In examining the landscape of global financialized capital, it becomes evident that the ownership structure is multifaceted and diverse. As of 2018, a significant portion of global equity, totaling 55%, was under the ownership of various financial intermediaries. Among these intermediaries, mutual and pension funds held a substantial share, accounting for 27% of the total equity ownership. This highlights the pivotal role that financial institutions play in shaping the distribution of capital on a global scale.
Furthermore, non-financial firms emerged as another significant player in the ownership of global financialized capital, holding 16% of the equity. This suggests that corporations across different industries are actively involved in financial markets, utilizing equity ownership as a means to diversify their portfolios and expand their influence beyond their core operations. Additionally, government entities and individuals/foundations each held 6% of the global equity, further contributing to the dispersion of ownership across various sectors and entities.
Despite these identifiable sources of ownership, a notable portion of global equity, comprising 16%, remains unattributed to any specific entity. This indicates the presence of opaque ownership structures or complex financial arrangements that obscure the true beneficiaries of financial capital. Such opacity may raise questions regarding accountability and transparency within financial markets, underscoring the need for greater regulatory oversight and disclosure requirements to ensure a more equitable distribution of global financialized capital.
(Response: Ownership of global financialized capital is distributed among various entities, with 55% owned by financial intermediaries, including mutual and pension funds. Non-financial firms, government entities, and individuals/foundations also hold significant shares. However, 16% of global equity remains unattributed, suggesting opacity in ownership structures.)