The market shrugged off Termbray Industries International (Holdings) Limited's (HKG:93) weak earnings report last week. We looked at the details, and we think that investors may be responding to some encouraging factors.

View our latest analysis for Termbray Industries International (Holdings)

The Power Of Non-Operating Revenue

Most companies divide classify their revenue as either 'operating revenue', which comes from normal operations, and other revenue, which could include government grants, for example. Where possible, we prefer rely on operating revenue to get a better understanding of how the business is functioning. Importantly, the non-operating revenue often comes without associated ongoing costs, so it can boost profit by letting it fall straight to the bottom line, making the operating business seem better than it really is. Notably, Termbray Industries International (Holdings) had a significant increase in non-operating revenue over the last year. Indeed, its non-operating revenue rose from HK$65.7m last year to HK$130.9m this year. If that non-operating revenue fails to manifest in the current year, then there's a real risk the bottom line profit result will be impacted negatively. Sometimes, you can get a better idea of the underlying earnings potential of a company by excluding unusual boosts to non-operating revenue.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Termbray Industries International (Holdings).

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

On top of the non-operating revenue spike, we should also consider the HK$11m impact of unusual items in the last year, which had the effect of suppressing profit. 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 Termbray Industries International (Holdings) doesn't see those unusual expenses repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to increase over the coming year.

Our Take On Termbray Industries International (Holdings)'s Profit Performance

In the last year Termbray Industries International (Holdings)'s non-operating revenue really gave it a boost, but not in a way that is necessarily going to be sustained. Having said that, it also took a hit from unusual items, which could bode well for next year, assuming the expense was one-off in nature. Based on these factors, we think it's very unlikely that Termbray Industries International (Holdings)'s statutory profits make it seem much weaker than it is. 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. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Termbray Industries International (Holdings) you should be aware of.

In this article we've looked at a number of factors that can impair the utility of profit numbers, as a guide to a business. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. 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.