Napier Port Holdings' (NZSE:NPH) Earnings Are Of Questionable Quality

Napier Port Holdings Limited (NZSE:NPH) just reported some strong earnings, and the market reacted accordingly with a healthy uplift in the share price. We did some analysis and think that investors are missing some details hidden beneath the profit numbers.

Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

Importantly, our data indicates that Napier Port Holdings' profit received a boost of NZ$8.0m 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. We ran the numbers on most publicly listed companies worldwide, and it's very common for unusual items to be once-off in nature. Which is hardly surprising, given the name. If Napier Port Holdings doesn't see that contribution repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to drop over the current year.

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 Napier Port Holdings' Profit Performance

Arguably, Napier Port Holdings' statutory earnings have been distorted by unusual items boosting profit. Because of this, we think that it may be that Napier Port Holdings' statutory profits are better than its underlying earnings power. Nonetheless, it's still worth noting that its earnings per share have grown at 35% over the last three years. 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. In light of this, if you'd like to do more analysis on the company, it's vital to be informed of the risks involved. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Napier Port Holdings you should be aware of.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Napier Port Holdings' profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. 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.