The subdued market reaction suggests that Shenzhen Sine Electric Co.,Ltd.'s (SHSE:688395) recent earnings didn't contain any surprises. Our analysis suggests that along with soft profit numbers, investors should be aware of some other underlying weaknesses in the numbers.

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

Importantly, our data indicates that Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd's profit received a boost of CN¥8.5m in unusual items, over the last year. We can't deny that higher profits generally leave us optimistic, but we'd prefer it if the profit were to be sustainable. We ran the numbers on most publicly listed companies worldwide, and it's very common for unusual items to be once-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd had a rather significant contribution from unusual items relative to its profit to June 2024. As a result, we can surmise that the unusual items are making its statutory profit significantly stronger than it would otherwise be.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd.

Our Take On Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd's Profit Performance

As previously mentioned, Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd's large boost from unusual items won't be there indefinitely, so its statutory earnings are probably a poor guide to its underlying profitability. For this reason, we think that Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd's statutory profits may be a bad guide to its underlying earnings power, and might give investors an overly positive impression of the company. Sadly, its EPS was down over the last twelve months. 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. So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd at this point in time. Our analysis shows 3 warning signs for Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) and we strongly recommend you look at these before investing.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Shenzhen Sine ElectricLtd's 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. 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 with significant insider holdings 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.