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THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Discussions about the economic and financial ramifications of PEAK OIL

Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Fri 11 Jan 2013, 09:56:02

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')merican Express Co said it would cut about 5,400 jobs, mainly in its travel division, and would take about $600 million in after-tax charges in the fourth quarter, which will halve its net income for the period. The company said some of the cuts would be offset by new hiring but expects to reduce its workforce 4 to 6 percent by the end of 2013. It currently employs 63,500 people.


Aren't credit card companies supposed to be constant cash cow money generators? Looks like consumer discretionary spending isn't doing too well nowadays.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Fri 11 Jan 2013, 10:00:49

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'J')apanese automaker Honda says it will cut about one in four jobs at its UK factory as it struggles with low demand in Europe. Honda Motor Europe says poor sales across Europe due to the region's economic crisis are behind the loss of 800 positions among its 3,500 member workforce in Swindon.


Swindon, home of the revered Civic Euro Type R.

Japanese car companies have been hit on multiple fronts, with the earthquake, Fukushima, Europe, and yen all conspiring against them. The rising tide of inflation probably wouldn't help much either.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Tue 15 Jan 2013, 03:03:10

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')KF, the world's biggest bearings maker, is cutting 2,500 jobs to cope with weaker demand, underscoring the bleak outlook for manufacturers as Europe drives through austerity measures to reduce its debts. The Swedish firm, whose bearings are used in a range of products from washing machines to aircraft, is seen as an early indicator of economic trends due to the breadth of its markets. These include cars and trucks, which have been hit particularly hard by a downturn in consumer and business spending.


The trillion-dollar question is whether this is a European-wide problem or a world-wide problem, and whether Asia can pick up the slack (or not). The BDI (Baltic Shipping Index) is looking so-so and on the verge of a further breakdown. Asia will have to do a lot of heavy lifting if it comes to that.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby Tanada » Tue 15 Jan 2013, 06:41:48

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lowem', '[')url=http://news.yahoo.com/skf-cut-2-500-jobs-european-markets-weaken-121650848--sector.html]news.yahoo.com[/url] :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')KF, the world's biggest bearings maker, is cutting 2,500 jobs to cope with weaker demand, underscoring the bleak outlook for manufacturers as Europe drives through austerity measures to reduce its debts. The Swedish firm, whose bearings are used in a range of products from washing machines to aircraft, is seen as an early indicator of economic trends due to the breadth of its markets. These include cars and trucks, which have been hit particularly hard by a downturn in consumer and business spending.


The trillion-dollar question is whether this is a European-wide problem or a world-wide problem, and whether Asia can pick up the slack (or not). The BDI (Baltic Shipping Index) is looking so-so and on the verge of a further breakdown. Asia will have to do a lot of heavy lifting if it comes to that.


I think the answer is no to your question because Asia does not have enough internal market structure to support itself yet. Globalization has discouraged it, especially the low wages for laborer's. It is hard to be a consumer when you can feed yourself but you have to live in company owned housing because you can not afford anything better. China has built a dozen beautiful modern cities that sit virtually empty because the workers can't afford to live in them and those who can afford to live better already have homes.

Who can the Chinese businesses sell too if the USA and EU are no longer buying? Nobody. A big part of that is Peak Oil causing sustained prices for fuel that drain money out of the consumers and producers alike in increased transportation costs. Nobody is going to stay rich trying to sell Chilean grapes in NYC when it costs more to fly them in than you can sell them for. We will be back to grape preserves in the off season for the local growers before you know it. Storage ability will once again be the key and warehousing will have to make a comeback or a lot of people are going to starve when the JIT food system suffers a breakdown.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby dorlomin » Tue 15 Jan 2013, 09:58:26

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lowem', '[')url=http://news.yahoo.com/skf-cut-2-500-jobs-european-markets-weaken-121650848--sector.html]news.yahoo.com[/url] :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')KF, the world's biggest bearings maker,

.
UKs car manufacturers are retrenching in spite of UK car sales growth, due to Eruozone issues.

You see SKF in factories all over, bit like Fenner (belts). If it is functioning as a bell weather then its hardtimes in Eurozone.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Tue 15 Jan 2013, 10:39:06

engadget.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')ts first store opened in 1921 under an elaborate neon sign featuring the company's emblem of a dog listening to a gramophone beneath the words "His Master's Voice." Fast forward to today and the old-school seller has suffered gravely from the same online shift that has affected many others. It has called in administrators after failing to negotiate new terms over its bank debt, and unless a buyer steps up to take over the chain's 240 stores then as many as 4,350 people will be let go.


