We Like These Underlying Return On Capital Trends At Asseco South Eastern Europe (WSE:ASE)
If we want to find a potential multi-bagger, often there are underlying trends that can provide clues. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount 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 on that note, Asseco South Eastern Europe (WSE:ASE) looks quite promising in regards to its trends of return on capital.
What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?
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 Asseco South Eastern Europe, this is the formula:
Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)
0.16 = zł189m ÷ (zł1.5b - zł373m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2022).
So, Asseco South Eastern Europe has an ROCE of 16%. In absolute terms, that's a pretty normal return, and it's somewhat close to the IT industry average of 14%.
See our latest analysis for Asseco South Eastern Europe
In the above chart we have measured Asseco South Eastern Europe's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.
What Can We Tell From Asseco South Eastern Europe's ROCE Trend?
The trends we've noticed at Asseco South Eastern Europe are quite reassuring. The numbers show that in the last five years, the returns generated on capital employed have grown considerably to 16%. The amount of capital employed has increased too, by 64%. This can indicate that there's plenty of opportunities to invest capital internally and at ever higher rates, a combination that's common among multi-baggers.
Our Take On Asseco South Eastern Europe's ROCE
A company that is growing its returns on capital and can consistently reinvest in itself is a highly sought after trait, and that's what Asseco South Eastern Europe has. And a remarkable 344% total return over the last five years tells us that investors are expecting more good things to come in the future. With that being said, we still think the promising fundamentals mean the company deserves some further due diligence.
If you want to continue researching Asseco South Eastern Europe, you might be interested to know about the 1 warning sign that our analysis has discovered.
While Asseco South Eastern Europe may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.
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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.
About WSE:ASE
Asseco South Eastern Europe
Engages in the sale of its own and third-party software.
Excellent balance sheet established dividend payer.