Comparison of Take Home Amounts as % of Gross Pay

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The bar graph shows how much take home pay (net pay) is as a percentage of gross pay (salary income) for five European countries and for the United States.

The European country data represents a range of take home pay as a percentage of gross salary for all European Union countries plus Russia. The range is from the lowest net pay taken home (Belgium – 49 % of gross salary) to the highest net pay taken home (Liechtenstein – 90 % of gross salary).

The data on the graph is based on an AGN International survey and analysis done in Europe, summarized at a PDF file. Click here to go the file.

The data for the United States is based on a Cato Institute analysis (Dean Stansel, author) done in the United States. This analysis is in a PDF file. Click here to go to the file.

The graph gives a good sense of the range of take home pay in much of the industrialized west. The Cato data is dated, but likely the percentage amount has not changed materially over the years.

Vehicle Ownership and Operating Costs by Vehicle Size

The bar graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The bar graph shows ownership, operating, and total costs in owning and operating five vehicle sizes (small, medium, and large sedans; SUVs; and minivans).

The ownership costs includes insurance, licensing and registration, and depreciation costs.

The operating costs includes: gas & oil; maintenance; and tires. The operating cost is computed on the assumption that the vehicle is operated for 15,000 miles, and has the following operating cost per mile: small sedan – 13.3 cents per mile; medium sedan - 15.5 cents per mile; large sedan – 16.8 cents per mile; SUV – 20.1 cents per mile; and minivan – 17.0 cents per mile.

The total cost is the sum of the ownership and operating costs.

The graph visually indicates the expense of owning and operating vehicles and also show how substantially different the costs can be for various sizes of vehicles.

The graph is based on data presented at the Victoria Transport Policy Institute website. Click here to go this website.

Percentages of Organizations By Employee Size Offering Health Benefits in 2011

The graph below was created using Google’s charting tools.

The vertical bar graph shows the percentage of companies (also includes nonprofits) by employee size offering health insurance.

The data in the graph was taken from the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust‘s 2011 Annual Survey entitled “Employer Health Benefits”.

Data on the graph, and in the survey, should be of interest to companies to compare (benchmark) their health benefit offerings to other companies.

The survey can be accessed by clicking here (PDF file).

Nonprofit Revenue Data

The pie chart below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The pie chart shows the sizes of nonprofits in the United States by level of total revenues. As can be seen from the chart, 58.2% of all nonprofits have total revenues less than $100,000. Also using the data on the chart, 70.4% of nonprofits have revenues less than $1 million.

The chart’s data is based on IRS statistics. The IRS statistics come from Form 990s filed in 2010.

The National Centre for Charitable Statistics provides the percentages and other data based on the IRS statistics. The total revenues on these forms were $1.8 trillion. The total number of registered nonprofits was 1,617,301. Two percent of the nonprofits (about 32,350 nonprofits) in the United States account for 90% of the total revenues received by nonprofits.

Click here to go to the National Center for Charitable Statistics site at which the chart’s data can be generated.

Working Capital as Percentage of Fixed Assets for 18 Business Sectors

The chart below was created by using Google’s chart tools.

The chart shows working capital as a percentage of total assets for 18 business sectors.

The BizStats data gives the each percentage for cash, accounts receivables, inventory, and accounts payable of the total assets. To determine the percentage of working capital to total assets, the accounts payable percentage was subtracted from the total of the percentages for cash, accounts receivable, and inventory.

This survey data should be useful by comparing a company’s working capital as a percentage of total assets to the number on the graph that represents the company’s business sector. A deviation from the graph number suggests analysis should be done to determine if the company’s working capital needs adjusting.

Click here to go to the BizStats data that was used to create the chart.

Fixed and Other Current Assets as a Percentage of Total Assets for 18 Business Sectors

The chart below was created using Google’s Charting Tools.

The chart shows the percentage of fixed assets plus other current assets amounts on the balance sheet as a percentage of the total assets for 18 business sectors. The percentages are based on survey data compiled by BisStats (a BizMiner company) from US Government and possibly other sources.

The fixed assets plus other current assets to total assets percentage for all sectors is 67.4 %. Companies can use this benchmark data to determine how they are doing compared to their sector peers.
It is interesting that the percentages are so high and represent such a high amount of the value of a company. Fixed and other current assets are probably difficult to find a correct fair market value for and therefore these high percentages could represent a higher uncertainty in company valuation.

