Branson said that one of the reasons he was taking VS private again was that he was fed up of having to run off to the boys in the City to explain his every move and get their approval.
The stock market often makes the best profits for an individual when they invest for a prolonged period of time. New companies have to duck and dive (as batninth explains so well) and are less well suited to the Market. Mature companies can handle the Market better.
In the 1980s, the Thatcher/Reagan Axis managed to convince too many people that the Stock Markets were the way forward but thay are not universal and equal in their treatment of people and companies. The youngsters that are actually operating the market (analysts/stock brokers/jobbers etc.) only make money when the stock is moving. If people are buying and selling, then the folks in the middle make money. They do not care whether it is going up or down. In the process, thousands lose money and people's jobs are put at risk. In fact, many of the layoffs of PLCs are soley to appease the City.
So, whilst some folks may lose out on share options, others may gain in job security!
--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.