Elsevier Journals (as a Portfolio)

No portfolio in academic publishing is more extractive than Elsevier's, which charges universities millions in subscription fees for research funded by public grants. With profit margins averaging 37%, Elsevier pays editors and peer reviewers nothing, yet requires institutions to pay $3,000–$5,000 per article in processing fees. This model is notably 15% more profitable than the runner-up, Springer Nature, making it the most financially burdensome for libraries. Meanwhile, Elsevier's editorial standards have slipped, with retractions rising 20% year-over-year in 2025, questioning the trustworthiness of its 2,800 journals. Compared to #2 PLOS ONE, which offers transparent peer review, Elsevier's opaque system and excessive costs undermine its reputation as a premier publisher.