It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. 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.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd (SZSE:300545). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it.

Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd's Improving Profits

Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd has undergone a massive growth in earnings per share over the last three years. So much so that this three year growth rate wouldn't be a fair assessment of the company's future. So it would be better to isolate the growth rate over the last year for our analysis. Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd's EPS skyrocketed from CN¥0.88 to CN¥1.37, in just one year; a result that's bound to bring a smile to shareholders. That's a commendable gain of 56%.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 14% to 21%, and revenue is growing. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth.

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

While it's always good to see growing profits, you should always remember that a weak balance sheet could come back to bite. So check Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd's balance sheet strength, before getting too excited.

Are Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Theory would suggest that it's an encouraging sign to see high insider ownership of a company, since it ties company performance directly to the financial success of its management. So as you can imagine, the fact that Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd insiders own a significant number of shares certainly is appealing. In fact, they own 50% of the shares, making insiders a very influential shareholder group. This should be a welcoming sign for investors because it suggests that the people making the decisions are also impacted by their choices. at the current share price. This is an incredible endorsement from them.

Does Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?

If you believe that share price follows earnings per share you should definitely be delving further into Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd's strong EPS growth. With EPS growth rates like that, it's hardly surprising to see company higher-ups place confidence in the company through continuing to hold a significant investment. On the balance of its merits, solid EPS growth and company insiders who are aligned with the shareholders would indicate a business that is worthy of further research. Even so, be aware that Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about...

Although Shenzhen Liande Automation Equipmentltd certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see companies with more skin in the game, then check out this handpicked selection of Chinese companies that not only boast of strong growth but have strong insider backing.

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

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
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.