The market for Man Wah Holdings Limited's (HKG:1999) shares didn't move much after it posted weak earnings recently. Our analysis suggests that while the profits are soft, the foundations of the business are strong.

View our latest analysis for Man Wah Holdings

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

Importantly, our data indicates that Man Wah Holdings' profit was reduced by HK$300m, due to unusual items, over the last year. 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. If Man Wah Holdings 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 Man Wah Holdings' Profit Performance

Because unusual items detracted from Man Wah Holdings' 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 Man Wah Holdings' statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And the EPS is up 13% annually, 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. If you want to do dive deeper into Man Wah Holdings, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Man Wah Holdings you should be aware of.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Man Wah Holdings' profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. 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.