Net Vs. Gross Investment
Deregulatory moves, both actual and anticipated, have been hailed as spurring business fixed investment. Is there content to this assertion? A glance at nonresidential fixed investment seems to be supportive. Figure 1: Private nonresidential fixed investment, in billions of Ch.2009$, SAAR (blue). NBER defined recession dates shaded gray. Source: BEA, 2017Q4 3rd release. However, the standard…