How can a company that makes over 4 billion profit lay off workers?

[sammym3]

Since when is 4 billion in profit bad? (microsoft). This was reported as "profit" not revenues.

[islandmkl]

1. one way to go from 4 to 5...

[sentelle]

Or maybe

They simply see the writing on the wall.

After Windows 7, what do they have left? Azure? That's all about SaaS, not MS's thing.

They are firing here, to hire in India.

[doc03]

2. What was their gross sales? Maybe $4 billion

is a very small return on their investment.

[SoCalNative]

3. Microsoft reported a profit of $4.17 billion, or 47 cents per share, in the quarter ended Dec. 31.

Revenue rose 2% to $16.6 billion. Wall Street generally expected $17.1 billion in revenue and a profit of 49 cent per share.


http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/earnings/2009-01-22-microsoft_N.htm?csp=34

[doc03]

5. That is a pretty hefty profit on $16.6 billion in sales

I would say. I agree how can you layoff workers when you make a 25% profit on sales.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. They're Only Middle-Class Workers

They're used to it - that's how they live. They're just not like us.

Don't ruin your beautiful mind worrying about it. And, when you get a chance, please pass the Grey Poupon.