Reply #6: The only thing that's changed

[Maple]

is massive lay-offs, which give a temporary blip to profit statements.

The market tries to run with that, so for a short time things look good.

The basic problems are still there, but the PR is an effort at stimulating the economy by assuring everyone things are going well.

They have to do this because Christmas is coming, and they need people to spend in what used to be the biggest consumer binge of the year.