Click here to go to the BizStats data that was used to create the chart.

Inventory as a Percentage of Total Assets for Several Business Sectors

The box chart to the left was created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The chart shows the percentage of the inventory balance sheet amount as a percentage of the total assets for 18 business sectors. The percentages are based on survey data compiled by BisStats (a BizMiner company) from US Government and possibly other sources.

The average inventory to total assets percentage for all sectors is 5.2 %. Companies can use this benchmark data to determine how they are doing compared to their sector peers.

Those sectors with larger amounts of inventory, compared to sales, might consider reducing the inventory on hand as a way to reduce costs.

Click here to go to the BizStats data that was used to create the chart.

Fraudulently Obtained Information That Criminals Sell On the Internet

The graph below was created using Google’s graphing tools.

The vertical bar graph shows the relative value of categories of stolen information (and some services, e.g. cash-out services) that criminals sell in the underground economy.

The data in the graph is from a study done by First Data titled “Fraud Trends in 2010: Top Threats from a Growing Underground Economy”. The data from the First Data study is based on a 2008 study done by Symantec. The First Data study can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

Symantec analyzed underground economy websites where illegally-obtained information was posted for sale. The percentages on the graph are of total sales value on the underground economy websites that Symantec estimated each of the 10 illegally-obtained listed information (and service) categories accounted for. Symantec found that for the period they looked at the advertized offerings on the websites the total sales prices for all offerings was around $276 million. And, after further analysis, Symantec found that credit card information sales offerings represented 18% (the most of the categories) of the $276 million, and the other top 9 sales offerings are as shone on the graph.

Symantec’s 2008 study can be read by clicking here (PDF file).

US Banks' Net Operating Income

The graph to the right was created using Google’s graph tools.

The line graph shows the net operating income for all commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) from the 1st quarter, 2006 to the 2nd quarter, 2011.

The graph shows that net operating income of $26,688,000,000 for the 2nd quarter, 2011 has reached net operating income levels last reached during 2007. Bank net operating income has recovered significantly since the low point in the 4th quarter, 2008.

Data used in this graph can be found by clicking here. This takes you to the FDIC’s Quarterly Banking Profile Report that provides quarterly data on US banks’ financial performance. Click Quarterly Income to see data used on the graph.

Public Company Accounting Problems

The bar chart below was created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The chart shows an average of the frequency of problems that public companies had from 1997 to 2005. These accounting problems led the public companies to restate (re-issue) their financial statements. The data in the chart comes from two surveys conducted by the United States Government Accounting Office.

The chart provides an indication of where accounting problems most often occur.

More details on the surveys conducted by the US Government Accounting Office can be found by clicking here (PDF file).

Occupational Fraud

The pie charts below were created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The first chart shows the approximate frequency in 2010 of the three principle methods of occupational fraud (fraud against a company committed by employees). Asset misappropriation is where an employee steals or misuses company resources. Corruption is where an employee corrupts a business transaction for benefit. And, financial statement fraud is the misstatement of financial reports to mislead users.

The second chart shows the approximate frequency in 2010 of the five principle ways in which employees misappropriated company assets for the employee benefit.

The third chart shows the five most frequent methods in 2010 that occupational fraud was detected. Receiving a tip about the fraud was by far the most frequent (40% of the detections). Three of the five most frequent detection methods can be initiated by the company (management review; internal audit; and account reconciliation). “Other” includes: document examination; external audit; surveillance/monitoring; notified by police; confession; and IT controls.

The data in the graphs were obtained from the “Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse – 2010” published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Click here to go to the report (PDF file).

Effective Tax Rates for Small Businesses by Entity Type

The graphs below were created using Google’s graph tool.

The vertical bar graphs show the effective tax rate for small businesses by the entity type of the small business (sole proprietorship – nonfarm; partnership; S corporation; and C corporation).

Details behind the percentages are in a 2009 study done by Quantria Strategies, LLC for the US Small Business Administration. The study can be read by clicking here (PDF file). The study defines a small business as a business having less than $10,000,000 in gross revenues.

A separate graph is presented for C corporations because the effective tax rate for C corporations should not be compared to the effective tax rates for the other business entities. The reasons for this is that the C corporation tax rate does not include income taxes that owners pay on the salaries they receive from the corporation and the effective tax rate does not include taxes on dividends that owners receive from the corporation.

