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Even though Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. (NASDAQ:COKE ) posted strong earnings, investors appeared to be underwhelmed. We have done some analysis and have found some comforting factors beneath the profit numbers.
See our latest analysis for Coca-Cola Consolidated
The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit
For anyone who wants to understand Coca-Cola Consolidated's profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by US$161m due to unusual items. It's never great to see unusual items costing the company profits, but on the upside, things might improve sooner rather than later. We looked at thousands of listed companies and found that unusual items are very often one-off in nature. And, after all, that's exactly what the accounting terminology implies. Assuming those unusual expenses don't come up again, we'd therefore expect Coca-Cola Consolidated to produce a higher profit next year, all else being equal.
Note: we always recommend investors check balance sheet strength. Click here to be taken to our balance sheet analysis of Coca-Cola Consolidated.
Our Take On Coca-Cola Consolidated's Profit Performance
Because unusual items detracted from Coca-Cola Consolidated'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 Coca-Cola Consolidated's statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! Better yet, its EPS are growing strongly, which is nice to see. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. While earnings are important, another area to consider is the balance sheet. We've done some analysis and you can see our take on Coca-Cola Consolidated's balance sheet by clicking here.
This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Coca-Cola Consolidated'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.