The computation providing a ratio of profit to revenue, expressed as a percentage, reveals the profitability of a product, service, or business activity. It is derived by subtracting the cost of goods sold from revenue to arrive at gross profit. That gross profit is then divided by the revenue, and the result is multiplied by 100 to obtain a percentage. For example, if a product sells for $100 and costs $60 to produce, the gross profit is $40. Dividing $40 by $100 results in 0.4, which when multiplied by 100, yields a 40% figure.
This percentage is a vital metric for assessing financial performance and making informed business decisions. It facilitates comparisons of profitability across different products, services, or time periods. A higher percentage generally indicates greater profitability and efficiency in managing production costs. Historically, businesses have used this ratio to monitor their financial health and to identify areas for improvement in cost management or pricing strategies. It can also be used to guide investment decisions and secure funding, as a strong percentage indicates a viable and profitable business.