For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it completely lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But the reality is that when a company loses money each year, for long enough, its investors will usually take their share of those losses.

So if you're like me, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings) (HKG:6966). While that doesn't make the shares worth buying at any price, you can't deny that successful capitalism requires profit, eventually. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, unless its owners have an endless appetite for subsidizing the customer, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else breathe its last breath.

Check out our latest analysis for China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings)

How Fast Is China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings) Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

Even with very modest growth rates, a company will usually do well if it improves earnings per share (EPS) year after year. So it's no surprise that some investors are more inclined to invest in profitable businesses. Over twelve months, China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings) increased its EPS from CN¥0.025 to CN¥0.027. That's a modest gain of 6.7%.

Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. On the one hand, China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings)'s EBIT margins fell over the last year, but on the other hand, revenue grew. So if EBIT margins can stabilize, this top-line growth should pay off for shareholders.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings, and revenue, over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings) isn't a huge company, given its market capitalization of HK$420m. That makes it extra important to check on its balance sheet strength.

Are China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings) Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Many consider high insider ownership to be a strong sign of alignment between the leaders of a company and the ordinary shareholders. So we're pleased to report that China Wan Tong Yuan (Holdings) insiders own a meaningful share of the business. Indeed, with a collective holding of 79%, company insiders are in control and have plenty of capital behind the venture. To me this is a good sign because it suggests they will be incentivised to build value for shareholders over the long term. In terms of absolute value, insiders have CN¥331m invested in the business, using the current share price. That's nothing to sneeze at!