JBM (Healthcare)'s (HKG:2161) Earnings Are Weaker Than They Seem

JBM (Healthcare) Limited (HKG:2161) announced strong profits, but the stock was stagnant. Our analysis suggests that shareholders have noticed something concerning in the numbers.

Check out our latest analysis for JBM (Healthcare)

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand JBM (Healthcare)'s profit results, we need to consider the HK$9.3m gain attributed to unusual items. While we like to see profit increases, we tend to be a little more cautious when unusual items have made a big contribution. 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 JBM (Healthcare) doesn't see that contribution repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to drop over the current year.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of JBM (Healthcare).

Our Take On JBM (Healthcare)'s Profit Performance

Arguably, JBM (Healthcare)'s statutory earnings have been distorted by unusual items boosting profit. Therefore, it seems possible to us that JBM (Healthcare)'s true underlying earnings power is actually less than its statutory profit. But the good news is that its EPS growth over the last three years has been very impressive. 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. If you want to do dive deeper into JBM (Healthcare), you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. At Simply Wall St, we found 1 warning sign for JBM (Healthcare) and we think they deserve your attention.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of JBM (Healthcare)'s profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

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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.