We Think You Can Look Beyond Albany International's (NYSE:AIN) Lackluster Earnings

Investors were disappointed with the weak earnings posted by Albany International Corp. (NYSE:AIN ). While the headline numbers were soft, we believe that investors might be missing some encouraging factors.

View our latest analysis for Albany International

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

Importantly, our data indicates that Albany International's profit was reduced by US$49m, due to unusual items, over the last year. It's never great to see unusual items costing the company profits, but on the upside, things might improve sooner rather than later. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Albany International 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 Albany International's Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from Albany International's earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Because of this, we think Albany International's earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! 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 Albany International, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. At Simply Wall St, we found 1 warning sign for Albany International and we think they deserve your attention.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Albany International'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 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.