The Guardian: "Lack of investment is stifling the global economy"

"Shareholders have clearly benefited from companies' unwillingness to invest their ample cash, but little of it has directly benefited economies"

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"Some economists, like Larry Summers, call it 'secular stagnation'. Others refer to it as 'Japanisation'. But all agree that after too many years of inadequate growth in advanced economies, substantial longer-term risks have emerged, not only for the wellbeing of these countries' citizens but also for the health and stability of the global economy.

"... While shareholders have clearly benefited from companies' unwillingness to invest their ample cash, the bulk of the injected money has been circulating only in the financial sector. Little of it has directly benefited economies that are struggling to boost their growth rates, expand employment, avoid creating a lost generation of workers, and address excessive income inequality.

"If advanced economies are to prosper, it is necessary (though not sufficient) that the corporate sector's willingness to invest match its considerable wallet."