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Returns On Capital Are Showing Encouraging Signs At Matica Fintec (BIT:MFT)
There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. So when we looked at Matica Fintec (BIT:MFT) and its trend of ROCE, we really liked what we saw.
Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?
For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Matica Fintec, this is the formula:
Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)
0.16 = €3.5m ÷ (€30m - €8.5m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).
Thus, Matica Fintec has an ROCE of 16%. In absolute terms, that's a satisfactory return, but compared to the Tech industry average of 12% it's much better.
Check out our latest analysis for Matica Fintec
Above you can see how the current ROCE for Matica Fintec compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free analyst report for Matica Fintec .
What Does the ROCE Trend For Matica Fintec Tell Us?
Investors would be pleased with what's happening at Matica Fintec. The data shows that returns on capital have increased substantially over the last five years to 16%. Basically the business is earning more per dollar of capital invested and in addition to that, 257% more capital is being employed now too. So we're very much inspired by what we're seeing at Matica Fintec thanks to its ability to profitably reinvest capital.
In another part of our analysis, we noticed that the company's ratio of current liabilities to total assets decreased to 28%, which broadly means the business is relying less on its suppliers or short-term creditors to fund its operations. Therefore we can rest assured that the growth in ROCE is a result of the business' fundamental improvements, rather than a cooking class featuring this company's books.
The Bottom Line
All in all, it's terrific to see that Matica Fintec is reaping the rewards from prior investments and is growing its capital base. Since the stock has returned a solid 38% to shareholders over the last three years, it's fair to say investors are beginning to recognize these changes. Therefore, we think it would be worth your time to check if these trends are going to continue.
On a separate note, we've found 2 warning signs for Matica Fintec you'll probably want to know about.
If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.
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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
About BIT:MFT
Matica Fintec
Designs, develops, manufactures, and markets security document issuance systems in Italy and internationally.
Excellent balance sheet and fair value.