So, the tax reform worked-- sort of ; companies repatriated tons of cash, but then spent over half of that on buying back shares, versus actual investment. It doesn't really surprise me though: the world today is one giant Big Business-Fascistic Corporatocracy-- and by "Fascistic", I mean the good ole "mixed economy", or "public-private cooperation" euphemisms.

Cumulatively representing so many trillions worth of wealth already, why bother taking major risks? Only the most conservative investments make sense: the rest of the shareholder value can be "managed" through stock buybacks and lobbying, sort of like how the Fed "manages" thing through the money supply and interest rates.