Investopedia

Mature Firm

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Mature Firm'

A company that is well-established in its industry, with a well-known product and loyal customer following with average growth. Mature firms are categorized according to the business stage it is currently in. These types of firms have passed the stage of rapid growth and tend to grow at the same rate as the overall economy. They also tend to have several equally well-established competitors, making price competition a significant factor in their ability to increase profits.

Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Mature Firm'

Businesses are usually thought of as going through between four to eight phases. For example: Idea, emerging/startup, growing, expanding, mature and finally declining. The stocks of mature firms often pay dividends because the companies are past the point of needing to reinvest all their profits in the company, like they did when it was growing rapidly. Coca-Cola, Pepsi Co., Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble are examples of mature firms. They have been around for many years and sell products that consumers use on a regular basis, but they also face ongoing, significant competition.

Articles Of Interest

  1. Market Cycles: The Key To Maximum Returns

    You need to understand the various phases of the market cycle to avoid bubbles and make the best investments.
  2. Cyclical Versus Non-Cyclical Stocks

    Investing during an economic downturn simply means changing your focus. Discover the benefits of defensive stocks.
  3. Conglomerates: Cash Cows Or Corporate Chaos?

    Huge companies may not be as infallible as previously assumed. Find out why bigger isn't always better.
  4. Selecting A Second-Tier Company

    Find out why an industry's "little guys" can be big winners.
  5. Conglomerates: Risky Proposition?

    Investing in a corporate giant may not be as safe as you think.
  6. What's the difference between old- and new-economy stocks?

    Old-economy stocks represent large, well-established companies that participate in more traditional industry sectors and have little investment or involvement in the technology industry. These ...
  7. The Ups And Downs Of Investing In Cyclical Stocks

    This strategy can be profitable but only if you know when to dump these stocks.
  8. Sector Rotation: The Essentials

    We look at how the market signals impending economic cycles and sector performance during each stage.
  9. 10 Reasons Real Estate Could Rebound In 2011

    Find out why the New Year could mean a healthier real estate market.
  10. Industries Where Fortunes Rise As The Snow Falls

    These companies can warm up your portfolio when temperatures plunge.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Validation Period

    The amount of time necessary for the premium on an insurance policy to cover the commissions, the cost of investigation, medical exams and other expenses associated with the issuance of the policy.
  2. Winner's Curse

    Because of incomplete information, emotions or any other number of factors regarding the item being auctioned, bidders can have a difficult time determining the item's intrinsic value. As a result, the largest overestimation of an item's value ends up winning the auction.
  3. Glocalization

    A combination of the words "globalization" and "localization" used to describe a product or service that is developed and distributed globally, but is also fashioned to accommodate the user or consumer in a local market.
  4. Disaster Loss

    A special type of tax-deductible loss, similar to a casualty loss, where a loss has been incurred by taxpayers who reside in an area that has been designated as a federal disaster area by the President.
  5. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.
  6. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.
Trading Center