Labor is getting labor and materials are getting more and more expensive and still nowhere to be found. People change jobs like crazy. Tons of people are moonlighting or working 3 part time jobs with no benefits. Investors are scared, management wants to offer. Quality control, facilities, maintenance and security are cost centers that do not produce a product.
I think these are unrealistic productivity expectations and cut corners because we are in the middle of a wave of stagnation spreading and the recession excuse is not out yet because the national statistics are cooking, so the official recognition it continues to be postponed.
Privileged buying is very much down. Performance bonuses are going down. The first quarter numbers will be bad.