[munk-a]

Company's welfare is somewhat connected to their stock price, but it's a really weak relation. The stock market is mostly a gambling simulator that runs beside the economy as it's own little micro-economy - this doesn't make it worthless but it does make this sort of a statement ring really hollow.

[jacquesm]

The connection with the real world is made whenever a company floats some of their stock.

[whateveracct]

It's like fantasy basketball vs real basketball

[taiwanboy]

These days companies are VERY tied to quarterly EPS guidance and stock prices. Layoffs and adjustments closely follows that as well.