Investors Who Bought Secure Energy Services (TSE:SES) Shares Five Years Ago Are Now Down 56%

While it may not be enough for some shareholders, we think it is good to see the Secure Energy Services Inc. (TSE:SES) share price up 12% in a single quarter. But that doesn't change the fact that the returns over the last five years have been less than pleasing. In fact, the share price is down 56%, which falls well short of the return you could get by buying an index fund.

View our latest analysis for Secure Energy Services

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During five years of share price growth, Secure Energy Services moved from a loss to profitability. Most would consider that to be a good thing, so it's counter-intuitive to see the share price declining. Other metrics may better explain the share price move.

Revenue is actually up 9.8% over the time period. A more detailed examination of the revenue and earnings may or may not explain why the share price languishes; there could be an opportunity.

Depicted in the graphic below, you'll see revenue and earnings over time. If you want more detail, you can click on the chart itself.

It is of course excellent to see how Secure Energy Services has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. Take a more thorough look at Secure Energy Services's financial health with this freereport on its balance sheet.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Secure Energy Services, it has a TSR of -50% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Secure Energy Services shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 5.7% over the last year. And that does include the dividend. That certainly beats the loss of about 13% per year over the last half decade. This makes us a little wary, but the business might have turned around its fortunes. Before spending more time on Secure Energy Services it might be wise to click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling shares.

Of course Secure Energy Services may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this freecollection of growth stocks.

We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading.