If the stock market goes down--thus expanding the spread-- the private equity firm can mark up its companies and sell them to other companies.

FORBES: Dow at 18,000 Anyone?

Their client list is growing because the geographical spread of sports events is expanding.

ECONOMIST: The Olympic legacy

There is an expanding oil and gas industry, but this does not generate jobs and spread cash around as the cod fishery once did, before over-fishing destroyed it.

ECONOMIST: Canada: Atlantic rescues | The