The question for me is, assuming that other companies are more humane and are avoiding laying people off before Christmas, what does January look like?
It used to be true, but companies seem deadset on demoralizing their workforce as much as possible.
They've raised prices as much as consumers will bear.
We're getting near the physical limits of how efficient things can get in many sectors.
If P/Es are to remain this high (and they have to for the rich to remain this rich), the profits must continue to grow far in excess of the total economy.
The only orange left to squeeze is labor costs.