We Think You Should Be Aware Of Some Concerning Factors In SAIC Motor's (SHSE:600104) Earnings

SAIC Motor Corporation Limited's (SHSE:600104) robust recent earnings didn't do much to move the stock. We believe that shareholders have noticed some concerning factors beyond the statutory profit numbers.

See our latest analysis for SAIC Motor

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

For anyone who wants to understand SAIC Motor's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit gained from CN¥1.0b worth of unusual items. While we like to see profit increases, we tend to be a little more cautious when unusual items have made a big contribution. We ran the numbers on most publicly listed companies worldwide, and it's very common for unusual items to be once-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. If SAIC Motor doesn't see that contribution repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to drop over the current 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 SAIC Motor's Profit Performance

We'd posit that SAIC Motor's statutory earnings aren't a clean read on ongoing productivity, due to the large unusual item. Because of this, we think that it may be that SAIC Motor's statutory profits are better than its underlying earnings power. The good news is that its earnings per share increased slightly in 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. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing SAIC Motor at this point in time. For example - SAIC Motor has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of SAIC Motor'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. 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. 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.