What does a profit margin indicate about a company?

A profit margin is a financial metric that reflects what percentage of revenue is actual profit after all expenses have been deducted. When we say that a profit margin indicates the percentage of revenue that exceeds total costs, we highlight its role in assessing how effectively a company is converting revenue into profit.

For example, a higher profit margin suggests that a company is maintaining better control over its costs or is able to price its products or services more favorably, ultimately leading to increased profitability. It serves as a crucial tool for investors and stakeholders to evaluate financial health and performance relative to peers within the same industry.

The other choices represent different financial aspects and do not convey the specific relationship between revenue, costs, and profit. Total revenue generated speaks only to the sales level without accounting for costs, while total assets focus on what a company owns rather than its profitability. Cash reserves pertain to liquidity and financial stability, unrelated to how profits relate to revenue.