Investors signalled that they were pleased with TELUS Corporation's (TSE:T) most recent earnings report. Looking deeper at the numbers, we found several encouraging factors beyond the headline profit numbers.

View our latest analysis for TELUS

The Impact Of Unusual Items On Profit

For anyone who wants to understand TELUS' profit beyond the statutory numbers, it's important to note that during the last twelve months statutory profit was reduced by CA$392m 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. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And that's hardly a surprise given these line items are considered unusual. If TELUS 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 TELUS' Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from TELUS' earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Based on this observation, we consider it likely that TELUS' statutory profit actually understates its earnings potential! And the EPS is up 12% over the last twelve months. The goal of this article has been to assess how well we can rely on the statutory earnings to reflect the company's potential, but there is plenty more to consider. In light of this, if you'd like to do more analysis on the company, it's vital to be informed of the risks involved. For example, we've found that TELUS has 3 warning signs (2 are a bit concerning!) that deserve your attention before going any further with your analysis.

Today we've zoomed in on a single data point to better understand the nature of TELUS' 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.