We Think You Can Look Beyond ManpowerGroup's (NYSE:MAN) Lackluster Earnings

ManpowerGroup Inc.'s (NYSE:MAN) earnings announcement last week didn't impress shareholders. While the headline numbers were soft, we believe that investors might be missing some encouraging factors.

See our latest analysis for ManpowerGroup

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

Importantly, our data indicates that ManpowerGroup's profit was reduced by US$184m, due to unusual items, over the last year. 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. In the twelve months to September 2024, ManpowerGroup had a big unusual items expense. All else being equal, this would likely have the effect of making the statutory profit look worse than its underlying earnings power.

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 ManpowerGroup's Profit Performance

As we mentioned previously, the ManpowerGroup's profit was hampered by unusual items in the last year. Based on this observation, we consider it possible that ManpowerGroup's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! 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. If you want to do dive deeper into ManpowerGroup, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. For example, we've found that ManpowerGroup has 3 warning signs (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of ManpowerGroup'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. 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.