Oh so that's HMV stands for. Perhaps that should be past tense now : "stood for". Who knew. 4000+ count is mid-sized in the grand scale of things, but the times are a-changing. Still waiting for that DRM-free 1000+ kbps FLAC delivery system I'd pay actual money for. MP3's are good only above 192kbps and start to get reasonable at 320kbps but that's where they usually max out. DRM stuff? Who knows how many free samples I've deleted, won't touch DRM songs even if they give them out free.

Bit sad, though watching all those CD shops close, watched Tower Records fall. Maybe I'd pay a visit to the local HMV before it's gone forever. Might even get me to re-visit the Orchard Road area which I've been staying away from for ... well, a very long time.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:04:20

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', 'I') think the answer is no to your question because Asia does not have enough internal market structure to support itself yet. Globalization has discouraged it, especially the low wages for laborer's. It is hard to be a consumer when you can feed yourself but you have to live in company owned housing because you can not afford anything better. China has built a dozen beautiful modern cities that sit virtually empty because the workers can't afford to live in them and those who can afford to live better already have homes.

Who can the Chinese businesses sell too if the USA and EU are no longer buying? Nobody.


They would sell to the mythical Chinese consumer, of course!

But the rise of the Chinese consumer depends on the ability of the Chinese economy to deliver goods to the USA and EU and the rest of the world and the ability of said regions to continue to be able to receive said goods given the performance of their own economy. When you're producing for the whole world, you really can't use it all by yourself. Therein lies the rub. In terms of consuming power, we would have to have (all of) Asia >= US + EU and that might not happen any time fast. And yes, Peak Oil would get in the way any time between now and then. We are living in interesting times, surely.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Thu 17 Jan 2013, 20:52:46

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'G')erman airline Air Berlin , part-owned by Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad, plans to cut almost 10 percent of its workforce of 9,300 as part of a cost-cutting campaign aimed at halting years of losses. The program will entail cutting 900 jobs and leave the airline to concentrate on its most profitable routes with more flights to be offered to popular destinations like Majorca. Air Berlin, which has not posted a full-year operating profit since 2007, has already cut seats, unprofitable routes and postponed plane orders to reduce costs and shrink its way back to profitability after racking up debts to expand.


With oil prices rising and looking to go over the critical $100 level again, things are not looking, well, up, for the airline industry. The ongoing problems in the European region and the China slowdown have not been helping either.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Thu 17 Jan 2013, 21:29:04

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')al-Mart Stores Inc , the world's largest retailer, said it plans to hire more than 100,000 veterans in the United States over the next five years, a move supported by First Lady Michelle Obama. The retailer will start issuing job offers to veterans from Memorial Day in May. The offers will be given to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first twelve months off active duty.


Not really my place to say whether it's actually a good move or not, since I'm not so clear about the veteran-related issues, but I'd say the comments section is a more interesting read than the actual article itself.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby SeaGypsy » Thu 17 Jan 2013, 21:36:15

There is a flood of disability claims coming through VA at present. I have no doubt there is an agenda to create opportunities for vets, largely to try to stem this tide. I would bet that wages from Walmart will not be competitive with disability payments. PTSD claims are largely valid and winnable by vets from Afghanistan and Iraq.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby EdwinSm » Tue 22 Jan 2013, 05:00:19

It does seem to be worldwide:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he number of jobless people around the world rose by 4 million in 2012 to 197 million and is expected to grow further, the UN labour agency warns.

In a report, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said the worst affected were youth: nearly 13% of the under 24s were unemployed.

It said global unemployment was projected to rise 5.1 million this year and by a further 3 million in 2014.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21136667

Not a good situation at all.

Link to the report. Warning very large (239 pages) .pdf file http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_202326.pdf
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby jdmartin » Wed 23 Jan 2013, 12:35:07

Thank you, lowem, for keeping up this thread. Though I don't post to it often, I enjoy having a one-stop shop to read about layoffs and the continued worldwide economic struggles.

