Never said purely. In any case, it's a proxy. When they're presented an easy win, they're going to take it. Most of these cuts are happening in unprofitable business areas. Before with cheap cash and a strong economy, it made sense to keep these people on. The market valued investment. Now it no longer does - now profit matters, and that means cutting costs.

There's not a single person on here who wouldn't be making these decisions right now. You don't call a person who decides to cut their grocery bill dumb and influenced by group think. It's time to save money, and the overall economy recognizes this.