We Think You Should Be Aware Of Some Concerning Factors In Andrew Yule's (NSE:ANDREWYU) Earnings

The recent earnings posted by Andrew Yule & Company Limited (NSE:ANDREWYU) were solid, but the stock didn't move as much as we expected. We believe that shareholders have noticed some concerning factors beyond the statutory profit numbers.

Check out our latest analysis for Andrew Yule

Examining Cashflow Against Andrew Yule's 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. The accrual ratio subtracts the FCF from the profit for a given period, and divides the result by the average operating assets of the company over that time. This ratio tells us how much of a company's profit is not backed by free cashflow.

As a result, a negative accrual ratio is a positive for the company, and a positive accrual ratio is a negative. 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 September 2021, Andrew Yule recorded an accrual ratio of 0.21. We can therefore deduce that its free cash flow fell well short of covering its statutory profit. Even though it reported a profit of ₹147.8m, a look at free cash flow indicates it actually burnt through ₹615m in the last year. We also note that Andrew Yule's free cash flow was actually negative last year as well, so we could understand if shareholders were bothered by its outflow of ₹615m.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Andrew Yule.

Our Take On Andrew Yule's Profit Performance

Andrew Yule's accrual ratio for the last twelve months signifies cash conversion is less than ideal, which is a negative when it comes to our view of its earnings. Because of this, we think that it may be that Andrew Yule's statutory profits are better than its underlying earnings power. But at least holders can take some solace from the 15% EPS growth in 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. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing Andrew Yule at this point in time. You'd be interested to know, that we found 2 warning signs for Andrew Yule and you'll want to know about them.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Andrew Yule'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 that insiders are buying to be useful.

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.

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