( investissement net). The increase in productive capital goods, calculated by deducting from total or gross investment the depreciation in value (and, presumably, productive capacity) of existing capital goods. As an economy becomes more capital-intensive, more of its production has to be devoted to replacing depreciated capital to maintain the standard of living. If a firm buys $1 million worth of new machinery in a year, but depreciates $200,000 of old equipment that is losing its value, then its net investment is $800,000.