Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC's (ADX:ADPORTS) Problems Go Beyond Weak Profit

A lackluster earnings announcement from Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC (ADX:ADPORTS) last week didn't sink the stock price. Our analysis suggests that along with soft profit numbers, investors should be aware of some other underlying weaknesses in the numbers.

Check out our latest analysis for Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

To properly understand Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC's profit results, we need to consider the د.إ256m gain attributed to unusual items. While we like to see profit increases, we tend to be a little more cautious when unusual items have made a big contribution. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. Which is hardly surprising, given the name. Assuming those unusual items don't show up again in the current year, we'd thus expect profit to be weaker next year (in the absence of business growth, that is).

That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.

Our Take On Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC's Profit Performance

Arguably, Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC's statutory earnings have been distorted by unusual items boosting profit. Because of this, we think that it may be that Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC's statutory profits are better than its underlying earnings power. But the good news is that its EPS growth over the last three years has been very impressive. Of course, we've only just scratched the surface when it comes to analysing its earnings; one could also consider margins, forecast growth, and return on investment, among other factors. So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC (1 can't be ignored) you should be familiar with.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC's profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying to be useful.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.