Short-term Economic Profits

Definition

Short-term economic profits refer to the excess of total revenue over total costs in a limited timeframe, typically when a firm is able to sell its goods or services at a price higher than the average total cost. These profits are significant in the context of market structures, particularly in perfect competition, where firms enter and exit the market freely based on the presence of profits. In the short term, firms can experience economic profits, but these profits often attract new competitors, driving down prices and potentially eliminating profits in the long run.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In a perfectly competitive market, firms can experience short-term economic profits if they can sell their products at a price that exceeds their average total cost.
2. Short-term economic profits are often temporary because they attract new firms to enter the market, increasing supply and driving prices down.
3. Firms will continue to produce as long as they can cover their average variable costs, even if they are not covering all of their fixed costs in the short run.
4. If firms continue to earn short-term economic profits, it signals to other firms that there are opportunities for profit, leading to new entries into the market.
5. Once the market reaches long-term equilibrium, economic profits will tend toward zero as competition eliminates excess profits.

Review Questions

• How do short-term economic profits affect market entry and competition in a perfectly competitive market?
  • Short-term economic profits signal potential profitability in a market, prompting new firms to enter. As new entrants increase the overall supply of goods, prices begin to decrease due to competition. This cycle continues until the point where firms no longer earn economic profits, leading to a new equilibrium where price equals average total cost.
• What role does the concept of average total cost play in determining short-term economic profits for firms?
  • Average total cost is crucial in evaluating short-term economic profits because it represents the per-unit cost of production. When a firm's price exceeds its average total cost, it indicates that it is generating profits on each unit sold. This relationship helps determine whether firms are incentivized to remain in the market or exit based on their ability to cover costs and earn profits.
• Evaluate how the existence of short-term economic profits can lead to long-term changes in market dynamics within a perfectly competitive industry.
  • The existence of short-term economic profits leads to increased competition as more firms enter the market seeking to capitalize on profitable opportunities. This influx results in greater supply, which typically drives down prices until they align with average total costs. As competition intensifies and profits diminish, some firms may exit the industry, stabilizing prices and restoring equilibrium. This dynamic process reflects how short-term gains can significantly alter long-term market structure and behavior.

Related terms

Total Revenue:

The total income generated by a firm from selling its goods or services, calculated as price multiplied by quantity sold.

Average Total Cost:

The total cost of production divided by the quantity of output produced, representing the cost per unit.

Long-term Equilibrium: The state in which firms in a perfectly competitive market earn zero economic profit as prices adjust to match the average total costs.