The average return on assets declined slightly to 1.19% (it was 1.23% in 2009).

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BAA's average return on regulated assets.

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For financials, the Buffett-based approach also looks at the return on assets rate, which must average at least 1% over the past 10 years.

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By putting such low-cost assets on the books, Global Marine has generated average return on capital of 29.5% a year over the past five years, first among the Forbes Energy Extractors.

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However, with respect to return on assets, Acadia Healthcare looks attractive at 3.9%, a marginal premium to the peer group average of 3.5%.

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