With EPS Growth And More, TradeGo FinTech (HKG:8017) Makes An Interesting Case

For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad.

If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in TradeGo FinTech (HKG:8017). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

Check out our latest analysis for TradeGo FinTech

How Fast Is TradeGo FinTech Growing?

Generally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. To the delight of shareholders, TradeGo FinTech has achieved impressive annual EPS growth of 46%, compound, over the last three years. That sort of growth rarely ever lasts long, but it is well worth paying attention to when it happens.

It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. The music to the ears of TradeGo FinTech shareholders is that EBIT margins have grown from 33% to 39% in the last 12 months and revenues are on an upwards trend as well. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

Since TradeGo FinTech is no giant, with a market capitalisation of HK$630m, you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects.

Are TradeGo FinTech Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's said that there's no smoke without fire. For investors, insider buying is often the smoke that indicates which stocks could set the market alight. Because often, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. However, insiders are sometimes wrong, and we don't know the exact thinking behind their acquisitions.

Not only did TradeGo FinTech insiders refrain from selling stock during the year, but they also spent HK$869k buying it. That paints the company in a nice light, as it signals that its leaders are feeling confident in where the company is heading. We also note that it was the Executive Chairman & CEO, Yong Liu, who made the biggest single acquisition, paying HK$368k for shares at about HK$0.76 each.

Along with the insider buying, another encouraging sign for TradeGo FinTech is that insiders, as a group, have a considerable shareholding. As a matter of fact, their holding is valued at HK$168m. That shows significant buy-in, and may indicate conviction in the business strategy. As a percentage, this totals to 27% of the shares on issue for the business, an appreciable amount considering the market cap.

Shareholders have more to smile about than just insiders adding more shares to their already sizeable holdings. The cherry on top is that the CEO, Yong Liu is paid comparatively modestly to CEOs at similar sized companies. Our analysis has discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like TradeGo FinTech with market caps under HK$1.6b is about HK$1.9m.

The CEO of TradeGo FinTech only received HK$884k in total compensation for the year ending March 2022. That looks like a modest pay packet, and may hint at a certain respect for the interests of shareholders. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. It can also be a sign of a culture of integrity, in a broader sense.

Is TradeGo FinTech Worth Keeping An Eye On?

TradeGo FinTech's earnings have taken off in quite an impressive fashion. Just as heartening; insiders both own and are buying more stock. These factors seem to indicate the company's potential and that it has reached an inflection point. We'd suggest TradeGo FinTech belongs near the top of your watchlist. Before you take the next step you should know about the 1 warning sign for TradeGo FinTech that we have uncovered.

The good news is that TradeGo FinTech is not the only growth stock with insider buying. Here's a list of them... with insider buying in the last three months!

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

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.