Working Capital as a Percentage of Sales

The horizontal bar graph shows the working capital balance as a percentage of sales for 10 business sectors.

The graph was generated using data at Aswath Damodaran’s website. Go to this website by clicking here. At the website, click the “Corporate Finance” button, then go down the page to the Valuation section and click “Working Capital by Sector” next to Data Sets.

The data on the graph and at Damodaran’s website can be used by companies to compare their working capital balance as a percentage of sales to the average in their business sector.

Cash Balance as a Percentage of Income

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows how much cash is kept on hand as a percentage of sales for 10 business sectors.

The graph was generated using data at Aswath Damodaran’s website. Go to this website by clicking here. At the website, click the “Corporate Finance” button, then go down the page to the Valuation section and click “Working Capital by Sector” next to Data Sets.

The data on the graph and at Damodaran’s website can be used by companies to compare their cash on hand as a percentage of sales to the average in their business sector.

Net Income as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the net income as a percentage of sales for 17 business sectors.

The data used in generating the graph is from Professor Aswath Damodaran (New York University)'s website. The data can be viewed by clicking here. Click here to go to Professor Damodaran’s home page.

The data shown in the graph should be useful to business owners who want to compare their net income to net income of similar companies.

Allowance for Bad Debt as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The vertical bar graph shows the allowance for bad debt account balance (used by companies at the end of the year) as a percentage of sales for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to evaluate their own allowance for bad debt account balance to sales ratio compared to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available. The overall average percentage for all sectors is 0.5%.

Inventory as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the inventory balance (at the end of the year) as a percentage of sales for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to evaluate their own inventory to sales ratio compared to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available.

Employee Benefits as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the employee benefit costs corporations paid in 2008 as a percentage of sales for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. Employee benefit costs include amounts paid by employers into employee health, insurance, and other employee plans. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to evaluate their own salary and wage costs to sales ratio compared to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available. Average employee benefit costs as a percentage of sales for all 11 sectors was 1.6%.

Salary and Wage Costs as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the salary and wage costs corporations paid in 2008 as a percentage of sales for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to evaluate their own salary and wage costs to sales ratio compared to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available.

Rent as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the rent costs corporations paid in 2008 as a percentage of sales for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. Rents include rent and lease payments for buildings and land. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to evaluate their own rent costs to sales ratio compared to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available.

Accounts Payable as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the accounts payable balance (at the end of the year) as a percentage of sales for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to evaluate their own accounts payable to sales ratio compared to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available.

Accounts Receivable as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The horizontal bar graph shows the accounts receivable balance (at the end of the year) as a percentage of sales for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. Allowance for bad debt amounts were subtracted from the accounts receivable amounts in calculating the percentages. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to evaluate their own accounts receivable to sales ratio compared to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available.

Energy Costs as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The vertical bar graph shows the energy costs as a percentage of sales for small companies in 10 business sectors.

The data in the graph is based on US Census survey data reported by the US Census Bureau in 2002. The data was compiled in the study “Characterization and Analysis of Small Business Energy Costs”, authored by Andy Bollman, published in 2008. The Small Business Administration's standards for small businesses, e.g. less than $10 million revenues for construction companies and less than $25 million revenues for manufacturing companies, were used.

All total, energy cost data in 18 business sectors were analyzed. Sub sectors in the agriculture sector had the highest energy costs as a percentage of revenues, around 20%

The data in the graph and in the report shows a wide range of energy costs for businesses, depending on the business sector. This data should be useful for companies as benchmark data to evaluate their energy cost performance.

The cost data is dated (2002). With rising energy costs in recent years (2011), the percentages may also have risen, especially if sales prices have not also risen.

Click here to go to the report with the energy costs data (PDF file).

Information Costs - As a % of Sales - Per Person

The two graphs below were created using Google’s chart tools.

The first bar graph shows information technology costs as a percentage of sales for several companies. The costs include depreciation, maintenance, and leasing.

The second bar graph shows the annual cost per user for providing information technology resources to company users. The costs have been adjusted for inflation.

Computer Economics obtained the data in both graphs by surveying in 2010 over 200 senior information technology personnel associated with large, medium, and small companies.

Several business sectors are represented by companies associated with the survey. The data presented in the graphs below are an average of data from all sectors. Individual sectors will have data that vary from what is shown in the graphs.

