With A -8.14% Earnings Drop, Did Decheng Technology AG (FRA:333) Really Underperform?

Examining Decheng Technology AG's (DB:333) past track record of performance is a valuable exercise for investors. It enables us to understand whether the company has met or exceed expectations, which is a powerful signal for future performance. Below, I will assess 333's latest performance announced on 30 June 2017 and weigh these figures against its longer term trend and industry movements. Check out our latest analysis for Decheng Technology

Commentary On 333's Past Performance

For the most up-to-date info, I use the ‘latest twelve-month’ data, which annualizes the latest 6-month earnings release, or some times, the latest annual report is already the most recent financial data. This allows me to analyze various companies in a uniform manner using the latest information. For Decheng Technology, its most recent earnings (trailing twelve month) is €17.76M, which, relative to the prior year's level, has dropped by -8.14%. Since these values are somewhat short-term thinking, I’ve created an annualized five-year value for 333's earnings, which stands at €18.41M This doesn't look much better, as earnings seem to have consistently been deteriorating over time.

Why is this? Well, let’s take a look at what’s going on with margins and if the entire industry is experiencing the hit as well. Revenue growth in the last few years, has been positive, nevertheless earnings growth has been falling. This implies that Decheng Technology has been ramping up expenses, which is harming margins and earnings, and is not a sustainable practice. Inspecting growth from a sector-level, the DE chemicals industry has been growing its average earnings by double-digit 12.66% over the previous twelve months, and a less exciting 5.51% over the previous five years. This means that whatever tailwind the industry is enjoying, Decheng Technology has not been able to leverage it as much as its average peer.

What does this mean?

Though Decheng Technology's past data is helpful, it is only one aspect of my investment thesis. Typically companies that face a drawn out period of decline in earnings are undergoing some sort of reinvestment phase in order to keep up with the recent industry disruption and expansion. I suggest you continue to research Decheng Technology to get a better picture of the stock by looking at the areas below. Just a heads up - to access some parts of the Simply Wall St research tool you might be asked to create a free account, but it takes just one click and the information they provide is definitely worth it in my opinion.

• 1. Financial Health: Is 333’s operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why Simply Wall St does it for you. Check out important financial health checks here.
• 2. Valuation: What is 333 worth today? Is the stock undervalued, even when its growth outlook is factored into its intrinsic value? The intrinsic value infographic in this free research report helps visualize whether 333 is currently mispriced by the market.
• 3. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore a free list of these great stocks here.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the trailing twelve months from 30 June 2017. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

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Simply Wall St analyst Simply Wall St and Simply Wall St have no position in any of the companies mentioned. This article 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.