Shareholders Can Be Confident That Burlington Stores' (NYSE:BURL) Earnings Are High Quality

Burlington Stores, Inc. (NYSE:BURL) recently posted some strong earnings, and the market responded positively. Our analysis found some more factors that we think are good for shareholders.

See our latest analysis for Burlington Stores

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand Burlington Stores' profit results, we need to consider the US$62m expense attributed to unusual items. It's never great to see unusual items costing the company profits, but on the upside, things might improve sooner rather than later. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. If Burlington Stores 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 Burlington Stores' Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from Burlington Stores' 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 Burlington Stores' statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And on top of that, its earnings per share increased by 48% in the last year. 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. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing Burlington Stores at this point in time. For example - Burlington Stores has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Burlington Stores' 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. 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 that insiders are buying 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.