The market was pleased with the recent earnings report from Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV), despite the profit numbers being soft. Our analysis suggests that investors may have noticed some promising signs beyond the statutory profit figures.

Check out our latest analysis for Hilton Grand Vacations

How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?

To properly understand Hilton Grand Vacations' profit results, we need to consider the US$256m expense attributed 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 Hilton Grand Vacations 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 Hilton Grand Vacations' Profit Performance

Unusual items (expenses) detracted from Hilton Grand Vacations' earnings over the last year, but we might see an improvement next year. Because of this, we think Hilton Grand Vacations' earnings potential is at least as good as it seems, and maybe even better! Unfortunately, though, its earnings per share actually fell back over the last year. 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. If you'd like to know more about Hilton Grand Vacations as a business, it's important to be aware of any risks it's facing. Our analysis shows 3 warning signs for Hilton Grand Vacations (1 is a bit concerning!) and we strongly recommend you look at these before investing.

This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Hilton Grand Vacations' 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. 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.