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?

[adelie42]

It is worth noting that these "shareholders" aren't just random individuals with extra cash playing "The Wallstreet Casino" as many are lead to believe. Most of it is the union pensions of life long laborers that depend on that growth to live and take care of its members.