Overall, I think "financial arms" are the kiss of death for most companies. They get abused and become casino-like in nature with highly leveraged derivative plays, which should never but often happens. Case in point: GE Capital brought the world's largest manufacturing company to its knees. Its stock is still 25% of pre-crisis levels. And now their washing machines and dishwashers suck (I know first hand). They of course aren't made here as is the growing case for aircraft engines. They ought to prosecute Immelt instead of giving him a govt appointment (maybe soon they will be one and the same). And look how well ABX did "financially" having to pay down 6 Billion dollars of hedges. They are miners, not traders.

You don't mean financial arms for NEM and ABX, etc. - you mean an "inorganic growth" funding department. That's a different story.

Strike