We Like GigaCloud Technology's (NASDAQ:GCT) Earnings For More Than Just Statutory Profit

The market seemed underwhelmed by the solid earnings posted by GigaCloud Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:GCT) recently. Along with the solid headline numbers, we think that investors have some reasons for optimism.

View our latest analysis for GigaCloud Technology

Examining Cashflow Against GigaCloud Technology's Earnings

One key financial ratio used to measure how well a company converts its profit to free cash flow (FCF) is the accrual ratio. The accrual ratio subtracts the FCF from the profit for a given period, and divides the result by the average operating assets of the company over that time. You could think of the accrual ratio from cashflow as the 'non-FCF profit ratio'.

As a result, a negative accrual ratio is a positive for the company, and a positive accrual ratio is a negative. While having an accrual ratio above zero is of little concern, we do think it's worth noting when a company has a relatively high accrual ratio. To quote a 2014 paper by Lewellen and Resutek, "firms with higher accruals tend to be less profitable in the future".

For the year to December 2024, GigaCloud Technology had an accrual ratio of -0.16. Therefore, its statutory earnings were very significantly less than its free cashflow. In fact, it had free cash flow of US$143m in the last year, which was a lot more than its statutory profit of US$125.8m. GigaCloud Technology's free cash flow improved over the last year, which is generally good to see.

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 GigaCloud Technology's Profit Performance

GigaCloud Technology's accrual ratio is solid, and indicates strong free cash flow, as we discussed, above. Because of this, we think GigaCloud Technology's earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! Better yet, its EPS are growing strongly, which is nice to see. 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. In light of this, if you'd like to do more analysis on the company, it's vital to be informed of the risks involved. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 1 warning sign with GigaCloud Technology, and understanding it should be part of your investment process.

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

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

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.