<P> Cash cow is business jargon for a business venture that generates a steady return of profits that far exceed the outlay of cash required to acquire or start it . Many businesses attempt to create or acquire such ventures, since they can be used to boost a company's overall income and to support less profitable endeavors . </P> <P> The term cash cow is a metaphor for a "dairy cow" used on farms to produce milk, offering a steady stream of income with little maintenance . </P> <P> Cash cows are products or services that have achieved market leader status, provide positive cash flows and a return on assets (ROA) that exceeds the market growth rate . The idea is that such products produce profits long after the initial investment has been recouped . By generating steady streams of income, cash cows help fund the overall growth of a company, their positive effects spilling over to other business units . Furthermore, companies can use them as leverage for future expansions, as lenders are more willing to lend money knowing that the debt will be serviced . </P>

Where does the term cash cow come from
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