There May Be Reason For Hope In La-Z-Boy's (NYSE:LZB) Disappointing Earnings

The market for La-Z-Boy Incorporated's (NYSE:LZB) shares didn't move much after it posted weak earnings recently. We did some digging, and we believe the earnings are stronger than they seem.

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How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

Importantly, our data indicates that La-Z-Boy's profit was reduced by US$22m, 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. If La-Z-Boy 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 La-Z-Boy's Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from La-Z-Boy'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 La-Z-Boy's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! On the other hand, its EPS actually shrunk in the last twelve months. 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. If you'd like to know more about La-Z-Boy as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. At Simply Wall St, we found 1 warning sign for La-Z-Boy and we think they deserve your attention.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of La-Z-Boy's profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. 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.