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L.2 · BEGINNER · 2 MIN

Elasticity: Why Some Companies Have Pricing Power

Elasticity measures how much buyers change behavior when prices change. Companies with pricing power (inelastic demand) can raise prices without losing customers.

Quiz · 5 questions ↓
§ 01
KO — Operating Margin, Net Margin. Open KO on the Ledge to see current values.
§ 02
TypePrice Increase EffectExamples
Inelastic (pricing power)Revenue rises (customers stay)Insulin, iPhone, Coca-Cola, Netflix
Elastic (no pricing power)Revenue falls (customers leave)Generic commodities, airlines, fast fashion
Unit elasticRevenue unchangedRare in practice
§ 03

Warren Buffett looks for companies that can raise prices without losing customers. That is pricing power, and it is one of the strongest indicators of a durable competitive moat.

§ 04
Compare the **gross margins** of KO (Coca-Cola, strong brand) vs a commodity producer. High margins often signal pricing power.
§ 05
A streaming subscription service raises monthly price from $10 to $12 (20% hike). They lose 8% of subscribers within 90 days. What happens to net monthly revenue?
§ 06

Pricing power is the simplest test of business quality. If a company cannot raise prices, it is at the mercy of competition and costs.

Five questions · AI feedback

Sit with the ideas.

Luxury watchmaker Rolex raises prices 8% annually and sees no decline in sales. A budget airline raises fares 8% and loses 15% of passengers. Which has more inelastic demand?

Why:
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