I had concluded this was my warning sign…now what?
From [http://www.arkansasonline.com/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=ArDemocrat/2007/01/26&ID=Ar03305&Section=Business] (subscription required):
“Wong said companies in the marketing industry in general are facing problems with earnings, citing Harte-Hanks Inc., another direct marketer that he watches. Net earnings for Harte-Hanks were down 4 percent in its most recent quarter, compared with a 9 percent drop at Acxiom.”
I had concluded that companies that depend on marketing revenue, which Acxiom still does, are the first to be affected in an economic downturn — marketing is the least short-term-impacting way for a general company to cut their costs (a significant cost) in order for a general company to still make their numbers. But the marketing industry feels the pinch. It doesn’t show up in other companies because it’s merely a dip in how much they “renewed” or “initiated” marketing campaigns.
So…I had concluded that the next time this happened (the clearest time was in 2000; pre 9/11) that I would do something…but what to do? I have less than 2 months to decide.
Source: Chetan