I read in an article something like 9 out of 10 ASX listed companies do not turn a profit and lose money...
IMO- It's just a great con job by most directors so suck in the poor retail investor to keep them in a Job with a big wage..
When it goes pear shaped the director resigns and the shareholders have lost a lot of money or a sitting on a big loss... Reality is most retail investors throw in the towel never to invest in the market again....