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Doesn't that imply they compound profits by either 1) raising prices and thus reducing demand for their product in the presence of non-profit maximizing suppliers or 2) creating efficiencies to increase profit margin at an equal-or-lower price?

In situation one wouldn't the advantage go to the non-profit motivated supplier and in situation 2) doesn't it ultimately benefit the customer with lower prices?

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I think the point is if one company is making outrageous profits it’s trivial for a competitor to undercut them. The food industry for example rarely makes more than 2% in profit because it is so competitive.

I would agree, but only with industries with a low barrier of entry of commodity businesses. There are also other moats that prevent trivial competition. Examples may be intellectual property, branding, switching costs etc.

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