Operating leverage: what happens to profit margins if revenues fall. And if it grows up?

Usually business owners are interested in two interrelated indicators: revenue and profit. Revenue shows how much the company earned, and profit shows how much is left after deducting expenses.

Most likely, if the revenue is higher, then the profit will increase. On the contrary, it also works: if the revenue falls, then the same will happen with the profit. And everything would be very simple if there was a direct relationship between the indicators. But no: the revenue may sink just a little, and this will lead to large losses. Continue reading →