The Wallyworld thing is interesting because summer isn't typically a high time of year for shopping. Seems odd that they would wait until after Memorial Day.
After fueling up their cars, Twyman says they bowed their heads and asked God for cheaper gas.There was no immediate answer, but he says other motorists joined in and the service station owner didn't run them off.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Thu 24 Jan 2013, 05:31:33

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'R')enault wants to cut 7,500 posts in France by 2016 to help boost competitiveness as its domestic and European markets continue to slump, a spokeswoman for the French carmaker said. The cuts, equivalent to 14 percent of French Renault staff, are expected to include 5,700 departures through natural turnover, the spokeswoman said on Tuesday, following the latest in a series of meetings with unions.


Bad news continues for European companies and particularly auto manufacturers. Currently companions in misery together with the Japanese folks.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Tue 29 Jan 2013, 00:08:12

news.cnet.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'N')okia today announced that it was cutting over 1,100 IT jobs from its workforce. The company says that it will lay off 300 employees currently working in an IT function. Nokia will also transfer up to 820 employees to IT services firms, HCL Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services. Nokia announced in June that it would make broad cuts - about 10,000 layoffs - across its business to save money and make its operation more agile.


Nokia's big bet on Microsoft and Windows Phone hasn't been working out all too well, to put it mildly. The latest indignations being the sale of its own HQ building, its inability to re-gain its lost market share, and now more layoffs and downsizing. And as long as ex-Microsoft VP Elop remains as Nokia's CEO, they will not consider another strategy besides Windows. They have jumped off the burning platform into the deep blue sea.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Wed 30 Jan 2013, 20:25:20

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'D')ish Network Corp plans to close 300 Blockbuster stores in the United States in the coming weeks and could lay off as many as 3,000 employees, a move that comes days after the DVD rental firm's UK unit went into administration. Dish is trying to shed unprofitable Blockbuster outlets as online retailers like Amazon.Com Inc and download sites like Apple Inc's iTunes eat away at Blockbuster's business model. The potential job cuts represent about 40 percent of Blockbuster's U.S. workforce of 7,300 people.


Digital media continues to eat away at physical stores. It's been the same story as well for Tower Records, for HMV and many others. Consumers should vote with their dollars though, and continue to push for unrestricted, DRM-free media that will not become inaccessible when the authentication servers go down, or some such nonsense.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Wed 30 Jan 2013, 20:41:08

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')oy maker Hasbro said Friday that its fourth-quarter revenue failed to meet expectations because of weaker-than-expected demand over the holidays. It plans to cut about 10 percent of its workforce and consolidate facilities to reduce expenses. Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro, whose brands include Monopoly and Nerf, has about 5,500 employees worldwide. A 10 percent workforce cut would put about 550 people out of work.


Noo .. my favourite toy maker. Looks like the Christmas 2012 shopping season wasn't really as good as it had been hyped up to be. Consumers are retrenching because, well, they're getting retrenched. Or at least stretched more thinly by ongoing inflation. There's less to go around for consumer discretionary. Expect more news in this sector.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Wed 30 Jan 2013, 20:46:56

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')art-nationalized Lloyds Banking Group says it is eliminating 940 jobs in a continuing reduction of its payroll. Lloyds has a target of cutting 15,000 jobs by the end of 2014, and has so far announced 8,000. Barclays, meanwhile, has announced a review of jobs in its investment banking division. It won't comment on published reports that up to 2,000 of the current total of 23,000 jobs worldwide may go.


15000 here, 23000 there, these numbers are adding up pretty quickly. It's a wonder that the S&P 500 has managed to breach through the 1500 resistance level. This has got to be a liquidity-driven phenomenon.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Wed 30 Jan 2013, 20:54:17

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'G')ermany's second-biggest bank, Commerzbank AG, says it plan to cut as many as 6,000 jobs over the next three years as it tries to reduce costs. Commerzbank said in a statement Thursday that it expects to cut between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs by 2016. The company had some 56,000 employees in total at the end of September.


Another big body count from the finance sector. Guess what happened to the conventional wisdom about Germany doing well compared to the rest of the Eurozone.
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Re: THE Let the worldwide layoffs begin Thread pt 2 (merged)

Unread postby lowem » Wed 30 Jan 2013, 20:59:10

news.yahoo.com :

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'D')iversified U.S. manufacturer 3M Co will cut about 300 jobs as it combines its security and traffic safety units, one of Chief Executive Inge Thulin's first moves to improve the profitability of underperforming units.


I guess our buying of cheaper, local alternatives to Scotch Tape and Post-It might have hit 3M harder than we thought :)
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