Industries with the Highest Profit Margin in the US in 2024

1. Trusts & Estates in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 60.9%

The Trusts and Estates industry comprises trusts, estates and agency accounts administered on behalf of beneficiaries under the terms established in a fiduciary contract. Industry revenue, composed primarily of capital gains on trusted assets and ordinary dividends, exhibited an increase over the past five years. The industry benefited from substantial yields in equity markets and appreciation in house prices during the current period. Over the past five years, revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 2.8% to $221.4 billion, including an expected 4.2% increase in 2023. Profit is expected to dip to 50.5% of revenue in 2023 from 51.1% in... Learn More

2. Maids, Nannies & Gardeners in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 51.9%

COVID-19 reversed domestic worker unemployment as health concerns mounted and homeowners worked from home, reducing the need for services and stunting revenue growth. In addition, statewide regulations that boosted work benefits for private household employees and were expected to lead to added hiring costs further reduced the value of domestic hires. But the negative impact on industry growth was somewhat reversed by per capita disposable income growth, increases in households earning more than $100,000 and the return to work. Despite the significant losses experienced in 2020 and the falloff in 2022, industry-wide revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.6%... Learn More

3. Stock & Commodity Exchanges in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 51.5%

Stock and commodity exchanges have remained a vital part of the Finance and Insurance sector (IBISWorld report 52). Exchanges act as intermediaries and provide physical trading floors or electronic marketplaces where buyers and sellers arrange trades in securities, commodities and related contracts. Exchanges facilitate the transfer of assets between market participants in different locations and with various timeframes.

The industry has performed well over the past five years. Wage growth was high and unemployment was low in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing corporate profit and the savings rate. Higher corporate profit encouraged companies to invest in the stock market,... Learn More

4. Commercial Leasing in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 51.1%

Operators in the Commercial Leasing industry serve as lessors of buildings for nonresidential purposes. Industry participants include owner-lessors of nonresidential buildings, establishments that rent real estate and then act as lessors in subleasing it, and establishments that provide full-service office space. Over the five years to 2023, rising per capita disposable income encouraged more businesses to enter the market. Moreover, incumbent businesses are inclined to increase their production and inventory levels to tap into the growing consumer demand, thus demanding more space. However, declining corporate profit in 2020 partially dampened demand for commercial leasing due to lower confidence in their... Learn More

5. Refined Petroleum Pipeline Transportation in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 50.4%

The industry has performed well in recent years despite volatile energy prices. Higher transport fees enabled transporters to receive favorable tariff hikes from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which dictates these fees. So greater domestic refinery output during the period has led to higher transportation volumes. Industry performance depends mostly on these volumes, insulating operators from direct commodity price volatility. Despite revenue falling in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the strong rebound has seen revenue surge higher than pre-pandemic levels. Industry revenue has decreased at a CAGR of 3.3% to $13.6 billion over the past five... Learn More

6. Private Equity, Hedge Funds & Investment Vehicles in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 48.9%

The industry consists of funds that raise capital to invest in various asset classes. Industry assets have become increasingly integral to institutional investors' portfolios and the larger asset-management market in recent years. Institutional investors are individuals or organizations that trade securities in such substantial volumes that they qualify for lower commissions and fewer protective regulations, since it's assumed that they're knowledgeable enough to protect themselves. Increasing demand from institutional investors has contributed to the surge in the industry's assets under management (AUM) and revenue during the current period.

In recent years, the industry has continued to enmesh itself more deeply within... Learn More

7. Cigarette & Tobacco Manufacturing in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 47.8%

Cigarette and tobacco manufacturers produce various tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco. The industry excludes electronic cigarettes. The industry performs countercyclically to the business cycle. In periods of economic downturn, increased unemployment and decreased consumer confidence, smoking and tobacco usage increases as people find ways to self-medicate and ease stress. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased tobacco consumption. Lockdown mandates forced establishments to close to curtail the virus's spread, causing rising unemployment. Enhanced unemployment benefits and stimulus checks also contributed to disposable income, increasing revenue. Consumers couldn't spend money in many other sectors of the economy, resulting in... Learn More

8. Savings Institutions & Other Depository Credit Intermediation in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 45.0%

The industry has largely continued on its long-term trajectory of decline over the last five years. The industry continues to lose market share to more dynamic commercial banks as well as financial technology companies. The industry received tailwinds from regulations and the real estate market as a result of recovering economy and low interest rates related to the pandemic, limiting the industry's overall decline. Savings institutions' revenue has been dropping at a CAGR of 1.9% over the past five years – including an estimated 0.1% increase in the current year – and is expected to total $71.0 billion in 2023,... Learn More

9. Land Leasing in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 45.0%

Land leasing companies rent land for residential or commercial use, often for manufactured homes. Leasers range from individuals with small plots to large companies that manage entire communities. Manufactured homes offer a more affordable alternative to traditional on-site housing. In the past five years, land leasing revenue grew at a CAGR of 2.0% but will fall 5.2% to $17.7 billion in 2023. Profit remains high at 50.3% of revenue.

New housing starts slowed and supply fell in the past few years, pushing prices to extreme highs. The rush to build homes and apartments brought a surge in revenue for private landowners.... Learn More

10. Shopping Mall Management in the US

Profit Margin 2024: 43.1%

Shopping mall management servicers consist of companies that develop, lease, maintain, repair and secure large commercial property in exchange for rental payments from retailers and businesses. For operators, rental income generates the largest portion of industry revenue with income from property management fees following. Accordingly, revenue primarily fluctuates in line with rental rates and occupancy levels. Through the end of 2023, growth in household earnings has boosted demand for retail space rental and food service space rental from businesses. However, this growth is offset by a growing popularity of online-based retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. The impact of COVID-19 in... Learn More