There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. However, after investigating NORINCO International Cooperation (SZSE:000065), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for NORINCO International Cooperation, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.067 = CN¥968m ÷ (CN¥24b - CN¥9.8b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2024).

So, NORINCO International Cooperation has an ROCE of 6.7%. On its own that's a low return on capital but it's in line with the industry's average returns of 6.9%.

In the above chart we have measured NORINCO International Cooperation's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering NORINCO International Cooperation for free.

So How Is NORINCO International Cooperation's ROCE Trending?

The returns on capital haven't changed much for NORINCO International Cooperation in recent years. Over the past five years, ROCE has remained relatively flat at around 6.7% and the business has deployed 160% more capital into its operations. This poor ROCE doesn't inspire confidence right now, and with the increase in capital employed, it's evident that the business isn't deploying the funds into high return investments.

Another thing to note, NORINCO International Cooperation has a high ratio of current liabilities to total assets of 40%. This effectively means that suppliers (or short-term creditors) are funding a large portion of the business, so just be aware that this can introduce some elements of risk. While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it can be beneficial if this ratio is lower.

The Bottom Line On NORINCO International Cooperation's ROCE

As we've seen above, NORINCO International Cooperation's returns on capital haven't increased but it is reinvesting in the business. Since the stock has gained an impressive 62% over the last five years, investors must think there's better things to come. Ultimately, if the underlying trends persist, we wouldn't hold our breath on it being a multi-bagger going forward.

If you'd like to know about the risks facing NORINCO International Cooperation, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should be aware of.

While NORINCO International Cooperation may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

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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.