We Think You Should Be Aware Of Some Concerning Factors In AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd's (SZSE:002179) Earnings

Following the solid earnings report from AVIC Jonhon Optronic Technology Co.,Ltd. (SZSE:002179), the market responded by bidding up the stock price. However, we think that shareholders should be cautious as we found some worrying factors underlying the profit.

See our latest analysis for AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd

Examining Cashflow Against AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd's Earnings

As finance nerds would already know, the accrual ratio from cashflow is a key measure for assessing how well a company's free cash flow (FCF) matches its profit. To get the accrual ratio we first subtract FCF from profit for a period, and then divide that number by the average operating assets for the period. This ratio tells us how much of a company's profit is not backed by free cashflow.

That means a negative accrual ratio is a good thing, because it shows that the company is bringing in more free cash flow than its profit would suggest. 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. To quote a 2014 paper by Lewellen and Resutek, "firms with higher accruals tend to be less profitable in the future".

AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd has an accrual ratio of 0.23 for the year to December 2023. Therefore, we know that it's free cashflow was significantly lower than its statutory profit, which is hardly a good thing. In fact, it had free cash flow of CN¥694m in the last year, which was a lot less than its statutory profit of CN¥3.34b. We note, however, that AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd grew its free cash flow over the last 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 AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd's Profit Performance

AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd's accrual ratio for the last twelve months signifies cash conversion is less than ideal, which is a negative when it comes to our view of its earnings. Therefore, it seems possible to us that AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd's true underlying earnings power is actually less than its statutory profit. But on the bright side, its earnings per share have grown at an extremely impressive rate over the last three years. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd at this point in time. To help with this, we've discovered 2 warning signs (1 is significant!) that you ought to be aware of before buying any shares in AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of AVIC Jonhon Optronic TechnologyLtd'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. 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.