• ira@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    1 year ago

    Interest rates had been historically low for a long time. Loans were cheap and venture capital was flowing freely. Tech companies could focus more on growing their market share with lots and lots of runway before they needed to become profitable.

    Then during the pandemic, Congress gave a massive bailout to businesses. Inflation went skyrocketing, and the Fed had to raise interest rates to limit the damage.

    Now money isn’t flowing nearly as freely for tech companies. Loans are more expensive, and investors are more content to leave their money in high-yield bonds instead. Tech companies are pivoting to stop chasing market share and instead start taking their profits from their current market share, even if it means their market share stops growing.

    • CmdrShepard
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      I don’t think bailouts lead to inflation rather the increase in wages during the pandemic due to staffing shortages. The working class finally got ahead a little bit and now companies are trying to correct that and put us back in our place by increasing their prices and blaming it on inflation. Funny how they claim their costs are increasing while they keep getting record profits each quarter. That can only happen if they’re lying about the scope of increased costs.

    • TrainsAreCool
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Even if it means they lose market share.

      Tech companies of all sizes are scrambling to show profitability, and those which aren’t ready to adjust, or have an unprofitable business model in the first place will likely struggle. Unless they have enough cash reserved that they can get buy until another period of low interest rates and investor eagerness. But there’s no telling when or if that will occur.