Comparing the Incomparable

The capital stock/flow of Americans companies is about 10–20 years, but the stock/flow of China is about 5 years. - Yuxi on the Wired

Comparing stock market cap to capital stock: Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia have market caps around 3 trillion and revenues from 150-400 billion. China has 100 trillion in capital stock for a 20 trillion GDP. The US has 70 trillion capital stock for a 30 trillion GDP.

But GDP can’t be compared to cashflow (indeed, what would national FCF be?) China and the US’ GDPs can’t be compared either; the US includes plenty of services China doesn’t and massive imputed rent.