​In the long run, if we observe firms in a competitive market earning economic profits, we know that this market is in long-run equilibrium.

Economic Profits

Profits calculated by subtracting both explicit and implicit costs from total revenue, showing the total return exceeding all opportunity costs.

Long-run Equilibrium

A state in which all factors of production and outputs are optimized, resulting in a stable economic environment without tendencies for change.

Competitive Market

A market structure characterized by a large number of buyers and sellers, free entry and exit, and products that are similar across sellers, leading to price competition and efficiency.