A lackluster earnings announcement from Ningbo TIP Rubber Technology Co.,Ltd (SHSE:605255) last week didn't sink the stock price. We think that investors are worried about some weaknesses underlying the earnings.

Operating Revenue Or Not?

At most companies, some revenue streams, such as government grants, are accounted for as non-operating revenue, while the core business is said to produce operating revenue. Oftentimes, non-operating revenue spikes are not repeated, so it makes sense to be cautious where non-operating revenue has made a very large contribution to total profit. Importantly, the non-operating revenue often comes without associated ongoing costs, so it can boost profit by letting it fall straight to the bottom line, making the operating business seem better than it really is. Notably, Ningbo TIP Rubber TechnologyLtd had a significant increase in non-operating revenue over the last year. In fact, our data indicates that non-operating revenue increased from CN¥315.7m to CN¥332.7m. The high levels of non-operating revenue are problematic because if (and when) they do not repeat, then overall revenue (and profitability) of the firm will fall. Sometimes, you can get a better idea of the underlying earnings potential of a company by excluding unusual boosts to non-operating revenue.

Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Ningbo TIP Rubber TechnologyLtd.

Our Take On Ningbo TIP Rubber TechnologyLtd's Profit Performance

Because Ningbo TIP Rubber TechnologyLtd's non-operating revenue spiked quite noticeably last year, you could argue that a focus on statutory profit would be too generous because profits may drop back in the future (when that non-operating revenue is not repeated). For this reason, we think that Ningbo TIP Rubber TechnologyLtd's statutory profits may be a bad guide to its underlying earnings power, and might give investors an overly positive impression of the company. And we are pleased to note that EPS is at least heading in the right direction in the alst twelve months. The goal of this article has been to assess how well we can rely on the statutory earnings to reflect the company's potential, but there is plenty more to consider. Keep in mind, when it comes to analysing a stock it's worth noting the risks involved. To help with this, we've discovered 2 warning signs (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) that you ought to be aware of before buying any shares in Ningbo TIP Rubber TechnologyLtd.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Ningbo TIP Rubber TechnologyLtd'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. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with high insider ownership.

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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.