Too big for their boots? Are bigger companies slowing the economy.
Jul 17, 2024
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Exploring the dominance of tech giants in the global share market, the impact of high valuations on the economy, and the challenges faced by smaller businesses in competing with cash-rich companies. Discussing market structures, monopolies, and proposed solutions to address issues of competition, innovation, and financial literacy.
Large tech companies dominate with massive customer bases, low costs, high earnings, and market control.
Challenges economic theories by highlighting monopolistic market effects and needs for innovative funding solutions.
Deep dives
Analysis of Company Size and Market Impact
The podcast delves into the concept of big companies potentially becoming too large to guarantee proper market competition. It questions whether tech giants like Apple or Amazon, despite not fitting the direct 'too big to fail' mold, could influence currency markets, distort competition, or divert investment from smaller enterprises. The discussion emphasizes the evolving dynamics where large companies may impact economic stability and how maintaining a balance ensures innovation and market diversity.
Monopoly vs. Perfect Competition in Economics
The episode challenges conventional economic theories of perfect competition by critiquing the unrealistic assumptions that firms produce the same goods, set prices equal to marginal costs, and operate in a homogenous market. It highlights the impractical application of traditional economic models to real-world scenarios, especially regarding the effects of monopolies or oligopolies on output, prices, and market diversity.
Impact of Large Companies on Market Efficiency
It explores the consequences of companies hoarding cash reserves, making big profits, and avoiding the impacts of interest rates. The imbalance created where smaller companies struggle to compete due to lack of resources while larger firms monopolize markets raises concerns about efficiency, fairness, and economic dynamics.
Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The podcast suggests innovative ways to encourage venture capital funding for startups and entrepreneurial ventures. By combining government-initiated funds with crowdfunding platforms, there is a proposal to distribute a set percentage of GDP to allow individuals to invest solely in emerging ideas. This approach aims to stimulate innovation, foster competition, and provide a level playing field for new businesses, disrupting traditional market monopolies.
The global share market has always been dominated by the US, now we’re seeing a number share of very large tech companies claiming a larger slice of that pie. Even though they are trading with price to earnings ratios well beyond the historic average, these companies won’t fail. They dominate the market, with billions of customers, low production costs, a low number of workers and the spare cash to vest in growth without the expense of extra capital.
Phil asks Steve, what damage are these companies doing – to the share market, to the global economy and to investors. So we need to knock these companies down to size? Steve thinks not, but has another way of tackling the issue.