We Ran A Stock Scan For Earnings Growth And Macquarie Technology Group (ASX:MAQ) Passed With Ease

For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away.

If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Macquarie Technology Group (ASX:MAQ). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

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How Quickly Is Macquarie Technology Group Increasing Earnings Per Share?

If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. Recognition must be given to the that Macquarie Technology Group has grown EPS by 49% per year, over the last three years. That sort of growth rarely ever lasts long, but it is well worth paying attention to when it happens.

One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. The good news is that Macquarie Technology Group is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 3.2 percentage points to 15%, over the last year. Ticking those two boxes is a good sign of growth, in our book.

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

See our latest analysis for Macquarie Technology Group

You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Macquarie Technology Group's future profits.

Are Macquarie Technology Group Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Insider interest in a company always sparks a bit of intrigue and many investors are on the lookout for companies where insiders are putting their money where their mouth is. Because often, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. Of course, we can never be sure what insiders are thinking, we can only judge their actions.

Belief in the company remains high for insiders as there hasn't been a single share sold by the management or company board members. But the bigger deal is that the Chairman, Peter James, paid AU$100k to buy shares at an average price of AU$68.29. Purchases like this clue us in to the to the faith management has in the business' future.

On top of the insider buying, we can also see that Macquarie Technology Group insiders own a large chunk of the company. Actually, with 43% of the company to their names, insiders are profoundly invested in the business. Shareholders and speculators should be reassured by this kind of alignment, as it suggests the business will be run for the benefit of shareholders. And their holding is extremely valuable at the current share price, totalling AU$733m. That means they have plenty of their own capital riding on the performance of the business!

Does Macquarie Technology Group Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

Macquarie Technology Group's earnings have taken off in quite an impressive fashion. To sweeten the deal, insiders have significant skin in the game with one even acquiring more. These factors seem to indicate the company's potential and that it has reached an inflection point. We'd suggest Macquarie Technology Group belongs near the top of your watchlist. It is worth noting though that we have found 2 warning signs for Macquarie Technology Group that you need to take into consideration.

Keen growth investors love to see insider activity. Thankfully, Macquarie Technology Group isn't the only one. You can see a a curated list of Australian companies which have exhibited consistent growth accompanied by high insider ownership.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

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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.