The results of the survey are available in a report “IT Spending and Staffing Benchmarks 2010/2011”. Chapters of the report are available for a fee. These chapters can be obtained by clicking here, which take you to a site where the chapters can be purchased.

The executive summary, from which the data below were obtained, is available without cost as a PDF file. Click here to go to this PDF file.

Logistics Costs as a Percentage of Sales

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tools.

The graph shows the percentage of sales for the logistics costs in 2005 (6.9%), 2008 (6.9%), and 2010 (6.75%).

These logistics costs were incurred by members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Members of this association manufacture food, beverage, and consumer products to sell to groceries. The logistics costs as a percentage of sales were provided in a report on surveys conducted by the Grocery Manufacturers Association of its members.

Members of the association rely on efficient and effective logistics for their success, so their logistical operations are likely well developed and represent best practices. Therefore, the logistics costs as a percentage of sales shown on the chart below represent benchmark goals.

The data used in the graph was obtained from a Grocery Manufacturers Association report on the 2010 survey of its members. This report can be downloaded by clicking here (PDF file).

Gross Domestic Product Recent Trends for Several Countries

The graph below was created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The graph shows changes from 2008 to 2010 in gross domestic product (GDP) in US dollars for 13 countries. Next to the country’s name in the legend is the GDP percentage increase from 2008 to 2010. Four countries (Japan; Germany; Russia; and Mexico) had a decrease in GDP from 2008 to 2010. Three countries (China; India; and Indonesia) had double digit increases.

China stands out because not only did it have the largest percentage increase but it also started from a base GDP ($8.204 trillion in 2008) more than double the amount of the next highest GDP percentage increased country (India; 16% increase; base = $3.478 trillion).

Data from the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Book Click here to go to this source.

US-Produced vs. Non-US Produced Products Used Domestically

The horizontal bar graph below was created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The graph shows, for 10 products used in the United States, the percentage of the product used that was produced in the United States versus the percentage used produced outside of the United States.

For seven products, more than 50% of the product used in the United States was produced outside the United States. The data is based on production and trade statistics provided by the US Census Bureau and is for the years 2008, 2009, or 2010.

To obtain the domestic use percentage, the formula (domestic production – exports) + imports = domestic use was used for each product. Data for domestic production (e.g. value of product shipped), value of exports, and value of imports can be found at the Census Bureau website. Using this data, domestic use was calculated using the formula.

For % of product produced in US, the formula (domestic production – exports)/domestic use was used. And, for % of product non-US produced, the formula imports/domestic use was used.

Click here and here to find the data used in the formula.

Price Changes of Commodities from 2006 to 2010

The graph below was created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The graph shows how price (cost) data can be used to show on one graph what commodities are priced more in 2010 compared to the price of the commodity in 2006. This is not easily done, as far as I can determine, because each commodity’s price per unit is given in different unit measurements (e.g. ounces, pounds, etc.) and only one unit measurement is graphable on a single graph. One way around this unit problem is to convert the average price for a year into a percentage of the total of average prices for all years. For example, the total of all average unit prices for gold for the years 2006 to 2010 was $4,391 per ounce so that the average price of gold for 2006 ($598/ounce) as a percentage of the total for all years is 14% (598/4391).

The graph shows that the only commodity price (cost) for any of the commodities that was less in 2010 than in 2006 is the price of natural gas.

Gross Profit Margin Percentages for 11 Business Sectors

The graph below was created using Google’s chart tool.

The vertical bar graph shows the gross profit margin percentage for 11 business sectors.

The data used to create the graph was taken from Internal Revenue Service statistics on form 1120s-filed corporate returns for 2008. This data can be viewed on the IRS report “2008 Statistics of Income – Corporation Income Tax Returns” by clicking here (PDF file). Business receipts were used for sales. The gross profit margin percentages were computed by subtracting the cost of goods sold reported on the 1120s from the business receipts and dividing that result by the business receipts. Data was used only for corporations reporting a positive net income.

The percentages are for all size companies and all subsectors, so represent an approximate benchmark average that companies can use to compare their own gross profit margin percentages to somewhat similar companies. Subsectors exist for some of the sectors, so a more similar company comparison might be available.

The graph indicates that for many sectors salaries and wages are not accounted for as cost of sales and therefore gross profit margin percentages are much higher than for those sectors where inventory sales is significant.

