Was Biesse S.p.A.'s (BIT:BSS) Earnings Decline Part Of A Broader Industry Downturn?

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After reading Biesse S.p.A.'s (BIT:BSS) most recent earnings announcement (30 June 2019), I found it useful to look back at how the company has performed in the past and compare this against the latest numbers. As a long-term investor I tend to focus on earnings trend, rather than a single number at one point in time. Also, comparing it against an industry benchmark to understand whether it outperformed, or is simply riding an industry wave, is a crucial aspect. Below is a brief commentary on my key takeaways.

View our latest analysis for Biesse

How Well Did BSS Perform?

BSS's trailing twelve-month earnings (from 30 June 2019) of €37m has declined by -13% compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, this one-year growth rate has been lower than its average earnings growth rate over the past 5 years of 24%, indicating the rate at which BSS is growing has slowed down. What could be happening here? Well, let's look at what's transpiring with margins and whether the entire industry is facing the same headwind.

BIT:BSS Income Statement, November 1st 2019
BIT:BSS Income Statement, November 1st 2019

In terms of returns from investment, Biesse has fallen short of achieving a 20% return on equity (ROE), recording 17% instead. However, its return on assets (ROA) of 5.7% exceeds the IT Machinery industry of 3.7%, indicating Biesse has used its assets more efficiently. Though, its return on capital (ROC), which also accounts for Biesse’s debt level, has declined over the past 3 years from 25% to 17%.

What does this mean?

Biesse's track record can be a valuable insight into its earnings performance, but it certainly doesn't tell the whole story. Companies that are profitable, but have capricious earnings, can have many factors influencing its business. You should continue to research Biesse to get a better picture of the stock by looking at:

  1. Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for BSS’s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for BSS’s outlook.

  2. Financial Health: Are BSS’s operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why we’ve done it for you. Check out our financial health checks here.

  3. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the trailing twelve months from 30 June 2019. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading.