So a low profit margin hurdle rate could be a competitive advantage for Japanese companies competing internationally, particularly if it were a choice.

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Compared with the pharmaceutical sector, which has a similar growth rate and profit margin, software looks woefully under-geared.

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The cost of ELA to IBRC is assumed to be 200 basis points higher than the MRO rate but this profit margin goes to the Central Bank and is subtracted off when calculating the net cost.

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Although we expect IBM to maintain its high margins given the strength of its GBS business, a contraction in GBS profit margin in the future to historical average of rate of 12.5% would result in downside of 5% to the Trefis price estimate.

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Currently, the market is starved for leveraged profit margin stories and for properties that can compound earnings close to a mid-teens rate.

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Net profit margin has been adjusted to exclude taxes and include owner compensation in excess of their market-rate salaries.

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Net profit margin for the private companies has been adjusted to exclude taxes and include owner compensation in excess of their market-rate salaries.

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