[AJ007]

To be fair, banks may also be grossly overvalued. Their market valuations are entirely dependent on large government bailouts (although Wells Fargo was certainly in good shape relative to their peers in 08.)

[tripzilch]

> To be fair, banks may also be grossly overvalued.

In other words, such valuation of a big corporation has little to do with the direct utility to, or meaning for a single individual.

It's like a red blood-cell wondering why the eye is so highly valued compared to the liver.

[rbanffy]

> although Wells Fargo was certainly in good shape relative to their peers in 08

And this is the most ridiculous thing in those bailouts. You manage responsibly and competently and, in return, you get government funded competition.

There should be a better way.

[Alupis]

> Their market valuations are entirely dependent on large government bailouts

Hasn't been the case for years (and I'm pretty sure it was never the case actually). They are valued by their assets (funds in accounts, real estate holdings, equity in companies/investments, etc). Facebook's valuation appears to be based on nothing but magic.