How have unit profits contributed to the recent strengthening of euro area domestic price pressures?

This box looks at how unit profits have contributed to the recent strengthening of euro area domestic price pressures, using national accounts data up to the first quarter of 2023. It analyses the contribution made by unit profits using a broad profit indicator based on gross operating surplus and mixed income, as well as more narrowly defined profit indicators derived from the national accounts (which are closer to business profits). It also shows how the current signals from unit profits based on national accounts data correspond to those of indicators of mark-ups and profit margins derived from corporate accounts. This analysis shows that unit profits have grown strongly of late and made a visible contribution to domestic price pressures in the euro area. This is true for both the broad indicator of unit profits and more narrowly defined profit indicators. The box also shows that in an environment characterised by surging intermediate consumption costs, it is possible for unit profits to increase strongly and have an upward effect on inflation while mark-ups and profit margin indicators derived from corporate accounts remain broadly unchanged. JEL Classification: E31