Investors Shouldn't Be Too Comfortable With Hankook's (KRX:000240) Earnings

Despite posting some strong earnings, the market for Hankook & Company Co., Ltd.'s (KRX:000240) stock hasn't moved much. Our analysis suggests that this might be because shareholders have noticed some concerning underlying factors.

See our latest analysis for Hankook

The Power Of Non-Operating Revenue

At most companies, some revenue streams, such as government grants, are accounted for as non-operating revenue, while the core business is said to produce operating revenue. Oftentimes, non-operating revenue spikes are not repeated, so it makes sense to be cautious where non-operating revenue has made a very large contribution to total profit. Importantly, the non-operating revenue often comes without associated ongoing costs, so it can boost profit by letting it fall straight to the bottom line, making the operating business seem better than it really is. Notably, Hankook had a significant increase in non-operating revenue over the last year. Indeed, its non-operating revenue rose from ₩184.1b last year to ₩277.8b this year. The high levels of non-operating revenue are problematic because if (and when) they do not repeat, then overall revenue (and profitability) of the firm will fall. In order to better understand a company's profit result, it can sometimes help to consider whether the result would be very different without a sudden increase in non-operating revenue.

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 Hankook's Profit Performance

When considering the nature of Hankook's earnings, we'd absolutely keep in mind that it saw an increase in non-operating revenue in the last year, which would in turn have boosted its profit, potentially in an unsustainable manner. Therefore, it seems possible to us that Hankook's true underlying earnings power is actually less than its statutory profit. But at least holders can take some solace from the 54% per annum growth in EPS for the last three. 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. If you'd like to know more about Hankook as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should run your eye over to get a better picture of Hankook.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Hankook's profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. 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.