U.S. Corporate Profits, 1950-2024: Operating Profit Markups in Leading U.S. Firms

This book offers a regression-based analysis of corporate profitability in the United States over the period 1950 to 2024. Drawing on detailed analysis of 71 leading corporations across 11 key industries--from petroleum and natural gas to high-tech and government contracting--this book reveals a striking pattern: operating-profit markups have remained both high and remarkably stable over the past seven decades.

Using a clear and accessible regression-based methodology, the author demonstrates how corporations have consistently maintained their ability to pass through costs, challenging common assumptions about volatility in profit margins.

Written by a seasoned expert for professionals in corporate accounting, corporate law, finance, taxation, and economic policy, this book provides:

• • A robust empirical framework for analyzing long-term profitability
  • Industry-specific insights into pricing power and cost pass-through
  • A valuable resource for understanding corporate behavior across economic cycles

Whether you’re advising clients, shaping policy, or conducting research, this book offers essential insights into the enduring dynamics of corporate profitability.

Ednaldo Araquém Silva, Ph.D. (UC Berkeley), is a recognized authority on corporate profits. He taught economics for eight years at The New School’s graduate faculty before serving as Senior Economic Adviser at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Office of Chief Counsel, where he co-drafted the Section 1.482 transfer pricing regulations. In 2002, he founded EdgarStat, a pioneering online database of company financials. His work bridges academic rigor with practical insight, making him a trusted voice among professionals in economics, corporate law, finance, and taxation.