Industries with the Highest Profit Margin in the US in 2021

1. Trusts & Estates in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 49.5%

The Trusts and Estates industry is composed of 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 five years to 2021. The industry benefited from substantial yields in equity markets in addition to appreciation in house prices, leading up to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Overall, revenue is expected to increase at an annualized rate of 2.9% to $174.6 billion over the five years to 2021. Revenue is expected to increase 11.5% in... Learn More

2. Industrial Banks in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 47.0%

Over the five years to 2021, the Industrial Banks industry has advanced further into the public spotlight. Industrial banks, also known as industrial loan companies (ILCs), are FDIC-insured banking institutions that can be owned and operated by nonfinancial institutions. They are often established by nonfinancial enterprises to provide consumer financing, make intracompany transactions or simply enter the credit market. The FDIC's high liquidity requirements as well as competition in this highly concentrated industry have spurred the exit of the least competitive industrial banks.

The industry's core business of issuing credit cards and originating loans has grown for much of the period.... Learn More

3. Operating Systems & Productivity Software Publishing in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 36.1%

Operators in the Operating Systems and Productivity Software Publishing industry develop and publish operating systems and productivity software products that are necessary for computer usability. Industry software often comes preinstalled on new computers and similar devices, so industry revenue correlates with new device sales. As technology has become more intertwined with daily life over the five years to 2021, industry demand has grown. Total revenue expanded as sales to both consumers and businesses increased during the period, driven by higher disposable income levels and extensive private investment in computers and software. Altogether, industry revenue increased at an annualized rate of... Learn More

4. Storage & Warehouse Leasing in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 35.7%

The Storage and Warehouse Leasing industry rents out and leases space for self-storage to individuals and businesses. Since self-storage facilities emerged in the 1960s, the industry has been one of the fastest-growing sectors of commercial real estate. Since demand for industry services can benefit from both economic upturns and downturns, the industry has performed well, even as macroeconomic indicators have fluctuated. Business lost when disposable incomes drop is mitigated by the need for many people to temporarily store household goods and furniture while they downsize homes or rent smaller apartments to save money. Over the five years to 2021, in... Learn More

5. Open-End Investment Funds in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 35.5%

The Open-End Investment Funds industry has increased over the five years to 2021, due to growth in financial markets. The industry offers financial products such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and money market funds to investors in financial markets, generating revenue through individual funds' expense ratios or fees charged to investors for the management of their money within the funds. Over the five years to 2021, industry revenue is anticipated to increase at an annualized rate of 2.1% to $156.4 billion. Industry revenue has declined despite overall asset growth, as operators have been forced to lower fees to meet... Learn More

6. Intermodal Container Leasing

Profit Margin 2021: 33.7%

Operators in the Intermodal Container Leasing industry provide leases for intermodal containers, which are large standardized steel boxes (or forms of standardized containers) used to transport cargo by ship, truck or rail. Containers are commoditized and used to transport goods globally. Therefore, increasing demand in regions worldwide can drive up lease rates in the United States.

The industry encountered sizable volatility over the five years to 2021. In 2016, excessive shipping capacity was magnified by the emergence of ultra-large cargo ships, which emphasized competitive pricing and consolidation in the industry. Combined with excess supply of containers and the fall in... Learn More

7. Organic Chemical Pipeline Transportation in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 33.4%

The Organic Chemical Pipeline Transportation industry transports various industrial and organic chemicals via pipeline. Revenue is dictated by pipeline throughput and fees charged to customers for transportation services. Carbon dioxide (CO2) transportation is the industry's largest service segment; the gas is commonly used to enhance well flow in more mature oilfields. In fact, the use of natural gases accounts for more than 60.0% of all enhanced oil recovery production (EOR) in the United States. Industry services are also required to transport various chemicals to many other industrial producers; however, energy markets have an unequivocal influence on the industry. Although revenue... Learn More

8. Refined Petroleum Pipeline Transportation in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 31.2%

The Refined Petroleum Pipeline Transportation industry has performed well over the five years to 2021 despite volatile energy prices. Higher transport fees have enabled industry operators to receive favorable tariff hikes from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which dictates these fees. Moreover, greater domestic refinery output during the period has led to higher transportation volumes. Industry performance depends mostly on transportation volume, insulating operators from direct commodity price volatility. Still, IBISWorld estimates that industry revenue has decreased an annualized 0.5% to $9.3 billion over the five years to 2021, including a decline of 9.5% in 2020 alone and a... Learn More

9. Database, Storage & Backup Software Publishing in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 30.7%

The Database, Storage and Backup Software Publishing industry comprises operators that develop and distribute database management, storage and remote-backup software systems. Database software serves a key purpose within a company's information technology infrastructure, enabling operational data analysis to supplement well-informed decisions. The industry performed well over the five years to 2021, as surging private investment in computers and software stimulated demand. Consumers have also become more alert to the benefits of industry products. The industry's primary product segment has gradually become a necessity for many core markets over the past five years. Altogether, industry revenue has grown at an annualized... Learn More

10. Software Publishing in the US

Profit Margin 2021: 29.2%

Operators in the Software Publishing industry design, develop and publish software. Industry revenue expanded rapidly over the five years to 2021, as businesses and consumers increased their investment in software, computers, smartphones and video games. Rising private investment in computers and software stimulated demand from businesses, while higher consumer spending encouraged consumers to spend on software as well. Moreover, new internet-based solutions and the increasing popularity of mobile devices have triggered an explosion of mobile software applications. Industry revenue is estimated to rise at an annualized rate of 7.8% to $396.7 billion over the five years to 2021. In 2020,... Learn More