Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away.

Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd (SHSE:603379). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd's Earnings Per Share Are Growing

If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. That makes EPS growth an attractive quality for any company. Shareholders will be happy to know that Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd's EPS has grown 31% each year, compound, over three years. This has no doubt fuelled the optimism that sees the stock trading on a high multiple of earnings.

Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. Our analysis has highlighted that Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd's revenue from operations did not account for all of their revenue last year, so our analysis of its margins might not accurately reflect the underlying business. We note that while EBIT margins have improved from 5.3% to 8.2%, the company has actually reported a fall in revenue by 20%. That falls short of ideal.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd's future profits.

Are Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Seeing insiders owning a large portion of the shares on issue is often a good sign. Their incentives will be aligned with the investors and there's less of a probability in a sudden sell-off that would impact the share price. So those who are interested in Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd will be delighted to know that insiders have shown their belief, holding a large proportion of the company's shares. To be exact, company insiders hold 58% of the company, so their decisions have a significant impact on their investments. Intuition will tell you this is a good sign because it suggests they will be incentivised to build value for shareholders over the long term. And their holding is extremely valuable at the current share price, totalling CN¥14b. That level of investment from insiders is nothing to sneeze at.

While it's always good to see some strong conviction in the company from insiders through heavy investment, it's also important for shareholders to ask if management compensation policies are reasonable. A brief analysis of the CEO compensation suggests they are. For companies with market capitalisations between CN¥14b and CN¥46b, like Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd, the median CEO pay is around CN¥1.6m.

Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd's CEO took home a total compensation package of CN¥777k in the year prior to December 2022. First impressions seem to indicate a compensation policy that is favourable to shareholders. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. Generally, arguments can be made that reasonable pay levels attest to good decision-making.

Does Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

For growth investors, Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. If you need more convincing beyond that EPS growth rate, don't forget about the reasonable remuneration and the high insider ownership. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to investing but it definitely makes Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd look rather interesting indeed. Even so, be aware that Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical IndustryLtd is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about...

While opting for stocks without growing earnings and absent insider buying can yield results, for investors valuing these key metrics, here is a carefully selected list of companies in CN with promising growth potential and insider confidence.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

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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.