Red Eléctrica Corporación's (BME:REE) Soft Earnings Are Actually Better Than They Appear

The market for Red Eléctrica Corporación, S.A.'s (BME:REE) shares didn't move much after it posted weak earnings recently. Our analysis suggests that while the profits are soft, the foundations of the business are strong.

Check out our latest analysis for Red Eléctrica Corporación

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

Importantly, our data indicates that Red Eléctrica Corporación's profit was reduced by €122m, due to unusual items, over the last year. 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. If Red Eléctrica Corporación doesn't see those unusual expenses repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to increase over the coming 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 Red Eléctrica Corporación's Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from Red Eléctrica Corporación's earnings over the last year, you could argue that we can expect an improved result in the current quarter. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that Red Eléctrica Corporación's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! On the other hand, its EPS actually shrunk in the last twelve months. 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. In light of this, if you'd like to do more analysis on the company, it's vital to be informed of the risks involved. Be aware that Red Eléctrica Corporación is showing 3 warning signs in our investment analysis and 1 of those is concerning...

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Red Eléctrica Corporación's profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. 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. 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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