Shareholders appeared unconcerned with Del Monte Pacific Limited's (SGX:D03) lackluster earnings report last week. We did some digging, and we believe the earnings are stronger than they seem.

See our latest analysis for Del Monte Pacific

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

To properly understand Del Monte Pacific's profit results, we need to consider the US$47m expense attributed to unusual items. 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 Del Monte Pacific 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 Del Monte Pacific's Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from Del Monte Pacific's earnings over the last year, you could argue that we can expect an improved result in the current quarter. Because of this, we think Del Monte Pacific's earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! Unfortunately, though, its earnings per share actually fell back over the last year. The goal of this article has been to assess how well we can rely on the statutory earnings to reflect the company's potential, but there is plenty more to consider. If you want to do dive deeper into Del Monte Pacific, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. When we did our research, we found 4 warning signs for Del Monte Pacific (2 are significant!) that we believe deserve your full attention.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Del Monte Pacific'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 that insiders are buying.

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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.