Two hidden problems with the recent mega-cap tech layoffs
Disclaimer: I have never worked in investment banking in any capacity, and the following ideas are merely my speculations
Current Macroeconomic and Technical Context
Inflation and interest rate hikes cooling down are common knowledge. As such, the market has become more bullish over the past weeks, creating rounded support and strong support on the NASDAQ around the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level. There have also been rallies across tech companies, like meta, unity, grab, and para from their lows. However, now the NASDAQ has formed a descending triangle and so it remains possible that there will be a sharp breakdown through support.
Why mega-cap tech rallied off layoffs
Massive layoffs have occurred in mega-capitalization tech firms in recent months to respond to the current recessionary economic environment, with firms like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and other tech companies laying off more than 70,000 employees in the last year. Under the typical theory of firm economics, this is efficient behavior for the firm, decreasing variable costs to respond to reduced demand for products, thereby increasing profits for shareholders.
Problems which some have not considered
There are two important problems with the layoffs, which are summarized as:
Secondly, it is well-known that the retail investors who put their money in stocks are mostly individuals with high salaries, since they have the money to put into stocks without worrying about expenses in the short term. It is also well known that tech employees in the USA have an incredibly high average salary, averaging above six figures in 2021, according to SHRM. For these tech investors, who are now no longer employed, many of whom are living in costly areas of the United States like Washington, California, or New York, they no longer have the income to put into purchasing stocks, and rather they may have to sell off their shares to cover their high costs of living. In other words, tech layoffs are likely to cause a significant drag on the stock market in the coming months caused by a decrease in income investment and increased selling pressure.
Current Macroeconomic and Technical Context
Inflation and interest rate hikes cooling down are common knowledge. As such, the market has become more bullish over the past weeks, creating rounded support and strong support on the NASDAQ around the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level. There have also been rallies across tech companies, like meta, unity, grab, and para from their lows. However, now the NASDAQ has formed a descending triangle and so it remains possible that there will be a sharp breakdown through support.
Why mega-cap tech rallied off layoffs
Massive layoffs have occurred in mega-capitalization tech firms in recent months to respond to the current recessionary economic environment, with firms like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and other tech companies laying off more than 70,000 employees in the last year. Under the typical theory of firm economics, this is efficient behavior for the firm, decreasing variable costs to respond to reduced demand for products, thereby increasing profits for shareholders.
Problems which some have not considered
There are two important problems with the layoffs, which are summarized as:
- Firing tech employees results in unfinished projects and unpatched bugs
- Former employees may need to sell their shares to cover living expenses
Secondly, it is well-known that the retail investors who put their money in stocks are mostly individuals with high salaries, since they have the money to put into stocks without worrying about expenses in the short term. It is also well known that tech employees in the USA have an incredibly high average salary, averaging above six figures in 2021, according to SHRM. For these tech investors, who are now no longer employed, many of whom are living in costly areas of the United States like Washington, California, or New York, they no longer have the income to put into purchasing stocks, and rather they may have to sell off their shares to cover their high costs of living. In other words, tech layoffs are likely to cause a significant drag on the stock market in the coming months caused by a decrease in income investment and increased selling pressure.