These companies can still provide a return on investment without growth (just maintaining profit margins will do that) but nothing happens in a vacuum. If there’s an alternative investment that is growing and producing more return, people will put their money there instead.

I sincerely doubt that this is the only way to go about it though. I am sure a lot of investors like sustainability, reliable and regular income more than exponential short-term growth. What’s baffling to me is that business types whine about their line not going up but never understand it’s because of their short-sighted decision.