My friend thinks these are a good investment as they have gone down so low in a few years will go up incredibly. His opinion is based on the fact that the government owns 83 perecent of one of them , and a lot in the other, so clearly does not want to see them go down. A good investment for the long run?

Depends on how long you can run for.

Hope you are into marathons.

A mile rather than a marathon

I think your friend must have a buzzing in his ear?

buzzing - With friends like that who needs enemies:o))