Once bitten, twice shy. Nowhere more so than in conservative Germany, where the stock market collapse of the early part of this decade continues to keep potential investors at bay.
Most head straight for savings banks or invest in safe, low-yield bond funds. Only 16% of the German population owns any form of equities â down from 21% in 2001 â compared with half the American population. Germany's equity capitalisation is 34% to 40% of GDP against 120% to 140% in the US.
