about 2 months ago • 2 mins
What’s going on here?
British jet engine maker Rolls-Royce announced that it will cut up to 2,500 jobs, an effort to make the journey to profit a little smoother.
What does this mean?
Rolls-Royce got a new CEO back in January, one that swiftly labeled the company a “burning platform” and revamped the top management roles before the fresh nameplate had even hit the desk. And now, 2,000 to 2,500 jobs – around 6% of the firm’s workers – are on the chopping block, a bid to cut costs and turn hard-earned revenue into profit. That type of management won’t win you any friends, but it might pay off elsewhere: Rolls-Royce’s stock has revved up 200% over the past year, claiming the title of the FTSE’s best performer. Plus, after news of the job cuts made the rounds, investors sent the stock up another 2%.
Why should I care?
For markets: Rolls-Royce is flying.
Rolls-Royce has also been gassed up by some factors outside of its control. Countries are bumping up their defense budgets in the face of bubbling geopolitical tensions and long-haul flights are getting booked up fast, both of which have drummed up demand for Rolls-Royce airplane engines and maintenance. That said, strict decision-making has clearly paid off for the firm. After all, shares in businesses with their act together – robust cost management, operational efficiency, and long-term strategies – tend to fetch a premium when the wider environment is uncertain.
The bigger picture: Cross your fingers.
Job cuts are a blow for individuals, but in this case, they also suggest that the burning hot job market – a contributor to inflation – could be cooling down. And this trend is spreading across the UK: wages are still rising in the country, but at a slower pace. The differences are small, but any momentum in the right direction could give the Bank of England enough reassurance to avoid hiking interest rates any higher when it meets next month.
All the daily investing news and insights you need in one subscription.
Learn MoreDisclaimer: These articles are provided for information purposes only. Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
/3 • Your free quarterly content is about to expire. Uncover the biggest trends and opportunities. Subscribe now for 50%. Cancel anytime.