Proprietary edge and sustainable high margins

by Jim Jubak

Look for a company with sustainable high margins. In the technology markets of the 1990s, a company could ride a sustainable proprietary edge -- and a willingness to use that temporary advantage over the competition as if the devil were at its heels -- to years and years of outsized profit margins.

or else:

There's so much capital in the world now that a high profit margin becomes a red flag that draws a horde of well-funded competitors from around the world -- and at least a few of those are willing to run at a loss for years because the government that has arranged the financing has goals besides profitability.

link