[q-big]

> If a factory increases efficiency resulting in idling of the machines for 2 hours thus decreasing costs, yet at the same time keep the prices of its output same - that would never ever considered stealing.

I disagree: the shareholders of the company clearly would consider it to be stealing if the machines were idling for the mentioned 2 hours (i.e. they are not used to produce more money to the shareholders) if there does not exist a good economic reason for this decision (e.g. the downtime of the machines is used for better maintenance of them making the production process more reliable; not spilling the market with the products enables the company to demand higher prices for the product (artificial shortage)).

[la64710]

Well as another shareholder I also wouldn’t mind with idling machines , because I am happy with the current production and profit and I am also happy that my company is not generating unnecessary pollution for unnecessary profit (and as you pointed out the marginal profit decreases with increased supply). I like the world I live in to be nice and safe for my children. Little bit long term point of view :)

[q-big]

But this is a minority view among investors.