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The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

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Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#11

Post by polskibus »

BluSyn wrote: post #2

"The report said worry about an economic slowdown was the main driver of companies' layoff intentions." I sometimes wonder if these sorts of economic projections end up being self-fulfilling prophecies. If everyone tightens up spending because they expect a recession, that essentially guarantees there will be one.

There are so many contradicting predictions all the time. You could for example say that it's because everyone thinks that the robots that are to steal everyone's job are around the corner, so everyone is preparing for it.

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#12

Post by draw_down »

BluSyn wrote: post #2

"The report said worry about an economic slowdown was the main driver of companies' layoff intentions." I sometimes wonder if these sorts of economic projections end up being self-fulfilling prophecies. If everyone tightens up spending because they expect a recession, that essentially guarantees there will be one.

Pretty much the entire system is a function of belief. Even money; it works because we all have a collective belief in its value. Unfortunately you don’t get to cherry-pick only the good parts of a system that runs on belief.

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#13

Post by pascalxus »

And yet, markets are nearly at all time highs. I'd like to see a breakdown of who's buying stocks/equities.

EDIT: I know earnings are high, but much of our growth over the last 20 years has been during 2-4% GDP deficit. I don't think that's been priced into the markets. Markets may be assuming that the deficit party will continue.

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#15

Post by asveikau »

BluSyn wrote: post #2

"The report said worry about an economic slowdown was the main driver of companies' layoff intentions." I sometimes wonder if these sorts of economic projections end up being self-fulfilling prophecies. If everyone tightens up spending because they expect a recession, that essentially guarantees there will be one.

Sounds a bit like Roosevelt's "only thing we have to fear is fear itself".

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#16

Post by vkou »

polskibus wrote: post #11
BluSyn wrote: post #2

"The report said worry about an economic slowdown was the main driver of companies' layoff intentions." I sometimes wonder if these sorts of economic projections end up being self-fulfilling prophecies. If everyone tightens up spending because they expect a recession, that essentially guarantees there will be one.

There are so many contradicting predictions all the time. You could for example say that it's because everyone thinks that the robots that are to steal everyone's job are around the corner, so everyone is preparing for it.

The stock market finds the 'correct' price for stocks, by aggregating conflicting beliefs and predictions of traders.

When the beliefs are overwhelmingly pessimistic, stock prices drop. Why should companies behave any differently with respect to layoffs?

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#17

Post by bb2018 »

pascalxus wrote: post #13

And yet, markets are nearly at all time highs. I'd like to see a breakdown of who's buying stocks/equities. EDIT: I know earnings are high, but much of our growth over the last 20 years has been during 2-4% GDP deficit. I don't think that's been priced into the markets. Markets may be assuming that the deficit party will continue.

The unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in 50 years. That stat isn't perfect but it is still that the number of people with jobs is about as high as it has ever been.

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#18

Post by xxpor »

jacquesm wrote: post #7
BluSyn wrote: post #2

"The report said worry about an economic slowdown was the main driver of companies' layoff intentions." I sometimes wonder if these sorts of economic projections end up being self-fulfilling prophecies. If everyone tightens up spending because they expect a recession, that essentially guarantees there will be one.

The whole economy is powered by belief. No bank would be able to handle a bank run.

Because people believe in the FDIC, not that there won't ever be a bank run.

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#19

Post by malvosenior »

BluSyn wrote: post #2

"The report said worry about an economic slowdown was the main driver of companies' layoff intentions." I sometimes wonder if these sorts of economic projections end up being self-fulfilling prophecies. If everyone tightens up spending because they expect a recession, that essentially guarantees there will be one.

This definitely happens in the VC world. VCs are absolutely herd mentality and when one of them jumps at a shadow, they all jump and you get a bunch of blog posts talking about bubbles and how they're moving back to enterprise... Meanwhile nothing has changed other than VC perception but it will have a very real impact on early stage (especially seed and Series A) funding opportunities.

Re: The U.S. just had the most Q1 layoffs in a decade

#20

Post by schnable »

natalyarostova wrote: post #6
cp9 wrote: post #3

cool fun times. glad we just gave billionaires and mega corporations a trillion dollars

Is HN going to turn into just another boilerplate low-quality, sarcastic tribal sniping comments section? Seems like it's well on its way...

Garbage in garbage out... post a vapid factoid article that's spun to make a specific number look bad, with little context, and what else is there to say?
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