Profits in the Long Run

Profits in the Long Run

Profits in the Long Run asks two questions: Are there persistent differences in profitability across firms? If so, what accounts for them? This book answers these questions using data for the 1000 largest US manufacturing firms in 1950 and 1972. It finds that there are persistent differences in profitability and market power across large US companies. Companies with persistently high profits are found to have high market shares and sell differentiated products. Mergers do not result in synergistic increases in profitability, but they do have an averaging effect. Companies with above normal profits have their profits lowered by mergers. Companies with initially below normal profits have them raised. In addition, the influence of other variables on long-run profitability, including risk, sales, diversification, growth and managerial control, is explored. The implications of antitrust policy are likewise addressed.

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
1. The persistence of firms
2. The persistence of profits above the norm
3. The persistence of market power
4. Profitability and market structure
5. The results in perspective
6. Profitability and the firm's own advertising, patent activity, risk, and other characteristics
7. Profitability and managerial control and compensation
8. Mergers and profitability
9. Mergers and market share
10. The threads gathered and conclusions woven
Appendices
Notes
References
Index.