Bull market, how long for?

economic

IanManc wrote: »

Your parents hadn't paid for the complete infrastructure of the country that they found when they came here, had they? They used roads, hospitals, and every other public service that other people's taxes had paid for.

You are the one being naive. The roads, hospitals and other public services were built and run by people who got paid. They did not do it for free and then expect a handout for the efforts later on when my parents worked and paid their taxes.

the taxes my parents and i have paid pays for the continual running of the infrastructure/services and building new infrastructure.

The question then becomes at what point have we paid our "fair share" of taxes? I certainly do not think we should pay for anything to anyone who has not contributed to the economy.

So again, why should i subsidize someone else's life?

economic

chrisgg wrote: »

Do you think the large US firms, those most MSE investors would hold in large quantities as part of their US index funds and S&P 500 trackers, pay anywhere near the proposed 20% tax corporation tax rate, never mind the current 35%? The likes of Amazon and Apple are known for holding vast amounts of cash in foreign jurisdiction and have access to all sorts of clever accounting tricks.

No but the tax cuts will certainly help out the smaller businesses that employ by far the majority of the workforce in the US.

iro

Anyone know of a US private equity fund?

I have 3i (some exposure to US) but I am at a loss to identify any others.

chrisgg

economic wrote: »

No but the tax cuts will certainly help out the smaller businesses that employ by far the majority of the workforce in the US.

Agreed, which is why I've bought units in Artemis US Smaller Companies,rather than adding to my holding in an S&P 500 tracker.

As IRO has mentioned above, I'm considering as US PE fund too if I can find one I like.

Thrugelmir

BananaRepublic wrote: »

Buy low, sell high, simples. So how do you know when to sell then? Especially since all the experts consistently get it wrong. Incidentally some experts think we are overdue a crash.

Amazon was trading on a P\E of over 298 on December 22nd. How much further do you think that it will rise. As investors in trackers pile into the market chasing that pot of gold that lies at the end of the rainbow.

(Likewise Netflix trades at a p\e of 191).

economic

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Amazon was trading on a P\E of over 298 on December 22nd. How much further do you think that it will rise. As investors in trackers pile into the market chasing that pot of gold that lies at the end of the rainbow.

(Likewise Netflix trades at a p\e of 191).

Looking at PE alone to base an investment decision is very foolish.

Disclaimer: i own £10k worth of amazon shares plus however much in the various funds i own.

iro

Looked at NAIT (which is in my portfolio), no evidence of Amazon as far as I can tell.

chrisgg

NAIT is unlikely to hold Amazon, or the likes of Google for that matter, as it's income focused and the aforementioned stocks don't pay a dividend.

BananaRepublic

economic wrote: »

So why do you expect me to subsidize someone else's life exactly?

Why should i work for someone else to use my tax money? The tax money i have paid pays for the infrastructure etc you talk about. Why should i pay anything more then this?

I have paid my legal share of taxes. I always try to minimize this as much as possible.

You and iro come across as incredibly self centred and callous people. I suspect you are American, and it’s odd because Americans do more for charities than any other nation. They are a generous people. And they have incredible achievements as a nation. And yet when I look at America, I see areas of poverty and levels of crime that should shame any civilised nation.

I believe in creating the kind of country I want to live in and that means showing compassion for those that fall on hard times, and respecting that we all live in an interconnected society. Thus I benefit from the kindness and hard work of those paid less than me. And part of our duty in society is to provide an NHS for example. I’ve come across quite a few Americans who have worked hard all their lives and then found hardship as they got old, because of illness, or unemployment. It’s a country where hard work rewards, but it also punishes the infirm and unfortunate. It is too much winner takes all for my taste. And I suspect the welfare state helps us avoid the sort of violence seen in America.

economic

BananaRepublic wrote: »

You and iro come across as incredibly self centred and callous people. I suspect you are American, and it’s odd because Americans do more for charities than any other nation. They are a generous people. And they have incredible achievements as a nation. And yet when I look at America, I see areas of poverty and levels of crime that should shame any civilised nation.

I believe in creating the kind of country I want to live in and that means showing compassion for those that fall on hard times, and respecting that we all live in an interconnected society. Thus I benefit from the kindness and hard work of those paid less than me. And part of our duty in society is to provide an NHS for example. I’ve come across quite a few Americans who have worked hard all their lives and then found hardship as they got old, because of illness, or unemployment. It’s a country where hard work rewards, but it also punishes the infirm and unfortunate. It is too much winner takes all for my taste. And I suspect the welfare state helps us avoid the sort of violence seen in America.

How much more violence is there in the US compared to the UK?

Im not saying we should give zero help to people who need it. I am just saying there is a limit to how much we should help. That limit is basic shelter and food. I suspect we give a lot more then the limit and we also give to those who scam the system as well.