A week of lost jobs

Halliburton, Schlumberger, ConocoPhillips and FMC Technologies disclosed 15,000 job cuts last week amid continued pressures on their financial performances. Most of the layoffs were disclosed as these companies released second-quarter financial reports. More cuts may be unveiled next week when Houstonbased Baker Hughes and Weatherford International, which has its main operations in Houston, report their second-quarter financials. Meanwhile, the energy slump continues with oil prices below $45 a barrel.