Because they expect the economy to slow, and they want to remain profitable. They're not laying off 7,000 people because they need to do so to survive, they're doing it because it makes the most financial sense to keep them profitable. Do you have any idea how business decisions are evaluated from a financial standpoint?
They expect the economy to slow...but still took their bonuses...What is wrong with this picture? I understand business. It looks like another CEO-not sure his company will survive-getting his while he still can.