"And it's not like past profits are necessarily going to help "weather the storm"." It is if they're not paying out (all) the profits to shareholders. Nothing

"And it's not like past profits are necessarily going to help "weather the storm"." It is if they're not paying out (all) the profits to shareholders. Nothing stopping them building a war chest for tough times. Maybe that's why they're increasing pay and apparently not laying off staff, when competitors are doing the inverse?