reinvest

"Companies say 'everything is fine with Vaca Muerta, but I haven't been able to get a single dollar out of Argentina for 15 years, so we make money but we have to reinvest it there by force'," explains Mr Gadano.

When that happens, investors have to reinvest that same money at lower interest rates, losing the benefit of a fixed rate.

Easy price gains have left investors content to watch companies reinvest their capital into building out the internet economy.

With the proceeds from the stake sale, Brewer said the company can reinvest in its business, pay down debt and repurchase shares.

"There was no rule that you had to reinvest your earnings, but I suppose we were just too weak to resist. They just pumped up our dreams… until we lost all self-control, all critical judgment."