Are Landis+Gyr Group's (VTX:LAND) Statutory Earnings A Good Guide To Its Underlying Profitability?

It might be old fashioned, but we really like to invest in companies that make a profit, each and every year. However, sometimes companies receive a one-off boost (or reduction) to their profit, and it's not always clear whether statutory profits are a good guide, going forward. In this article, we'll look at how useful this year's statutory profit is, when analysing Landis+Gyr Group (VTX:LAND).

While Landis+Gyr Group was able to generate revenue of US$1.46b in the last twelve months, we think its profit result of US$39.9m was more important. The chart below shows that while revenue has fallen over the last three years, the company has moved from unprofitable to profitable.

Check out our latest analysis for Landis+Gyr Group

Importantly, statutory profits are not always the best tool for understanding a company's true earnings power, so it's well worth examining profits in a little more detail. This article, will discuss how unusual items and a tax benefit have impacted Landis+Gyr Group's most recent bottom line results. 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.

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

For anyone who wants to understand Landis+Gyr Group's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by US$24m due to unusual items. While deductions due to unusual items are disappointing in the first instance, there is a silver lining. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Landis+Gyr Group to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.

An Unusual Tax Situation

Just as we noted the unusual items, we must inform you that Landis+Gyr Group received a tax benefit which contributed US$7.5m to the bottom line. It's always a bit noteworthy when a company is paid by the tax man, rather than paying the tax man. We're sure the company was pleased with its tax benefit. However, our data indicates that tax benefits can temporarily boost statutory profit in the year it is booked, but subsequently profit may fall back. Assuming the tax benefit is not repeated every year, we could see its profitability drop noticeably, all else being equal. So while we think it's great to receive a tax benefit, it does tend to imply an increased risk that the statutory profit overstates the sustainable earnings power of the business.

Our Take On Landis+Gyr Group's Profit Performance

In the last year Landis+Gyr Group received a tax benefit, which boosted its profit in a way that might not be much more sustainable than turning prime farmland into gas fields. Having said that, it also had a unusual item reducing its profit. Considering all the aforementioned, we'd venture that Landis+Gyr Group's profit result is a pretty good guide to its true profitability, albeit a bit on the conservative side. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing Landis+Gyr Group at this point in time. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Landis+Gyr Group you should be aware of.

Our examination of Landis+Gyr Group has focussed on certain factors that can make its earnings look better than they are. 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 that insiders are buying.

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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. 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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