Singamas Container Holdings' (HKG:716) Earnings Seem To Be Promising

Shareholders appeared to be happy with Singamas Container Holdings Limited's (HKG:716) solid earnings report last week. Looking deeper at the numbers, we found several encouraging factors beyond the headline profit numbers.

See our latest analysis for Singamas Container Holdings

A Closer Look At Singamas Container Holdings' Earnings

Many investors haven't heard of the accrual ratio from cashflow, but it is actually a useful measure of how well a company's profit is backed up by free cash flow (FCF) during a given period. 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. You could think of the accrual ratio from cashflow as the 'non-FCF profit ratio'.

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. That's because some academic studies have suggested that high accruals ratios tend to lead to lower profit or less profit growth.

Over the twelve months to June 2024, Singamas Container Holdings recorded an accrual ratio of 0.24. Unfortunately, that means its free cash flow fell significantly short of its reported profits. Even though it reported a profit of US$26.9m, a look at free cash flow indicates it actually burnt through US$61m in the last year. It's worth noting that Singamas Container Holdings generated positive FCF of US$17m a year ago, so at least they've done it in the past. Having said that, there is more to the story. The accrual ratio is reflecting the impact of unusual items on statutory profit, at least in part.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Singamas Container Holdings.

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

Unfortunately (in the short term) Singamas Container Holdings saw its profit reduced by unusual items worth US$3.7m. In the case where this was a non-cash charge it would have made it easier to have high cash conversion, so it's surprising that the accrual ratio tells a different story. 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 that's hardly a surprise given these line items are considered unusual. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Singamas Container Holdings to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.

Our Take On Singamas Container Holdings' Profit Performance

In conclusion, Singamas Container Holdings' accrual ratio suggests that its statutory earnings are not backed by cash flow, even though unusual items weighed on profit. Given the contrasting considerations, we don't have a strong view as to whether Singamas Container Holdings's profits are an apt reflection of its underlying potential for profit. So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. For example, we've found that Singamas Container Holdings has 2 warning signs (1 can't be ignored!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis.

In this article we've looked at a number of factors that can impair the utility of profit numbers, as a guide to a business. 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 with significant insider holdings 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.