On the other hand the British are concerned much more with industrial efficiency and short-term profitability at the expense of long-term market performance.

As a new enterprise becomes developmental, short-term profitability is expected and returns are compared with the rate of return from the company's original business.

Some Europeans worry that a surge in hostile takeovers would shift their focus to short-term profitability.

Have recent regulations hurt banks' short-term profitability?

The agency said it expected Delta's short-term profitability to suffer because of the weak economy in much of Europe.

When pressures for short-term profitability ease up, other possibilities arise.

The plan was light on short-term profitability and return on investment goals but heavy on capital investment and new product introduction.

Above all, such decisions are colored by the issue of short-term profitability.

The spending "is a clear hit to short-term profitability," he said, but "we made the right decision, and it's a smart long-term move."

However, the value of a company is based on more than just short-term profitability.