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.” 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.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 RAK Petroleum ( OB:RAKP ).Now, I’m not saying that the stock is necessarily undervalued today; but I can’t shake an appreciation for the profitability of the business itself.In comparison, loss making companies act like a sponge for capital – but unlike such a sponge they do not always produce something when squeezed.Check out our latest analysis for RAK Petroleum RAK Petroleum’s Improving Profits Over the last three years, RAK Petroleum has grown earnings per share (EPS) like young bamboo after rain; fast, and from a low base.
So I don’t think the percent growth rate is particularly meaningful.As a result, I’ll zoom in on growth over the last year, instead.Like the last firework on New Year’s Eve accelerating into the sky, RAK Petroleum’s EPS shot from US$0.27 to US$0.59, over the last year.
Year on year growth of 120% is certainly a sight to behold.The best case scenario? That the business has hit a true inflection point.
One way to double-check a company’s growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing.While RAK Petroleum did well to grow revenue over the last year, EBIT margins were dampened at the same time.So it seems the future my hold further growth, especially if EBIT margins can stabilize.The chart below shows how the company’s bottom and top lines have progressed over time.
For finer detail, click on the image.While it’s always good to see growing profits, you should always remember that a weak balance sheet could come back to bite.
So check RAK Petroleum’s balance sheet strength , before getting too excited.Are RAK Petroleum Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? I like company leaders to have some skin in the game, so to speak, because it increases alignment of incentives between the people running the business, and its true owners.As a result, I’m encouraged by the fact that insiders own RAK Petroleum shares worth a considerable sum.
With a whopping US$750m worth of shares as a group, insiders have plenty riding on the company’s success.At 26% of the company, the co-investment by insiders gives me confidence that management will make long-term focussed decisions.Should You Add RAK Petroleum To Your Watchlist? RAK Petroleum’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.The hope is, of course, that the strong growth marks a fundamental improvement in the business economics.So yes, on this short analysis I do think it’s worth considering RAK Petroleum for a spot on your watchlist.One of Buffett’s considerations when discussing businesses is if they are capital light or capital intensive.
Generally, a company with a high return on equity is capital light, and can thus fund growth more easily.So you might want to check this graph comparing RAK Petroleum’s ROE with industry peers (and the market at large) .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.
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.Thank you for reading..