Relative State Sales Tax Rates

The map chart below was created using Google’s Chart tools.

The chart shows by color the relative sales tax rates for each state. The states in white (Alaska; Delaware; Montana; New Hampshire; and Oregon) have no sales tax. The state in black (California; 8.25 %) has the highest sales tax rate. States with darker colors (from white to black) have higher sales tax rates. The sales tax rates used to create the chart do not include local jurisdiction sales taxes, which several states do have.

The average tax rate for all states is 5.1 %. Twenty one states have rates less than the average and twenty-nine higher than the average. The median (tax rate in the middle) is 6 %.

Click here to see state sales tax data used in the chart. This data is at the Tax Foundation website. Click here to go to a Wikipedia site with information on state sales taxes.

Countries With Fastest Growth Rate of US Imports

The four charts below were created using Goggle’s chart tools.

These four vertical bar charts show (for four $ value import ranges) the five countries with the greatest percentage increases of imports from the United States from 2005 to 2009. The US Census Bureau has dollar values of imports from the United States for 177 countries in a report that can be read by clicking here (PDF file). The data is for years 2005 through 2009.

Percentage increases from 2005 to 2009 were computed for all countries and then the five countries with the fastest growth rates of US imports were selected (in each of four $ value import ranges using 2009 data) to display on the graphs.

These graphs and data might be useful in targeting a US company’s exports to countries where demand for US imports have been growing the fastest in recent years.

Salary per Employee Compared to Revenue per Employee - a Performance Measurement

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

The horizontal bar graph shows, for 11 business sectors, the average sales per employee and the average revenue per employee for 2007. The amounts were computed by dividing the total employees into the total salaries and then into the total revenues for each business sector.

The comparison of the two results for each business sector shows how much more revenue is generated per employee compared to the salary paid by the business sector. Businesses that have earned more revenues on a per employee basis compared to the salary per employee could be thought of as achieving a better return on an important asset – human capital.

A relative comparison between the business sectors might be the number obtained by dividing the revenues per employee by the salary per employee to give a multiplier number (a multiplier effect). This number represents how much a business sector is generating revenues per employee compared to other sectors.

The multiplier numbers are shown in the graph’s legend and range from 2.6 for the professional & technical services business sector to 19.9 for the wholesale trade sector. The average multiplier is 6.6, and four business sectors exceed the average: finance & insurance (7.4); manufacturing (8.5); retail trade (10.4); and wholesale trade (19.9).

Companies might compare their multiplier number to numbers shown on the graph to gauge how well the company is doing compared to other companies in their sector.

The graph is based on US Census Bureau data. This data can be seen by clicking here, and then the business sector links.

Payroll Per Employee by Business Sector

The graph below was created using Google’s graph tools.

The horizontal bar graph shows the 2007 per employee salary for 11 business sectors. The 2007 per employee salary amounts were calculated from US Census Bureau data that gives the total payroll for each business sector in 2007 as well as 2007’s total number of employees for the business sector.

The data shows a range of average annual salaries from $14,725 for the accommodation & food services sector to a high of $75,347 for the finance & insurance sector. Also shown is the 2007 average annual salary for all business sectors, including some not shown on the graph.

The data should be useful both to employees and employers in making decisions about their salary levels.

The data in the graph comes from US Census Bureau reports on business sectors that can be read by clicking here and then the sector.

Relative Number of Business Entitites in the United States in 2007

The graph below was created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The graph is shows the relative numbers of business entities in the United States. As shown on the graph, sole proprietorships represent slightly more than 70 % of business entities, followed by S corporations with between 10 and 15 %, and then C corporations, limited liability corporations, general partnerships, and limited partnerships, each with less than 6 %.

However, C corporations account for more than 60% of reported revenues.

Data from the Internal Revenue Service tax statistics for 2007 was used to generate the graph.

Gross Profit Margins by Product

The graph below was created using Google’s Chart Tools.

The graph shows how gross profit margins can vary significantly according to the type of product sold. For example, gasoline products have a gross profit margin percentage in the 15 to 20 % range in recent years and women’s clothing in the 45 to 50 % range.

The graph also shows that gross profit margin percentages usually do not vary much within a retail sector. For example, the heights of the bars for each type of retail product remain fairly constant from year to year.

Data on the graph is from the US Census Bureau. Click here to access the data.