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We Ran A Stock Scan For Earnings Growth And Stalexport Autostrady (WSE:STX) Passed With Ease
It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should.
So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Stalexport Autostrady (WSE:STX). Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.
See our latest analysis for Stalexport Autostrady
How Quickly Is Stalexport Autostrady Increasing Earnings Per Share?
If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Over the last three years, Stalexport Autostrady has grown EPS by 8.1% per year. That's a good rate of growth, if it can be sustained.
Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. The good news is that Stalexport Autostrady is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 15.9 percentage points to 36%, over the last year. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth.
You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image.
Stalexport Autostrady isn't a huge company, given its market capitalisation of zł747m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength.
Are Stalexport Autostrady Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?
Prior to investment, it's always a good idea to check that the management team is paid reasonably. Pay levels around or below the median, can be a sign that shareholder interests are well considered. For companies with market capitalisations between zł396m and zł1.6b, like Stalexport Autostrady, the median CEO pay is around zł1.4m.
The Stalexport Autostrady CEO received total compensation of only zł95k in the year to December 2022. This total may indicate that the CEO is sacrificing take home pay for performance-based benefits, ensuring that their motivations are synonymous with strong company results. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally.
Does Stalexport Autostrady Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?
As previously touched on, Stalexport Autostrady is a growing business, which is encouraging. To add to this, the modest CEO compensation should tell investors that the directors have an active interest in delivering the best for shareholders. So all in all Stalexport Autostrady is worthy at least considering for your watchlist. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 2 warning signs for Stalexport Autostrady (1 is potentially serious!) that you should be aware of.
Although Stalexport Autostrady certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for.
Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.
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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.
About WSE:STX
Stalexport Autostrady
Stalexport Autostrady S.A., together with its subsidiaries, constructs and operates motorways in Poland.
Flawless balance sheet with proven track record.