The return on assets (ROA) percentage shows how profitable a company's assets are in generating revenue.

In fact, the capital gains tax stifles investment in more profitable assets because of its influences unrelated to typical tax distortions.

And a company can commit fraud by illegally shielding its profitable assets from legal judgments against its operations.

Analysts say this murkier image threatens one of the company's most profitable assets: the so-called Sony premium, the higher prices long commanded by its electronics products.

But there is a limit to the number of profitable assets which can be sold.

Lowering reserve requirements has a similar effect, freeing up funds for banks to increase loans or buy other profitable assets.

Pension funds may, on the other hand, choose to hold the less liquid but usually more profitable assets in their portfolios, for example, company shares.

The protection of the forest is a need which is better fulfilled when it relates to a profitable asset.

Yet these investments have practically been a laundry list of the profitable assets to own so far this year.

However, investors sitting on big paper gains and a large real loss might want to consider selling the profitable asset.