There May Be Underlying Issues With The Quality Of Orion Group Holdings' (NYSE:ORN) Earnings

Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ORN) just reported some strong earnings, and the market reacted accordingly with a healthy uplift in the share price. However, we think that shareholders may be missing some concerning details in the numbers.

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The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

For anyone who wants to understand Orion Group Holdings' profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit gained from US$2.3m worth of unusual items. We can't deny that higher profits generally leave us optimistic, but we'd prefer it if the profit were to be sustainable. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. Which is hardly surprising, given the name. If Orion Group Holdings doesn't see that contribution repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to drop over the current 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 Orion Group Holdings' Profit Performance

Arguably, Orion Group Holdings' statutory earnings have been distorted by unusual items boosting profit. Because of this, we think that it may be that Orion Group Holdings' statutory profits are better than its underlying earnings power. The good news is that it earned a profit in the last twelve months, despite its previous loss. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Orion Group Holdings you should be aware of.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Orion Group Holdings' 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. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with high insider ownership.

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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.