If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. In light of that, when we looked at Sinotruk (Hong Kong) (HKG:3808) and its ROCE trend, we weren't exactly thrilled.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Sinotruk (Hong Kong):

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.13 = CN¥6.3b ÷ (CN¥122b - CN¥73b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

Therefore, Sinotruk (Hong Kong) has an ROCE of 13%. In absolute terms, that's a satisfactory return, but compared to the Machinery industry average of 7.3% it's much better.

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Sinotruk (Hong Kong) compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Sinotruk (Hong Kong) for free.

What Can We Tell From Sinotruk (Hong Kong)'s ROCE Trend?

On the surface, the trend of ROCE at Sinotruk (Hong Kong) doesn't inspire confidence. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 20% over the last five years. Although, given both revenue and the amount of assets employed in the business have increased, it could suggest the company is investing in growth, and the extra capital has led to a short-term reduction in ROCE. And if the increased capital generates additional returns, the business, and thus shareholders, will benefit in the long run.

On a side note, Sinotruk (Hong Kong)'s current liabilities are still rather high at 60% of total assets. This can bring about some risks because the company is basically operating with a rather large reliance on its suppliers or other sorts of short-term creditors. While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it can be beneficial if this ratio is lower.

Our Take On Sinotruk (Hong Kong)'s ROCE

Even though returns on capital have fallen in the short term, we find it promising that revenue and capital employed have both increased for Sinotruk (Hong Kong). These trends are starting to be recognized by investors since the stock has delivered a 37% gain to shareholders who've held over the last five years. So this stock may still be an appealing investment opportunity, if other fundamentals prove to be sound.

On a final note, we've found 1 warning sign for Sinotruk (Hong Kong) that we think you should be aware of.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

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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.