In most, but not all countries, the majority of respondents are dissatisfied with the way democracy is operating in practice (chart 2).

ECONOMIST: Weak economies are breeding political disillusion

It is the only operating division whose profit contribution shrank in 2002 (see chart), and it has been hard to integrate its geekish internet culture, far removed from the Time Warner tradition.

ECONOMIST: The growing pressure to break it up

Non-Japanese operating profits at the top six houses have grown, on average, by around 20% a year for the past six years (see chart), and now account for roughly half of their total operating profits.

ECONOMIST: Japanese trading houses

The chart at right shows that this investment is paying off: the operating system is actually a bigger purchase factor for Android buyers than it is for iOS buyers, which indicates that it makes a big contribution to perceived value.

FORBES: Has Apple Fallen?

We expect the operating margin to return to its historical average, and you can modify the interactive chart below to gauge the effect a change in margins will have on our price estimate.

FORBES: Can AIG's Earnings Extend Its Monster Recovery?

No professional operating system gets better grades from users, according to Datapro, another consultancy (see chart).

ECONOMIST: Software

Nor can Mr Bezos take for granted the willingness of Amazon's investors indefinitely to tolerate the firm's accelerating operating losses, particularly if, in spite of its relentless expansion, sales growth continues to slow (see chart).

ECONOMIST: Electronic commerce