Hi DJ:
>>This makes (the) French, who save 15.8% (fifteen point eight!! dj) of their disposable income, the European champions. Belgium follows with 12.8, Spain with 11.2 and Italy with 10.2. The Germans put away only 9.8 of their income, and Austrians even less, 8.2 percent.<<
Given that the US savings rate is now 3.1%, I would say that this proves that it isn't how big it is, it's what you do with it that counts. The USA's broad, deep and efficient capital markets, together with the US culture of entrepreneurialism and risk-taking, make it possible to finance just about any kind of business venture. During the dot com mania, the US venture capital community couldn't throw their investors' money away fast enough. Even now, the biggest problem faced by US venture capitalists is not raising their next fund, it's finding enough good ideas and experienced people to back. Just what are the French doing with their 15.8%, anyway? |
