Some Investors May Be Willing To Look Past L'Occitane International's (HKG:973) Soft Earnings

The market for L'Occitane International S.A.'s (HKG:973) shares didn't move much after it posted weak earnings recently. We did some digging, and we believe the earnings are stronger than they seem.

Check out our latest analysis for L'Occitane International

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand L'Occitane International's profit results, we need to consider the €50m expense attributed to unusual items. It's never great to see unusual items costing the company profits, but on the upside, things might improve sooner rather than later. We looked at thousands of listed companies and found that unusual items are very often one-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect L'Occitane International to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.

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 L'Occitane International's Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from L'Occitane International's earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that L'Occitane International's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! Unfortunately, though, its earnings per share actually fell back over the last year. 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. For example - L'Occitane International has 3 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of L'Occitane International'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 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.

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