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Peak Profit Margins?
Report

Peak Profit Margins?

A US Perspective

Bridgewater, 2019

automatisch generiertes Audio
automatisch generiertes Audio

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • For Experts
  • Hot Topic

Recommendation

Since 2009, US stocks have been on a record run that has left investors richer but also wary. In this concise but thought-provoking look at the financial climate, a team from investment giant Bridgewater Associates argues that caution might be the best policy. Corporate profits have soared due to two decades of falling wages and declining tax rates. But that cycle is nearing its logical end, and the authors warn that a backlash against big business could lead to a less permissive regulatory climate. Or the profit machine might simply reach a plateau. In either case, they advise, investors should be on guard.

Take-Aways

  • Corporate profits have energized US equities markets since the mid-1990s.
  • Absent these fat profit margins, US share prices would be 40% below today’s levels. 
  • Falling labor costs have been the single most significant contributor to  rising margins.

About the Authors

Greg Jensen is co-chief investment officer at Bridgewater Associates, where Atul Narayan is a senior associate and Oliver Simon and Lauren Forman are professional staff.


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