Profits mean that the economic enterprise has added to the economy's wealth. Each increment of profit on each subsequent transaction adds more to the economy's wealth. The compounding of these increments over time is what enables us to enjoy a higher standard of living than earlier generations. Profits accrue to those businesses that have satisfied their customers. Profits act as both a message and a means for these businesses to continue and expand.
Losses send a different message.
Losses indicate that the business's output is worth less than the cost of its inputs. A business must heed this message by improving its efficiency or changing its product. Failure to heed the message will result in a loss of resources and endanger its ability to remain in business. The lack of profit in government enterprises should not be surprising. Government's ability to tax means its businesses are insulated from the need to earn a profit in order to stay alive.