[pc86]

> Why is it not fine when a company is more or less breaking even but paying good salaries to its employees?

Because this ignores reality. Especially at FAANG companies, growth is expected and the majority of compensation is stock. If you stop growing, and stop having a profit, your stock tanks, and future compensation - as well as compensation from years prior that is still in the form of company stock - becomes worth much less. You can't hire people who are as good because you're "in decline." Your products falter because talent leaves and you can't find new talent. Even if all the above is imagined (it's not) you now have real impacts in terms of declining application quality and shrinking user bases.

[wickedwiesel]

I was trying to point out that not every company ownership model is a publicly traded stock company. Your point is totally valid in the context you give.