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.And in their study titled Who Falls Prey to the Wolf of Wall Street?’ Leuz et.al.found that it is ‘quite common’ for investors to lose money by buying into ‘pump and dump’ schemes.” data-reactid=”18″>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.
And in their study titled Who Falls Prey to the Wolf of Wall Street?’ Leuz et.al.
found that it is ‘quite common’ for investors to lose money by buying into ‘pump and dump’ schemes.So if you’re like me, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like MOQ ( ASX:MOQ ).
Even if the shares are fully valued today, most capitalists would recognize its profits as the demonstration of steady value generation.Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, but time is often a friend of the profitable company, especially if it is growing.See our latest analysis for MOQ How Fast Is MOQ Growing Its Earnings Per Share? In the last three years MOQ’s earnings per share took off like a rocket; fast, and from a low base.So the actual rate of growth doesn’t tell us much.As a result, I’ll zoom in on growth over the last year, instead.Like a firecracker arcing through the night sky, MOQ’s EPS shot from AU$0.007 to AU$0.014, over the last year.
You don’t see 103% year-on-year growth like that, very often.I like to see top-line growth as an indication that growth is sustainable, and I look for a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin to point to a competitive moat (though some companies with low margins also have moats).While we note MOQ’s EBIT margins were flat over the last year, revenue grew by a solid 15% to AU$68m.That’s progress.The chart below shows how the company’s bottom and top lines have progressed over time.To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.Since MOQ is no giant, with a market capitalization of AU$43m, so you should definitely check its cash and debt before getting too excited about its prospects.
Are MOQ 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 as you can imagine, the fact that MOQ insiders own a significant number of shares certainly appeals to me.In fact, they own 43% of the shares, making insiders a very influential shareholder group.
I’m reassured by this kind of alignment, as it suggests the business will be run for the benefit of shareholders.Valued at only AU$43m MOQ is really small for a listed company.So despite a large proportional holding, insiders only have AU$18m worth of stock.That’s not a huge stake in absolute terms, but it should help keep insiders aligned with other shareholders.Does MOQ Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? MOQ’s earnings have taken off like any random crypto-currency did, back in 2017.That EPS growth certainly has my attention, and the large insider ownership only serves to further stoke my interest.
At times fast EPS growth is a sign the business has reached an inflection point; and I do like those.So to my mind MOQ is worth putting on your watchlist; after all, shareholders do well when the market underestimates fast growing companies.Of course, just because MOQ is growing does not mean it is undervalued.If you’re wondering about the valuation, check out this gauge of its price-to-earnings ratio , as compared to its industry.You can invest in any company you want.
But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months.
Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at .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.
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