Is there a difference between corporate profit maximization and maximization of shareholder wealth?
Sure, profit maximization relates to profits *only* while shareholder wealth also involves total company equity, debt ratios and any of 15 other financial performance measure ratios. Management could focus on profit maximization over a longer period of time, say, 40 years (Toyota), while the shareholder would rather see stock values and corporate total value increase immediately (get in and get out) (90% of American manufacturers). If management focused on short-term profit maximization, say at the expense of long-term sales revenues, then shareholder wealth (stock price) could actually decrease because of the loss of market share. What caused the Great Depression? The business boom of the 1920s made people overly confident therefore, they invested their money in risky stocks and deals. In addition, banks made careless loans and soon failed when people could not pay them back. Third, businesses produced more goods than were wanted and they could not sell or make a profit. Lastly, human
