Are U.S. Companies Too Short-Term Oriented? Some Thoughts
23 Pages Posted: 23 May 2017
There are 3 versions of this paper
Are U.S. Companies Too Short-Term Oriented? Some Thoughts
Are U.S. Companies Too Short-Term Oriented? Some Thoughts
Are U.S. Companies Too Short‐Term Oriented? Some Thoughts
Date Written: May 22, 2017
Abstract
U.S. companies are often criticized for being overly short-term oriented. This paper documents that those criticisms have a long history, going back at least thirty-five years. The paper then considers the implications of sustained short-termism for corporate profits, venture capital investments and returns, private equity investments and returns, and corporate valuations. The paper finds little long-term evidence that is consistent with the predictions of the short-term critics.
Keywords: Short-Termism, Investment, Innovation
JEL Classification: D24, G31, L25
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation