profitable earnings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profitable earnings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing financial performance, specifically to indicate that the earnings generated are not only positive but also contribute to profit. Example: "The company's profitable earnings this quarter have exceeded all expectations, leading to increased investor confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Despite several quarters of controversy over bribery allegations in Mexico, Wal-Mart Stores' profitable earnings and strong sales in recent quarters made it a Wall Street darling, and its stock price hit a record high on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Cook surmises that most short sellers already collected their profits and got out of the way, suggesting the insurer's rally has been built in part on its surprisingly profitable earnings report Aug. 7 — its first publicly-filed results in six quarters — and optimism over the hiring of Benmosche, who said he will not sell assets at fire sale prices just to get them off the books.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Motorola's phone network equipment business also suffered declining sales and orders, but it managed to stay profitable with earnings of $54 million.

The New York Times

Dynatech's profitable, but earnings could suffer once the LBO goes through.

Forbes

The general sentiment right now is positive as companies outside the financial sector remain profitable and earnings are growing and beating estimates, said Birinyi Associates analyst Cleveland Rueckert.

Forbes

McDonald's delivery has grown to more than 5,000 restaurants in the U.S. and 12,000 restaurants globally and Easterbrook has called the service "profitable" on earnings calls.

Forbes

Twitter's shares soared on last week's profitable Q3 earnings report, but it's made no such measureable commitment to fight harassment and misinformation.

TechCrunch

Production outside the US remained profitable, but the earnings fell by more than half.

The Guardian - Business

Southwest, the largest discount carrier, remained profitable, but its earnings fell 42percentto to $102.3 million, or 13 cents.

The New York Times

Insurance was GMAC's only profitable unit, with earnings of $97 million.

The New York Times

In 2008, Exxon became the world's most profitable corporation with earnings over $45 billion as oil averaged $100 a barrel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company's financial performance, use "profitable earnings" to emphasize that the earnings contribute positively to the overall profitability of the business. Be specific by quantifying the earnings if possible.

Common error

Avoid using "profitable earnings" when "profits" or "earnings" alone suffice. The adjective "profitable" should add meaningful emphasis, not simply restate the inherent nature of earnings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profitable earnings" functions as a descriptive term in financial contexts. It modifies the noun "earnings" with the adjective "profitable", emphasizing that the earnings contribute positively to a company's financial outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, it’s a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "profitable earnings" is a grammatically correct and usable term, primarily found in news and media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize that earnings are contributing positively to a company's financial health. While alternatives like "lucrative profits" and "beneficial returns" exist, "profitable earnings" clearly conveys the intended meaning in financial discussions. When writing, ensure the adjective "profitable" adds meaningful emphasis and isn't used redundantly. This phrase is best suited for professional and neutral registers, maintaining clarity and credibility in business, financial, and news-related communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lucrative profits

Emphasizes the high degree of profitability.

beneficial returns

Highlights the positive outcome or benefit derived from investments.

successful income

Focuses on the favorable result of income generation.

gainful revenue

Stresses the advantageous and productive nature of revenue.

fruitful proceeds

Highlights the rewarding and productive aspect of financial gains.

advantageous yields

Emphasizes the beneficial results or returns produced.

thriving profits

Implies sustained and vigorous financial success.

high-yield earnings

Focuses on the substantial return on investment.

valuable returns

Highlights the worth and significance of the financial gains.

positive financial results

A broader term indicating favorable outcomes in financial performance.

FAQs

How can I use "profitable earnings" in a sentence?

You can use "profitable earnings" to highlight a company's successful financial performance, such as, "The company's "profitable earnings" this quarter exceeded expectations."

What are some alternatives to "profitable earnings"?

Alternatives include "lucrative profits", "beneficial returns", or "successful income", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is it redundant to say "profitable earnings"?

While "earnings" often imply profitability, ""profitable earnings"" emphasizes that the earnings are contributing positively to the overall financial health of the company. Use it when you want to stress the profitable nature of those earnings.

What's the difference between "earnings" and "profitable earnings"?

"Earnings" simply refers to the income generated, whereas ""profitable earnings"" specifically highlights that the income is contributing to the overall profitability and financial success of an entity.