Most Important Threats to Profit Margins

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

This horizontal bar graph shows seven important threats to profit margins. Respondents to a KPMG survey were asked to choose, from a list provided, the three top threats in their companies. The graph shows the results.

The KPMG survey received hundreds of responses from executives at consumer goods producers. The results of the survey can be accessed by clicking here (PDF file).

The data on the graph should be helpful to companies in focusing on areas that can have impact on profit margins.

Imports to Russia 2003-2010

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

The line graph shows the imports of goods and services by Russia from 2003 to 2010. The increase from 2003 to 2010 is 209 %.

Import growth rates might be useful for targeting countries where import growth is high. Russia’s 209 % growth in recent years compares to: Indonesia – 249%; South Africa – 219 %; Mexico – 130 %; Israel – 49 %; and Belgium – 46 %.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

US Exports Compared to Imports 1993 to 2010

The graph below was created by using Google’s graph tools.
The line graph shows the total United States exports and imports of goods and services for 1993 to 2010 in billions of US dollars. Exports grew 181 percent from 1993 to 2010 while imports grew 227 percent.

The graph shows well that the amount that imports exceeded exports began to increase significantly around 2000 and then the excess started to decline around 2008. The excess of imports over exports reached a high in 2005 at 55 percent. In 2010 it was 28 percent.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here.

US Dollar to Euro Historical Exchange Rates

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

The line graph shows the average annual exchange rates for US dollars to one Euro for 1999 to 2010.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here. This website also shows the exchange rates of US dollars to many currencies.

The website is good source for historical exchange rates.

Employee Salaries

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

The line graph shows the average hourly wage for construction (nonsupervisory and production) workers in the United States from 1993 ($13.92 per hour) to 2011 ($23.46 per hour). The average wage increased 3.8% (on average) each year.

The graph’s data was obtained from a Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s website. Data at this website can be obtained by clicking here. This website also shows the average wages for several other business sectors, e.g. retail and service sectors.

Data in the graph and at the website should be useful to small companies in selecting and increasing wage rates for their employees.