Sinomach General Machinery Science & Technology Co.,Ltd.'s (SHSE:600444) recent weak earnings report didn't cause a big stock movement. However, we believe that investors should be aware of some underlying factors which may be of concern.

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

Importantly, our data indicates that Sinomach General Machinery Science & TechnologyLtd's profit received a boost of CN¥3.4m in unusual items, over the last year. While it's always nice to have higher profit, a large contribution from unusual items sometimes dampens our enthusiasm. We ran the numbers on most publicly listed companies worldwide, and it's very common for unusual items to be once-off in nature. 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 Sinomach General Machinery Science & TechnologyLtd.

Our Take On Sinomach General Machinery Science & TechnologyLtd's Profit Performance

We'd posit that Sinomach General Machinery Science & TechnologyLtd's statutory earnings aren't a clean read on ongoing productivity, due to the large unusual item. Therefore, it seems possible to us that Sinomach General Machinery Science & TechnologyLtd's true underlying earnings power is actually less than its statutory profit. Sadly, its EPS was down over the last twelve months. 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. Keep in mind, when it comes to analysing a stock it's worth noting the risks involved. For example, we've found that Sinomach General Machinery Science & TechnologyLtd has 2 warning signs (1 is a bit concerning!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Sinomach General Machinery Science & TechnologyLtd's profit. But there is always more to discover if you are capable of focussing your mind on minutiae. Some people consider a high return on equity to be a good sign of a quality business. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

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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.