Silgan Holdings' (NYSE:SLGN) Conservative Accounting Might Explain Soft Earnings

Soft earnings didn't appear to concern Silgan Holdings Inc.'s (NYSE:SLGN) shareholders over the last week. Our analysis suggests that while the profits are soft, the foundations of the business are strong.

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The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

Importantly, our data indicates that Silgan Holdings' profit was reduced by US$88m, 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. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Silgan Holdings 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 Silgan Holdings' Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from Silgan Holdings' earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Because of this, we think Silgan Holdings' earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! 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. So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. For example, Silgan Holdings has 2 warning signs (and 1 which can't be ignored) we think you should know about.

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