I consider nominal profit to be pretty much "at cost", that's why I said "close to operating cost". OPs 6% number is neither. Your link even clearly demonstrate

I consider nominal profit to be pretty much "at cost", that's why I said "close to operating cost". OPs 6% number is neither. Your link even clearly demonstrate that, by listing 14 industries all with smaller margins and showing the average to be 7.7%, making 6% profits a farcry from nominal profits.