Investors were underwhelmed by the solid earnings posted by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) recently. We have done some analysis and have found some comforting factors beneath the profit numbers.

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

For anyone who wants to understand Neurocrine Biosciences' profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by US$116m due 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. We looked at thousands of listed companies and found that unusual items are very often one-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Neurocrine Biosciences 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 Neurocrine Biosciences' Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from Neurocrine Biosciences' earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Because of this, we think Neurocrine Biosciences' earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! And on top of that, its earnings per share increased by 58% in the last year. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. 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. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Neurocrine Biosciences you should know about.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Neurocrine Biosciences' 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. 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.