Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' (TSE:9104) Profits Appear To Have Quality Issues

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.'s (TSE:9104) robust recent earnings didn't do much to move the stock. We believe that shareholders have noticed some concerning factors beyond the statutory profit numbers.

See our latest analysis for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

Importantly, our data indicates that Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' profit received a boost of JP¥24b in unusual items, over the last year. 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. Assuming those unusual items don't show up again in the current year, we'd thus expect profit to be weaker next year (in the absence of business growth, that is).

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 Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' Profit Performance

Arguably, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' statutory earnings have been distorted by unusual items boosting profit. Because of this, we think that it may be that Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' statutory profits are better than its underlying earnings power. Nonetheless, it's still worth noting that its earnings per share have grown at 5.9% over the last three years. The goal of this article has been to assess how well we can rely on the statutory earnings to reflect the company's potential, but there is plenty more to consider. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing Mitsui O.S.K. Lines at this point in time. When we did our research, we found 3 warning signs for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (1 is a bit unpleasant!) that we believe deserve your full attention.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. 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. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with high insider ownership.

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

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.