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Even though Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE ) posted strong earnings, investors appeared to be underwhelmed. Our analysis says that investors should be optimistic, as the strong profit is built on solid foundations.
Our free stock report includes 3 warning signs investors should be aware of before investing in Bloom Energy. Read for free now.
The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit
For anyone who wants to understand Bloom Energy's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by US$9.8m due to unusual items. While deductions due to unusual items are disappointing in the first instance, there is a silver lining. We looked at thousands of listed companies and found that unusual items are very often one-off in nature. And that's hardly a surprise given these line items are considered unusual. If Bloom Energy doesn't see those unusual expenses repeat, then all else being equal we'd expect its profit to increase over the coming year.
That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.
Our Take On Bloom Energy's Profit Performance
Because unusual items detracted from Bloom Energy's earnings over the last year, you could argue that we can expect an improved result in the current quarter. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that Bloom Energy's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And one can definitely find a positive in the fact that it made a profit this year, despite losing money last year. 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. If you'd like to know more about Bloom Energy as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Bloom Energy you should be mindful of and 1 of them is significant.
Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of Bloom Energy'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. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with significant insider holdings to be useful.
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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.