Metrics
What numbers consultants lead with.
Every slide that foregrounds a metric — 7,750 in total — classified into families by what's being measured. Drill in to see who uses each family, where in the narrative, and the real examples.
Metric families
7,750 metric-led slides1266
Survey & sentiment
What people said — respondents, priorities, sentiment, NPS.
16.3%
1110
Market size & value
Scale of the pool — TAM, GMV, AUM, deal value, investment, funding.
14.3%
709
Cost & savings
What's spent or saved — costs, spend, savings, efficiency, abatement.
9.1%
541
Share & penetration
Piece of the pie — market share, adoption, penetration, uptake.
7.0%
491
Growth rate
Speed of change — CAGR, YoY, growth rate.
6.3%
261
Rates & ratios
Other rates — retention, conversion, representation, distress.
3.4%
324
Employment & headcount
People at work — employees, FTEs, productivity, jobs.
4.2%
226
Indices & scores
Composite indicators — confidence indices, rankings, ratings.
2.9%
218
Margin & return
Economic quality — margins, ROI/ROE/ROIC, TSR, profit.
2.8%
212
Environment & emissions
Green metrics — GHG, emissions, hydrogen, renewables.
2.7%
187
Volume & counts
Raw counts — number of X, transactions, deals.
2.4%
141
Revenue & sales
Top line — revenue, sales, GVA.
1.8%
76
Macro indicators
Economy-wide signals — inflation, unemployment, PMI.
1.0%
23
Valuation
Asset worth — present value, pre-money, exit value.
0.3%
1965
Other
Domain-specific or uncategorized long-tail.
25.4%
Filtered by margin_return
· function analyze_data
· clear
Where in the narrative
Number shape
| percent | 122 |
| plain | 43 |
| multiplier | 33 |
| money | 20 |
80 examples
showing first 80+2.6x
The luxury industry generated exceptional value since the pandemic (x3+ vs. 2019), with a slowdown in 2024
“+2.6x”
$12B
Amid rising passenger demand and ongoing margin pressure, AI is emerging as a key lever for efficiency in an increasingly competitive market.
“Cumulative net profits are projected to reach $36.6 billion in 2025, up 16.2% YoY, with European airlines leading the way”
94%
Financial services' proportion of AI-driven profitability, including subsectors, compared with the cross-sector average
“32 percent of financial services companies are already generating AI returns, 67 percent have not yet reached this stage.”
6.6%
On average, hyper/supermarkets (6.6%) and discounters (6.4%) have EBITDA margins (2023)
“Peer group margins range 6.1% - 8.3%”
-1.2pp
Grocers faced gross margin pressure (-1.2pp) combined with real terms sales decline (-4.5%)
“Grocers faced gross margin pressure (-1.2pp) combined with real terms sales decline (-4.5%).”
-0.4pp
Grocers limited EBITDA margins decline (-0.4pp) by raising prices/ negotiating purchase terms and reducing SG&A and other costs
“Despite high inflation, COGS only increased by 1.2pp, meaning that most (95%) of the inflation was passed to consumers”
4%
Impact of trends could make super/hypermarkets EBITDA margins thin (~4%) with 1-2% of revenue required for renewal CAPEX
“Continuation of historical cost optimization (1 – 1.5%) will not be sufficient to counter max. trend impact”
-1pp
4. Market share erosion to discounters will negatively impact the EBITDA margin by -1pp to -0.3pp
“For each 1pp market share loss to discounters, the EBITDA margin of super- & hypermarkets declines by ~0.23pp”
-0.2pp
6. Online market share is expected to grow from 6% by 1-3pp, resulting in a total EBITDA impact of -0.2pp to 0pp
“EBITDA margin of online grocery is expected to be 3-6pp lower compared to offline by 2029 (currently 5-10pp)”
$924 bn
Across the world's 100 largest banks, the retail segment generates less revenue than the commercial segment but is more profitable.
“Although JPMorgan Chase is renowned for its commercial and investment banking, over the past eight quarters its consumer and community banking unit has achieved…”
-1.5%
While revenues are up for European telcos, margins continue to decline
18%
Global equity markets returned 18% in 2024...
“Returns differed significantly by region”
55%
Total returns varied widely between sectors, from -9% to +55%
62
In most industries weighted average returns exceeded medians significantly, implying that a subset of companies outperformed
18/19%
Margins & cost pressures slowing down profitability, with mixed performance across categories (and players)
“Ongoing pressures forecasted for 2025, yet gross margin upsides and operating deleverage to drive improvement”
~15%
Luxury Good Markets holding strong profitability: amid upcoming challenges, need to focus on supply chain excellence and resilience
“WITH BRANDS CALLED TO KEEP ENSURING AND NURTURING UPSTREAM EXCELLENCE”
€10/15B
Decarbonization is a business imperative, and comes with costs, but, also, opportunities
“Net-zero trajectory requires greater share of business from 2nd hand – profitability key priority”
57%
Leaders see greater AI benefits
“Just as the benefits from AI rise with its usage, so does the return on investment.”
6.3x
In a one-year comparison, Enterprise Values show the highest recovery in Transportation & Logistics
“Transportation & Logistics firms saw a significant increase in EV, while Energy & Materials performed worse compared to 2022.”
35%-45%
Value chain – Opportunity to localize Foundry & assembly for complete ecosystem indigenization
“India needs Foundry & OSAT to realize full localization”
20%-40%
Value chain — Opportunity to build midstream and downstream domestically; though upstream remains a constraint
“Financing: Capitalize on rapid growth across all segments & enhanced asset quality with industry stabilization.”
7.3
Investor expectations for market returns over the next three years are relatively modest and have declined since our last survey
8.6%
European banks reported record levels of profitability in Dec22 due to higher interest rates and a decline in operating costs.
“European [German] banks reported a market cap-weighted ROE for the last twelve months (LTM) of 9.5% [6.1%] in Dec22, withstanding the challenging economic envir…”
88%
Increasingly optimistic financial prospects for both public and private hospitals in 2023 as they recover from COVID-19 impact; private hospitals are generally more profitable
83%
Public hospitals in Vietnam and private hospitals in Indonesia exhibit exceptional financial performance; most hospitals maintain a favorable financial outlook across the region
“Public hospitals in Vietnam and private hospitals in Indonesia exhibit exceptional financial performance; most hospitals maintain a favorable financial outlook …”
80%
Public hospital financials in 2023 are similar to 2020 and worse than 2021, but hospitals are optimistic about the future post-COVID; private hospital financials remain unchanged since 2020
88%
Increasingly optimistic financial prospects for both public and private hospitals in 2023 as they recover from COVID-19 impact; private hospitals are generally more profitable
83%
Public hospitals in Vietnam and private hospitals in Indonesia exhibit exceptional financial performance; most hospitals maintain a favorable financial outlook across the region
22.0
APAC asset management has experienced higher and relatively stable margins
“APAC revenue margin remains high with a preference for active investment strategies.”
60%
Gen Z Students value four-year degrees more than available alternatives
“Of students surveyed, the majority (60%) saw a four-year degree as having a higher ROI compared with a community college degree.”
90%
Private hospitals experienced a minor dip during the pandemic which persisted into 2022, but is forecast to rebound significantly
3.9
Marketers report weak returns from DE&I investments: Employee outcomes lead
“In general, DE&I marketing investments are weak. Payoffs from DE&I marketing investments are rated most highly for Employee Retention (3.9) and Employee Attract…”
$3.70
East Asia is most exposed to higher supply costs under other scenarios
“The global marginal costs for hydrogen in major markets will range from $1.25 to $2.85 per kg in the efficient decarbonization scenario.”
20%-25%
High barriers to entry and robust business model add to the attractiveness of the private K-12 segment (2/2)
“Since schools collect payment upfront and pay vendors/teachers monthly, K-12 schools have negative working capital requirements.”
14.8%
Rising interest rates, improved cost efficiency and lower impairment charges led to an increase in profitability for KSA banks
“L&A and deposits grew by 2.9% and 0.2% QoQ, respectively; a slower pace compared to previous quarter.”
16.53
Higher interest income and lower impairment charges boosted the net profit
“Aggregate net income increased 9.3% QoQ to SAR 16.5bn”
30.8
Operating income grew at a faster pace in Q3'22 than the previous quarter
“Total operating income increased by 4.9% QoQ due to growth in net interest income (+5.3% QoQ) and was further supported by growth in other operating income (+17…”
3.05%
NIMs expanded marginally as higher funding costs offset improvement in credit yield
“NIM improved marginally by 7bps QoQ to 3.05% as aggregate net interest income increased (+5.3% QoQ)”
7bps
Eight out of top ten KSA banks reported an expansion in NIM
“Eight out of the top ten banks have reported expansion in NIM with aggregate NIM increasing by 7bps QoQ in Q3'22”
14.8%
Return on equity has improved since past three quarters to reach above the pre-pandemic level
“Aggregate RoE improved by 1.3% points QoQ to 14.8%, as the aggregate net income grew by 9.3% QoQ in Q3'22”
14.8%
Rising interest rates and improvement in asset quality are positives for KSA banks
“Aggregate RoE improved (+1.3% QoQ) in Q3'22 to 14.8% from 13.5% in the previous quarter.”
24%
Managers are launching new products but sometimes fail to perform an ROI analysis beforehand
“Surprisingly, almost a quarter of managers do not do so.”
26%
The nickel value chain is exposed to carbon pricing; a widespread 100 USD/t CO2 penalty increases 2021 marginal cost by 26%
“Carbon pricing landscape evolving; nickel market's exposure will depend on several variables”
83%
Private hospitals have recovered better than public hospitals from COVID-19 impact and have a positive outlook on profitability over the short-to-medium term
100%
Private hospitals have a positive profitability outlook with large providers having been less severely impacted by the pandemic; 100% of large private hospitals expect future positive EBITDA margins
“100% of large private hospitals expect future positive EBITDA margins.”
