Pak Fah Yeow International's (HKG:239) Soft Earnings Are Actually Better Than They Appear

Shareholders appeared unconcerned with Pak Fah Yeow International Limited's (HKG:239) lackluster earnings report last week. Our analysis suggests that while the profits are soft, the foundations of the business are strong.

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The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

For anyone who wants to understand Pak Fah Yeow International's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by HK$16m due to unusual items. 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. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Pak Fah Yeow International to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Pak Fah Yeow International.

Our Take On Pak Fah Yeow International's Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from Pak Fah Yeow International'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 Pak Fah Yeow International's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! Better yet, its EPS are growing strongly, which is nice to see. 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'd like to know more about Pak Fah Yeow International as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Pak Fah Yeow International you should be aware of.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Pak Fah Yeow 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.