 Largest Private Asset Management Firms

December 13, 2025—In the global economic capitalist system, private markets determine priorities. In effect, they decide which products to develop, which regions in the world deserve capital, and how money flows from savings to investment. Asset management firms, in particular, govern decisions over a significant amount of the world’s financial resources. They actively manage the savings of millions of individuals and institutions, putting them into stocks, bonds, funds, and digital assets. In terms of size, the top 500 asset management firms oversee $140 trillion in financial resources.₁ By some estimates, that accounts for roughly half of the world’s private financial assets.₂ ₃ Consequently, asset managers wield significant influence in the global economy. The decisions they ma...

Norway’s Wealth Fund Votes ‘No’ on Tesla’s Trillion Payout to Musk

4Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Types of News: Brief

Norway’s Wealth Fund Votes ‘No’ on Tesla’s Trillion Payout to Musk

November 4, 2025—Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management voted against both Tesla’s board proposals on executive pay, including the plan to distribute $1 trillion to CEO Elon Musk over the next decade. This year’s proxy vote is a significant test of shareholder power. The $2 trillion fund is the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. It has a $11.7 billion stake in Tesla, which represents just over one percent of the company’s shares. “While we appreciate the significant value created under Mr. Musk’s visionary role, we are concerned about the total size of the award, dilution, and lack of mitigation of key person risk- consistent with our views on executive compensation. We will continue to seek constructive dialogue with Tesla on this and other topics,” the fund said in its reas...

Musk’s $1 Trillion Demand on Tesla Shareholders

28Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Types of News: Analysis

Musk’s $1 Trillion Demand on Tesla Shareholders

Proxy Vote is a Test of Shareholder Power, Musk's Value Versus Per-Share Worth October 28, 2025—In just over a week, Tesla shareholders are scheduled to meet virtually and at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas to decide on corporate governance and a $1 trillion incentive package for CEO Elon Musk.Shareholders are voting up until the end of the day November 5 in time for the annual meeting the following day. Front and center of the decisions this year is a generous pay package for Musk worth $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Politics Hurts Brand, Shareholder Activists Say The proposal faces a pushback from a coalition of shareholder and public interest groups under a banner called “Take Back Tesla.” It includes groups like Public Citizen, Stop the Money Pipeline, Ame...

U.S. Stock Ownership Rises to 61 Percent

24Jul

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Finance, Banks, Cryptocurrency, Metals, Types of News: Bit

U.S. Stock Ownership Rises to 61 Percent

July 24, 2023—Individual stock ownership in the United States fell after the 2008 financial collapse from 62 percent in 2007 to a low of 52 percent in 2013 and 2016. But now Americans' ownership stake in capital markets is rising. According to a Gallup poll taken in April, 61 percent of respondents said they own individual stock, a mutual fund, or a self-directed 401(k) stock fund. Stock ownership is significant not only as an indication of personal savings but also in regard to empowering individuals. For example, proxy votes, like the one that Disney faced in April, give shareholders to have a say in company decisions. It is a key benefit of capitalism that supports sustainable finance.