The recent earnings posted by Shareate Tools Ltd. (SHSE:688257) were solid, but the stock didn't move as much as we expected. We think this is due to investors looking beyond the statutory profits and being concerned with what they see.

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

To properly understand Shareate Tools' profit results, we need to consider the CN¥16m gain attributed to unusual items. We can't deny that higher profits generally leave us optimistic, but we'd prefer it if the profit were to be sustainable. 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 Shareate Tools doesn't see that contribution repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to drop over the current year.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Shareate Tools.

Our Take On Shareate Tools' Profit Performance

Arguably, Shareate Tools' statutory earnings have been distorted by unusual items boosting profit. Therefore, it seems possible to us that Shareate Tools' true underlying earnings power is actually less than its statutory profit. The good news is that, its earnings per share increased by 14% 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. If you want to do dive deeper into Shareate Tools, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Shareate Tools you should know about.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Shareate Tools' profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. 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.