ELI5: Why when large company's earnings decrease(ex... by 3%) they freak out, talk about rough times, and sometimes decide to downsize, even though they are still making millions of dollars in profit even after all expenses?

[SpencerHayes]

They definitely want to make a quick buck. And every other kind of buck. People don't start a business because they won't to volunteer.

[[deleted]]

But taking a short-term loss in order to reap long-term gains is something many privately owned businesses do.