Shareholders appeared unconcerned with Sanxiang Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.'s (SHSE:603663) lackluster earnings report last week. Our analysis suggests that while the profits are soft, the foundations of the business are strong.

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

To properly understand Sanxiang Advanced Materials' profit results, we need to consider the CN¥66m 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. Sanxiang Advanced Materials took a rather significant hit from unusual items in the year to December 2023. All else being equal, this would likely have the effect of making the statutory profit look worse than its underlying earnings power.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Sanxiang Advanced Materials.

Our Take On Sanxiang Advanced Materials' Profit Performance

As we discussed above, we think the significant unusual expense will make Sanxiang Advanced Materials' statutory profit lower than it would otherwise have been. Based on this observation, we consider it possible that Sanxiang Advanced Materials' statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And on top of that, its earnings per share have grown at 9.5% per year over the last three years. 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. Keep in mind, when it comes to analysing a stock it's worth noting the risks involved. For example, Sanxiang Advanced Materials has 3 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit concerning) we think you should know about.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Sanxiang Advanced Materials' 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.