Statutory Profit Doesn't Reflect How Good SEEK's (ASX:SEK) Earnings Are

The subdued stock price reaction suggests that SEEK Limited's (ASX:SEK) strong earnings didn't offer any surprises. We think that investors have missed some encouraging factors underlying the profit figures.

View our latest analysis for SEEK

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand SEEK's profit results, we need to consider the AU$45m expense attributed to unusual items. It's never great to see unusual items costing the company profits, but on the upside, things might improve sooner rather than later. We looked at thousands of listed companies and found that unusual items are very often one-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. If SEEK doesn't see those unusual expenses repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to increase over the coming year.

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 SEEK's Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from SEEK's earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that SEEK's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And it's also positive that the company showed enough improvement to book a profit this year, after losing money last year. 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. If you'd like to know more about SEEK as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. For example - SEEK has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of SEEK's profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. For example, many people consider a high return on equity as an indication of favorable business economics, while others like to 'follow the money' and search out stocks that insiders are buying. 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.
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