There May Be Reason For Hope In Jardine Matheson Holdings' (SGX:J36) Disappointing Earnings

Shareholders appeared unconcerned with Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited's (SGX:J36) lackluster earnings report last week. We think that the softer headline numbers might be getting counterbalanced by some positive underlying factors.

View our latest analysis for Jardine Matheson Holdings

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

To properly understand Jardine Matheson Holdings' profit results, we need to consider the US$882m expense attributed to unusual items. While deductions due to unusual items are disappointing in the first instance, there is a silver lining. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And that's hardly a surprise given these line items are considered unusual. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Jardine Matheson Holdings to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.

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 Jardine Matheson Holdings' Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from Jardine Matheson Holdings' earnings over the last year, you could argue that we can expect an improved result in the current quarter. Because of this, we think Jardine Matheson Holdings' earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! On the other hand, its EPS actually shrunk in the last twelve months. 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. Keep in mind, when it comes to analysing a stock it's worth noting the risks involved. You'd be interested to know, that we found 3 warning signs for Jardine Matheson Holdings and you'll want to know about these bad boys.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Jardine Matheson 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. 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 that insiders are buying 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.