Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power Co., LTD.'s (SHSE:605162) robust recent earnings didn't do much to move the stock. However the statutory profit number doesn't tell the whole story, and we have found some factors which might be of concern to shareholders.

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

For anyone who wants to understand Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit gained from CN¥29m worth of 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. Which is hardly surprising, given the name. Assuming those unusual items don't show up again in the current year, we'd thus expect profit to be weaker next year (in the absence of business growth, that is).

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power.

Our Take On Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power's Profit Performance

Arguably, Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power's statutory earnings have been distorted by unusual items boosting profit. Because of this, we think that it may be that Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power's statutory profits are better than its underlying earnings power. The good news is that, its earnings per share increased by 45% in the last year. 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. 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. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power you should be mindful of and 1 of them makes us a bit uncomfortable.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Zhejiang Xinzhonggang Thermal Power's 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 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.