Concerns Surrounding Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies' (SZSE:300414) Performance

Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies Co., Ltd.'s (SZSE:300414) 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.

Check out our latest analysis for Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies' profit results, we need to consider the CN¥3.4m gain attributed to 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. When we crunched the numbers on thousands of publicly listed companies, we found that a boost from unusual items in a given year is often not repeated the next year. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. If Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies doesn't see that contribution repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to drop over the current year.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies.

An Unusual Tax Situation

Having already discussed the impact of the unusual items, we should also note that Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies received a tax benefit of CN¥4.4m. 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, the devil in the detail is that these kind of benefits only impact in the year they are booked, and are often one-off in nature. In the likely event the tax benefit is not repeated, we'd expect to see its statutory profit levels drop, at least in the absence of strong growth. While we think it's good that the company has booked a tax benefit, it does mean that there's every chance the statutory profit will come in a lot higher than it would be if the income was adjusted for one-off factors.

Our Take On Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies' Profit Performance

In the last year Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies 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. Furthermore, it also benefitted from a positive unusual item, which boosted the profit result even higher. For the reasons mentioned above, we think that a perfunctory glance at Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies' statutory profits might make it look better than it really is on an underlying level. With this in mind, we wouldn't consider investing in a stock unless we had a thorough understanding of the risks. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Sichuan Zhongguang Lightning Protection Technologies (1 is a bit unpleasant) you should be familiar with.

In this article we've looked at a number of factors that can impair the utility of profit numbers, and we've come away cautious. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. 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. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying to be useful.

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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.