Some Investors May Be Willing To Look Past AGCO's (NYSE:AGCO) Soft Earnings

Investors were disappointed with the weak earnings posted by AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO ). However, our analysis suggests that the soft headline numbers are getting counterbalanced by some positive underlying factors.

View our latest analysis for AGCO

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

For anyone who wants to understand AGCO's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by US$539m due to unusual items. It's never great to see unusual items costing the company profits, but on the upside, things might improve sooner rather than later. We looked at thousands of listed companies and found that unusual items are very often one-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. If AGCO doesn't see those unusual expenses repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to increase over the coming 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 AGCO's Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from AGCO's earnings over the last year, you could argue that we can expect an improved result in the current quarter. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that AGCO's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! Unfortunately, though, its earnings per share actually fell back over the last year. 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 want to do dive deeper into AGCO, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. At Simply Wall St, we found 4 warning signs for AGCO and we think they deserve your attention.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of AGCO's profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. For example, many people consider a high return on equity as an indication of favorable business economics, while others like to 'follow the money' and search out stocks that insiders are buying. 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.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com