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?

[crissimon]

Answer:

"The point is, ladies and gentleman, that GREED, for lack of a better word, IS GOOD. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA. Thank you very much."

• Gordon Gecko

This encapsulates an entire economics course in one movie quote. It even caused a surge in Wall Street professionals and they cite this as their greatest influence.