Tobacco top earner

Despite declining cigarette sales, tobacco is the third most profitable business in the United States, according to a ranking compiled by Comparisun.

With an average profit margin of 31.42 percent, tobacco is outranked only by transportation (railroads), with an average profit margin of 50.93 percent, and real estate (41.23 percent).

Remarkably, the booming electronics and software industries rank among the least profitable businesses in the U.S, with average profit margins of -4.07 percent and 1.88 percent respectively.