90%
80%-90% of hospitals have achieved a balanced budget or positive EBITDA margin, indicating recovery from COVID-19 impact since 2020
20%
Although private hospitals have an optimistic budget outlook, ~20% of large private hospitals are currently facing budget deficits, indicating a slow recovery
75%-90%
75%-90% of hospitals have achieved a balanced budget or positive EBITDA margin; public hospitals have significant improvement on economic conditions compared to 2020
“Public hospitals have significantly improvement compared to 2020; less than 10% are running budget deficits (c.f., down from approx. 25% two years ago)”
11.1%
Pulse: Profitability metrics improved as economy recovers from the pandemic
“RoE improved to 11.1% (+3.3% points YoY) and ROA increased to 1.3% (+37 bps YoY) as aggregate net income increased by 48.6% during the year.”
37.8bn
Net income growth was driven by higher operating income and lower impairments
“Aggregate net income increased substantially by 48.6% YoY to AED 37.8bn”
2.1%
Net interest margins have compressed to six-year lows
“NIM deteriorated further to a six year low of 2.1% during FY'21, as compared to 2.3% in FY'20”
11.1%
Sector profitability recovered sharply in 2021; poised to grow further with potential interest rate hikes and economic recovery
“Aggregate RoE and RoA improved by 3.3% points YoY and 0.4% points YoY to 11.1 % and 1.3% respectively, supported by higher profitability”
~22
Strong Sustainability DNA is linked to better performance
“Organizations with stronger Sustainability DNA are more likely to deliver financial value and sustainable impact”
19.6%
Stronger Sustainability DNA is associated with better financial performance
“In other words, stronger Sustainability DNA is positively associated with the ability of the leadership team to deliver financial value and sustainable and equi…”
20%
Telecommunications companies have brought forward 5G investments, in part due to the pandemic
“While 5G has a long ROI period it is seen as being more profitable than NBN for proponents”
84%
The areas of greatest returns
“What's interesting is that there's a close correspondence between the areas where there's the greatest gap in spending between leaders and all manufacturers and…”
+23%
THE HALO EFFECT REPRESENTS THE ABILITY OF TV ADVERTISING TO AMPLIFY ADVERTISING EFFECTIVENESS IN MULTI-CHANNEL CAMPAIGNS
“Linear TV's average ROI is understated by 23%”
$16.14
WITHOUT ACCOUNTING FOR THE HALO EFFECT ACROSS CHANNELS, TRADITIONAL MMM FINDINGS ARE MISLEADING
$14.34
WHEN EVALUATING THE ATTRIBUTED RETURNS, THE SALES ROI OF TV INCREASED BY 23%
“ATTRIBUTED SALES ROI BY MEDIA CHANNEL”
2.0x
THE LOW MEDIA SPEND IN LFVC IS ESPECIALLY SURPRISING GIVEN THAT IT IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST PERFORMING MEDIA CHANNEL
“Relative attributed sales ROI performance in the auto industry”
20%
DIGITAL DISRUPTION SHIFTING PROFILE AND NATURE OF EXPENDITURE ITEMS; PROFITABILITY LIKELY TO STABILIZE IN THE COMING YEARS
“Network consolidation reducing "brick-and-mortar" investments, changing Capex into "rolling" maintenance needs.”
12%
RoE has however been declining in recent years with a net compression in margins witnessed over the last three years
“Central Bank deployed financial levers (i.e., high interest rates and SWAPs), to attract USD deposits and boost bank profitability”
12.0%
Decline in RoE in recent years is driven by an increase in cost of funds witnessed over the last three years - Alfa banks
8.6
ROE and Price-to-book are trending sideways after a few years of stability
9.0%
2017: A new reality is firmly in place
65%
Origination and sales – the focus of non-bank attackers – account for ~65% of global banking profits
“Origination and sales – the focus of non-bank attackers – account for ~65% of global banking profits.”
5.2%
Future profitability is limited; an unmitigated digital disruption can further reduce it to half
“Future profitability is limited; an unmitigated digital disruption can further reduce it to half.”
23%
THROUGH DIFFERENT ERAS, LUXURY BRANDS HAVE CONSISTENTLY DELIVERED ATTRACTIVE OPERATING PROFITS
~35%
GROWTH IS BECOMING MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IN PAST 20 YEARS
“REVENUE WINNERS ONLY”
0.16
Correlation between productivity and profitability – market failures to be resolved?
“Construction companies can achieve ~1 point higher margins on average by increasing productivity by 25%”
11
Economic profits in Upstream oil and gas
1%
However, fundamental upstream performance remains weak
49%
The iron ore industry recently experienced a pricing collapse necessitating drastic cost cutting
100
Vaccines businesses are on a trend of declining profitability, placing increasing pressure on the economics
“Vaccines businesses are on a trend of declining profitability, placing increasing pressure on the economics.”
$115 billion
Actions within Postal Service control will improve long-term sustainability, but a gap will remain
“Actions within the Postal Service control will reduce annual loss to $15 billion, cumulative loss to $115 billion”
45%
Expected losses from operation disruptions equal on average 45% of one year's EBITDA
“Companies experienced a major disruption of at least one month every 3-4 years”
1,671
19%
“Our Q3 2025 profit warning data highlights a sharp shift in consumer sentiment.”
14
1,671