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C&A Modas' (BVMF:CEAB3) Earnings May Just Be The Starting Point
Investors were underwhelmed by the solid earnings posted by C&A Modas S.A. (BVMF:CEAB3) recently. We have done some analysis and have found some comforting factors beneath the profit numbers.
See our latest analysis for C&A Modas
Zooming In On C&A Modas' Earnings
In high finance, the key ratio used to measure how well a company converts reported profits into free cash flow (FCF) is the accrual ratio (from cashflow). In plain english, this ratio subtracts FCF from net profit, and divides that number by the company's average operating assets over that period. You could think of the accrual ratio from cashflow as the 'non-FCF profit ratio'.
As a result, a negative accrual ratio is a positive for the company, and a positive accrual ratio is a negative. While having an accrual ratio above zero is of little concern, we do think it's worth noting when a company has a relatively high accrual ratio. That's because some academic studies have suggested that high accruals ratios tend to lead to lower profit or less profit growth.
For the year to March 2024, C&A Modas had an accrual ratio of -0.18. That indicates that its free cash flow quite significantly exceeded its statutory profit. Indeed, in the last twelve months it reported free cash flow of R$846m, well over the R$199.5m it reported in profit. C&A Modas' free cash flow actually declined over the last year, which is disappointing, like non-biodegradable balloons.
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 C&A Modas' Profit Performance
Happily for shareholders, C&A Modas produced plenty of free cash flow to back up its statutory profit numbers. Based on this observation, we consider it possible that C&A Modas' statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And on top of that, its earnings per share have grown at an extremely impressive rate over the 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 C&A Modas as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. At Simply Wall St, we found 1 warning sign for C&A Modas and we think they deserve your attention.
Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of C&A Modas' 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. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with high insider ownership.
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Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
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.
About BOVESPA:CEAB3
Good value with proven track record.